West Coast Show Season Opens At Diamond Jubilee
Monday, April 18, 2005
On April 8-10, the Diamond Jubilee Morgan Horse Show opened the West coast show season as it has for the past 33 years. This show features a wonderful facility in the Del Mar Fairgrounds; a fabulous setting in the oceanside town of Del Mar; and a hardworking group of horse show volunteers and officials. Diamond Jubilee certainly has many things going for it.
In spite of record rainfall this winter in California, the turnout for the show was up this year with strong support from the Southern California stables along with Garn Walker and David Young once again making the trip from Northern California along with The River's Edge making the long trip from Colorado. The beautiful weather with pleasant sunny days and typically cool evening ocean breezes made for a great weekend.
Diamond Jubilee is fortunate to have some energetic volunteers who do a fine job with class sponsorships, show activities and careful budgeting in order to keep the show financially sound. Many small shows are not so lucky. It is crucial that trainers and exhibitors support the smaller shows, as many in attendance at Diamond Jubilee do each year.
Diamond Jubilee featured many ways in which to celebrate the start of show season including parties and special events. Exhibitors were welcomed with a pizza party on Thursday prior to the show's Friday morning start. A number of barns took part in the progressive barn party between Friday's afternoon and evening sessions. Blackridge hosted a well-attended Saturday evening exhibitor's party. Young exhibitors got the chance to have some added fun in Saturday's stick horse class. St. Tropez Bakery & Bistro sponsored a ringside Sunday brunch for all in attendance while final bids were being taken on nearby silent auction items.
This years Diamond Jubilee was again presented by the Morgan Horse Club of San Diego County with Ann Miller heading the hardworking show committee. This year's show was held for the benefit of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, two charities near and dear to club members. The list of repeat show officials included show manager Mary K. Hartman, show secretary Beverly Hurst assisted by Sheri Hurst, paddock steward Kent Moeller, and photographer Howard Schatzberg. Everyone at Diamond Jubilee signed a card and sent best wishes to Bil Hartman, who has served in many capacities at Diamond Jubilee over the years, as he recovers from quadruple bypass surgery.
Richard Boule and Christina Stewart-Mitchell were selected to officiate this year’s show along with Bonita Baumgartner who scored the dressage. The Diamond Jubilee also hosted the AMHA Judging School for the fifth time with nearly 20 judges and applicants joining the group headed by Harry Sebring and Larry Bolen.
The show ring highlights of the Diamond Jubilee Morgan Horse Show follow with complete results also in this issue as well as on our website at www.saddlehorsereport.com.
IN HAND
The Gelding In Hand classes got the show underway on Friday morning with GMH Flash It My Way collecting the first blue of the weekend in the two and under class. The Nocturnal Flash son began a winning show for always busy Frank and Ann Miller as well as owners Ted and Eutha Giesick. Missy Hanover was on the winning lead of the sporty KHF Bleeding Heart as he posed as the Grand Champion Gelding following the five and over win for Christopher Rushton.
The mares followed with Linda Sheridan cheering on her lovely Outrajus Temptation to the Junior Champion Mare honors as well as the two-year-old blue. David Young was on the lead of the stylish daughter of CCR's Outrajus Corajus. Kimberly Caruso presented her Immortal Command daughter KJC Lady In Command to the Reserve Junior Champion Mare honors following the yearling win.
Tracy Fietz and Jim Hangley of Morgan Ridge Farm were on hand to cheer on the latest young star out of their prized broodmare JL's Deer Sal as Belle Of The Ball made her victorious debut in Del Mar. Bob Hughes was on the lead of the dynamic HVK Bell Flaire daughter to capture the Three-Year-Old, Senior and Grand Champion Mare honors.
The Four-Year-Old Mares blue went home with Mark Schultz as his Issues N' Answers daughter FPF Curtain Call posed for the win. Frank Miller was on the lead of the deep bodied Minion Roseanne as the Mainframe daughter topped the five and over class and went on to be named Reserve Senior and Reserve Grand Champion Mare for Jennifer Huff's Monarch Farm.
Frank and Ann Miller had a lock on the young stallion competition. The smooth and showy Triton Metropolitan topped the yearling class and was named Reserve Junior Champion Stallion for the Triton Morgan Trust with Bob and Susie Morgan on hand to cheer him on. Faragamo hit the ring with style as he struck the winning pose as the Two-Year-Old, Junior and Grand Champion Stallion. Frank Miller guided the charismatic Mizrahi son to the honors for Caprice Soltice-Zoumaras.
