I am giving you the view of the World's Championship Horse Show from the perspective of awards presentations which is a bit different from what most see at the Kentucky State Fair. I might tell you about presenters who come late for the presentations or those who do not show at all... Or about presenters who are challenged by footware or costume choices because being fleet of foot for presentations is very important.
Before the horn calls the horses to the ring for the first class we have been busy with preparation for the show. We spent Friday and Saturday last week sorting through 56 boxes of ribbons, trophies for each class as well as the challenge and perpetual trophies. Some of the trophies date back to the 1959's and are very interesting with a different style and composition than seen in most modern awards.
Sunday evening's opening session starts the week with the Kentucky Saddlebred Futurity for weanling foals and this year was represented with 34 entries allowing us to gaze into the future with up and coming stars of the show ring. This session also features the Futurity for yearlings and the Kentucky County Fair Championship classes. County Fair classes are dedicated to those exhibitors who are loyal to and show on the County Fair Circuit in the state of KY. The KY County Fair Roadster Pony class touted the most entries with Heartland Victory Maker taking home the blue. Trainer, Melinda Moore took home two blue ribbons, one of which on Callaway's Emancipation in the 3-gaited class which had the second largest class attendance.
Monday is “let's get qualified” to show in the championship classes with large classes of the best quality horses in each division. Equitation was dispersed throughout the morning section for the older teens. Some notable visitors from other disciplines joined the cheering section and found out what the World Championship Horse Show is all about. USEF President, David O'Connor; 2 USEF Board Members from the Hunter Discipline: Bill Moroney and Archie Cox; USEF Hunter/Jumper Competition Manger, Stephanie Wheeler; and a host of other USEF Breed Board Members were in attendance. The Ladies Fine Harness class was a competitive match with Lady Vol taking home the honors. Steve Wheeler took the stage in the 5-gaited stallion class on the horse, I'm First...this experience proved to be a little less painful for him since the last time he attempted to show the horse (2003) his leg was broken prior to the class so Nelson Green came took over sporting less than traditional, but urgent attire!
With two days down and Tuesday morning session is under way and classes are full. Equitation for the pre-teens was competitive as usual with Madison Peyton Miller being crowned in the 11 year old section. CH Ninety Eight Degrees won another world title with Joe Elam training for Katie Randall and Jeff McClean won with Twin Willow's Handsome Dan for the Golden Creek Farm of Simpsonville.
Tuesday evening featured large classes…The 5-gaited Show Pleasure class was stacked with over 24 entries, but not too intimidating for the winner, Stonewall's Stargate. VHF Belle Époque was the 15.2 and Under Stake winner for the Open Three Gaited Division with Marching Orders taking the Amateur over 15.2 Class. The evening finished with According to Lynn winning the Five-Gaited Mare Stake for the third year in a row.
Wednesday morning included more of the equitation division for the littlest ones as parents sat restless in their seats while these powerful horses carried the riders through the class. The Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure classes were full with ambitious riders of the future. The Western Invitational was stacked with beautiful horses and gorgeous attire…lots of ”bling” and shine! Toreador was the victor, with a crowd favorite, CH Like Thunder in second.
