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ABOUT THE COVER
GYPSY SANTANA X NIAGRA
WCC&ESPRESSO NOIR Barbara Goodman Manilow World’s Champion of Champions Three-Gaited Amateur Trained by
Owned by Barbara Goodman Manilow Chicago, Illinois 6
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Kenny and Donna Smith, Owners/Trainers New Lenox, Illinois 815-463-8418 (Barn) | 520 991-6536 (Donna cell) SkylineASB@aol.com
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CONTENTS
THE TEAM
THIS ISSUE 4 10 38 79 84 90 92 103 106 108 110 114 116 119 122 134 140 146
About The Cover Advertisers list World’s Championship Horse Show 2016 2016 Five-Gaited World’s Grand Champion:Top of the Mark Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer The Prospect of a Great Future: Emily and Tré Lee of Prospect Lane Farm Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Fine Harness World’s Grand Champion: Wild Carrissima Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer The Hackney Pony World’s Grand Champions: From the eyes of Nick Schubert Nick Schubert On A Roll: A Winning Saturday at the Fair for Rose Stables Meghan von Ballmoos WCC CH Our Brilliant Belle: 2016 World’s Champion of Champions Ladies Fine Harness Meghan von Ballmoos Ladies Three-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions: WCC HS Baby Steps Meghan von Ballmoos WCC Kiss My Cuervo: Ladies Five-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions Meghan von Ballmoos Spotlight on Senior Equitation World’s Champion of Champions: Molly Codeanne Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer She’s All Heart: World’s Champion Meritage Signed Sealed Delivered Meghan von Ballmoos A Paradigm Shift: It’s Just George and Rachel Kelley Meghan von Ballmoos Ansie Through the Looking Glass Meghan von Ballmoos It’s not goodbye…it’s see you later:The Retirement of WGC Marc of Charm Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Spotlight on Junior Equitation World’s Champion of Champions: Lauren Evans Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Don O’Neill: 2016 Three-Gaited World’s Grand Champion Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer
Pieter Hugo Managing Director
Johan Blom Chief Executive Officer
Madge Bass USA Sales Manager
Marguerite le Roux Senior Designer
Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Features/Profiles
Marie Chin Advertising Executive
Meghan von Ballmoos Features/Billing Director
Nick Schubert Junior Staff Writer
Gasnat Jaffer Office Manager
www.showhorse.co.za EDITORIALS: Johan Blom johan@silvermane.co.za (0027) 83 324 3709 Pieter Hugo pieter@showhorse.co.za (001) 502 321 8305 Meghan von Ballmoos meghan@showhorse.co.za (001) 860 605 5041 Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer DESIGN: Marguerite le Roux mleroux@silvermane.co.za ADVERTISING: Madge Bass bass.madge@gmail.com (001) 502 299 8523 Marie Chin marie@silvermane.co.za (0027) 82 497 4475 ORDERS & INVOICING: Gasnat Jaffer gasnat@showhorse.co.za 32b Whitlers Way, Hout Bay 7806, South Africa
INTERNATIONAL DIALING CODES: SA (0027) AND USA (001)
Published by:
PHOTOGRAPHERS :
Jon McCarthy Photography; Shiflet; Rick Osteen; Brooke and Jane Jacobs; Hunt Digital; Elpita Photography; Fotojan Photography; Howard Schatzberg; Johan Blom; Avis Girdler; eAzur; Saddlebred Web; Jen Corcoran; Ross Millin; Kelly Campbell; Washburn; Stuart Vesty; Sandy; Liz McMillan; Sargent, Jamie, Marty Snortum Studio; E motion Photography; David Jampsa; Lisa Harger; Rachel Kelly; Stevie Bagdasarian; Courtney Church, Phillip Tibs
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www.silvermane.co.za
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ADVERTISERS
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Birch Hill, LLC
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Bluebonnet Farm
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Blythewood Farms, LLC
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Bruwer Stables
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Cloverleaf Stables
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Debonaire Stables
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DeLovely Farm, INC.
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Desmar Stables
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Elisabeth Goth LLC
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Equipage
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Harper Stables
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High Caliber
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Legacy Saddlebreds Majestic Oaks Hackney Farm
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Premier Stables
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Prospect Lane
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Reiser Stables
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Revelation Farms
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Rose Stables
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R&R Stables
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Signature Stables
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Singing Hills
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Skyline Stables
OBC
Stachowski Farm, INC.
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Steenberg
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Tomcat
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V-Tech
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Waterford Farm LLC
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Wingswept Farm
Copyright for all original published material is vested in SilverMane Media and may be reproduced only with the permission of the Editor. All opinions expressed in the articles appearing in SilverMane Media are those of the authors and are not necessarily subscribed to by the editorial staff of SilverMane Media. Authors of articles are compelled to acknowledge all sources of information (if any) used in the compiling of articles and are therefore liable for copyright transgressions. SilverMane Media accepts no responsibility for claims made in the advertisements and will not be held liable for any damage resulting from the use of any of the information published in SilverMane Media.
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Saddlebreds Trained by Visser Stables Rachel Kelley © THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE 23
WCC
FFOX GRAPE’S THE TIGER LILY (SA) Dorian Wild Temper x Callaway’s Carnation
Five-Gaited Reserve World’s Grand Champion 2015 – 2016 Ladies Five-Gaited Mare World’s Champion
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WGC CH
BBRAVO BLUE Northern Blues x Amp Leigh
Ladies Five-Gaited Reserve World’s Champion of Champions Ladies Five-Gaited Gelding Reserve World’s Champion
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Howard Schatzberg27 © Jon THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
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HHERE E COMES THE BOOM! Callaway’s Northern Kiss x Madame Cost A’Lot
Ladies Fine Harness Reserve World’s Champion of Champions Ladies Fine Harness Reserve World’s Champion
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Laura Stanton © THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE 29
WGC
LADY MANDOLIN LA Undulata’s Nutcracker x Suddenly Summer
with Tara Grom
Ladies Amateur ree-Gaited Reserve World’s Champion of Champions Ladies Amateur ree-Gaited 15.2 & Under Reserve World’s Champion
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Shiflet© Rachel THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE 31
CCAROL CA ARO AR ROL ADDISON A DISON AD A BERT AL R O AGUILAR RT A UILA AG LAR LA AR ALBERTO SAL SA ALV LVA VAD ADOR “CHAVA” “CHAV AVA AV VA” A” AGUILAR A UILA AG LAR LA AR SALVADOR LAU LA AURE R N ASHE A HE AS LAUREN STEV EVI EV VIE BAGDASARIAN BAG BA AGDAS ASA AS SAR ARI RIA IAN AN STEVIE CHRI R S AND RI A D SUE BANCROFT AN BAN BA ANCRO R FT RO CHRIS DVM DV VM HUGH BEHLING, DVM R DI BENEKE RU K KE RUDI CHAN A TELL BOSMAN AN BOSMA MAN MA AN CHANTELL HAC A ER BOZKURT, AC BOZKU K RT KU RT, T, IMD HACER MAU MA AURE R EN CAMPBELL CAM CA AMPBELL MAUREEN R CH CAMPBELL RI CAM CA AMPBELL RICH ERN R ESTO CHAVOLLO RN CHAV AVO AV VOLLO ERNESTO HAN A K CLEMMONS, DVM AN DVM DV VM HANK COLEMA MAN MA AN BILL COLEMAN A N DAUGHERTY AN DAU A GHERT AU RTY RT TY ANN SAR SA ARA RAH DEFABIO DEFA FAB FA ABIO SARAH DERE R GNA RE NAC NA ACOURT RT, RT T, LTD. L D. LT DEREGNACOURT, GAR GA ARY RY EATON EAT EA ATON DR. GARY EXC EX XCEL EQUINE EQU Q INE QU EXCEL FRE R EDMA RE MAN MA AN HARNESS HAR ARN AR RNESS FREEDMAN W ODRO WO ROW RO OW FRIEND, FRI R END, DVM RI DVM DV VM WOODROW O GAMMAGE OY GAM GA AMMA MAG AGE JOY GAT GA ATLIN DEDE GATLIN JAC JA ACK GOLDTHORPE GOLDTHORP R E RP JACK MAR MA ARI RIA IA GOMEZ MARIA R BEN GOMEZ RU RUBEN EULA L H GOODLETT LA EULAH MICHAE A L GOTH AE MICHAEL TTARA TA ARA AR RA GRO R M RO GROM AASHLEY AS HLEY E HAL EY A LOCK AL HALLOCK HOLLI HAY AYE AY YES HAYES DRE REW RE EW TA TTAYLOR AYL AY YLOR HEW EWI EW WITT DREW HEWITT RROBERT RO BERT R JOHNSON RT JOHN T. T JONES RRACHEL RA ACHEL KE AC KKELLEY LLEY E EY KKESMARC KE SMA MAR MA ARC RC KKAYLA KA AYL AY YLA LA KRI R NG RI KRING JOHN LA LLAINE AINE AI RROBIN RO BIN LA LLANE ANE AN 32
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DAVE DAV AVE AV VE LOPEZ MICHELE MACFARLANE MAC MA ACFA FAR ARL RLA LAN ANE REBECCA R BECCA RE C MAKER CA MAK MA AKE KER MARK MAR MA ARK RK MITCHELL BRENDA BRE R NDA NEVITT RE NEV EVI EV VITT PAH P H FARRIER PA FAR FA ARR RRI RIER DONNIE AND A D LISA AN S PYBURN SA PYB PY YBURN R RN JOSÚE HERRERA HERR RRE RR RERA R RAMOS RAM RA AMOS GINGER REAGAN REA RE EAG AGA GAN AN DR. UZZI UZZ Z I REISS ZZ R ISS RE RFB R B FARRIER RF FAR FA ARR RRI RIER ANN A N KATHERINE AN KAT KA ATHERI R NE RIDDLE RI R DDLE RI TOM ROBEY R BEY RO E EY SCOTT ROBINSON R BINSON RO AMY AMY AM MY ROCK R CK RO ROOD R OD AND RO A D RIDDLE AN R DDLE RI ALAN ALA AL LAN AN RUGGLES, R GGLES, DVM RU DVM DV VM GUMERCINDO GUMERC R INDO “MORO” RC “MORO R ” SANCHEZ RO SAN SA ANCHEZ MAR MA ARI RIA IAH SCHNOBRICH SCHNOBRI R CH RI MARIAH A BY SHADWICK AB SHAD ADW AD DWI WICK ABBY M SHADWICK MA SHAD ADW AD DWI WICK EMMA R CHAR RI ARD AR RD SHADWICK SHAD ADW AD DWI WICK RICHARD SAR SA ARA RA SHADWICK SHAD ADW AD DWI WICK SARA PEDRO R SIERR RO RRA RR RA SIERRA K KE EAR EA ARY RY SNA NAP NA AP P KEARY SNAPP SOUTHERN R VE RN VVENTURE NTURE R RE LAU LA AURA R STANTON STA TAN TA ANTON LAURA GAY GA AYL YLE STRICKROOT STRI R CKRO RI R OT RO GAYLE THYS Y VA YS VVAN AN RO AN RROOYEN OYE OY YEN SAB SA ABA BAS AS VILLALOBOS V LLA VI LAL LA ALOBOS SABAS NEIL VI VVISSER SSER FFATIMA FA ATIMA AT M WA MA W AZIR, DV AZ D VM VM WAZIR, DVM L WE LY W ST EMILY WEST W WI LLOW OWB OW WBA BAN ANK WILLOWBANK BRE R TT WO RE W ODIE, DV D VM VM BRETT WOODIE, DVM K KI M WO W ODW DWA DW WAR ARD RD KIM WOODWARD W WO R D CHAM RL A PION HORS AM R E EQU RS Q IPMENT QU WORLD CHAMPION HORSE EQUIPMENT CONSTA TAN TA ANCE YO YYOUNG UNG CONSTANCE JUDITH ZA ZZARATE ARA AR RAT ATE
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Kentucky Images ©
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Photo by Johan Blom
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World’s Championship Horse Show Photos by Brooke and Jane Jacobs / www.JaneJacobsPhotography.com
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Saturday Class 1 2 3 4 6
#1
Class Name ASR FUTURITY OF KENTUCKY WEANLING OPEN KENTUCKY COUNTY FAIR HARNESS PONY CHAMPIONSHIP SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION KENTUCKY RIDER 17 & UNDER KENTUCKY COUNTY FAIR FINE HARNESS CHAMPIONSHIP KENTUCKY COUNTY FAIR THREE-GAITED CHAMPIONSHIP
#2
#6
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Horse Name MBA’s Stole The Show Heartland Copper Illusion CH-EQ La Zingara Battlefield Carolina’s Inside Story
Exhibitor Antonio Hernandez Helen Rich Kaeley Arterburn Peter Palmer Johanna Kapioltas
#3
Saturday Class 7 8 9 11 12
#4
#8
Class Name KENTUCKY COUNTY FAIR ROADSTER PONY CHAMPIONSHIP ASR FUTURITY OF KENTUCKYYEARLING OPEN KENTUCKY COUNTY FAIR ROADSTER TO BIKE CHAMPIONSHIP KENTUCKY COUNTY FAIR HACKNEY PONY CHAMPIONSHIP KENTUCKY COUNTY FAIR FIVE-GAITED CHAMPIONSHIP
Horse Name Regal’s Prime Rate LF Petrichor Nothing Else Matters Senator Mark Of Perfection
#7
Exhibitor Maureen Campbell J. Darrell Case Judit A. McNeish Tom Lowry Clark Clouse
#9
#11
#12
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Sunday Class 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
#13
Class Name SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION 11 & UNDER AHHS PLEASURE DRIVING PONY JUNIOR EXHIBITOR SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION 16YEARS OLD THREE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE 14-17 DIV I THREE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE 13 & UNDER DIV I AHHS ROADSTER PONY JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 14-17 SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION 12-13
