Morgan Grand National


Morgan Horse Breed Celebrated In Oklahoma City


The best of the best in the Morgan breed was celebrated at the 2017 edition of the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show®, held October 7-14. 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 met in Oklahoma City, OK, to compete in over 300 classes for $400,000-plus in prize money.


Matt Kwapich of Bernalillo, NM, was


the show’s manager for the fourth year in a row, and this year, Sally Plumley of Mon- mouth, OR, served in the capacity of show chairman. “We were so happy to have more en- tries than in recent years participating in a record number of classes,” Plumley said. “From thrilling Park Saddle classes, Car- riage [including a spectacular four-in-hand presentation], 38 entries in the newly added Ranch Horse Pleasure class, and everything in between, there was something for every- one as the versatility of our Morgan horses was demonstrated magnificently. “All in all, the show ran smoothly and plans are already being put in place for 2018!” Plumley concluded. The Youth of the Year Contest had 16 competitors this year and Kate Ramsow- er of Alamo, CA, was crowned the winner of this prestigious contest. Ramsower, 17, will receive a unique custom-designed prize package valuing $3,500. This award is gen- erously sponsored by the Cynthia Elaine Epperson Trust. Earning reserve honors in the contest was Emily Mulligan, 21, of Georgetown, MA, who also earned a cus- tom-designed prize. Saralin In Touch, owned by Lora Ly- ons and shown by Tim Roesink, earned top honors as World Champion Gelding at this year’s show. Roesink began his winning week by taking two-year-old Saralin In Touch, to the World Champion Jr Gelding title for Little Rock Morgans. For the mares, the yearling filly Merriehill Maleficent was the World Champion Jr Mare with Whitney Bodnar showing for his family’s Merrie- hill Farm. Ledyard Octavia was shown to the World Champion Sr Mare and World Champion Mare titles by Dwayne Knowles


for William Haynes. For the stallions, the two-year-old colt, EKL Shake It Off, led by John Hufferd for Fire Run Farm, left the ring as the World Champion Junior Stallion. Following in the footsteps of his sire, Miz- rahi, Merriehill After Hours took top honors and earned World Champion Sr Stallion and World Champion Stallion titles for Theo- dore and Elaine Olsen, for the second year in a row. The seven-year-old stallion was led to victory by trainer, Eric Antman. In the performance divisions, Antman returned to the ring again for the second year in a row to be rewarded top honors in the World English Pleasure Championship with Merriehill After Hours. Kristen Cater rode Epona’s Mo’o Lio GCH to top honors as the World Hunter Pleasure Champion for Lila Tatar. Cimi’s Voodoo Daddy, with Phil Fountain in the buggy for Lynn Begal- la, won the World Pleasure Driving Cham- pionship. Rick Gervasio rode SpiceOLife Rightful Heir to the World Western Pleasure Championship for Donald and Mary Lynn Geisler. Nikki Rae Woodworth took LC Amazing Spiderman to top honors as the World Park Harness Champion for George Fayad.


Katie Mair rode As Predicted GCH to win the very competitive World Park Saddle Championship for Mary Golata. This is the third year in a row this competitive gelding has earned this title. Jennifer Hazen drove her mother, Sammi’s, Dragonsmeade Max- mara to the World Roadster to Bike Cham- pionship, a title he previously won in 2008! For more information and updates, go to www.morgangrandnational.com. w


December 2017 SouthWest Horse Trader 13


Merriehill After Hours GCH


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