2008 AREA 1 – 4-STAR SPRING ROUND-UP
“MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND SHOW CIRCUIT A SUCCESS!!!!”
The 2008 Area 1 – 4-Star Spring Round-Up Circuit held in Ilderton, Ontario on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 & 11, 2008. There was a total of 898 entries shown over the 2 days judged by Mr. Dana English of Texas and Mr. David Terrell of Tennessee. This circuit is approved for points by OQHA, Area 1 and Area 2 Quarter Horse Promotional Associations. Ring Stewards were Megan Patterson of Bornholm and Nina DiDonato of Smith Creek, Michigan. The Show Secretaries were Connie and Sylvia DiDonato.
Exhibitors were treated to a complimentary breakfast of Bacon and Eggs or Bacon and Pancakes at Jan’s Chuckwagon Grill courtesy of Area 1. As well Mother’s Day gifts were given to moms both Saturday and Sunday.
Area 1 presented “JOHN DEERE GATOR TICKETS” to the Grand and Reserve Champion in each division in support of the AQHYA Youth World Cup being held at the Agriplex in London, July 6 through July 13. Huron Tractor, the area John Deere Dealer provided a courtesy “Gator” to use for the show. The Amateur Geldings 3 & Over and the Amateur Performance Halter Geldings each had 9 entries shown with 8 entries in the Aged Geldings and 5 in the Performance Halter Gelding Classes. Grand Champion Amateur Mare and Grand Champion Mare under each judge was Another Diversion owned by the Flowers Family of Clinton and shown by Lynn Flowers. Lynn Brady-Staley showing Extra Brown Sugar had the Reserve Champion Mare under Judge English with Catherine Chovance showing Coosas Celebri Te to Reserve Champion Mare honours under Judge Terrell. Mr Made Me Score owned by Michelle Flowers of Wingham was Grand Champion Youth Gelding under both judges shown by Samantha Flowers, Reserve Amateur Gelding under Judge Terrell and Grand Champion Amateur Gelding shown by Dorelene Flowers and Reserve Champion Gelding under Judge English shown by Lynn Flowers. The Grand Champion Gelding under both judges was Exclusive I Am owned by Lynn Sleeth of Harrow and shown by Tom Sleeth.
There were over 50 entries in the Showmanship Classes. There were 10 entries showing in the Novice Youth Showmanship, 13 in the Novice Amateur Showmanship and 16 entries in the Amateur All Age Showmanship. Keeping it in the family, Karla Kaufman of Bright won under both judges showing The Slow Lane owned by Lisa Kaufman who won under both judges in the Novice Amateur Showmanship. The Amateur Showmanship All Ages was won by Ken 0”Donnell showing BSB Don’t Ask Me under Judge English and Emily Phillips of Kincardine showing RL A Chip Affair under Judge Terrell. Erin Leigh Cross-Nicholls of Smithville showing Skipa Scorpion won the Small Fry Showmanship under Judge Terrell with Summer Beckett of Tara showing Pine Sweet Caroline winning under Judge English.
Kayla Moore of Owen Sound riding She Takes a Minute had a terrific day winning the Green Hunter Under Saddle under Judge English and 2nd under Judge Terrell out of 15 entries and winning the Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle under both judges with a 2nd under Judge English and 1st under Judge Terrell in the Youth All Age Hunter Under Saddle. Serenchipity owned by Erica Steadman of Mt. Brydges and ridden by Diane Ewing was 1st under Judge Terrell in the Green Hunter Under Saddle. Nuthinbut Blue Skies owned by Joanne Nimigan of Hamilton and ridden by Patti Carter won the Junior Hunter Under Saddle under both judges and was 1st under Judge Terrell in the Amateur All Age Hunter Under Saddle and 2nd under Judge English ridden by Sarah Nimigan. Hot Roddin Minute owned and ridden by Anita Newbigging-McGrath of Princeton was 1st in the Amateur All Age Hunter Under Saddle under Judge English and 2nd under Judge Terrell. Nuthin But Blue Skies owned by Joanne Nimigan of Hamilton and ridden by Patti Carter was first under both judges in the Junior Hunter Under Saddle. There were 12 entries in the Senior Hunter Under Saddle with The Slow Lane owned by Lisa Kaufman and ridden by Robyn Storey splitting first and second under both judges with Willintobesinfull owned by Paul & Jo-Anne Strauss of St. Clements ridden by Diane Ewing.
The Open Hunter Hack had 3 entries with Pinks Last owned and ridden by Nicole Fleming of Lasallette winning under both judges. 24 entries participated in the Hunt Seat Equitation Classes.