#14
#15
Horse Name CH Meritage Signed Sealed Heartland Accolade CH I’m McDreamy CH Stonehenge Royal Valentine A Promise Honored Supreme Spotlight
Exhibitor Emma Von Ballmoos Zach Meyer Malika Keglowitsch Sausha Saunders Sallie-Mason Wheeler Rose Marie Wheeler Lauren Evans
#18
#16
#19
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Sunday #23
#21
#24
#24a
#25
Class 20 21 22 23 24A 24 25 26
#26
Class Name THREE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE 14-17 DIV II SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION 14YEARS OLD AHHS ROADSTER PONY JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 13 & UNDER SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION 15YEARS OLD FIVE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 13 & UNDER DIV II FIVE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 13 & UNDER DIV I SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION 17YEARS OLD JUNIOR HACKNEY PONY PLEASURE DRIVING ADULT AMATEUR
Horse Name CH Meritage Signed Sealed Delivered Callaway’s Silent Partner Take It To The Limi So Smitten Novella Bodidly CH Fine By Me Palisades Center Ring
Exhibitor Victoria Walz Gracie Ridings Olivia Turner Hallie Ricci Sarah Madison Hecht Sallie-Mason Wheeler Frannie Gefke Ginger Reagan
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Sunday #27
#30
#31
#32
#33
Class 27 30 31 32 33 34 35 35A
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#34
Class Name THREE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE 13 & UNDER DIV II ASR SWEEPSTAKES 4YEAR OLD FINE HARNESS FIVE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 14-17 DIV I SHOW PLEASURE DRIVING JUNIOR EXHIBITOR ASR SWEEPSTAKES 4YEAR OLD PARK PLEASURE FIVE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE JUNIOR EXHIBITOR DIV I THREE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 13 & UNDER DIV I THREE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 13 & UNDER DIV II
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Horse Name CH Redesigned Katharine The Great CH He’s In Style CH Meadowlark Jubilee Simply Magical Wish Me Radiant Manipulating The Stars Memphis Gal
#35a
Exhibitor Katherine Anne Smith Anna Marie Knipp Emma Sanchez Libby Bowen James Lowry Camryn Silverton Alayna Applegate Mallory Pertler
Sunday Class 36 37 38 39 39a 40 41 42
#36
#37
Class Name FIVE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 14-17 DIV II ASR SWEEPSTAKES 4YEAR OLD THREE-GAITED THREE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 14-17 DIV I THREE-GAITED PARK JUNIOR EXHIBITOR DIV I THREE-GAITED PARK JUNIOR EXHIBITOR DIV II THREE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 14-17 DIV II FIVE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE JUNIOR EXHIBITOR DIV II ASR SWEEPSTAKES 4YEAR OLD FIVE-GAITED
Horse Name Finest Hour Spent Tango’s Token Kiss CH Real Action CH Swing An Singin It’s Aerosmith Soquili’s Curious George CH Sunken Treasure Vegas Moon
Exhibitor Laura Plant Smith Lilly Reagan Campbell Catherine Wheeler Skylar Rueff Alex Rudder Corbin Bumgarner Charles R. Lee III
#39a
#38
#40
#41
#42
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Monday Class 44 45 45a 46 47 47a 48 49
#44
Class Name FIVE-GAITED PONY COUNTRY PLEASURE JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 13 & UNDER DIV I COUNTRY PLEASURE JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 13 & UNDER DIV II THREE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE ADULT I ROADSTER PONY JUNIOR EXHIBITOR UNDER SADDLE DIV I ROADSTER PONY JUNIOR EXHIBITOR UNDER SADDLE DIV II FIVE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE ADULT DIV I THREE-GAITED PONY
Horse Name Riverdreams’ Marc Of Reflection Undulata’s Snowflake Caroline Brackenridge CH Spread The Word Drum Beat Cocked-N-Ready Pass With Care CHNuttin’ But Style
#45
#48
#45a
#46
#47a
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Exhibitor Anna Schweitzer Sallie-Mason Wheeler Emma Grace Lovell Amanda J. Murchison Remington Adams Alex Rudder Jennie Turner Garlington Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes
Monday Class 49a 50 51 52 53 54 55 56
Class Name THREE-GAITED PONY DIV II THREE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE ADULT II AHHS HACKNEY PONY AMATEUR GENTLEMEN COUNTRY PLEASURE JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 14-17 DIV I SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION WALK & TROT 8 & UNDER AHHS HARNESS PONY AMATEUR GENTLEMEN FIVE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE ADULT DIV II COUNTRY PLEASURE JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 14-17 DIV II
#49a
Horse Name Bravia Iza Diva Seamair Simply Awesome Deer Hill’s Hyperion CHHank Heiron Twin Willows Handsome Dan Simbara’s Cup Of Sugar It’s Sam I Am
Exhibitor Molly Crim Deborah Orr John Wrather Joanna Jackson Amanda Tremper Jeff McClean Alexis Braswell Grace McDonell
#51
#50
#52
#53
#54
#55
#56
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Monday Class 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 68
Class Name AHHS ROADSTER PONY AMATEUR 50 INCHES & UNDER THREE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE ADULT DIV III SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION WALK & TROT 9YEARS OLD THREE-GAITED PARK OPEN MARE ARHAYOUTH ROADSTER TO BIKE AHHS ROADSTER PONY AMATEUR 50-52 INCHES SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION WALK & TROT 10YEARS OLD THREE-GAITED OVER 15.2 JUNIOR
#57
Horse Name Hopkins CHMister French Blue OverYou Callaway’s Aperitif IAmNotACow Regal’s Night Shadow LF Cinderella Blues Sedgefield’s Mirror Image
Exhibitor Georgia H. Blevins Debra Tomin Isabelle Fischer Lauren Greenwald Zoe Schaffel Deborah Jahn Stephanie Sanders Daniel Lockhart
#58
#59
#61
#60
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#63
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Monday #69
#73
#75
#71
#70
Class 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76
#72
Class Name AHHA HARNESS PONY MARE STAKE FIVE-GAITED JUNIOR MARE FINE HARNESS AMATEUR LADIES THREE-GAITED 15.2 & UNDER JUNIOR AHHS ROADSTER PONY OVER 50 INCHES To 52 INCHES STAKE THREE-GAITED AMATEUR 15.2 & UNDER FINE HARNESS JUNIOR STALLION/GELDING FIVE-GAITED LADIES AMATEUR MARE
#74
Horse Name Giselle Lookin’ for Airs Tempt Me Crazysexycool Sugarland Samur’s Cover Girl Diamond District CH Moonlight Memories
#76
Exhibitor Larry Ella Merrill D. Murray Susan G. Bartlett Todd M. Miles Maureen Campbell Deborah Orr Andre Van Schalkwyk Katherine McGee Bosworth
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Monday Class 77 78 79 79a 80 81 82 83 84 85
Class Name FIVE-GAITED JUNIOR STALLION/GELDING FINE HARNESS AMATEUR GENTLEMEN FIVE-GAITED LADIES AMATEUR GELDING DIV I FIVE-GAITED LADIES AMATEUR GELDING DIV II FINE HARNESS JUNIOR MARE FIVE-GAITED AMATEUR GENTLEMEN THREE-GAITED AMATEUR OVER 15.2 FINE HARNESS LADIES AHRA ROADSTER TO BIKE STALLION/GELDING STAKE FIVE-GAITED STALLION STAKE
#77
#79
Horse Name Callaway’s Brioni Kalarama’s NewYork Lady Deputy’s Heir CH My Wonder Amelie A Lasting Legacy Callaway’s Reality Show CH Our Brilliant Belle B 52 Top Of The Mark
Exhibitor Smith Lilly David B. Rudder Megan McClure Nancy Leigh Fisher Bret C. Day Andrew Slater Catherine R. Hawley Lynda Freseth Debbie Foley Charles R. Lee III
#79a
#78
#85
#80
#81
#82
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#83
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Tuesday #94
#90
Class 90 91 92 93 94
#92
Class Name SHOW PLEASURE DRIVING ADULT DIV I AHHS HACKNEY PONY FOURYEAR OLD THREE-GAITED PARK AMATEUR DIV I AHHS HACKNEY PONY PLEASURE DRIVING ADULT DIV I THREE-GAITED PARK OPEN STALLION/GELDING
#93
Horse Name Henry The Second Lola Undulata’s Just Perfect Romeo’s Highlander LF Double Dog Dare
Exhibitor Sarah F. Rowland Maureen Campbell Dr. Nancy E. Chauvin Linda Fischer Janice E. Giles
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Tuesday Class 95 96 97 98 99 100
Class Name ARHA ROADSTER TO BIKE AMATEUR THREE-GAITED PARK AMATEUR DIV II AHHS HARNESS PONY FOURYEAR OLD COUNTRY PLLEASURE ADULT DIV I THREE-GAITED PARK JUNIOR AHHS PLEASURE DRIVING PONY ADULT
#95
Horse Name Game Changer Belle Reve’s Lady Madonna Kinky Boots Groundhog Altar Of The Sun Heartland Sugar Plum
#96
#99
#97
#98
#100
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Exhibitor Thomas Fiedler Shawn Stachowski Maureen Campbell Drew Taylor Hewitt Daniel Lockhart Helen Rich
Tuesday #103
#102
#101
#105
106
#107
Class 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 114
#109
Class Name SHOW PLEASURE DRIVING ADULT DIV II WESTERN COUNTRY PLEASURE ARHA LADIES ROADSTER TO BIKE AHHS HARNESS PONY THREEYEAR OLD COUNTRY PLEASURE ADULT DIV II YEARLING BREEDERS OPEN AHHS ROADSTER PONY FOURYEAR OLD ARHA ROADSTER UNDER SADDLE AMATEUR WEANLING BREEDERS OPEN ASR FUTURITY OF KENTUCKY 2YEAR OLD FINE HARNESS
#114
Horse Name Honey I’m Good CH Reedann’s Phancy Phootwork Nothing Else Matters Heartland Hayday CH Extremely Fortunut Caramel Popcorn Heartland Land Rover Stanley Steamer Far Away Tomahawk Smart Fortune
Exhibitor Sally McCue Grieme Kiley Bush Judith A. McNeish Maureen Campbell Ashlee Wheaton Gerhardt Roos Holli Hayes Susan Swope Andre Van Schalkwyk Bret C. Day
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Tuesday Class 115 116 117 119 121 122
Class Name THREE-GAITED AMATEUR GENTLEMEN ASR NATIONAL 3YEAR OLD FUTURITY THREE-GAITED THREE-GAITED LADIES AMATEUR 15.2 & UNDER FIVE-GAITED AMATEUR MARE THREE-GAITED 15.2 & UNDER STAKE ASR NATIONAL 3YEAR OLD FUTURITY FINE HARNESS
#115
Horse Name On Higher Ground Christine Daae I’m Still Dreamin’ Callaway’s Sweet Thing CH Don O’Neill Grey Ridge Wildcat
Exhibitor Dakota Reiser Wyatt Dehart Barbara Goodman Manilow Barbara Goodman Manilow Chris Reiser Neil Visser
#122
#116
#121
#117
#119
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#124
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#126
Tuesday Class 123 124 126 127 128 130 131
Class Name THREE-GAITED LADIES AMATEUR OVER 15.2 AHHS HARNESS PONY LADIES AMATEUR ARHA ROADSTER TO WAGON OPEN ASR NATIONAL 3YEAR OLD FUTURITY FIVE-GAITED FIVE-GAITED AMATEUR STALLION/GELDING AHHS HACKNEY PONY LADIES AMATEUR FIVE-GAITED MARE STAKE
Horse Name Kite ‘n Doll Heartland Demonstrator Emerson I Rest My Case CH Memories Of Cabo Heartland High Tech There’s Something About Mary
Exhibitor Cherie P. Ort Mary Gaylord McClean Raymond Shively Jesse West Alexandra E. DeGray Ali DeGray Bret C. Day
#130
#123
#128
#131
#127
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Wednesday #133
#135
#136
#134
#137
Class 133 134 135 136 137 138 140
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#138
Class Name ASR AMATEUR FUTURITY OF KENTUCKY WEANLINGS AHHS HACKNEY PONY THREEYEAR OLD ASR NATIONAL 3YEAR OLD FUTURITY THREE-GAITED PARK ARHA ROADSTER TO BIKE LADIES AMATEUR ASR NATIONAL 3YEAR OLD FUTURITY PARK PLEASURE COUNTRY PLEASURE DRIVING DIV I AHHS PLEASURE DRIVING PONY ADULT AMATEUR JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
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Horse Name Can’t Stop The Feeling! BLF 1st Choice Fox Grape’s Forget-Me-Not My Casey My Lady Belle The Code Cracker Palisades Center Ring
Exhibitor Paul D. Polster Burton Keefer Tiffany Wheeler Susan Swop Joe Brown Alice M. Unger Ginger Reagan
Wednesday Class 141 142 143 144 145 147
#147
Class Name ASR AMATEUR FUTURITY OF KENTUCKY 2YEAR OLDS PARK PLEASURE JUNIOR COUNTRY PLEASURE DRIVING DIV II ASR AMATEUR FUTURITY OF KENTUCKYYEARLINGS AHHS ROADSTER PONY THREEYEAR OLD THREE-GAITED LADIES OVER 15.2
Horse Name Whassup? Charming Madness Our Perfect Day My Pot Of Gold Midnite Princess HS Baby Steps
Exhibitor Kenneth M.Wheeler Jr. Sarah MacKenna Mr. Matthew Gilman Kurt Antonacci Abel Salazar Misdee Wrigley Miller
#141
#142
#143
#145
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Wednesday Class 148 149 150 151 152 153
Class Name AHHS ROADSTER PONY 50 INCHES & UNDER STAKE FINE HARNESS STALLION/GELDING STAKE FIVE-GAITED LADIES GELDING AHHS HACKNEY PONY STAKE THREE-GAITED OVER 15.2 STAKE ARHA ROADSTER UNDER SADDLE OPEN
#148
Horse Name Twin Willow’s McDreamy Nutcracker’s Nirvana Kiss My Cuervo Craycroft Matador Attache’s American Patriot Street Legal GRS
Exhibitor Ali DeGray James Stachowski Jessica Moctezuma Ali DeGray Lionel Ferreira Cydni Simmons
#151
#152
#149
#153
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Wednesday Class 154 155 156 157 158 159
#154
Class Name FIVE-GAITED LADIES 15.2 & UNDER FINE HARNESS MARE STAKE FIVE-GAITED LADIES MARE ARHA ROADSTER TO BIKE MARE STAKE AHHS HARNESS PONY STALLION/GELDING STAKE FIVE-GAITED GELDING STAKE
Horse Name Samur’s Cover Girl Futurette Fox Grape’s The Tiger Lily Belle Starr Handsome Harry Sabotage
Exhibitor Deborah Orr Larry D. Hodge Elisabeth M. Goth Janelle Damato Mary Gaylord McClean Todd M. Miles
#155
#158
#157
#159
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Thursday #165
#160
#161
#163
#162
#164
Class 160 161 162 163 164 165