Martin and Glenda Drake enjoyed another tricolor start to the year courtesy of Deer Creek Count De Monet and Drake's Standing Ovation as they were named Senior and Reserve Senior Champion Stallion respectively. Count De Monet earned top honors in the five and over and was also named Reserve Grand Champion Stallion in addition to returning the following day for the Amateur In Hand win for the third year in a row.
PARK
After topping the March Madness Sale in 2004, Dragonsmeade Evensong enjoyed a victorious debut as Far West's Junior Park Saddle Champion. With the winter to mature, the expressive Beethoven daughter was back on center stage to trot away with the Open Park Saddle blue in her only performance of the show with Debi Jeppesen in the irons for Richard and Linda Hawkins.
World Champion HVK Ancient Cry and Helen Crawford gave the audience plenty to cheer about as they opened the season in top form as they strutted down victory lane in the Amateur Park Harness as well as the Park Harness Championship for Boston Morgan Farm. Vince LeMaster and his new partner Queen's Protege put on a pair of bold performances to follow in reserve for Cristy Coleman.
Following his show ring debut as Morgan Medallion Grand Champion Stallion in 2004, SLB Andiamo made his impressive performance debut at Diamond Jubilee. Bob Hughes was on the lines of the expressive son of Simply Maserati and HVK Obsidian to introduce him as the Junior Park Harness winner. He returned the following evening teamed with Debi Jeppesen to capture the Ladies Park Harness blue for owner/breeder Sherry Bartolucci of SLB Farms.
The three-year-olds stepped up with some big performances as Boxford's Bravura made his presence known as Gerry Rushton guided him to the Open Park Harness blue. The HVK Man About Town son enjoyed his only performance of the show as did proud owners Ted and Elaine Olson.
ENGLISH PLEASURE
The English pleasure division had a nice complement of world champions and future stars performing in Del Mar. Five-year-old WSG Shady Lady stepped up with a matured presence to conquer the open blue and tricolor with Debi Jeppesen guiding for Dragonsmeade Farm. KHF Bleeding Heart and Missy Hanover teamed up for a polished performance to earn the English Pleasure Reserve Championship for Christopher Rushton.
World Champion No Doubt and owner Debra Hurst-Walters teamed up for a pair of impressive performances to start off the season in winning fashion. They topped the Friday evening qualifier and returned to best the eight entry Amateur English Pleasure Championship under the direction of The River's Edge. Ling Fu Wylie enjoyed her first time showing in Del Mar as she teamed up with the elegant HVK Obsidian to top a nice six entry field in the ladies class and return as the Amateur English Pleasure Reserve Champions directed by Blackridge.
Dragonsmeade Farm was also proud of their charismatic Simply Maserati daughter Dragonsmeade Divine Miss M as Debi Jeppesen rode her to the limit blue with Iann Fu Longenecker and Ling Fu Wylie cheering them on.
Grand National Champion Ryan's Got The Beat enjoyed a winning debut under saddle as Etosha Moh drew the riding assignment aboard the Miller Family's sporty performer in the maiden class.
Ted and Eutha Giesick's fine crop of youngsters featured a return visit to the winner's circle for GMH Flash Dance. The refined bay showed a world of style as Frank Miller rode her to the junior blue.
Multi-titled LCS Strip Tease started off the season with a grand entry into a new division. She was matched with Katie Cook to make two outstanding showings to capture the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Championship as well as the 14-17 blue for proud owner Kim Weed under the Gerry Rushton Stables banner. RWF Miss Saigon and Katherine Cota turned in a stellar performance to capture the reserve tricolor honors for the second year in a row.
PLEASURE DRIVING
VJC Mystical Hymn and Gerry Rushton made Victor and Julie Calleja's day as they drove away with the Pleasure Driving Championship with a bold performance. It was like father like son as Christopher Rushton enjoyed two blue ribbon drives on the lines of his new partner Kingsgrove Copyright in the open and junior exhibitor classes.
Helen Crawford enjoyed a flawless show on the lines of her two driving horses. She earned the blue ribbon and flowers in the ladies class with Smith & Wesson and they returned on Sunday afternoon to capture the Amateur Pleasure Driving Championship for Boston Morgan Farm under the colors of Blackridge. Connie Locher and her charismatic FRF Exodus opened the season on victory lane as they topped the competitive amateur qualifier and returned for the reserve tricolor streamers directed by David Young.
In addition to Smith & Wesson, Blackridge introduced three other impressive pleasure driving winners at Diamond Jubilee. The HVK Bell Flaire and Sioux's Hot Tamale daughter Prada was all style as she and Bob Hughes drove away with the novice blue. Adam Sherman was on the lines of the And The Beat Goes On son Catch Me If You Can as they carried the three-year-old blue back to Morgan Ridge Farm. Dragonsmeade Bravura continued his winning ways as Bob Hughes guided the handsome bay to the junior win for Dragonsmeade Farm.