Reining and Working Cow Horse entries were down from last year with an ORHA Show and a Cutting Horse Show on the same weekend. First in Open Reining with 5 entries was The Whiz Monster owned and ridden by Jane Thomson of Camlachie under Judge English and Mega Misty owned and ridden by Craig Black of Vienna under Judge Terrell. There were 5 entries in the Amateur Reining with Werner Bohner of Woodstock riding Little Tazzy Lena winning under both judges. The Amateur Working Cowhorse was won by Sherry Black of Vienna und both judges riding Jacs Spinafox. Both judges were impressed by the competition in the Working Cow Horse Classes. Christine Campbell of Miitchell made her debut riding Holms Smart Manana winning the Youth Working Cow Horse.
50 Trail entries competed in the various Trail Class divisions including 8 in Green Trail, 10 in Open Trail and 12 in Amateur Trail All Ages. Show Your Invitation owned and shown by Kim Allen of Palgrave won the Green Trail under both judges. Justawalkinthepark owned and ridden by Nickki Decosse won the Novice Amateur Trail under both Judges with 8 entries showing. Ken O’Donnell won the Open Trail riding BSB Don’t Ask Me under both Judges with Jolene Beck riding Hazard County Kid owned by Kristy Beck of Chatham winning the Youth All Age Trail under both judges. Amanda Thomson of Oil Springs riding Tabus Black Knight and Jolene Beck riding Hazard County Kid split 1st and 2nd in the Novice Youth Trail under both judges.
Despite the wet weather, there was an excellent turn out in the Walk Jog Trot Horsemanship and Lead Line Classes. Ashley Vandergunst of Tillsonburg was the Winner out of 9 entries showing in the Walk Trot riding Sunglasses At Night owned by her mother, Joanne. In the Lead Line, stuffed horses were awarded to all participants with Clair Smith of Michigan ridding Seal The Invitation 1st under Judge English and Joshua Burnett of Belwood receiving 1st under Judge Terrell.
The Western Pleasure Classes had good showings as well with 13 in the Green Western Pleasure, 6 in the Novice Youth Western Pleasure, 14 in the Novice Amateur Western Pleasure, 12 in the Amateur All Age Western Pleasure, 9 in the Select Amateur Western Pleasure and 19 entries in the Senior Western Pleasure. The Green Western Pleasure was won by Prinzziples Passion owned and ridden by Scott Carmichael of Welland under both judges also earning 1st in the Junior under Judge Terrell. The Novice Amateur Western Pleasure was won by Pine Bars Invitation owned and ridden by Laurie Rogers of Strathroy under Judge Terrell. Sarah Culbert had a terrific weekend earning 1st under Judge English in the Novice Amateur Western Pleasure and 2nd under Judge Terrell as well as 1st and 4th in the Senior Western Pleasure. Good Deal Better owned by Lynda Armstrong of Stayner won 2nd under both judges in the Green Western Pleasure ridden by Dave Aitchison.
Four $50.00 Cash Draws were held on the weekend. Shana Dalby of Niagara Falls and Sharon Hammer of Wellesley were the Winners on Saturday with Kristy Beck of Chatham and Ken O’Donnell of Delaware the Winner on Sunday.
A tight race for the High Point Select Amateur with only two points between the top 3 was won by Jacqueline Sheridan of Caledon East showing Hot Zephyr Image winning the Montana Silversmith Belt Buckle. High Point All Around Amateur was Emily Phillips showing RL A Chip Affair receiving a Laser Engraved Horse Theme End Table; High Point All Around Youth 13 & Under was Rianna Storey of Cambridge showing Ima Raven Star winning a Painted Sky End Table; High Point Youth 14 – 18 was Kristy Beck of Chatham with No Doubt A Dee Bar winning a Horse Themed Table as well. High Point Novice Youth was Meagan Nagy of Millgrove showing Dynamicstarinthedark winning an Laser Engraved Folding Bar Stoolr. A Laser Engraved Folding Bar Stool was also presented to the High Point Novice Amateur, Shirley Conod of Tillsonburg showing Invitemetotheparty.
It was another great show with a beautiful day on Saturday although somewhat cooler and wet during the afternoon. The Area 1 Southern Ontario Spring Classic Circuit promises to be another fun circuit with Area 1 hosting the OQHA Queen Contest with 4 contestants expected including Ashley Cook, Tilbury; Tracy Marshall, London; Suzanne Farr, Dunnville and Taylor Pullen, Shelburne. There are also 2 contestants in the Junior Princess contest. An OQHYA Fund Raising Spaghetti Dinner is planned during the Crowning of the Queen on Saturday night upstairs in the Ilderton Legion located on the Fairgrounds.