Youngsters Human and Equine Win Big at Wisconsin!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
by Leeann Mione and Jennifer Wells
MADISON, Wis. – The 35th Annual Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival once again hosted top horses and riders for divisional competition, futurity competition, limited breeders stake and an equitation national championship.
Under the leadership of the very capable Vicky Holston, who served as both show manager and show secretary, the show drew top horses and riders from throughout the country. The Alliant Energy Center in Madison is a great facility and with many hotels nearby and plenty of things to do around town and downtown. Madison is a wonderful place for a horse show.
Holston was joined on the list of officials by Assistant Secretaries Jackie Evenson and Sue Hillegonds, USEF Steward Josie Forbes, Announcer Tuffy Owens, Ringmasters George Robertson and John Frye, Photographer Rick Osteen, Videographer Traces CT Ltd., Farrier Jeff Couch, EMT Madison Fire and Rescue, Paddock Master David Morris, Organist Randy Roberts, Sponsorships Margaret Robertson, Tabulator/Ribbons Michelle Wojcik, Veterinarian Dr. Hank Clemmons, Program Producer Set In Ink LLC and feed and bedding provider Quality Feed and Bedding.
Kelly Freeman, Brian Chappell and James Hale judged all classes and they had plenty of talent in front of them all weekend.
The schedule kicked off Thursday morning Sept. 16th with the colt and filly classes for the Wisconsin Futurity weanlings and concluded Sunday afternoon Sept. 20th with the Amateur Five-Gaited Stake.
In addition to great competition in every class in-between, the show serves as the Regional Championship show for the North Central Region which includes Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. A list of regional champions can be found elsewhere this issue.
There were numerous special moments all weekend including the special presentation Saturday evening to Dave Patton in honor of Sarah Patton who passed away unexpectedly in November 2009. Sarah Patton was responsible every year for securing a trophy donor, an extremely important and difficult job.
At one time in her life, Patton worked at North Ridge Farm in Minnesota and cared for the grand five-gaited mare CH Belle Elegant (1977 World’s Grand Champion Five-Gaited with Earl Teater and 1975 World’s Grand Champion Five-Gaited with Jack Nevitt and four times World’s Champion Five-Gaited Mare). Belle Elegant was a favorite of Sarah’s and this year at the Wisconsin Futurity, Diane Marocia aka Dimaro, created a trophy in honor of Sarah Patton named "A Belle For Sarah".
The horse show program included a long list of people who helped make it possible to honor Sarah Patton with the Dimaro trophy which was presented to each class winner.
The list of winners at the show this year was a distinguished one including Hey Handsome!, winner of the Wisconsin Futurity Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Championship.
The two-year-olds hit the ring in two separate sections to start the Thursday evening session. Judges didn’t tie the classes, but rather, selected those that they wanted to return for the finals Saturday morning.
A great group of eight came back Saturday and in the end, it was the high stepping and charismatic Hey Handsome! named as the two-year-old futurity grand champion. Fonzie Del Rio was all smiles as he headed the youngster down victory lane and an equally elated Lynn Blackbourn rushed to meet them at the out gate with congratulations and appreciation.
Hey Handsome!, sired by Callaway’s Northern Kiss and out of A Reason To Show Off, earned $1530 for his unanimous win. Louis Louw and Gypsy’s Triple Expresso (Gypsy Santana x Niagra), owned by Luanne Wendland, were next in line and they picked up the check for $1275 for reserve.
John Willis and Enough Four Two (Forty-Second Street ERB x Jiffy Pop) exited with the yellow ribbon for third for owner Andrea Dudkiewicz.
The Wisconsin Futurity Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure Championship was also a great class and hosted 10 gorgeous three-year-olds hoping to take the top prize of $2250. Heir Color and Louis Louw, showing for Barbara Wood and Judy McNeish, added the win to their resume and picked up the biggest check.