GMH Flashy Locomotion was on track as Frank Miller guided the Ted and Eutha Giesick entry to the Two-Year-Old Pleasure Driving blue and tricolor.
WESTERN PLEASURE
The Western Pleasure division was chock full of quality and quantity with numerous Oklahoma winners along with new combinations beginning the season at Diamond Jubilee. It was the combination of owner Virginia Adams and trainer Garn Walker that won the lion's share of top honors again this year. World Champion Star Of Midnight stepped out with a look of mature elegance to win the Open Western Pleasure Championship for the second year in a row as well as the mares blue with Garn Walker aboard. Owner Virginia Adams also made her eagerly awaited debut aboard the lovely five-year-old mare to top the 10 entry ladies class.
He's Simply Marvelous and Virginia Adams started off, right where they finished off in 2004 - the winner's circle. They jogged away with the 13-entry Amateur Western Pleasure blue and returned for the tricolor victory for the second year in a row.
AMHF Absolut Mystery enjoyed a tricolor season opening show with both owner Debra Hurst Walters as the Amateur Western Pleasure Reserve Champion and trainer Mary Cockriel as the Open Western Pleasure Reserve Champion.
Garn Walker took over the training duties this winter on another pair of Western Pleasure World Champions. Walker was aboard Corrick to introduce him to the west coast's victory lane in the open class to warm him up for new owner Connie Melendy who enjoyed a pair of great rides as well. Walker added to a winning show for Julie Chan as he directed DLH Dakota Blues to the stallion/gelding blue. In addition, Garn Walker was aboard the promising GLB The Cutting Edge to jog away with the three-year-old blue for Anne Marie Bumb.
Stone Pine Julietta and Nikki McGinnis took a trip to the winner's circle for their performance in the Senior Western Pleasure for ALS Majestral Morgans. McGinnis and ALS Majestral Morgans also earned the first year green win with ALS Pepin Spirit.
Ted Gallegos and Festival Casanova earned a trio of blue ribbons and leather halters for their performances in the junior, novice and the pre-green walk-trot to start. JJSK's Keeps Shamrock and Sandra Flanagan teamed up to earn the top honors in the maiden class.
Hollie Luedtke had the winning number in the Junior Exhibitor Western Pleasure Championship for the third year in a row. This time she was aboard Carol Marsden's handsome youngster Raffaello who also topped the 13 and under qualifier. Ragtime Song O Bernadette and Cheryl Thornton teamed up for the 14-17 blue with a smooth ride for Judy and Donald Wright.
HUNTER PLEASURE
The Hunter Pleasure Championship and the Benstrom's Challenge Trophy were the grand prize for a busy weekend for Ryan's Starbeam and Caprice Soltice-Zoumaras. They earned the tricolor for the second year in a row following a blue ribbon ride in the stallion/gelding class. Debbie Uecker-Keough put her camera away to prepare the Hunter Pleasure Reserve Champion R-Royale Prophecy who also topped the mare class.
There was a friendly rivalry in the amateur division with a tricolor sweep for Garn Walker Stable. Julie Chan won bragging rights as she rode her bold striding En Excess NKS to the tricolor as well as the qualifier blue. The world champion team of GPM Genesis B and Melissa Walker bested the competition in the ladies class and finished off with the Amateur Hunter Pleasure Reserve Championship.
The Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure Championship featured a tricolor start to the season for the pairing of Talk Of The Town LPS and Lauren Gorfinkle. They completed a great show with the tricolor following the 13 and under blue. O To Be Blue and Caitlin Koontz captured the reserve tricolor following the 14-17 blue for JoAnn Blankenship.
Out Of The Blue Willow and Kathy Barnett added to the Miller banner as they topped the open class for Judie Barnett. Faith Of Monarch and Heidi Torres enjoyed a pair of victorious rides in the maiden and limit classes for Jennifer Huff's Monarch Farm.
Nicole Johnson introduced Festival Caliente to the winner's circle in the novice class for Anne Speck and also earned the blue ribbon in the Hunter In Hand. Safire Can Do and Jessica Bridgford earned a trip to the winner's circle in the junior class for Jolynn Jewett.
CLASSIC PLEASURE
The nine entry Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship rounded out the competitive division with VVM Litigator earning the tricolor honors for the third year in a row. This time it was Beau Rash aboard the stylish bay to earn the tricolor following matching blues in the junior exhibitor and open classes under the Rancho Del Mar banner. Festival Rock N Roll was matched with Caprice Soultice-Zoumaras to earn the reserve tricolor following a blue ribbon ride in the novice horse/rider class with Nichole Coufal in the irons for Festival Morgans.
