LEXINGTON, VA. - The 2002 Old Dominion Morgan Horse Show held August 30 - September 1 was the best ever according to many who attended. After having to move from the Virginia State Fairgrounds in Richmond, the Old Dominion Club has been looking for a new home. The past two years the show has been held at Showday Farm in Culpepper, VA, but this year it was moved to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. This move was a fortuitous one that can only lead to a bigger and better future for a show that is already super.
The club members insist on providing an atmosphere that is family oriented with an emphasis on amateurs and junior exhibitors. The prize list promises "excellent competition in the midst of welcome-home' friendliness" and the show committee made good on the promise. Everyone in the club pitches in where needed according to Sandy Monolo, one of the show committee members. The move to the Virginia Horse Center with competition taking place in the show arena between two state of the art barns was just perfect this year. However, some have an eye toward moving to the main arena as the show expands.
It was a nice way to spend the Labor Day weekend, a horse show in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley with a hint of fall in the air. The cool nights sent some looking for the sweatshirts that have been packed away all summer. The only rain came during the night and just refreshed the air and settled the dust. There are plenty of nice restaurants close by and downtown Lexington is full of great bookstores, antique shops, and clothing stores. For history buffs, the weekend isn't complete without a trip to VMI, the Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee, or the Stonewall Jackson House. The show schedule allowed for a relaxed weekend.
Jim Brown of Lebanon, PA, capably and energetically judged all of the classes in the main coliseum. Macy Hill of Amelia, VA, judged in the Open Carriage division while the Dressage rides were scored by Judy Westenhofer of Bedford, VA. The USAE Steward Nancy Gossage and announcer Ed Peterson kept the show running smoothly. Jewel Marsh's quiet professionalism was always apparent in the office. Sandra Hall came from Chesterfield, SC, to snap the winning photos. Dutch Dorschel provided nightly checks on all of the horses, a service which he provides free of charge and which the exhibitors greatly appreciated.
Hospitality is paramount at Old Dominion. The club sponsored a welcome pizza party for the exhibitors on Thursday night. Every morning coffee and donuts were supplied courtesy of Trotwood Stables. There was a party after the show each evening. On Friday night the Cesaneks and MidShine Morgans along with the Hewitts and Sweet Promise Farm treated everyone to a barbecue dinner. Saturday Acres Morgans hosted the Saturday night exhibitor's party. An added treat for the audience preceded the Saturday night performance as Whippoorwill Ebony performed the Musical Kur. The well known jet black Morgan performed Fourth Level Dressage in cadence with a musical score of patriotic airs. A silent auction of mostly horsy items kept everyone bidding throughout the weekend.
The in hand division began the tricolor festivities with the audience being treated to phenomenal performances by World Champion Continental Vision in his season debut. The majestic white trimmed stallion marched into the arena in Lexington looking every inch the world champion he is and left with the Grand Champion Stallion tricolor. Scott Thacker had Amy Wilson Scott's grand stallion in top order again later in the day as he returned to parade down victory lane with the Open Park Saddle blue to the thunderous cheers of the crowd in appreciation of his performance.
Amy Wilson Scott's Tall Tails Farm also raised the Grand Champion Mare in the elegant, black Star Of Midnight. The lovely two-year-old daughter of World Champions Liberation First Star and WBC Midnight Madness posed for the tricolor presented by Scott Thacker. Flintlock Farm continued its winning season at Old Dominion as Tristanne Weber showed Flintlock's That Girl to the Reserve Grand Champion Mare honors following the three and over victory.
The Grand Champion Gelding was the big, handsome chestnut Mtn Run Tizit, who began a winning weekend posing for the title with Dan Pavan on the lead for Jim Griffin. Barbara Duell Hewitt's sporty Radiance In The Knight claimed the reserve tricolor after a win in the two and under qualifier.
Old Dominion also offers in hand classes for the various disciplines and all were well filled. Carreg Wen Glenda won the blue in the hunter class for John and Nancy Hendricks. Salem Total Eclipse won the first of six blues at the show in the western section for Elizabeth Abernathy. The blue ribbon in the Sport Horse Suitability was claimed by Rohan Thorin for Clara Hendin.
Red Alert, a handsome chestnut stallion owned by Sharon and Creston Owen and shown by Dan Pavan, claimed the top honors in the English Pleasure Championship with Coupe De Ville and Carol Addison finishing in reserve for Summer Chase. It was World Champion Prediction who made an expressive and explosive show to capture the open blue in her only performance of the show with Scott Thacker presenting for Amy Wilson Scott.
Dan Pavan was again aboard the winner in the Junior English Pleasure Championship as he rode Mtn Run Tizit to his second tricolor of the show for Jim Griffin. Scott Thacker presented Whistle Stop Farm's new entry JW Masquerade Miss to the reserve finish in her debut show.
Mary Cannon posted a trio of wins aboard her consistent gelding AFF Rooster Cogburn. This pair earned the blues in the amateur and junior exhibitor 14-17 qualifiers on the way to the Junior Exhibitor English Pleasure Championship. Kim Fullerton and Keeper Of The Stars captured the reserve tricolor following the 13 and under blue ribbon win.
The white trimmed Hollybrook Ms. Highbrow and Jeff Sumner made a fine solo performance to emerge with the Amateur English Pleasure Championship victory.
The 2000 and 2001 USA Equestrian National Champion Amateur Pleasure Driving Horse Hollybrook Indian Brave continued to collect blue ribbons for owner-driver Mary Daughtry. This expressive bay gelding won the open and amateur qualifiers and went on to be named Amateur Pleasure Driving Champion. Marle Hill Concert Master took reserve tricolor honors in the amateur division with owner Charleen Ellefson, and came back to be named Open Pleasure Driving Champion with trainer Susan Martin on the lines. CB Kidd Gloves and Carol Addison made a nice show to win the Junior Pleasure Driving Championship for Summer Chase Farm.
Competition was strong in the classic division, both under saddle and in driving. Nan Bowling and her classy Flintlock's CO came back with a strong performance to win the Classic Pleasure Saddle Championship with OH Relentless and Jo Nell Harrison turning in the reserve tricolor performance. In the driving division it was the sporty black OH Relentless and Harrison who captured the tricolor following the open qualifier blue.