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Class Name SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION 14-17 CHAMPIONSHIP THREE-GAITED JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINE HARNESS LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE-GAITED 3YEAR OLD MARE ARHA ROADSTER TO WAGON CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE ADULT CHAMPIONSHIP
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Horse Name CH-EQ Chanti’s Prayer Sir Graham Cracker CH Our Brilliant Belle Monnington Glam Girl Emerson Pass With Care
Exhibitor Molly Codeanne Kelly Lockhart Lynda Freseth Lionel Ferreira Raymond Shively Jennie Turner Garlington
Thursday Class 166 167 168 169 170 171
#166
Class Name THREE-GAITED 3YEAR OLD FINE HARNESS AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE-GAITED 3YEAR OLD STALLION/GELDING FINE HARNESS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ARHA USTA ROADSTER TO BIKE CLASSIC FIVE-GAITED JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Horse Name Madeira’s Blue Rose Tempt Me Texas Pete Diamond District Finnmaster Vegas Moon
Exhibitor Paul Cates Susan G. Bartlett Matthew H. Shiflet Andre Van Schalkwyk Steve E. Crabtree Charles R. Lee III
#167
#169
#168
#171
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Friday Class 177 178 179 180 181 182
Class Name WALK & TROT EQUITATION 8 & UNDER CHAMPIONSHIP AHHS PLEASURE DRIVING PONY JUNIOR EXHIBITOR CHAMPIONSHIP 3 GAITED SHOW PLEASURE ADULT CHAMPIONSHIP WALK & TROT EQUITATION 9-10 CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW PLEASURE DRIVING JUNIOR EXHIBITOR CHAMPIONSHIP THREE-GAITED 2YEAR OLD
Horse Name Wildbriar’s Thunder And Lightning Heartland Accolade CH Spread The Word Blue OverYou Brookhill’s ExpressYourself He’s A Cool Cat
Exhibitor Ava Kimmel Zach Meyer Amanda J. Murchison Isabelle Fischer Brianna Tolkacz Sarah MacKenna
#177
#182
#179
#180
#178
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#181
Friday #183
#184
#187
#185
Class 183 184 185 187 188 189
#188
Class Name AHHS HARNESS PONY JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 13 & UNDER CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW PLEASURE DRIVING ADULT CHAMPIONSHIP AHHS PLEASURE DRIVING PONY ADULT AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION 13 & UNDER CHAMPIONSHIP AHHS HACKNEY PONY JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Horse Name Heartland Hayday Bodidly CH Who Heartland Sugar Plum Supreme Spotlight Craycroft Hallelujah
#189
Exhibitor Maureen Campbell Sallie-Mason Wheeler Cathy J. Rogers-Holmes Helen Rich Lauren Evans Jeff McClean
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Friday Class 190 191 192 193 194 195
Class Name FIVE-GAITED 2YEAR OLD AHHS ROADSTER PONY JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 13 & UNDER CHAMPIONSHIP THREE-GAITED PARK JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINE HARNESS 2YEAR OLD MARE COUNTRY PLEASURE 13 & UNDER CHAMPIONSHIP AHHS ROADSTER PONY JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
#191
Horse Name Lismore’s Magnut Take It To The Limit Nirvana’s Nevermind The Other Side Of Grace Undulata’s Snowflake Heartland Land Rover
Exhibitor Lionel Ferreira Olivia Turner James Stachowski Gene van der Walt Sallie-Mason Wheeler Holli Hayes
#192
#193
#190
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#194
#195
Friday Class 196 200 201 202 203
#200
Class Name FINE HARNESS 2YEAR OLD STALLION/GELDING FIVE-GAITED PONY CHAMPIONSHIP AHHS HARNESS PONY AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 14-17 CHAMPIONSHIP WESTERN COUNTRY PLEASURECHAMPIONSHIP
Horse Name Rocket Man Riverdreams’ Marc Of Reflection Heartland Demonstrator CH The Daily Lottery CH Reedann’s Phancy Phootwork
Exhibitor Bret C. Day Anna Schweitzer Mary Gaylord McClean Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes Kiley Bush
#196
#202
#201
#203
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Friday #207
#206
#205
Class 205 207 206
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Class Name THREE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 13 & UNDER CHAMPIONSHIP THREE-GAITED JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 14-17 CHAMPIONSHIP AHHS ROADSTER PONY AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
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Horse Name CH High Heat CH Real Action Hopkins
Exhibitor Molly Crim Reagan Campbell Georgia H. Blevins
Friday Class 209 210 211
Class Name THREE-GAITED LADIES AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AHHS HACKNEY PONY AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP THREE-GAITED PONY CHAMPIONSHIP
Horse Name I’m Still Dreamin’ Heartland Road Show CH Nuttin’ But Style
Exhibitor Barbara Goodman Manilow Jeff McClean Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes
#209
#210
#211
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Friday Class 212 213 215
Class Name THREE-GAITED PARK AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP ARHA ROADSTER TO BIKE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE-GAITED LADIES AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
#212
#215
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Horse Name Forever A Mystery Game Changer CH Moonlight Memories
#213
Exhibitor Theresa Vonderschmitt Thomas Fiedler Katherine McGee Bosworth
Saturday #219
#216
Class 216 217 218 219
#217
Class Name COUNTRY PLEASURE DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP THREE-GAITED PARK OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP THREE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE 14-17 CHAMPIONSHIP PARK PLEASURE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
#218
Horse Name The Code Cracker Callaway’s Aperitif CH Anderson Cooper Fox Grape’s Dandy Lion
Exhibitor Alice M. Unger Lauren Greenwald Faith Robbins Smith Lilly
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Saturday Class 220 221 223 224
Class Name THREE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE 13 & UNDER CHAMPIONSHIP COUNTRY PLEASURE JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 14-17 CHAMPIONSHIP AHHS ROADSTER PONY JUNIOR EXHIBITOR 4-17 CHAMPIONSHIP COUNTRY PLEASURE ADULT CHAMPIONSHIP
Horse Name Royal Valentine It’s Sam I Am Sirfistication Groundhog
Exhibitor Sallie-Mason Wheeler Grace McDonell Emma Wood Drew Taylor Hewitt
#221
#220
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#223
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#224
Saturday #226
#225
#228
Class 225 226 228
Class Name THREE-GAITED PARK JUNIOR EXHIBITOR CHAMPIONSHIP AHHS ROADSTER PONY UNDER SADDLE CHAMPIONSHIP FINE HARNESS 3YEAR OLD MARES
Horse Name CH Swing An Singin Cocked-N-Ready Maggie The Cat RAF
Exhibitor Catherine Wheeler Alex Rudder Gerhardt Roos
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Saturday #231
#230
#229
Class 229 230 231
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Class Name ARHA ROADSTER UNDER SADDLE CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE-GAITED SHOW PLEASURE JUNIOR EXH CHAMPIONSHIP FINE HARNESS 3YEAR OLD STALLION/GELDING
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Horse Name Street Legal GRS My Dreamboat Annie HS I’m Hot Wired
Exhibitor Cydni Simmons Jessi McCurry Debbie C. Foley
Saturday Class 235 236 237
#235
Class Name THREE-GAITED LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP HARNESS PONY WORLD’S GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP ROADSTER TO BIKE WORLD’S GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP
Horse Name HS Baby Steps Giselle B 52
Exhibitor Misdee Wrigley Miller Larry Ella Debbie Foley
#237
#236
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Saturday Class 238 239 240 241
Class Name THREE-GAITED AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINE HARNESS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE-GAITED LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP THREE-GAITED GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP
Horse Name Espresso Noir CH Wild Carrissima Kiss My Cuervo CH Don O’Neill
#238
#239
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#240
Exhibitor Barbara Goodman Manilow Bret C. Day Jessica Moctezuma Chris Reiser
Saturday #241
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Saturday #244
#245
#243
Class 242 243 244
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Class Name ROADSTER PONY WORLD’S GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE-GAITED AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP HACKNEY PONY WORLD’S GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP
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Horse Name Twin Willow’s McDreamy Callaway’s Sweet Thing Craycroft Matador
Exhibitor Ali DeGray Barbara Goodman Manilow Ali DeGray
Saturday Class 245
Class Name FIVE-GAITED GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP
Horse Name Top Of The Mark
Exhibitor Charles R. Lee III
#245
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TOP OF THE MARK By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer
FIVE-GAITED WORLD’S GRAND CHAMPION
I
t’s always a special thing to own a champion, but to Mary Gaylord, Top of the Mark’s success is the icing on the cake. The result of a lifelong passion and involvement with the American Saddlebred as an owner, exhibitor, and breeder; Top of the Mark is a Golden Creek horse through and through. Not only did Mary breed and raise the chestnut stallion, but she has owned his dam, broodmare hall of fame mare Carol Lynn, since she was seven-years-old. Carol Lynn is the dam of over 20 Golden Creek Farms foals, including the greats, CH According to Lynn and CH Lynn Williams.
With bloodlines like that, Top of the Mark was destined to be great, but as we know, what looks good on paper doesn’t always transfer to success in the show ring.
Tré Lee, who gets all of Mary’s weanlings, first laid eyes on “Grover” when he was about six-months-old and broke him to lead. “He had a good look to him and quite a bit of talent, with a great big, long neck on him,” recalled Tré. “We got him up as a yearling and he hadn’t dropped his testicles yet, we were going to castrate him, so we put him back out [in the field] and got him back up in the fall and he still hadn’t His sire, CH Top Spool was a top gaited horse for many years dropped, but he was huge. You couldn’t tell he was a stud with Mary, winning the amateur stallion and gelding world’s at all by his attitude, and by the time they came down, we championship and amateur world’s champion of champions’ decided we should just leave it.” Deciding to leave him a stallion proved later to be a most beneficial decision. title in 1999.
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“We always knew he was special, it took him a while to transfer that to a show.”
“I had been breeding Carol Lynn to Northern Vegas quite a bit,” added Mary. “I decided to go back to Top Spool because of Lynn Williams. Lynn and Grover are full brother and sister.” “I got him going early into his two-year-old year,” said Tré. “He was racking a little bit, but was as nice as they come. As we got going with him he started growing and he was clumsy and had a fall apart. By May I could tell he wasn’t going to be ready and so we turned him back out and let him grow up. We got him back up by late fall and worked him all year and took him to Louisville just to work. He was very growthy and clumsy and being a stud it held him up maturity-wise. He would go through times of being exactly what you thought he would be and then two weeks later would be a mess.” Mary was patient. She trusted that Tré and Emily saw something special in him, but didn’t ask questions. She had seen him work a few times, and liked him, but never when he was at his full potential. “For her to trust us, that we knew what we had and to keep going on him, really meant a lot.”
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“By the time his four-year-old year came around, he was working well, but he couldn’t keep up, and we couldn’t get him to fill out.” He won the junior five-gaited class at Harrodsburg that year and then made a good show at Kentucky Fall Classic to end up reserve in a class of nine, but he had just a glimmer of what he had shown at times at home. “We always knew he was special, it took him a while to transfer that to a show. It took a while to get used to going to a show; he would clam up, he wasn’t comfortable. He was really game, and he wouldn’t be his best,” said Tré recalling his earlier frustration with the youngster. Yet they continued to take their time, not willing to give up on him, since they had seen that potential at home. They started breeding him his five-year-old year and then after that, things started clicking. “Every show after that he made leaps and bounds in between,” said Tré.Those shows included a nice show at Lexington, to win the five-gaited stallion stake and a good show at Louisville last year to be in the ribbons.
