Morgan
Celebrated In Oklahoma City
Morgan Breed
Contributed Courtesy AMHA The best of the best in the
Morgan breed was celebrated in Oklahoma City for the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show®
. Since 1973, this show
has represented the pinnacle of achievement in the Morgan horse world. More than 1,000 of the world's finest Morgan horses from across the United States, Canada, Austria, and Great Britain met in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to compete in over 250 classes for $250,000-plus in prize money. For the fourth year in a row, Fred Nava of
Kingston, MA, was the show's manager, and this year, Dr. Frederick Dills of Indiana, PA, served in the capacity of show chairman. "The staff and management of the show are
making a special effort this year to say thank you to all the people it takes to make the Grand National a world-class event," said Dills. "Ok- lahoma City should be proud of this show and of their city." Nava, along with a dedicated and hard-
working show committee and staff, joined an impressive list of sponsors, officials, and vol- unteers to make this year's show the best ever. "It is with great excitement that I come to Oklahoma
each year as the manager of the Grand National," said Nava. "This horse show is where the best of the best in Morgans compete and world champions are crowned. The future of our breed is guided by the results of this horse show. It's history in the making!" A new mare on the scene, Flawless, owned by Sarah
Lee, was crowned World Champion Mare at this year's show. Shown by trainer Keith Nelsen, Flawless is in her second year of showing, and took Grand Champion Mare honors at the Far West Regional Morgan Horse Show in June. This year's World Champion Stallion was Dragon- smeade Icon, shown by Tim Roesink for the Fu family of Dragonsmeade Farm. Taking reserve was the reigning two-time champion, Mastroianni, owned by Sheryl Bar- tolucci. For three years in a row, CBMF Ruling Class took top honors as World Champion Gelding for Tara Farm. Sadly, Ruling Class passed away last year, but the farm re- turned with a new gelding to land in the world champion spot. CBMF Avenger was led to victory by trainer Ken Swanson. In the performance divisions, many repeat winners
returned to defend their titles and return with the roses. Trainer Peggy Alderman rode Bada Bing to his third con- secutive World English Pleasure Championship. Keely Sogoloff of Cedar Spring Farm rode Jerry Nau's MEM Bailamos to his second World Hunter Pleasure Champi- onship. Merriehill Home Stretch, with trainer and breeder Stan Bodnar in the buggy, was the World Park Harness Championship for Ruth Peterson. Daryl Hobson rode Sandra Nelson's Grand Cru Beaujolais to the World
16 SouthWest Horse Trader January 2011
Champion Western Pleasure title, which he also won in 2004. Lamborghini In Black returned to the coliseum after capturing the world championship in park saddle with junior exhibitor Hannah Kelley to win the World Park Saddle Championship with David Rand. And Steve DeBolt drove HVK Bold Spirits to win the World Road- ster to Bike Championship, the tenth world championship in the division for Kohler Stables! Wednesday evening's performances were dedicated
to military veterans and soldiers. "It was an honor to recognize veterans from both our
Morgan family and in the Oklahoma City area," said Dills. "Wednesday evening featured a variety of Morgan show classes that we hope entertained the men and women who have given so much for all of us." The Youth of the Year Contest began on Thursday
with 15 contestants this year. Maxi Gumprecht of Mercer Island, WA, was the winner of this prestigious contest. She will receive a unique custom-designed prize package valuing $2,500. Earning reserve honors in the contest was Melissa Bates of Kewanee, IL, has earned a week-long trip to the trainer of her choice. As another Grand National & World Championship
Morgan Horse Show comes to an end, fond memories re- turn. The Morgan world comes together in Oklahoma each fall and this year was no exception; it truly is a tra- dition of excellence. Plans already are underway for next year's show,
which will take place October 8-15 in of course, Okla- homa City. C. A. "Tony" Lee will be the show's chairman. For more information and updates on the Morgan Grand National, go to
morgangrandnational.com. w
Mattie Willard
Roadshow Pop Gun &
© C.A. “Tony” Lee
© Howard Schatzberg
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48