Mayo Moctezuma rode About To Get Interesting, sired by The Last Don and out of Becoming, to reserve for owner Susan Bekenstein. Their performance earned a check for $1875. Following in third was Don’t Bug Me (Haven’s Hero x Niagra). Maria Bouvet was in the irons for Luanna Wendland to earn $1500.
Bruce and Rusty Rademann’s entry Royal Crest Mister Stone, sired by Royal Crest’s Rockin’ On Heir and out of Star Spangled Lady, earned $1125 for fourth.
Following in the ribbons were Dressed To Chill and Jessica Moctezuma for Mayo MOctezuma and Joe Russell, Spiced Rum and Pat Barry for Terra Herale, WV He’s A Phine Design and Kris Martalock for Carole Schueler, Kyle Peel with Two Buck Chuck for Lance Hayes and Mike Bletsoe, Meadow Dance and Marc Holm for Meadowood Farm and in tenth, Delcezza with Bob Griffin for Margaret Easton.
The Wisconsin Futurity In-Hand classes were well filled and showcased lots of flashy, talented young equines.
In the Wisconsin Futurity Yearling Championship and Wisconsin Futurity Amateur Yearling Championship, the top two places were the same, according to the panel.
First Round Pick was indeed picked first both times, although since the results were announced in reverse order, he was technically picked last. Owner and breeder Joe Russell and his Hickory Knoll Farm once again were well represented at the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival.
Sired by The Last Don and out of Becoming, First Round Pick topped a great group both times to earn both championship titles. Blue Ray, sired by Forty-Second Street ERB and out of Jiffy Pop, was reserve in both the open and amateur yearling futurity championships with owner Jan McGlaughlin showing both times.
Louise Gilliland brought several nice babies and her Winsdown Lilac Lane was third in the open championship and she represented sire Winsdown Westinghouse and dam Satoris Celebrity with the yellow streamers. James Vantrease showed for Gilliland. Goodfella added another ribbon to the Hickory Knoll total with the yellow ribbon in the amateur championship. Joe Russell showed the son of The Last Don and Albelarm Impulse.
A beautiful group of weanlings faced the panel and put on a show in their Wisconsin Futurity Weanling Open Championship.
Once again, Joe Russell headed to center ring for the winning presentation. Caught Looking (The Last Don x Becoming) followed in the footsteps of First Round Pick and headed down victory lane with Russell.
Nuttin’ But Fancy SS, sired by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Gettin’ Fancy, was second with Todd Valentine showing for owner Toni Nastali, under the direction of Knollwood Farm. I’m A Contender, owned by Seven Oaks Farm LLC and shown by Mark Utoft, is sired by Contender’s Citation and out of Mac-A-Daisy. MBA’s Cary’s Girl and Valentine picked up fourth place honors for Margo Baird Valentine and MBA Equestrians.
Just as the young Saddlebreds had great classes to showcase their talent, confirmation, attitude and potential, so did the young equitation riders who came through the gate Saturday night for their ASHA National Pleasure Equitation Championship. This class was their final round and consisted of each rider performing a workout. The group of nine had performed their rail work Saturday morning for their phase I competition.
The crowd enthusiastically cheered all nine riders and they did a great job handling the pressure of individual workouts in front of the crowd. This class is a crowd pleaser because each rider’s scores from the judges are shown to the crowd and they can keep score themselves as the competition progresses.
After each rider performed their workout, results were announced in reverse order.
Katie Fleming and Ballerette were ninth and they received their top 10 ribbon and lots of applause from the crowd. Emily Mayer, with Mocha’s Mudslide, was next in eighth place and she was followed in seventh by Allison Schuh with Commander In Motion.
Zac Cutting, riding Prime Time Player was sixth and Ashley Baird took the top five prize with Molly O’Donnell. Shelby Hader and Callaway’s Sportscaster teamed up for fourth.
It was down to the top three and all three were nervous to hear the results. Announcer David Owens called out Elizabeth Wildenberg to receive the yellow ribbon which meant that Cori O’Brien and Sydney Budzinski, both riding from Knollwood Farm, were going to battle it out for the national championship and reserve national championship titles.