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Yet he was still physically immature looking compared to the other horses. They had a hard time keeping weight on him, and in turn getting him fit enough to compete with the older horses. “He’s never had to work a winter in his life,” explained Tré. “After Louisville last year we turned him out and then started him back in February this year. He was way different. He knew what to do.” It seems that Grover was finally ready to make his mark in the show ring. At Indianapolis Charity in June he really made a turn, handily winning the open stake. “He needed to go somewhere and work in the ring and get comfortable. He started showing with the comfort level he had at home.” Then it was on to Lexington Junior League where he won the stallion stake and the five-gaited championship before he headed to the World’s Championship Horse Show for the Big Dance in August. In Monday night’s stallion stake he was at the top of the class, and was ready for Saturday night’s Grand Championship. When it came time for the two-horse workout with Fox Grape’s The Tiger Lily and Elisabeth Goth, Top of the Mark was just getting warmed up. He kicked it into a higher gear, and much to the crowd’s excitement, the young trainer took home his first World’s Grand Championship.
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“Every class he gets better and better. I think he’ll continue to improve,” said Tré proudly. “I can’t even describe what it feels like to win that class, and to have raised him,” said Mary with emotion in her voice. “I’m probably about the happiest person there is. I loved Top Spool so much, and to see his son, who looks like him, perform and win like that is awesome.” “He is very kind,” added Tré.” His stall is right by where they shoe and mares walk by and he doesn’t make a peep. He is not at all mean, he likes to push you around a bit, and he’s funny and mouthy. He likes to take the rein or lead shank in his mouth and lead himself. He knows his job, we have a routine and he knows it.” “The future will be to continue showing and breeding. He has six or seven weanlings on the ground, and they are all nice,” said Mary. “I tease Tré that I want to show him in the amateur stake in about five years! We’ll see what happens. Right now, I’m loving watching Tré ride him.” “No doubt she will be able to ride him,” said Tré laughing, though he’s not ready to give up his mount just yet.
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Emily and Tré Lee with son Chase
Chase and Sandy the pony with Annie the dog
THE PROSPECT OF A GREAT FUTURE:
EMILY AND TRÉ LEE OF PROSPECT LANE FARM By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer
Emily and Tré Lee may still be considered ‘young professionals’, but they have both been immersed in the industry since a young age. Together they have already garnered incredible success as trainers, more so than most dream of achieving in a lifetime.
E
mily was born in Pennsylvania and grew up riding hunter jumpers in Oklahoma where her family moved. A short time later, they ended up in Virginia, where her dad bought some land. Tré Lee and his father, Clem were leasing a field that had some mares in it, and when Emily’s dad saw a black Saddlebred mare in the field, he inquired about the breed to Clem. Emily just happened to already own a half-Arab/ half-Saddlebred that moved with her from Oklahoma, so they put the horse in training with Clem and Tré.
horses that Tré then had in training, and in November 2002 he interviewed with John T. Jones at the Tattersalls sale.Tré and Emily were married December 20, 2002 and together they moved to Union, Kentucky to begin training with Johnny at Rosemont Manor Farm. Emily was 19 and Tré was 23 at the time.
“Working for Johnny was great,” said Emily.They started working colts, and learned a lot about training a young horse. “We really enjoyed that,” said Tré.“It’s good for us – we feel like there’s a niche for it, because a lot of people don’t like to do it, and there’s always Tré was born in North Carolina, the son of Clem and Dora Lee. a good market for a nice young horse.” He moved to Virginia when he was in the fifth grade. His dad had Saddlebreds growing up and trained and showed them on the Within a year,Tré was taking home his first World’s Championship side of his day job. “We would go to smaller shows and I would title, with the two-year-old three-gaited horse, Marching Orders. have a pony and then my dad would have some project horses It was just the first of many young champions he helped develop. and get something sold, and then we would do it all over again,” recalled Tré. He was also involved in the training of the show ring stars WC According to Lynn, RWC Coco Loco, WC Coco Royal, WC As Tré got older, he got more involved with the project horses, Cherished King, WC Lovin’ Lass, RWC Hola Buenos Heires, and began helping with the training duties. Emily continued to RWC Callaway’s Connotation, and many times WGC Callaway’s ride and show with the Lee family and she started working with Copyright. Tré and his dad when she was still in high school. In tenth grade she started homeschooling and finished the 11th and 12th grade The couple followed Johnny to Versailles when he moved in 2005, in one year. In between her schoolwork, she helped with the 12 and knowing that retirement was in the future for Jones,Tré and 86
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Lynn Williams - 2007 three-year-old five-gaited Futurity World’s Champion
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Vegas Moon Chase and Baby Face - trained by Blue Willow Farm
Dam of Vegas Moon and her 2015 filly.
Emily purchased the farm themselves. “Betty and Billy Jarrell were selling their farm and we looked at it and bought it.”Their partnership again proved successful with the wins of WC Lynn Williams, WC Paranormal, WC A Silver Charm, WC The Star Walker (SA), WCC Boston Legal, and RWC Just Heavenly. “We were partners with Johnny for about two years, and in 2008 when he decided to semi-retire, we bought the business [Prospect Lane] from him,” explained Emily. The namesake, Prospect Lane, was thought of by Emily.“We worked a lot of prospects and that was our specialty and that’s how we came up with it.” Their philosophy with a young horse is simple: give them a good foundation. “We just don’t really worry about trying to make them a show horse as much as getting them broke. We do maybe a lit bit more of a western-style approach,” said Tré. “We don’t ask a whole lot of them to look showy; it’s more about establishing manners and good behavior.The good show horse just comes out of them.You can make a whole lot of problems before they are broke.We don’t do a ton of long-lining; we may even ride them before we do that. Get on them with a halter and lead shank before they even get a bridle on them.” Those that are apt to gait start racking then as well. Tré and Emily have their hands on the horses from the time they are babies. They have their own string of broodmares they own, 88
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and also have all of Mary Gaylord McLean’s foals that they get when they are about six months old. Typically, they have about 20 yearlings each year. There are 14 in the field now – and that’s just between theirs and Mary’s, so there will be others.“We do them in stages, some will come up here soon, and if they aren’t strong enough we will turn them back for a while. We usually bring in six to eight at a time, and then go from there.” “We started breeding because we really wanted to contribute to the industry and grow it. The first broodmare we bought through Tattersalls was Vegas Moon’s mom,” said Emily. “We currently have 14 mares. Only one of them was a show mare. The show record isn’t as important to us. We are fortunate enough to work enough babies that we mimic the bloodlines that we like and try not to stray away too far from what we know,” added Tré. “When we wean, we get them handled and picking their feet up and it makes it go a lot smoother.The baby will spend about two weeks to a month inside and then they will get turned out. We will trim their feet and they will all go out in the field.” There are no typical days for the Lee’s. Between the breeding, foaling, weaning and training, they go in stages. “In breeding
We Must Be Nuts - 2012 two-year-old fine harness Futurity World’s Champion
season, the boys start at six a.m. and clean stalls and feed, so we can get the first horse out about 7:30,” said Emily. “I take my son to school about 8. During breeding season, the vet will be there in the morning to check mares, and then we head back and start training.” They try to get through the training by 3:30 or 4, but they don’t take a lunch. “This time of year, after Louisville, we will take a couple weeks break. We weaned six last week, and then yearlings will come up next.” It takes quite the team to keep everything running smoothly in their operation. They have between 35-38 horses in training. “We pretty much stay full all the time. José has been with us for a few years. He worked at Rosemont Manor when we were there and then worked for Larry Bacon for about five years and been back with us for about three. He will ride them and even racked a couple for us. Foster Roberts has just started working for us this summer too,” said Emily. They both share in the training duties. “There are some horses that Emily works all the time, but typically we trade,” said Tré. “He will ride them and I will jog them, but we tag team most of them,” added Emily. “She is really good in the jog cart,” said Tré. “Getting them strong and setting up, and when I get the horse back, it will be better than it was when she got it.”They also train a bit differently for their amateur riders, which they both say is a bit of a learning curve for them. First they get the horse working
how they want it, and then they make adjustments for the rider. “Just because I like the horse in a certain bridle, it might not be what’s best for the rider, so we are always making adjustments,” said Tré. And to add even more to their plate, they have been acting as supervising contractors the last two years as well, overseeing the development of their new 64-acre farm just down the road. Currently they are finishing up building a new training barn. “Two years ago we bought 30 acres, and then last summer bought an adjoining 30. Last fall we began construction and it’s almost done. There will be 32 stalls in the new barn and an arena. There was already a broodmare barn. We wanted something where we could have more space for our mares. Our breeding program has grown and we really wanted something where it was all in spot.” There have been challenges along the way for them as well. For Emily, she says the biggest thing she has had to overcome was when Tré got hurt working a colt two years ago and dislocated his shoulder, broke his tibia and patella and tore his ACL. He had two different surgeries on his knee, and didn’t ride from October to March. “It forced me to step into a role, that I wasn’t 100 percent comfortable with,” said Emily in regards to training and taking over Tré’s duties.“I really grew a lot then, and Tré was very supportive of me and he’s come back from that
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Mountjoy’s Extra Nice, 2014 three-year-old five-gaited stallion and gelding world’s champion and 2015 Junior five-gaited stallion and gelding world’s champion, owned by The Lee’s Replayed in Time and Tré showing in Juvenile Five-Gaited at the West Virginia State Fair.
A young Tré and his Dad Clem with Goliath.
The first horse Emily had in training with Tré, Jewel.
Chase playing flag football
Family vacation at the most wonderful place on earth, Disney.
100 percent.” Even though it was difficult she says they are both better for it, together as a team. Together they have countless different awards and accomplishments, and in 2007 Tré was honored to receive the UPHA Young Trainer’s Award, when he was just 28-years-old. “I believe that a gift of ability, ability for anything, does not have worth unless it is coupled with desire, dedication and a healthy dose of humility.Tré embodies all of those traits. He has taken his craft to a level that has earned him the honor of being named UPHA Young Horseman of the Year,” said mentor Johnny Jones in his speech that year. He talked about his success and passion, his incredible work ethic, his abilities, and the support of his wife, Emily as well. It’s difficult for Tré and Emily to choose the most definitive victory for them, but Tré’s recent win with Top of the Mark in the Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championship is definitely at the top of their list. “That’s the one thing that everybody wants to win. We are very fortunate to have the horse and the owner, and everything in between getting him broke to lead as a weanling and then hanging the roses on him at Louisville,” said Tré. “He’s been a part of our lives for so long, we typically don’t have anything here older than a four-year-old. Something as nice as him usually gets sold or moves on to other places. “ It was also rewarding for them to have their son, Chase in the ring with them for the ceremony. “He was waiting for me on the rail,” said Emily.“He gets really excited to cheer for the horses now.” 90
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Chase himself has horses in his blood. He rides with Julie Kaufman and Andrea Steponaitis at Blue Willow Farm. “We never really pushed him to ride or be a part of it. We let him choose. And I would send him to horse camp, and he would enjoy it and take lessons here and there but then would want to quit. Last year, he told me he wanted to take lessons again, and he’s enjoying it. I love that he’s at an age where we can take him to horse shows now too,” she added. When they aren’t at shows themselves, you can find them cheering on Chase at academy shows where he competes in the walk-and-trot division, or at his flag football games. Any free time is spent as a family. They enjoy watching football. Chase loves Green Bay – because of Randall Cobb [from University of Kentucky].They love UK basketball too, and they try to take a vacation in September or October every year. Disney is their favorite place to go as a family, and they have been the last four years. Their goal for the future is simple.“We just want to keep doing what we do – that’s what we enjoy doing. I don’t things will be a whole lot different, as far as our work. We plan to keep breeding mares and try to better ourselves with every group of colts,” said Tré. “There is always a better way to do things,” adding that they are constantly learning and evolving as trainers. “I love this time of year,” added Emily. “With every group of colts are new possibilities and it is so much fun.”
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FINE HARNESS WORLD’S GRAND CHAMPION:
WILD CARRISSIMA By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer | Photo by Howie
T
he 11-year-old bay gelding was bred by E Lopez in Urbana, Ohio and owned by Stachowski’s for the first five years of his life. Mary Gaylord bought Wild Carrissima in 2010 and then Robert Pugh has owned the gelding since 2011. By Rare Perception out of the CH Foxfire’s Prophet mare, Mia Carrissima, his second dam, CH Carrigan’s Gift was a reserve world’s champion fine harness mare with Randi Stuart Wightman in the mid-1980’s.
to talk me out of, but I loved him from first time ever saw him,” said Robert. “I actually showed against him at Lexington Junior League with CH Revolver and couldn’t take my eyes off of Wild Carrissima. It was after that class, I told Bret we had to own him. Unfortunately, I had to try to convince Bret of this.”