Caprice Soultice-Zoumaras was also teamed with Valerosa Immortal Dancer to earn a quartet of blue ribbons and a reserve tricolor for Ann Ryan and Valerosa Morgans. They topped the junior classic saddle and driving as well as the novice driving before being named Classic Pleasure Driving Reserve Champions in addition to The Most Classic Morgan victory along with the Mac Wilson Memorial Perpetual Trophy under the Miller Equestrian Services banner. The Ladies Classic Pleasure Saddle featured a memorable win for Mister Blackwell and Shana Abbott.
World Champion Key West looked eager for the start of the new season as he made a pair of outstanding showings with Connie Locher to follow up their outstanding transition to the classic division at the end of the 2004 season. They added the Diamond Jubilee Classic Pleasure Driving blue and tricolor to their list of accomplishments under the direction of David Young.
EQUITATION/WALK-TROT
The Equitation division was filled with some of last season's top winning young riders to begin the season. World Champion Ariana Corrigan and Festival Troubadour looked polished and precise to once again capture the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. Anne Speck also coached Ariana to a pair of qualifier blues in the 14-17 age group and UPHA Challenge Cup. Jacqueline Beck made a tricolor return to the Morgan division as she teamed with Eric Antman's Dreammaster Irish Emperor to capture the Saddle Seat Equitation Reserve Championship in a Rancho Del Mar tricolor sweep.
Taylor Sams also represented Rancho Del Mar in the winner's circle on two occasions. She rode Shermandell Asgard to the blue ribbon in the novice class and came through with a strong individual pattern to earn the AMHA Saddle Seat Medal victory.
Hannah Hunsinger and Festival Fan Dancer joined forces to earn the Saddle Seat Equitation 13 & Under top honors prepared by Ann Miller.
Tayler Walters and MLF Caliente started off the season with confident rides as they swept matching tricolors in the Walk-Trot Pleasure and Equitation Championships. They also added a blue ribbon ride in the Walk-Trot English Pleasure qualifier to the delight of family and friends on hand to cheer them on. Delaney Weed and her partner Heir Rifle matched up for the Walk-Trot Equitation Reserve Championship with a crowd-pleasing ride under the Gerry Rushton Stables banner.
Sheridan and Savannah Sturm enjoyed their show ring experiences in Del Mar directed by BJ Schaefer. Savannah and Festival Atomic Energy earned a pair of matching blue ribbons in the Walk-Trot Equitation and Walk-Trot Western/Hunter Pleasure. Season's Major Firewing and Sheridan finished up with a polished ride to capture the Walk-Trot Pleasure Reserve Championship.
Lauren Gorfinkle and Talk Of The Town LPS returned to Diamond Jubilee, the site of their team debut just a year ago. They were smooth and confident as they earned the Hunt Seat Equitation Championship and the 13 and under qualifier blue coached by Garn Walker. Sarah Laderman followed up as the reserve champion aboard Alibi Only Playtime after earning the victory pass in the 14-17 age group. Coleen Garrity qualified for a trip to Oklahoma with her AMHA Hunt Seat Medal victory aboard MLF Pantomime.
Hollie Luedtke repeated her victory of a year ago in the Western Seat Equitation 13 & Under as she introduced her new mount Raffaello to the winner's circle. Cheryl Thornton jogged away with the 14-17 win and also posed for the showmanship blue with Ragtime Song O Bernadette.
MISCELLANEOUS
There was a perfectly timed debut at Del Mar as Geoffrey Longenecker had a large group of family and friends on hand to cheer him on with World Champion HVK Baymarch. They sped away with the Roadster To Bike blue and tricolor to the delight of Saralin Farm and Blackridge. Adam Sherman warmed up the powerful bay with a spectacular blue ribbon ride in the Roadster Under Saddle.
Stonelion Promise and Heidi Torres turned in a smooth and showy performance to garner the blue ribbon in the Road Hack for Matt and Sue Leonard. ATM Trust Assure and Vicki Halsey combined forces in the Executive Pleasure Saddle to make the victory pass for Anna Gaipa. Carly Edmondson added to her future education as she guided Valley Oaks Sirocco to the Scholars Pleasure win.
The Dressage division featured Alibi Only Playtime scoring top honors as the High Point Champion while Festival Fortune Teller, ALS Pepin Spirit, and Fawn Ledge Magnifique also earned blue ribbon rides.
The Open Carriage competition featured a multitude of breeds performing for top honors with the Friesian Nonning earning the tricolor with the Morgan Intrepid Sabrina in reserve. Blue ribbons were also collected by Halstead Vibrance and Searose Summer Wind.
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