The tension was palpable but eventually Owens named O’Brien the reserve national champion with Steelin’ A Dream. O’Brien received a huge ovation from the appreciative crowd for her great rides. Budzinski, riding Oh What A Feeling (winner of the class with fellow Knollwood riders Nick Maupin and Deanna Lanigan), took their victory pass and picked up their ribbons and flowers as the new ASHA Pleasure Equitation National Champions.
A great camaraderie exists between owners, trainers and exhibitors and the progressive aisle party Friday night, sponsored by Utoft Stables, Northern Tradition Farm, Lance Hayes Stables, De Equus Stables, Hollow Haven Farm, Royal Crest and Knollwood proved that as a big group enjoyed good food and great company at a great show in Madison.
Five-Gaited
Nancy Leigh Fisher, owner and rider of Catalyst’s Work of Art took the blue in the Five-Gaited Jackpot Stake. The Open Five-Gaited class blue went to Tee’s Merlot, a son of Titleist. Neva LaFleur made the winning ride for owners Steve and Linda Goodrich.
Keep Me Posted and Jean Ann Gundersen placed reserve in the amateur Five-Gaited qualifier, but in the Amateur Five-Gaited Stake, the team showed their winning combination. Keep Me Posted is owned by Sigurd and Jean Ann Gundersen. CH Carolina Cat and Amanda Dellinger, riding for James R. Dellinger, Jr., won the amateur Five-Gaited qualifier.
The Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Stake win went to Emily Collins, owner and rider of Que Pasa. The successful team won the the junior exhibitor Five-Gaited qualifier as well under the direction of Bob Jensen.
Sue Worzalla’s entry, Bada Bling with Sarah Worzalla Luft up, topped the Wisconsin-Owned Amateur Five-Gaited class. Bada Bling is out of Waffles and Roses MHS and by The Cheetah. The UPHA Five-Gaited Classic winner River Card, ridden by Louis Louw, brought home the blue for Reedannland. The pair qualified for a ride in Kansas City with this win and a previous UPHA Five-Gaited Classic win at the Illinois State Fair.
Three-Gaited
Scott Matton rode Constance McQueen’s entry, Hillcroft Rare Fortune, to a win in the Three-Gaited Open Jackpot Stake. Hillcroft Rare Fortune is by Lakeviews Rare A Phi and out of Fortune by CH Foxfires Prophet.
The King’s Lady Anne, owned by Debra Hoffman, had a winning year last year at Wisconsin, taking blues in both the Ladies Three-Gaited Stake and Ladies Three-Gaited class. This year the winning continued as Ray Krussell and The Kings Lady Anne won first in the Open Three-Gaited class.
Kate Baumann, owner and rider of Callaway’s Campaign Manager, went two for two, winning both the Amateur Three-Gaited Stake and the amateur Three-Gaited qualifier under the direction of Lisa Strickland.
Moriah’s Catnip, the Kimberly and Craig Lunaas’ winning entry in the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Stake, ridden by Brynn Lunaas, placed reserve in their qualifier, the junior exhibitor Three-Gaited. Brynn Lunaas rode under the direction of Kris Martalock.
Last year at the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival, Born Independent was reserve in the Wisconsin Owned Amateur Three-Gaited. This year, Joann Bernd’s entry won that very same class with Sandy Bernd up.
Kristi Olson and Princess Mia sported a blue in the Junior/Novice Three-Gaited class. Sired by Don’t Worry and out of Ellington’s Lady Luck, the entry is owned by Sherilyn and Thomas Nelson.
Callaway’s Bring It On Home did just that by winning the UPHA Three-Gaited Classic with owner/rider Brandi Bushard.
Reedann’s Public Speaker kept the Reedannland wins coming by winning the Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited for Reedannland with Louis Louw up. Last year as a yearling, Reedann’s Public Speaker made a strong showing in the in-hand division.