But after some convincing, Willy was his, and it seemed when Bret Day took over the lines later that summer that something magical Wild Carrissima showed once at the state fair as a three-year-old happened. His first time driving the big bay gelding, he won the open three-gaited horse in 2008 and then didn’t enter back into the show fine harness stake at the World’s Championship Horse Show and arena until two years later. It was when Jim Stachowski showed him later that week took home his first World’s Grand Championship as a five-year-old at Rock Creek in the Open Fine Harness Stake in title at just six-years-old. “Robert Pugh bought him after Lexington 2010 that Robert “Chip” Pugh first saw the eye-catching horse. He that year, and the first time I showed him was actually at Louisville that finished third that night, but turned heads, and from that point on, year,” explained trainer Bret Day. “I think there are horses and horse Robert knew he just had to have that horse one day.“Willy” went on trainers that just hit it off and jive. He and I have something, a mutual to earn a reserve world’s championship title in the stallion and gelding agreement between us. Right from the beginning we hit it off. Melissa fine harness stake with Jim Stachowski that year, and the next year [Moore] gave me all the keys, he was strong, and I was able to hold he showed several times to good success, but his potential was just him. He was so strong,” he reiterated. starting to blossom. When Mary Gaylord bought him, she showed him one lone time, to a win in the fine harness class at KASPHA May Wild Carrissima went on to be undefeated in the harness division for the remainder of 2011, all of 2012 and 2013, taking home four Classic in Shelbyville, Kentucky in 2011. more world titles during that span. It was 2014 before he suffered “Owning him has been the horse that I wanted that everyone tried his only losses, and that was to the stallion Nutcracker’s Nirvana at the World’s Championships. Last year, Wild Carrissima showed lightly, his first show of the season actually being at Louisville, where 92
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a people’s horse. He will talk to you when you walk by, and be calm and relaxed, but with the tack on he is like a freight train. He’s like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” laughed Bret.“His personality is almost bipolar in the fact that in the stall he is ‘Mr. loving give me attention’ and ‘where is my treats,’ but when it comes to showing he is manic and ready to get the job done. Driving him is like sitting behind a freight train,” Owner Robert Pugh has had much success himself in the show ring, echoed Robert. and bought the grand horse with hopes in the back of his mind that he could show him himself in the amateur ranks. But, he has proven So what lies in the future for this grand horse? “I am not sure what time and time again that he wants to be an open harness horse, and the future holds, but this year proved he is as healthy as he’s ever he hasn’t relaxed much over the years. He’s all business. “When we been and he doesn’t want to quit,” said Robert. “Actually, my favorite bought him there was a big question mark whether he would ever memory of him was being able to show him on the green shavings at make an amateur horse. We rolled the dice, and when we won out Louisville this year and proving too many that I could do it. Granted, of the box, we kind of set a precedent,” Bret added. “It worked out, it standing [in the lineup] was not in our cards…but I absolutely loved was in the back of our mind, but he turned out to be an open horse.” showing him. Brett has taught him how to guide and I have learned And what an open horse he turned out to be. “I always wanted to by watching Brett over the years how to manage the motor that’s in show him as an amateur horse but Willy likes Saturday night,” added him. My run with Willy has been a blessed one thanks to everyone involved, especially Bret and Susi.” Robert. he was reserve to Lady Mandolin MS in the Fine Harness Grand Championship. “What he does athletically he shouldn’t even be able to do. It’s all him, his motion is his motion. He tells us how much he can do. In the last couple of years we have backed off and haven’t showed him that much, so that he can put in that 100%.”
“You pick up the lines and he is ready to go,” said Bret. “It takes three to four people to hook him. They hold him and walk with him. He wants to get to the party and be done with it.” In the stall, the gelding is far from “Wild”, he’s calm and personable; but when that tack hits his back, he’s all business. “He’s a funny horse; he’s
When asked the same question, Bret responded; “that’s the golden question right now. He’s done more than most open harness horses have ever done. The fact that he was as good as, or better than he has ever been, that tells us something.This might have been it for him. Everybody involved has to get together and make that decision, but this may have been his swan song.” THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
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THE HACKNEY PONY WORLD’S GRAND CHAMPIONS FROM THE EYES OF NICK SCHUBERT Nick Schubert is a 12 year old native of Knoxville, Tennessee. The son of long time show horse and pony owner and exhibitor, Chris Long Schubert, he embodies the enthusiasm and love of the hackney pony and those who support them. Nick earned his second Reserve World’s Champion of Champions title this year in Roadster Pony Junior Exhibitor 13 & Under. He trains under the direction of Anne Neil of Blythewood Farm in Cleveland, Tennessee.
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aturday August 27, 2016 Kentucky State Fair Ponies, their owners, drivers, and trainers are preparing for the biggest night of their lives. Freedom Hall sets the scene for the best in the breed to strut their stuff for the title. The seats are packed and there is an atmosphere of excitement. The anticipation of who will be crowned the World’s Grand Champions of 2016 is in the air. First up for the Harness Pony Worlds Grand Championship is Giselle, an entry of Bent Tree Farm, Shawsville, VA. I travelled to Bent Tree Farm to see where this famous pony was bred and raised and ask her owners, Karen Waldron and Shawn Ricci, some questions. When Ms. Waldron bred Giselle, aka GG, she knew GG was going to be a, “Fantastic pony.” Ms. Waldron described GG as an “in charge” type pony. She says,“You never tell her what she has to be, you just let her be who she wishes to be and then let her bloom.” I asked Ms.Waldron and Mr. Ricci “If Giselle were a famous person, who would she be and why?” Ms.Waldron thinks that GG reminds her of Angelina Jolie because she is so beautiful
Ali and Mickey a.k.a. Lucy and Desi
Helen Rich and WGC Craycroft Matador Ali and WGC Craycroft Matador. Photo by Howie
yet strong. Mr. Ricci describes her as a Serena Williams type with a lot of attitude! Ms.Waldron states that Giselle has,“so much ability and strength” and she “tries to be very careful with her.” She says that “once she puts her foot down she is giving you 110%.” What an amazing experience to be able to sit down with Ms. Waldron and Mr. Ricci and hear about this grand mare and many others that have come from this farm. They are truly ambassadors to the hackney breed. Reserve World Grand Champion in this class goes to Go Daddy and Mary Gaylord McClean, an entry of Golden Creek Farm. This very cool pony seems to own the ring with his expression and energy. He appears to love his job and never puts an ear back. This pony is just one of many Mrs. McClean has dominated the show ring with over the years. I would love to go visit this pony too! (hint, hint…..) Next up for the Roadster Pony World’s Grand Championship is the unforgettable, Twin Willows Mc Dreamy, an entry shown
expertly by Ali DeGray for Helen Rich. I travelled to Majestic Oaks to meet this speedster in person and interview his trainers, Maureen and Rich Campbell. They both describe McDreamy, aka Mickey, as a Will Ferrell type character with loads of energy. I can vouch for the loads of energy. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell first saw Dr. Alan Raun show this pony as a 4 year old and thought he was a really neat pony. They describe him as “fun to work” and say, “he thinks a lot of himself.” Mickey has won an incredible four World’s Grand Championships and two 50” and under championships. I asked them,“If Mickey could talk, what would he want the world to know about him?” They both smiled and felt like he would say, “Look at me!” and “I hope you think I’m as cool as I do!” I had the opportunity to pet him in his stall and know that he is very energetic and fun. I spoke with Ali DeGray over the phone and asked her a few questions about this little guy. First I wanted to know if she and Mickey were a famous couple, who would they be? “Undeniably, Desi Arnez and Lucille Ball.” I had to ask my mom who they were and agree that THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
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Reserve World’s Grand Champion in this class is Semair Simply Awesome and John Wrather for John and Charlotte Wrather and shown under the direction of Majestic Oaks. Mr. and Mrs. Wrather are long time pony owners that, over the course of my show career, have encouraged me and been kind. I am very happy for their success and their RWGC in such a wonderful class of ponies. This is truly a very nice pony Reserve in this nice class of ponies is an entry of Dr. Joe and with wonderful owners! Shirley Black, Mastercraft, and driven by Bill Waller. I have had the opportunity to watch this very cool pony show this All in all, the 2016 WGC ponies are the best of the breed. year and am thrilled to have this entry from my hometown, I am super lucky to have visited where some of the ponies Knoxville,TN. Way to bring it home guys! live and train and as well, talk to their owners and trainers. A question I had for everyone is, “Where do you think the Last, but not least, for the Hackney World’s Grand hackney industry will be in 50 years?” The answers were Championship is Craycroft Matador an entry of Helen Rich, similar in that they all believe that the industry can only survive driven by Ali DeGray, and trained by Majestic Oaks team. Aka if we can figure out how to spread the excitement to other Matador, strutted his stuff to top five other entries. I asked Mr. people and horse trainers that haven’t tried ponies. So, let me and Mrs. Campbell what makes this pony so special and they be the one to tell you, ponies are as addictive as Pokémon Go, said, “Just his presence.” “When he is on, he is just…wow!” Lays potato chips, and Hershey kisses. They aim to please you said Mr. Campbell. “When you ask him to be something, with EVERY STEP and EVERY BREATH they take. In return, he just is….. Matador is so impressive and just has that cool they only ask for 3 things, peppermints, apples, and love. kind of look” says Mrs. Campbell. Ali said if she and Matador were a famous couple they would be, “Marlon Brando and Thank you, Bent Tree Farm and Majestic Oaks for being Marilyn Monroe.” Once again, I had to ask my mom who wonderful ambassadors to the breed and sharing your special Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe were and after some ponies with me. In 50 years people will still be talking about explanation, and google, I would have to agree there is a spark your ponies being the best of the breed! between those two! Her favorite memory, or time spent with With Love to all the people and ponies, Nick Matador is brushing on him and feeding him treats. these two together are the life of any party or any show ring! I asked,“on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the awesomest, where is Mickey?” “11” she said quickly. Her favorite memory with Mickey is winning the roses the first time with him. Mickey is certainly loved by everyone at Majestic Oaks, his owners, and his fans!
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ON A ROLL: A WINNING SATURDAY AT THE FAIR FOR ROSE STABLES
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aturday morning of the Kentucky State Fair marked a big morning for Rose Stables of Shelbyville. Trainer Gerhardt Roos proudly took home three back to back wins much to the delight of the entire team. First, Cocked-N-Ready won the Junior Exhibitor Roadster Pony Under Saddle, Rider 17 years and Under Championship, followed by Maggie the Cat (Raf) to win the Three-Year Old Fine Harness Mare and lastly Street Legal, Open Roadster Under Saddle Championship. Most would agree that winning one class on Saturday morning is exciting, but three is spectacular.
By Meghan von Ballmoos of the Saddlebred world. From here we have continued to grow and expand our clientele. We are very pleased with our additions to the property and love being in a central location.
Though honesty is certainly a foundation for any successful business, Gerhardt’s continued growth must also be attributed to his abilities as a trainer. He believes his strength as a trainer “is patience, always willing to listen to someone else, and continue learning how to train. One of my biggest strengths others notice is my ability to always get along with any horse, even the challenging ones. Although they may take a lot of my time and patience, it is rewarding when they do make Spectacular would certainly describe the last few years for Rose a turn and are successful.” Team Rose has put Amateurs, Juniors, and Stables. Gerhardt, along with his supportive wife Sarah, recently young horses in the rings at all levels and enjoys the challenge each purchased and expanded their own farm in Shelbyville. They have unique pairing presents. Gerhardt said, “I enjoy matching riders with a strong clientele and a variety of horses. On the path to success, the perfect horse, selling them, and seeing them continue to succeed outside of my barn. I find it very rewarding for someone to continue Gerhardt’s approach has been straightforward: on with what I have started and have success.” I strive to be honest with customers from the start about their horse and our business. I feel my integrity has earned me respect If it is true that behind every successful many is a great woman, among my clients and other trainers. I am always willing to admit then certainly that adage rings true for Gerhardt Roos, whose wife my mistakes, treat my clientele with respect, and always remember Sarah plays a critical role in the business’s continued success. Sarah the customer is always right. I always listen to our customers, their balances a full time teaching career with managing the marketing and thoughts and opinions, and share all I can about the progress of their bookkeeping side of the business, in addition to raising their young horse. We started out leasing stalls, then found our business growing, son Gerhardt junior, known as G. “Being a mom, wife, teacher, and and wanted to settle down somewhere as a family business. We business owner is quite the challenge some days, but I continue to found the perfect location on US 60 in Shelbyville, right in the heart work hard because I see how hard Gerhardt works for our business
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and I want us to continue to thrive and be successful. Supporting Gerhardt is a major focus of mine and I just try to do all I can to support him. We try to entertain clients at horse shows and when they visit the barn for the day. We bring our son to most shows and he entertains right along with us.This is our life and our career, so we want him to be a part of it.”
and extremely healthy. His professionalism, extensive knowledge and commitment to his clients and horses provides the perfect scenario for success! My relationship with Gerhardt and his incredible wife Sarah is a great mix- professional yet relaxed and at fun! I live six hours from KY so planning a trip to practice ride or just visit with my family takes effort. Gerhardt and Sarah have made an extra effort to make me feel welcome in their home and at the shows. Their emphasis on family and friends is contagious. All are welcome and treated the same no matter what. Gerhardt and his assistants are very driven, enthusiastic yet kind and patient with the horses and clients! Their work ethic and dedication has had such a positive impact on our relationship with this business. One that we intend to keep for a very long time. We are very grateful and proud to be a part of Rose Stables and look forward to many more adventures with Gerhardt, Sarah, Cyd and Andrew!
