News from the Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show
RELEASE: August 19, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Jessica Fisher
With over a quarter-million dollars in total prize money on the line in the American Saddlebred Registry futurities offered at the Kentucky State Fair this year, the World's Championship Horse Show began with its traditional Sunday night opener, the Weanling section of the Kentucky Futurity.
In what proved to be an omen for a spectacular evening for the prolific, high-profile sire Undulata's Nutcracker, owned by Schones & Jampsa, LLC, the lovely weanling colt I'm In Heaven won the first rich blue offered this year; he was handled by Joan Lurie and Darrell Case. This was a familiar scene for these connections, since his dam, Heavenly Thunder, was twice World's Champion in 2007, in the three-gaited section. I'm In Heaven is owned by his breeders, McGlothlin Heir Svc and Willowbank.
Just five classes later, the yearling section of the Kentucky Futurity was called onto the green shavings in Freedom Hall, and once again Lurie and Case emerged with the top prize. The black gelding Nutorious, for owners Peggy and Phil Alderman of Vermont; he was bred by Hallston Manor and GKW, Inc. (of Supreme Heir fame), and notched yet another win for his sire Undulata's Nutcracker. His dam is Heir Spray, by Supreme Heir.
The remainder of the program was highlighted by Kentucky County Fair Championships across numerous performance sections. With back-to-back wins in the Fine Harness (Cherished King) and Harness Pony (Mastercraft's Promoter LF) championships, Mary and Jeff McClean, respectively, starred for Golden Creek Farm.
Climaxing the evening was the Kentucky County Fair Championship for Five-Gaited Saddlebreds. Emerging victorious with a popular win, unanimous on the judges' cards, was Thunderstorm Warning. Owned by Martha Pope, and bred by Steven Spady, D.O., the blue ribbon gelding was ridden and trained by Tammy Devore.
Friday Night Exhibitors Gala at Kentucky State Fair to Honor Blackberry DelightOn Friday evening, August 22, CH Blackberry Delight will formally retire from competition, an honor reserved for only the most special American Saddlebreds. And is he special! From the year he was foaled, 1993, he’s been a winner and champion in hand, under saddle, and in harness. He owns 17 World’s Championship titles in seven different competition sections, having amassed an astounding 134 Saddlebred Record points from 107 wins in 123 career classes.
Following the show that evening, his owners Shannon Sewell and Rachel Machamer, and the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA), invite all his friends and all exhibitors to attend a gala event in his honor, as their guests, “Friday Night for Blackberry Delight.” This spectacular exhibitor party will be held in the popular new Saddlebred Café, located in the North Wing on the Kentucky State Fairgrounds, adjacent to Freedom Hall. A feast of delicious food and beverages, highlighted by several “Blackberry Delights,” as well as musical entertainment by the Chad Graham Band featuring Chad Graham and Gabe Deknatel, will greet partygoers. A cash bar will be available as well.
In addition, a new live auction of select offerings will top off the evening, to benefit the ASHA youth, scholarship, and Saddlebred promotional and educational programs. Included in the auction will be Kentucky Derby (2009) and Breeders Cup (2008) packages, an Alexa King bronze (Alexa having just been commissioned for the life-sized Barbaro memorial at Churchill Downs), along with one week at the sold out Mercer Springs Farm Adult Amateur/Owner/Trainer Camp in 2009, a week in a 400-year-old French Village House, an extended weekend on Park Avenue in New York City, a stay at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, and a set of Fine Harness from Walsh, along with several other excellent offerings.
According to Alan F. Balch, ASHA Executive Secretary, “This is going to be a really fun new event, and so convenient for everyone since