Park
Maribelle Granger’s entry, Phillip Martinelli ridden by Jason Gershman, won the Three-Gaited Park Jackpot. Phillip Martinelli is by CH Great Day Came The Son and out of Less Attached.
CH Princess Ruby Begonia, by CH War Whoop Two and out of Society’s Royal Heiress, is owned and was ridden by Nancy Leigh Fisher to take the blue in the Open Three-Gaited Park class.
Jenna Winquist rode Sally Winquist’s entry, CF Burn Out, to the win in the Amateur/Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Park Stake and added another win to the Knollwood Farm total.
The Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Park class featured a team that’s been consistently in the top ribbons all season. My Way’s Silver Sensation, ridden by Erin Riefenberg and owned by Lynn Riefenberg, has placed in the top three all year. They added to their accolades with a win in this class.
VHF The Disciple owned by Fritz Zimmermann and ridden by Megan Thibo won the Junior/Novice Three-Gaited Park class to keep their successful season going from Show Fizz Farm.
Fine Harness
Callaway’s Preservation, owned by Samantha Conlin, took two impressive wins: the Open Fine Harness Jackpot Stake and the Open Fine Harness. Trainer Jay Wood drove in the jackpot class and Conlin showed in the qualifier.
Rick Wallen drove Queensbury Farm LLC’s entry, Queensbury Starquest to the blue in the Junior/Novice Fine Harness class. Queensbury Starquest is by Harlem Globetrotter and out of CH Queensbury Coquette. The Wallen-Starquest team has placed second only once this season and Wisconsin makes their third blue of the year.
After an impressive win in the Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Mares at Louisville with Liz Kinney, My Gypsy Moon followed it up with a win in the UPHA Fine Harness Classic. Donna Beck now owns the winning mare, with Jared Ratzoff at the whip.
Reedannland sported another winning entry in the Two-Year-Old Fine Harness class. Dr. Alan Raun drove Reedann’s Why Not to the win. This two-year-old is by another Wisconsin winner, Que Pasa, winner of the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Stake.
Road Pony
Twin Willows McDreamy, driven by Dr. Alan Raun and owned by Deborah Jahn, won the Road Pony Stake and the open class. Mike and Jane Schallock’s entry, Seamair Strutter, won the Amateur Road Pony class with Mike Schallock in the bike.
Andrew Slater rode Heartland Picture Perfect to a picture perfect win for owners Mike and Jane Schallock in the AHHS Youth Medallion Road Pony Under Saddle.
Harness and Hackney Ponies
Conqueror’s Colleen LF received top honors with owner and driver Kathleen Zimpleman in the Open Harness Pony Stake and qualifying class. The team has placed in the top three in every class they’ve competed in this year and they showed under the direction of Reedannland Farm.
Deborah Jahn and Reedannland stablemate Heartland Alluring took the win in the Hackney Pony Championship. Deborah Jahn not only drove the winning pony, she is also the proud owner. The team took reserve behind Riverview Stables entry, Tommy Hilfiger, driven by Bob Richards, in the open hackney pony qualifier.
Hackney Pleasure Driving
Retaining their ‘top three all year’ status, Final Answer and Bob Richards won the Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony Stake for Riverview Stables.
Donna Beck, owner and driver of Wait and See’s Raspberry, took reserve last year in the Hackney/Harness Pleasure Driving. Not so this year; the owner driven team took the blue in the class.
For the fourth year in a row, Honest Impression made a trip to the winner’s circle in the AHHS Youth Medallion Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony. Garrett Weiler drove the Amy Weiler owned entry to the win.
Five-Gaited Pleasure
Winning both the Adult Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Stake as well as their qualifying class, CH Hank Heiron made it a blue ribbon sweep for rider Kelly Williamson and owners BRK Equestrian, LLC. Williamson showed under the direction of Northern Tradition Farm.
The Evangelist, ridden by Grace Gabower and owned by Liz Schultz, won the Junior Exhibitor Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Stake and their qualifying class in style to bring home two blue ribbons from Wisconsin. Sheri Brandl met the winning team for the presentation.