Sarah and Gerhardt are clearly grateful for the support they have enjoyed from a variety of customers over the years. They feel strongly that each individual contributes to the overall quality of the barn. Sarah said, “We consider all clients a special part of our barn family and wouldn’t be where we are today without each one of them.” Longtime client Bob Shields said ”Gerhardt Roos makes the sun shine brighter and has a solid vision to make things happen. We enjoy selecting young untrained prospects . . .2 & 3 yr. olds . . . With total delight and pleasure . . . To hit the show ring with measured improvement. Our relationship started over 6 years ago with full Rose client for many years, Dr. Robert Pugh said, “I began with Mr enjoyment of open communication. Gerhardt is a friend, a most Roos as his first client, he was brave enough to agree to get me in the talented trainer and a wonderful family man …Rose Stables is tops!” saddle and it has involved into a great partnership.” Leslie Laforce was effusive about the entire Rose team: Gerhardt has been my trainer for almost four years and in that time I have had six horses go through his training program. The positive results I have achieved as a rider and seller are largely due to Gerhardt. He has a perfect combination of diverse training methods and individualized exercise programs that keep my horses very happy 106 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
Like any dedicated and hard working couple, Sarah and Gerhardt Roos hope that the business will continue to grow. They want their riders to succeed in the show ring, as well as continue to “market and match horses with riders.”They hope to see Rose Stables rise to be one of the top competitive barns in the country. Based on their latest Kentucky State Fair performance, the future looks bright.
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WCC CH OUR BRILLIANT BELLE AND LYNDA FRESETH
2016 WORLD’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS LADIES FINE HARNESS
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By Meghan von Ballmoos
f ever a horse was aptly named, it must certainly be the grand harness mare Our Brilliant Belle. Ever brilliant, ever beautiful, she commands your attention from the minute she enters the ring. This multi-titled champion emerged victorious once again in 2016, for the fourth time taking home the World’s Champion of Champions Ladies Fine Harness award. One win is impressive, but four is epic. By Joe Fabulous and out of Finally In Tune, Our Brilliant Belle is a true show horse. Athletic, platinum blonde, and charismatic, Belle is a magnificent presence in the show ring… and she knows it.Trained by Lynda and Andy Freseth of Hollow Haven, Belle consistently performs at the height of her ability. About her Lynda said: The object is to get her to think that it all is her idea and to TRY to stay ahead of her. I wish I could take all the credit for all of these things, but all I do is direct her energy. If she doesn’t have both ears straight forward, call the vet.That is a fun saying, but in her case it is the truth. She is naturally very bright and looks at the same old arena as if it is the first time she has ever seen it. Her motion is very rhythmic naturally and brilliance is basically her own, so my job is to keep her healthy, happy and settled. Like any real diva, Belle knows she is exceptional and her personality shows it. Lynda explains, “She is very opinionated when dealing with her on the ground. She loves her caretaker Hill Rodriguez, but the rest of her fan club can take a hike.The last on her list is Andy. Whenever Andy and Hill have a difference of opinion in jest, Hill will go into Belle’s stall and she will protect him.When she is in harness, she is all business.” It is clear that Lynda has done her job (as she defines it) perfectly, as the mare is undoubtedly all of those things. She is a horse that enjoys being in the spotlight, clearly well-prepared and happy. In a highly competitive division, year after year, Belle has brought home the roses for her trainers and loving owner Mary Gise. Mary said: After all of this time, I still marvel that I get to drive her and I am amazed that she gets to be mine.To feel all of her electricity and explosiveness knowing that it only passes through the the lines, makes me respect her even more. As for Belle being a defining Ladies Fine Harness Horse, when we acquired her she was a very nice Harness prospect. Over the years she has evolved into the epitome of a Ladies Harness Horse. It has been thrilling to have been on this journey with her. Sadly, for Lynda, this year’s win was bittersweet. Mary was scheduled to show her, but after Blue Ridge, she had some health issues that were going to be complicated by the conditions at Louisville. She decided that it would be better for her to not show Belle and offered for Freseth to show her. Lynda said, “It is always a great thrill to show her no matter where and when and then to get to make it four years in a row for her winning the Ladies Harness World’s Championship was the cherry on the sundae.” A horse like Our Brilliant Belle is a tough act to follow. As a highly desirable and competitive horse, Gise and Freseths have had to make the tough decision for several years whether to keep her (and ultimately end up breeding her) or let someone else enjoy her as much as they have. Lynda explained,“She has 4 babies so far (2 sets of twins), so it is clear she is a grand reproducer.There is no replacing her, it would only be moving on.” Regardless of what’s next for her, Our Brilliant Belle will forever remain defining name in the Ladies Fine Harness division, she will be in the history books as one of the greats. 108 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
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By Meghan von Ballmoos
LADIES THREE-GAITED WORLD’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS
WCC HS BABY STEPS
AND MISDEE WRIGLEY MILLER
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he 2016 World’s Champion of Champions in the Ladies Three-Gaited division, HS Baby Steps needs no introduction to the show horse world. Any enthusiast of the American Saddlebred is familiar with this memorable mare bred by Hagan Saddlebreds and sired by Sir William Robert out of I Am The Dream, an Attache’s Born Believer daughter. “Baby” and her equally renowned equestrian owner Misdee Wrigley Miller are a tour de force in the ThreeGaited division, garnering World titles and championships across the country with effortless flair. In 2015, they took home the same World’s Championship title and have been undefeated since.This horse and rider partnership has a distinctive style that has allowed them to become a defining presence in the threegaited division. Born in 2009, HS Baby Steps debuted as a two-year-old at Rock Creek with Walden Bullard, soon to be in the hands of Lionel Ferreira, who would go on to show her to 2011 Reserve World’s Champion Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Mares. Just the start of her incredibly decorated career, Baby was quickly on many people’s “to watch” list, but perhaps most importantly, she caught the attention of Misdee Wrigley Miller. “I saw her in harness with Lionel and I was so impressed by her. I thought what a beautiful mare!” Lionel continued to show her the following year for owner Ashlyn Farms, winning all of her classes including the ASR National Futurity Three-Year-Old Fine Harness. Upon a second impressive year, Misdee made the fateful decision to acquire Baby as her future Fine Harness Mare with the help of Larry Hodge. Misdee spent the summer of 2013 competing with her combined driving horses in Europe, leaving Baby to carry on her winning ways with Larry in the Junior Fine Harness classes. Baby earned yet another win at the Kentucky State Fair, among many other blues. Meanwhile, as she built up her harness career, Baby developed into an exciting saddle horse. “For a while, Larry kept telling me that I’d love showing her under saddle,” Misdee said. When she returned from Europe, the pair debuted at the American Royal in Kansas City. “That was when the magic started,” exclaimed Misdee. Misdee and Baby were a perfect match. The team won in their debut performance and has since defined the division. “She always gives 100%. Every day is a show day!” Misdee claims she does not practice as often as she should, particularly because Baby is so thrilling to ride, yet the pair seems to have a pretty solid performance record, considering they have won a shocking 18 of their 19 classes together. 110 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
At this year’s World’s Championship Horse Show, the pair took home their qualifying world title- all set up for their championship. “She warmed up so beautifully and I was so ready. I knew it was going to be a fantastic performance,” described Misdee. However, in a rare twist, Misdee lost one stirrup… then the other in her first trip around the ring. Though the gate was still open, she was forced to stop and collect herself right in front of the judges, she thought for sure she had blown the class. She rode the remainder of the class totally focused on redeeming herself. “I thought, okay I’ve gotta make up for this,” she said. Misdee was terribly distraught and apologized to Daniel and Kelly in the lineup, thinking that her mistake had cost her beautiful horse and dedicated trainers the class. In true suspense, it looked quite possible the winning team might be defeated.Yet, they emerged victorious once again. Misdee said, “When they called out her number I literally burst into tears!” Even for the likes of Misdee Wrigley Miller, who has owned many notable equine athletes, HS Baby Steps is extraordinary. “She’s sort of a once in a lifetime horse,” explained MIsdee. Thanks to modern science, this grand show mare will continue to thrill audiences in the show ring, but will also become a mother in the Spring of 2017. Few prospects are more exciting than one of the truly great Saddlebred mares of recent years to start producing foals. Though her get will sure have big shoes to fill, they will just have to start with baby steps…
Yearling Baby Steps
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By Meghan von Ballmoos
WCC KISS MY CUERVO AND JESSICA MOCTEZUMA
LADIES FIVE-GAITED WORLD’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS
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n 2016, Kiss My Cuervo and Jessica Moctezuma were an exciting team to watch all season. Like a breath of fresh air, Jessica’s earnest and enthusiastic path to the roses with this stunning horse captured the attention and hearts of spectators along the way. With wins at many shows over the years, Tito is no stranger to success and neither is his grateful rider, Jessica. Together, they make an extraordinary team that joyfully emerged victorious in the highly competitive 2016 Ladies Five-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions.
We have all known Tito was placed on this earth for a reason. There is no horse that works harder or wants to please more and knowing that put a lot of pressure on me because if we made it mistake- total pilot error. Richmond’s work schedule had Tito in top shape so no one was worried about him performinghe always puts on a show. I, on the other hand, studied my past classes with him and tried hard to stay in shape for him. We didn’t wake any changes from last year all but continuing to keep his body and mind healthy!
Kiss My Cuervo, by Callaway’s Northern Kiss out of Miss Cuervo (by Heir to Champagne), has been extraordinary since his birth in 2009. Lisa and Rick Balcerak bred and raised him at their house along with his full sister, Champagne Kisses. When “Tito,” as he came to be known, turned two he entered into “Charm School” (the Moctezuma’s affectionate euphemism for the early phase of training) when Mayo broke him over the course of a couple months to longline and jog. Like many youngsters, he then went back outside to grow up. As a coming three-yearold, Jessica broke him to ride and showed him all year- winning many classes and placing in Junior Park Pleasure at Louisville. Now Jessica’s fiancé, Richmond DeHart arrived that fall. He taught Tito to rack and showed him in his four-year-old year. Richmond trained him ever since. These days, Jessica shows him and Richmond remains behind the scenes doing the training. Importantly, at the end of each show season, he gets turned out to play, keeping him fresh and loving work.
Owners Lisa and Rick Balcerak are still in shock he won both classes. Their dream, like every breeder, was to breed a world champion- not just for their sake, but for Tito’s dam, Miss Cuervo. Their entire breeding program started because this wonderful mare took great care of Lisa as her first show horse and they wanted to always have a piece of “Sassy.” The Balceraks decided to cross her with a good-thinking stud who is also handsome with great breeding- that’s how they chose, Callaway’s Northern Kiss. Of course, the cross also allowed them to come up with the catchy name Kiss My Cuervo. “Sassy” now has 5 babies on the ground by a couple different studs and all have babies seem to have her great personality. Exceeding anyone’s expectations, Tito’s incredible wins were Sassy’s first step to Broodmare Hall of Fame, a dream for Lisa and Rick.
About his amazing accomplishment, Jessica says, “Tito has done all he is possibly able to do!” So, his trainers and owners decided that his reward was a vacation of playing in a grassy Jessica explained: field. Though every year he gets a break, this year he got started Tito has a hollywood attitude to where he thinks anyone two months earlier allowing for a long, relaxing break for the cheering, is cheering for him, I think his attitude alone helps him World’s Champion of Champions. The amazing horse Kiss My get top ribbons because it is always about him- in the stall or in Cuervo has made dreams come true for everyone connected the show ring. It’s easy to see he loves to work and loves going to him and Team Tito could not possibly be more grateful. As fast and competing! I think this year has been a blessing for all of Tito’s dedicated show ring partner Jessica prepares for marriage us involved with T. He just is getting so strong and his ego gets to trainer Richmond, she says, “I love my life and wouldn’t change bigger to where he always puts on a show, the minute we think it for the world, especially having Tito as my partner in the show he has peaked, he goes just a little more above what we think. ring!”
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By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer
SPOTLIGHT ON SENIOR EQUITATION WORLD’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS:
MOLLY CODEANNE Y ou could say that Molly Codeanne was destined to be an equitation rider. She’s a fourth-generation Saddlebred equestrienne, and is proudly following in her mother’s footsteps.
equitation division. She says that her current mare is definitely one of her favorite horses, but she has loved showing each of them over the years. “It’s really hard to pick, but my favorites are probably Callaway’s Born With Style, Zagnut and, of course, CH-EQ Chanti’s Prayer.”
“I started riding when I was three. I got involved with horses and Saddlebreds because my great-grandmother, June Larson, my grandmother, Lynn McNamara, and my mom have all been lifelong Saddlebred owners and exhibitors,” said Molly. “I have been showing since I was five.”
Having shown for over ten years, there have been many challenges she’s faced along the way. “So far my biggest challenge to overcome has been keeping myself focused without letting stress and pressure get in the way of my performance,” she said wisely.
