Apparently pretty high, if you were watching the Park Harness Jr. Exhibitor 16-17 class yesterday. When Georgia trainer Barb Goda's fine harness buggy wheel went gonzo yesterday the first way of the ring, it seemed there was some confusion in center ring about how to fix it. Down the ramp trotting level (well, as level as a former high school football player can trot) comes Whitney Bodnar of Merriehill Farm to the rescue with another buggy. Shane Shiflet captured this image at the right of Whitney on behalf of
Howard Schatzberg Photography. A quick rehitch and our class continued, much to the delight of the spectators.
Michigan Morgan breeder Ken Martin of Aljak Acres has graciously supplied me with a wonderful assortment of photos around the show, and I think we can all agree we have a hot new candid show photographer in our midst! These are really great shots and I’m thankful to Ken for allowing me to use them.
Last night was a repeat of last year’s World Champion Classic Saddle as the adorable Born To Boogie son, Boogie Nights, mastered a tough field to come out on top with owner/rider Anne Marie Biron aboard. Check out this absolutely amazing shot that Ken got from his qualifier in the show arena the other day of Howie taking his shot (which I’m sure is also great). An interesting tidbit for you people like me who are sports news challenged, Anne Marie is married to Philadelphia Flyers hockey goaltender Martin Biron, who even has trading cards with his image in circulation. Pretty cool, huh? So Mrs. Biron scored the goal last night! Way to go, Anne Marie and Mad Dog!
On a more serious note, the USEF Rules Forum took place Wednesday in the coliseum after the morning session. A little over 30 people attended and the much heated discussion regarding the supplemental hair rule being removed resulted in a majority vote significantly against removing this rule, with several people pointing out that we would need to revamp the Morgan Judging Standards if we voted to remove this rule. Another important rule change submission being discussed was the removal of the strip mandatory in junior horse classes. This was also almost unanimously voted against, with forum attendees pointing out that junior horses are our future open and breeding horses and should be stripped to emphasize the 40-50% type and conformation portion of the judging. For a detailed list of the rules being discussed, visit the
USEF website.
One of the other highlights of the day was the Junior Exhibitor 13 & Under Classic Saddle World Championship, which was so large they had to split it and bring back the finalists. It was the typey and personable Gradell’s Wild Reflection and his handsome rider Max Liberty that bested this impressive field of tough riders and horses with trainer David Rand railside. Max cuts a dashing figure in the ring and I can’t imagine that there wasn’t a line of young ladies waiting to congratulate him back at the Rand stalls.
Long time exhibitor Donna Zimmerman has an incredibly nice string of horses to show this year, and one of my favorites is the dark and beautiful Stonecroft After Midnight. Donna and this elegant gelding topped the Classic Saddle Masters World Championship class today and believe it or not, this was Donna’s first World title! She was so excited, she wasn’t quite prepared for Midnight’s about face halfway down the rail on the way to the presentation area. But Donna is no wimp! As she dusted herself off, railbirds heard her exclaim, “Of course I’m getting back on, I want my victory pass!” And what a lovely trip it was—congratulations, Donna!
Ken captured this fun shot of Erin Higgins (right) with her new Vegas Valley family as she cheered on friends in the ring. Erin relocated to the fun capital of the southwest with husband Travis Higgins back in July, when Travis accepted a position at the Las Vegas located show barn belonging to the Galatz family. Some of us remember Travis as a junior exhibitor from the Triumph Stables cradle, and now we can congratulate Erin and Travis on their upcoming new addition—a Mini-Travis! (or Mini-Erin)
PUPPY UPDATE: Dani at Wolf Creek said all seven of the abandoned puppies have found new homes with exhibitors, so we will not have to send any of them to the shelter. Good going, Morgan people!
--Tami Johnson