Park Pleasure
The Beth Bidon-Barb Hendrickson-owned entry, CH Pierre Cardin, ridden by Neva LaFleur, made it a clean sweep by winning the Park Pleasure Stake and qualifier from LaFleur Stables.
Alexandra Friedrich’s entry, Autumn’s Rainmaker, ridden by Carol Matton, beat out the competition to bring home the blue in Park Pleasure Junior Horse. The team won this same class earlier in the year at the Carousel Charity in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Reedann’s Designed To Dance and Louis Louw, have placed in the top two all season and they continued their winning ways in the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic.
Three-Gaited Show Pleasure
Kristen Olson rode Sherilyn and Thomas Nelson’s entry, Redesigned, to top honors in both the Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Stake and their qualifying class. The team has finished in the top three spots all season.
Tigger by Tiger and Jenny Case, riding for Adell Donaldson, have also finished with top two ribbons all year and they continued this in Wisconsin with a win in the Adult Novice Rider Three-Gaited Show Pleasure under the direction of Ryan Rongers.
Alicia Sacotte and her horse, CH Fine By Me, brought home a trio of blues winning the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Stake, 14-17 qualifier and the Wisconsin Owned Three-Gaited Show Pleasure. Trainer Ginger Schinktgen put the winning team in the ring all three times.
Zac Cutting rode his entry, Prime Time Player to a win in the Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Pleasure 13 and Under class from Equitate LLC.
Steve and Linda Goodrich’s entry, Kenya Ketch Me ridden by Neva LaFleur, received the winning ribbon in the Junior Exhibitor Novice Rider Three-Gaited Show Pleasure.
Dr. Mary Hanrahan Bushard rode the entry she and her husband Dan own, Callaway’s Colate, to the blue in the Limit Three-Gaited Show Pleasure class for Hanrahan Stables.
The Sherman Show may have taken reserve in the qualifier, but Sandra Dyer made a blue ribbon ride in the Junior Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Stake. The Sherman Show is by CF First Night Out and out of Miss Joanie B. Dyers did a great job jumping off her winner from the previous class and stepping up with Sherman to win back to back classes.
Reedannland sported yet another blue ribbon after Cori O’Brien and Phaire Rebecca won the Junior Horse Three-Gaited Show Pleasure qualifier. The team was second in the Junior Park Pleasure last year.
After a win last year in the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic, Sarah Shippy and Mysterious Memories received double the honor this year, winning both the Show Pleasure Driving Championship and the Junior/Novice Show Pleasure Driving class.
Finishing out the show pleasure division, Vertical Horizon, driven by Sharon Vuinovich for Stephanie Benjamin won the Show Pleasure Driving class.
Country Pleasure
Sandra Dyer and Mr. Smarty Pants have placed in the top three all season and they added to the list by winning the Five-Gaited Country Pleasure Stake and their qualifying class before that. Their championship win was the first of two Sunday afternoon that would have Mark Utoft running to center ring for the presentation.
Amanda Dellinger showed James Dellinger Jr.’s entry, CH Jessie Cole for two wins in Wisconsin: the Adult Country Pleasure Stake and qualifier. The team won both classes last year as well and Dellinger just earned her first Louisville blue with CH Jessie Cole a couple weeks ago under the Hollow Haven Farm banner. Gina Dulcamara rode her entry, Dekers All American, to the blue in the Adult Country Pleasure Novice Rider class. They were directed by trainer Lance Hayes to the winning performance.
Matisse took the Avci family to blues in Wisconsin, qualifying with Narin and then winning the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Stake with Karin. Narin Avci owns the entry.
Sarah Gilbertson rode Jayne Gilbertson’s entry, CH Hometown Commander to the blue in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure 13 and Under class. CH Callaway’s Don’t Panic and Emily Gutenkunst, for Holly VanHecke and Herb Kellner, won top honors in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure Novice Riders.
Stephanie Chatham and Its Ladies Night proved it was just that with their win in the Junior/Limit Country Pleasure.