Molly has multiple world and national titles under her belt already. She was reserve national champion in the 10-and-under walk-and-trot equitation division in 2008, and a world’s champion walk-and-trot rider in 2009 with her partner, Platinum Asset, under the direction of Marsha and Gary Garone. In 2013 Molly was the reserve world’s champion of champions in the junior equitation division and the Molly’s great-grandmother, June, started a barn called Birchwood UPHA Junior Equitation National Champion that same year with Stables in their hometown of Wethersfield when she was just Zagnut under the Cater Stables banner. In 2014 she was reserve at 14-years-old. Then when June was married, she and her husband Louisville in the 14-year-old age group. She teamed up with CH-EQ bought the farm that became Cedarledge Farm and began establishing Chanti’s Prayer in 2015 and together they were the reserve world the stable that remains the center of the family’s horse operations champion’s for the 15-year-old equitation age group and she also today. June’s daughter, Lynn was a successful junior exhibitor rider, took home a reserve national championship in the USEF Medal Finals. turned long-time professional, and continues to be a sought-after But with the many accolades, her most recent win at the Kentucky judge today. And her daughter, Kate, was a Triple Crown equitation State Fair ranks as one of her most exciting wins. winner in 1987. Now nearly 30 years later, Molly is blazing her own trail in the equitation ring. “My most memorable riding moment thus far has been winning the equitation championship at Louisville this year. It is a moment I will Molly trains under the direction of Kristen and David Cater of Cater never forget. Winning the Senior Equitation World’s Championship Stables in Dunbarton, New Hampshire.“I usually ride on the weekends means the world to me,” she added. “I was in disbelief when my at Caters and during the week at home,” said Molly. It’s more than a two number was called that my wildest dream had come true.” hour drive from her home, so when she does get there she spends a lot of time in the saddle.“A typical practice session at Caters starts with “My future riding goals are to compete in the finals and give it my all. a lunge lesson for strengthening and no irons work,” said Molly. “After I want to ride Saddlebreds for the rest of my life and will continue to that I ride a lesson horse in an equitation group. We do rail work and strive to improve and learn every step of the way. After I am finished several workouts.Then I ride my show horse.” with equitation, I would like to show a five or three-gaited horse. Riding American Saddlebreds has taught me discipline and determination and She currently shows CH-EQ Chanti’s Prayer in the 16-year-old has shaped me into a focused and compassionate person.” The now 17-year-old senior at Mercy High School lives on their family farm in Wethersfield, Connecticut with her parents Kate and Chris, and her younger brother Patrick. She has two dogs, Oreo and Pansy, and two horses at home, Captain, her first show horse, and Max.
Q & A WITH MOLLY:
Molly’s Senior Photo. Curtis Photography copyright
Molly and CH-EQ Chanti’s Prayer after their win at Louisville this year.
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What is your favorite food? My favorite food is Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked frozen yogurt Favorite music, singer or band? My favorite music is pop and my favorite singer is Lana Del Rey Favorite movie? Forrest Gump What is your trainer’s favorite expression? “Show them the Molly I know.” What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? One thing I couldn’t live without are horses. What’s one thing you wish you didn’t exist? Something I wish I didn’t exist - raccoons What’s something no one knows about you? Nobody knows that I don’t like raccoons
Molly and CH-EQ Chanti’s Prayer. 2016 Kentucky State Fair Senior Equitation World’s Champion of Champions.
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WC Meritage Signed Sealed Delivered winning the 2016 Junior Exhibitor 14-17 Division II World’s Champion title.
SHE’S ALL HEART
WORLD’S CHAMPION MERITAGE SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED
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t the Kentucky State Fair, history was made. With each class winner, a champion was written into the books, adding their name to list of champions that came before. It is a remarkable ac-complishment; a single win is the result of hard work, athleticism, and the will to win. But on Sunday afternoon this year, Meritage Signed Sealed Delivered made history beyond what any horse has likely done before- she carried two different riders to world titles in a single session.Winning the first class of the afternoon as an equitation mount in the Open Equitation 11 and Under with Emma von Ballmoos, she then went on within a handful of classes to win the Show Pleasure 14 -17 Division II with her owner Victoria Walz under the expert guidance and prepara-tion of Todd Miles. Sisi, as she is known, is by WC Call Me Ringo out of the mare WC Carmelita Santana. She is no stranger to the winner’s circle. She has enjoyed much success with wins around the country for a number of years, but never at the World’s Championship Horse Show. She delivers the full package of beauty, talent, and brains, but superior to any of her winsome traits, Sisi has what everyone wants: heart. She has the desire to please and the will to win, taking her places that other horses cannot go. Her trainer and fan Todd Miles said, “She is consistent and happy with her job, always does exactly what you ask her to do every day. She never has any bad days, you’d never know she’s a mare.”
By Meghan von Ballmoos “Sisi is so fun to show! She lets you go anywhere in the ring and feels like she loves to do it. She’s the best horse that ever lived,” said Emma. After the victory pass, the proud mare pranced all the way down Stopher Walk back to the stalls at Delovely knowing ex-actly what she had just accomplished. Owner Victoria was already in the warm-up for her equi-tation class and never saw Emma and Sisi pass by as the other horses and riders departed the ring. “I thought, wait, where’s Emma and Sisi? What happened? Then I finally thought wait, did they WIN?!” she recounted. About five classes later, Sisi was in Stopher Walk again, now to be shown by her owner Victoria. The family purchased her in 2013 and she had taken Victoria through her Junior years with many wins along the way as their first Saddlebred. That afternoon they competed in a field of sixteen of the best Pleasure horses and riders in the country.The pair had a lukewarm show season leading up to the big dance and Victoria had a busy day that Sunday showing in two other important classes, so she was simply looking forward to showing Sisi for the pleasure of it. “She’s such a fun horse to show! I know I can count on her and I already had the joy of knowing she had won with Emma, so I just wanted to get a ribbon. When they called out my number, I was shocked, even though I knew we had an amazing class, I just wasn’t thinking about that.” Once again, Meritage Signed Sealed Delivered earned herself a victory pass on the green shav-ings. Looking like she was ready to do it a third time, she became a World’s Champion again. In the better part of an hour, she decisively stamped her name in the record books as likely the only horse to have ever won two world titles in the same session. “The cool thing about it is that she won for two people that had never done that before,” said Todd.
Despite her young age, Emma von Ballmoos has ridden countless horses for other owners and trainers, so she was thrilled for the opportunity to present Meritage Signed Sealed Delivered. The Walz’s wanted to illustrate her versatility and trustworthiness as they had been marketing her for sale, so they chose a rider they had seen winning a number of divisions with different horses. Two short practices at Delovely and on the green shavings they went, And just like that, one incredible little horse made Saddlebred history. earning the first World’s Championship title of the afternoon in the But perhaps more im-portantly, she made two girls’ dreams come Equitation 11 INTERNATIONAL and Under, muchSHOW to theHORSE delight of everyone involved. true in one afternoon. 118 THE
WC Emma von Ballmoos aboard Meritage Signed Sealed Delivered garnered her first of two wins on Sunday afternoon at the Kentucky State Fair.
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“‘Marie Antoinette’ I created Marie Antoinette using some of the Derby winner’s circle red rose petals...I just felt I had to create a very powerful (though she was crazy..) woman with them, the color was soooo intense and dramatic..and with the corn ‘hair’ I had, she came along..haha! And to this day, after making so many of them, she is one of my very favorites,“ said Ansie.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
ANSIE SCHOEMAN By Meghan von Ballmoos
When one really pauses and looks..there’s always a small miracle you can find on a simple walk (even if it’s just around your house or farm)..for example...I hate spiders..but I’m constantly crawling in the wet grass early, early mornings when the sun comes up through a spiderweb... it is a gift to me to see those tiny, tiny dew drops hanging like jewels and a piece of ‘nature’s lace’..that this incredibly small animal worked on for goodness how long..and there it is attached to a rugged fence post..the most delicate of delicate piece of art...and I just have to stop, stoop down..and look...and marvel. -Ansie Schoeman
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This landscape was for Bill after he came back from South Africa. I was painting commissions for other people while waiting on him to come back. Bill said, “so when are you ever going to paint something for me?” So, this was his Christmas gift.
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f the sign of a true artist is one that lives to create, then Ansie Schoeman is the embodiment of the word. She is known to the show horse world as the wife and dedicated supporter of renowned Saddlebred trainer Bill Schoeman, as well as co-owner of the newly constructed Bill Schoeman Stables in Versailles, Kentucky. Ansie is an artist down to the fibers of her being, selftaught and creating by inspiration. Ansie sees the extraordinary in ordinary things, never missing an opportunity to appreciate and build upon nature’s beauty. Artistic expression is her own soul’s sustenance, food and water for her connection to the metaphysical. She is a true lover of nature and, as anyone who knows her will attest, she has a keenness for aesthetics that is pervasive throughout her life. Where others simply set a dinner table with place settings, Ansie constructs a landscape of texture and color. Where others see a photo of a chestnut horse, Ansie sees a charismatic personality demanding to be rendered in paint. And, while others see wildflowers and sticks, she sees a woman’s face that must be brought to life. Now that Bill and Ansie are settled in their new venture, she has also officially opened BlommekindArt, an Etsy shop. BlommekindArt, or FlowerChild Art, is the fruit of a woman and mother inspired by the simple beauty of the natural world. Since her childhood in Namibia, her imagination has craved expression through artistic creation. With Emersonian awareness, Ansie
“The Red Horse” made with roses from the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle rose petals.
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L to R: Ansie Schoeman, Dena Lopez, and Joellen Blount with a parade rendering by Ansie.
transcends the trials of this world with nature as God created it. Bill often likens her to Alice in Wonderland, as she seems to look at the world through a different lens. Of course, horses are a constant presence in her life, so they regularly feature in her artwork but not exclusively- anything in nature is appealing as a subject or a medium. Ansie says: “Ever since I can remember, flowers were like companions to me... they comfort; they inspire me endlessly; they have powers to uplift and cheer. Flowers have celebrated all my happy times, consoled me in less happy ones wherever we’ve lived (even if they were picked in a pasture or near a road whenever I didn’t have my own garden). More than anything though, flowers symbolize hope to me. No matter how uncertain and crazy this world becomes, we can count on flowers to appear every Spring. It is the constant reminder of the unfailing cycle of nature and the precious bounty she gives us every year- and I’ve never taken it for granted. It never fails to amaze me what beauty can come from a tiny seed and how quickly the presence of flowers can change a bad mood/ day into great one. Beautiful things of nature are enduring and matter a great deal to me- there’s few places I’m happier than in a garden and I truly rejoice every year like Solomon when the time of planting comes around: ‘For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth, the season of the singing of birds has come…’ Solomon 2:12’ Ansie Schoeman’s artwork is available on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/search?q=BlommekindArt 126 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
A prime example of BlommekindArt.
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IT’S NOT GOODBYE…IT’S SEE YOU LATER:
THE RETIREMENT OF WGC MARC OF CHARM
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sk most anyone what the most exciting or memorable moment of the 2016 World’s Championship Horse Show was, and for most the response wasn’t a showdown between two horses, or a victory pass of a fresh new youngster, but instead, the majority of answers is resoundingly the retirement of the reining World’s Grand Champion five-gaited stallion, Marc of Charm. And for one 10-year-old little girl named Ella Herrin, the
By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer
memory of a lifetime was made.The daughter of Angela Harris Herrin and Charles Herrin, Ella’s first trip on the green shavings will be one she will never forget. The granddaughter of Don Harris was of course infected by the horse bug early on, and has been riding since she was big enough to sit on a horse. She takes lessons at Kismet Farm with Alex Gravett and is eagerly awaiting the day she can make her show ring debut. But thanks to Marc of Charm’s owners, Carolyn and Gary Koch, and some creative planning, she now can lay claim to racking one of the most powerful Saddlebreds our generation has ever witnessed.
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Marc of Charm has long been known as “The People’s Horse”. Always available for a visit or a pet from an adoring fan, young or old, after he won the World’s Grand Championship last year, he stood calmly and quietly for an eternity, while all of his supporters greeted him with congratulations.
industry holding flags emblazoned with Marc of Charm’s logo. “Carolyn, Marc’s owner, and I have always wanted to promote the future of our industry,” added Georgia. “What better way to give back than let the youth participate in Marc’s retirement.”
With his overwhelming fan club, a ceremony celebrating his departure from the show ring was inevitable. The retirement of this champion stallion was the result of long and thoughtout planning on behalf of his owner Carolyn Koch, and Monnington Farms’ Georgia Bulmer-Ferreira.
In addition to encouraging all youngsters to participate in the ceremony, they also held a video essay contest for kids between the ages of seven and ten, for the chance to sit on WGC Marc of Charm during the ceremony. The one minute video was to showcase what they loved most about the stallion and why they wanted the opportunity to sit on him.
“I wanted to create a sense of pomp and circumstance for Marc, something us British know how to do,” said Georgia. The musicians, from the Louisville Orchestra, were dressed in head-to-toe uniformed regalia, with striking detail right down to the epaulets. “They very kindly re-worked the famous Trumpet Voluntary Trumpet piece to be the length we needed.” The center ring was lined with junior exhibitors from the
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“Elisabeth Goth invited Marc of Charm to meet the youth at her tea party during Lexington. Seeing the children surround Marc, gave us the idea,” added Georgia. “I would put my two-year-old twins on Marc, so we trust him 100%. It was wonderful to find a contest winner who was so game as he was travelling at a fast speed when he racked around Freedom Hall with her. We weren’t nervous, just very excited! I think it showed what an amazing disposition he has.”
