Our News Home Page Our News Archives

Morning of memories marks Friday
Friday, August 24, 2018


By Sadie Fowler

Eleven classes showed in front Celebration spectators Friday morning, Aug. 24 with several entries showing more than once and even one entry making a Celebration world record.

Numbers were solid with most classes having at least seven entries, and a handful of classes concluding with judges being in agreement across the board. Coming off a win from Thursday evening’s Futurity, An Undercover Agent made it two-for-two at the 2018 Celebration in the Owner-Amateur Weanlings class with handler Amanda Wright walking alongside the winning weanling for The George Wright Family. Amanda Nelms had Kissed In Dixie in fine order for the reserve finish for Rushing and Nelms. 

A huge Celebration came among show-goers, spectators, friends and family members cheering on Abi Smith and A Guilty Pleasure, who claimed their first Celebration blue in the Owner-Amateur Novice Youth Riders 6-17 Years on Novice Trail Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings  Optional Tack class. Chelsey Harvey and She’s Jazz Station cruised in for the reserve finish among the quality field of 10.

The first unanimous decision of the morning came in the third class of the day, the TWHBEA Youth Weanlings, Handlers 6-17 with Jurist and Jayden Jackson topping the cards for Jack Heffington. Baby Got Back and Georgia Hazelwood walked forward for the red streamers.

Carol Missildine had a great Friday morning earning two blue ribbons, with the first coming in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Western Park Pleasure class where she teamed up with the talented A Dangerous Deal. Boston Bay and Emily Cotten delivered a solid performance for reserve among the crop of six. 

The youth show pleasure class for riders 6-11 proved to be filled with excitement and talent as each entry in the class deserved to be there, including the beloved classic horse Godfather By Ultra Copy who gave Alex Luttrell the ride of a lifetime. Many remember this horse for his many blue-ribbon rides with Alex’s mom, Courtney, who on this day was proudly cheering the pair on from the stands as they won the class in unanimous fashion. Addie Harris showed her skills as a great rider and positioned her pretty mount, Dangerous Title, for a strong reserve finish. 

The Amateur-Owned and Trained Western Trail Pleasure (No Professional Training Within 90 Days) class offered memories that will last a lifetime for Allison Thorson, who humbly celebrated Suiza’s 24th Celebration victory, which serves as a Celebration record, only trailed by Gen’s Fire ‘N Ice. Thorson graciously celebrated the joyous moment as not only the rider of the winner, but also trainer of the 12-year-old super star. Ferninand and Maggie Moore made a nice show in this good class of seven for reserve honors. 

It was seven entries once again, and another unanimous tie for the judging panel, in the seventh class of the morning, the western lite shod class for the amateur riders. Big Time Bandit and Lisa Baum are no strangers to the winner’s circle as they enjoyed a trip down victory lane in this class, followed by reserve champions Double Shot Of Cash and Liz Gassaway. 

If anyone knew how to walk the walk and talk the blue-ribbon talk Friday morning it was Carol Missildine, who captured her second win of the morning in the eighth class, the four and under park pleasure class, with I Walk The Walk. Also having a great morning, Patti Pollack piloted her champion Don’t Push Me José forward for a nice reserve finish.

Following up a great Celebration last year and an undefeated season this year, Checkpoint Charlie didn’t disappoint his many fans as he carried his beloved owner Tamara Hader down victory lane in the four-year-old trail pleasure class for the amateur riders with Blacklist and Kathy Zeis making their presence known for the reserve finish among a field of 11 entries.

The Master Of Ceremonies and Jonathan Baskin teamed up for the Celebration blue in the second to last class of the morning, the Rider’s Cup Lite Shod Four Years and Under Option Tack class for owner Rick Robertson, who is also owner of reserve champion in the class, She’s Charlie’s Girl. Ryan Gannon directed the reserve champion. 

The final class of the swift-moving morning feature six pairs vying for top honors in the youth 6-17 four and under trail pleasure class. Showing they know how to seal the Celebration deal, Artemis Fowl and Claire Hankins earned the victory in this class. Commanding The Coach and Keaton Graves were on the winners’ heels as they closed out the show as the reserve champions. 

More Stories