CH Callaway’s Pretty Penny and Nancy Anderson, swept the country pleasure driving division to follow up their eighth consecutive world’s champion of champions title for Brown/Anderson Farms.
After winning the Open Country Western Pleasure with Mayo Moctezuma, MBA Equestrians’ CH Star Spangled Steel went on to win the Country Western Pleasure Stake with Ashley Baird. The class was designated as the UPHA Pink Ribbon class and pink roses were sold at the show for $5 each. Sales of those roses raised $651 for breast cancer research and awareness.
Marcia Scott rode the Scott Equine Agency, Inc.’s entry, Worthy’s Son-In-Law, to top honors in Country Western Pleasure. Last year, the team won the Junior/Novice Country Western Pleasure in Wisconsin.
Street of Fancy, ridden by Sharon Vuinovich and owned by Raima Cunningham, won the Shatner Western Pleasure. The trophy presented to Vuinovich was created in honor of Lynn Demiglio who passed away in June of this year from liver cancer.
Demiglio had put her beloved western horse Lakota Medicine Man in training with hopes to return to the show ring with him. Unfortunately she was unable to show him, but was able to watch owner Neil Thorpe show him to several wins and top ribbons this season. Lakota Medicine Man and Thorpe were the Shatner reserve champions.
Equitation
Youth and inexperience do not always go hand in hand as Elizabeth Wildenberg proved when she won the Saddle Seat Equitation Championship. Last year, Elizabeth won both the USEF Saddle Seat Medal and the UPHA Challenge Cup Pleasure Equitation class in Wisconsin.
Savannah Nickey took the blue in the Saddle Seat Equitation 13 and Under class. Monet Harrison received double honors, winning both the Walk/Trot Saddle Seat Equitation 10 and Under and the UPHA Walk/Trot Challenge Cup 10 and Under.
In the UPHA Challenge Cup 17 and Under, Jenna Winquist took the victory and sister Jamie Winquist added to the family collection of blue ribbons with a win in the NHS Good Hands class.
Riley Sockett placed reserve last year in the Pleasure Equitation 14-17, but this year, it was nothing but blue for Sockett in that same class.
Sydney Budzinski received top honors in the Pleasure Equitation 13 and Under and Emily Gutenkunst took the blue in Pleasure Equitation Maiden Riders 17 and Under.
For the second year in a row, Shelby Hader won the Saddle & Bridle Pleasure Equitation Medallion.
In-Hand
First Round Pick took top honors in both the Saddlebred Open Yearling and the Wisconsin Futurity Yearling Colts classes. Joe Russell was at the lead for Hickory Knoll Farm, LLC. First Round Pick is by The Last Don and out of Becoming, a daughter of Who’s On First.
Delores Lillge led Society’s Pearl to the blue in the Wisconsin Futurity Amateur Two-Year-Old In Hand; the filly is by Oscar De La Renta and out of Add A Pearl. This filly earned three blues at the Illinois State Fair this year.
The offspring of Winsdown Westinghouse and Satoris Celebrity, Winsdown Lilac Lane was led to victory by James Vantrease for the Louise C. Gilliland Trust in the Wisconsin Futurity Yearling Fillies.
Mark Utoft led I’m A Contender to the blue in the Wisconsin Futurity Weanling Colts for Seven Oaks Farm, LLC. The colt is by Contenders Citation and out of Mac A Daisy, who is by CH Caramac.
Nuttin’ But Fancy SS, owned by Toni Nastali, received top honors in the Wisconsin Futurity Weanling Fillies. The filly is by top sire Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Getting’ Fancy, dam of world’s champion Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited 14-17 Sec. II I’m McDreamy.
The Louise C. Gilliland Trust took home another blue, this time in the Wisconsin Futurity Weanling Amateur Championship. James Vantrease handled Winsdown Crystal and Glass, by Winsdown Westinghouse and out of Flaming Hot Toddy, and they also won three first place ribbons at the Denver Queen City in Denver, Colo.
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