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Ella Herrin with the flowers she received
IN HER OWN WORDS: ELLA HERRIN How long have you been riding horses? Since I was born, so 10 years! But, I’ve only taken formal saddle seat lessons since we moved back to Kentucky a little over a year ago. Where do you ride? Kismet Farm Obviously, you’ve grown up with horses in your blood. What’s it like to be the granddaughter of Don Harris? It’s fun! I love it because he’s cool and funny, and we talk about horses all the time. I like that people love him so much, and I get to meet a lot of horse people because everyone knows him. What does “Don Harris, horse trainer” mean to you? That’s a hard question. Unfortunately, my main memory of him showing is from his last show. It was in Freedom Hall, and it was cool because he got a standing ovation. I wish I was old enough to
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have seen him show more, but I watch videos, and people talk to me about how much they loved watching him show. “Don Harris, horse trainer” to me is someone who inspired other horse people. What made you decide to put together the video for the WGC Marc of Charm contest? During the Lexington Jr. League show in July, my mom, sister, and I went to the youth luncheon Elisabeth Goth sponsors every year. I love going to that party, and you get to hear the winning trainers from Louisville talk about their horses. Lionel, Georgia, and Mrs. Koch brought Marc for all of us to watch work on the Red Mile track. It was so cool to see him! He made my heart feel funny. A couple weeks later, my mom read on Facebook that they were having the contest. I really wanted to enter and win! I thought about how cool it would be to have that experience in Freedom Hall, and have my grandfather see me ride a great gaited horse on the Green Shavings!
What was your reaction when you found out you won the ride? I had a huge smile on my face! I couldn’t believe it. Flowers were delivered to the door, and I was confused when my mom said they were for me. When I read the card, I said, “I get to sit on Marc of Charm!” Then, I ran to tell my sister, Logan. What was riding him like? Awesome! He is way more powerful than any horse I’ve ever been on, and that was my first time racking so now I’m spoiled forever! It was exciting but I felt very safe with Lionel and Marc. Were you nervous or scared? I was nerve-cited!!! I was never scared. What about those stirrups - you lost them shortly after you started...what went through your head when that happened? I didn’t worry about it. It didn’t make a difference to me because I had a hold of his mane and I felt balanced. I
ride bareback at home on a Morgan mare that is a little hot, and I think that helped! What about the future - do you plan to continue riding? Showing? YES! That’s a crazy question! I don’t ever want to stop riding. I can’t wait for the opportunity to show. What’s your goals for the future? My grandfather asked me when we were going up the escalator from the ring after the retirement which I liked the most- trotting or racking- and I immediately told him the rack! I would love to have a five-gaited pony one day. And I would love to have a show barn when I’m grown up! Anything else you would like to add about it? I am so grateful to everyone at Monnington for making it happen and giving me the opportunity. Mr. and Mrs. Koch have been so nice, and I really enjoyed meeting both of them. I also loved how excited the crowd was!
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By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer
SPOTLIGHT ON JUNIOR EQUITATION WORLD’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS:
LAUREN EVANS
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auren Evans is the 14-year-old daughter of Delinda and Ken Evans. She has a sister named Allyson and a brother, Mason, along with her horses, Coco and Harry, her pony, Strawberry, two birds, Kiwi and Avery, and several fish. She is in the ninth grade at Legend High School in Parker, Colorado. She first started riding when she was 5-years-old and her mom put her in a horseback riding camp at Parker Valley Farm, close to their home on the southeast side of Denver. The camp was with Saddlebreds, and she continued to ride there. By the time she was 8 she was already showing. This past February, Lauren began riding in the equitation division with DeLovely Farm, and is under the tutelage of Todd Miles and Sarah Barclay. She shows her horse, Supreme Spotlight in the 13-year-old age division. Living so far away makes it difficult to practice, but she makes the trek to Indiana at least twice a month. “When we go I ride several times a day for usually five days at a time,” she said. “During the day we usually start with a lunge lesson, then maybe a stop start and group lesson after that. During the group and my rides on Harry we do rail work and then patterns.” Lauren is motivated and wants to push herself to be at the top of her game when she hits the ring each time. “There was a period of time this past winter where I had to retire my horse and was horseless for a couple months,” she recalled. “It was hard to motivate myself to keep riding and training on the lesson horses. I didn’t know when I would be able to show again.”
But her will to win made the Midwest Charity victory with Supreme Spotlight even more memorable. “It made we want to work hard and showed me that my work was going to pay off in the future.” Winning at Louisville was definitely a dream come true for Lauren. “It was so incredible; I don’t even know how to explain it! Ever since I was a little girl showing in academy, I would look through the magazines and keep up on all the winners, hoping to, one day, be at the same level. While riding that day I had flashbacks of all the times I was told I wasn’t good enough or ‘I wasn’t ready’ or ‘maybe one day’ and it pushed me to my full capacity,” Lauren recalled. “I was doing my best to have a perfect ride and when they called my number I was in complete shock that my time had finally come.” “Saddlebreds have helped me develop incredible friendships not just with horses but people too,” she added. “Being able to meet new people and become close with them is a big part of who I am as a person,” said Lauren. “It also drives me to be a champion and overcome obstacles.” Lauren is looking forward to the rest of her final year in the Junior Equitation division and moving into the senior age division next year. “My riding goals for the near future are to qualify for The “Good Hands” and make Top Ten against all the older riders. I want to prove myself against older riders and show that I have what it takes at my age,” she said. “In the future I will continue equitation for sure. I’m hoping to maybe be able to show in five-gaited too.”
Q & A WITH LAUREN:
What is your favorite food? My favorite food is chicken piccata. My mom usually makes it on my birthday Favorite music, singer or band? I listen to pretty much all pop music. At the moment I don’t have a favorite Favorite movie? My favorite movie is Step Up, “All In” What is your nickname? My mom calls me Lauren Lou, my dad calls me LoLo, and my friends call me Lou or Laur What is your trainer’s favorite expression? Sarah always tells me to breathe out when I transition.This really helps me because I sometimes forget and it makes me look all stiff. What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? I COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT HORSES and water What’s one thing you wish you didn’t exist? I wish drugs didn’t exist because they don’t do good things for you and are pretty much useless! What’s something no one knows about you? Nobody knows that when I put ice in my cup and then go to fill it up with water, I shake it so that the ice gets all covered by the water. I don’t know why I do it but it’s a habit of mine. Anything else you would like to say? I just want to tell anybody and everybody that if you can dream it you can do it! I didn’t always know how things would work out in hard times but do not give up and keep training and one day all of it will pay off! 142 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE
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By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer
2016 THREE-GAITED WORLD’S GRAND CHAMPION
D
on O’Neill began his career quite inauspiciously. Bred by Dr. Owen Weaver of Fox Grape Farms, she had high hopes for the prodigy of Undulata’s Nutcracker, and her beloved broodmare hall of fame mare, World’s Grand Champion Garland’s Dream. The result was in fact, “the littlest one standing out in the field,” recalled Dr. Owen Weaver. “As a foal he got his jaw broken because he picked fights with the big colts,” she told Tuffy Owens in an interview in 2014.
He was crowned the reserve world’s champion of champions in the adult country pleasure division with her in 2013. “Madge Bass stopped by the barn to visit Chris [Reiser] after Louisville that year. He told her I was looking for a pleasure horse and she told Chris about a great horse that Steve and Tiffany Wheeler had in training,” said owner, Cindy Chesler.
“He was going to be my horse,” recalled Cindy. “I wasn’t quite ready to ride him, so we asked my friend, Lili McCutchan (who used to go to Chris’s with me to ride when we were all Named Schadenfreude, he started under the direction of in Ohio) to show him until I was ready for him.” McCutchan Steve and Tiffany Wheeler, and at just four-years-old, Dr. has ties to the Reiser’s as well, as Chad and Tami Reiser are Weaver began showing him in the country pleasure division. the trainers at her Ohio farm, Deep LM Farm.
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Far Right: Don O’Neill and Pascal Guillerme at Cindy and Steve Chesler’s wedding Right: Cindy’s wedding dress designed by Don O’Neill the Creative Director at THEIA Couture Below: Assistant trainer, Tony Rivera, and Cindy and Steve Chesler with Chris Reiser, draped in Don O’Neill’s yellow roses.
In their debut they were reserve in the adult country pleasure championship at River Ridge Charity Horse Show in Ohio. But it wasn’t quite the debut they were hoping for. “He was very ornery and he wanted to play; he wasn’t bad, just wanted to play,” said trainer, Chris Reiser. “I rode him one afternoon while everyone was warming up and he just kept giving me more and more and got bigger and bigger. And I thought to myself then that I should trim this horse.” Chris told Cindy, “I think we’ve got something more”. “Chris wanted to trim him but we were all terrified at the idea of trimming a country pleasure horse,” added Cindy. So, instead he left the mane for the time being and showed him in park pleasure at Asheville that year, winning both classes easily. They trimmed him Memorial Day weekend and showed him at Indianapolis Charity Horse Show where he was second to
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Heir to a Kiss. “Even though he finished second, he was the talk of the show,” said Cindy’s husband Steve Chesler. “The bigger the crowd gets, the bigger he gets, he’s feisty.” “We weren’t planning on going to Rock Creek, but we decided to go for it. There were two reigning world’s champions, and six in the class, and we bested the field,” Cindy proudly recalled. They were on a course at that point, and headed to Lexington where they won the qualifier and were second in the championship. That year Chris and Don won the open 15.2 and under class at Louisville and were Reserve World’s Grand Champions; all at just five-years-old. “It’s more than I had ever dared to dream,” said Cindy. “I never set out on this path for him.” But since he started on that path, Cindy has embraced the opportunity. “Once we knew that Don was going to be something really special, I wanted to build a brand,”
Will the “real” Don O’Neill Please Stand Up: Cindy said when they first bought the horse, the name, Schadenfreude, which means ‘pleasure derived from someone else’s misfortune’, seemed like bad Karma. “I’m a ‘peace in the valley’ kind of gal, so I felt a need to change his name.” The decision on a new name was easy for her. She had just married her love, Steve Chesler. “The human Don O’Neill is a friend, and the creative director for a fashion design house named Theia, based in New York City.” O’Neill designed Cindy’s wedding dress and he and his partner (now husband), Pascal Guillerme were instrumental in her first meeting with Steve. “I originally met O’Neill on Fripp Island, South Carolina, when he and Pascal were visiting his aunt, who was also my dear friend, Maura O’Donohue. The three of us became fast friends and they were very interested in “The story of Cindy and Steve”. They prepped me for my first in person meeting with Steve and checked in all through our first meeting and thereafter. I think Don and Pascal were as excited as I was about Steve and I. In any event, I wore one of Don’s designs on my wedding day. I have never felt prettier.” Not sure how to thank O’Neill or Guillerme for such a wonderful gift, she racked her brain. “I didn’t want to send a bottle of wine, Pascal doesn’t drink. I tried with no success to find out their favorite restaurant in New York City. Pascal is a florist, so clearly I wasn’t going to send flowers from one of his competitors as a gift. So I decided to name my beloved horse after him. I hope one day he gets to see Don in the show ring, but the schedules have never allowed it. The human Don follows my Don and is elated at his success. I am thrilled both to count Don and Pascal as friends and to own the amazing equine Don O’Neill.” The real O’Neill was flattered with the gesture and keeps up with his horse namesake on Facebook, always one of his biggest supporters. “As per the Chinese Horoscope I was born in the year of the Horse,” said O’Neill. “Therefore, I am a Horse. And the name O’Neill in the ancient Irish world means ‘Champion’,” he added. “Don O’Neill was fated to become World Grand Champion.” “Like many horse people, I have superstitions that I follow,” said Cindy. “Well, my new one that supersedes all others is that I must wear a new outfit every time Don shows. When I told Chris about this he said, “That makes perfect sense, after all he is named after one of the great fashion designers.”
added Cindy. “I knew a graphic artist and I asked him to design a logo for Don. I gave him photos of the horse and explained his best features, and he was able to build something around that.” Now everyone knew the name Don O’ Neill, and since then he has been racking up the blue ribbons at shows across the country. Last year, in 2015, the duo took home six blue ribbons; with wins at River Ridge, Asheville, Lexington, and Kansas City, along with a reserve in the qualifier at Louisville and a top three finish in the open Grand Championship. This year started off the same, and leading up to Louisville, Don won the three-gaited 15.2-and-under stake and was reserve grand champion at Lexington Junior League before stepping on the green shavings where he handily won the under 15.2 qualifier before taking home the prestigious title of Three-Gaited World’s Grand Champion. And to think, this grand gelding is only seven-years-old. “It’s been such a fabulous experience,” said husband Steve. “I’ve never been a part of something this big. Even not being a horse person, you can tell how special he is. It’s like Michael Phelps; he’s a world class athlete. He’s fun.” Chris echoed the sentiments. “It was the best feeling in the world to win that class, because everything that horse constantly teaches me, he is the most fun horse in the world. From going from an average horse where the first time I took him to a horse show and couldn’t win a blue ribbon with him in country pleasure and then to be able to win the walk-trot stake with him was incredible. He’s a fun horse to work every day. He keeps that fire alive in you. That’s the kind of horse he is.” “He’s a horse that likes you to change things with his work routine all the time. He gets bored easy. In the winter we let him down and pull his shoes, put plates on him. Although, he basically just wears plates now,” he said laughing. “At the beginning of this year Chris said it would probably be the last year that he shows him,” said Cindy explaining that they want to make sure he’s at the top of his game for the open division. “But after Saturday night I talked to him again and he said ‘I think we should try to do it again, we are still competitive’.” “As long as he wants to be an open horse, he’s going to be one. As long as he tells us he can do it,” said Chris. Chris and the Chesler’s haven’t decided yet if he will show again this year. “We gave him a really good break after Louisville, he’s been getting to play and relax. And we are going to decide if we want to go on to Kansas City this year,” said Chris. If not, they plan to let him have a winter of rest and will start preparing for the open division again next spring.
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