Ninety-eight horses competed in the 2004 show! Although it was hot the slight breeze and cloudy conditions made it bearable for the exhibitors and many members working as show staff. We could even appreciate the light rain late in the day. The starter classes continue to be very popular and we divided them up. New this year, special for our anniversary was an English and Western pattern class and a game class. As always the trail class was heavily attended, with about forty-four of the horses entering.
Two 4-H boys, Kyle Dente and Evan Lesser, who are members of Lynn Dente's club Caps 'N Chaps in Delmar;
took it upon themselves to improve the ring conditions. Supplying their own equipment, including Evan bringing his own tractor and drag several times. They spent a lot of time over several visits getting the job done;
for which we extend a hearty thank you and round of applause.
Working in the entry booth were Nikki Vanderpool, club secretary,
Gail Swift, Sue Sutch,Diana Reed-Coonradt, Dawn Willsie-Moon and Sue Barger. Members LouAnn Tubb, Kathy Brayton and Carrie Brosnan worked in the booth and took turns as ring stewards.
Marilyn Miles and LouAnn were announcers and Deb Tompkins, Sherm and Cody Coonradt handled most of the trail course. Rachel Schiabel was official 'gofer' and Bonnie and Dave Curless did gate duty.
Betsy Buchardt was every where as official photographer and took the many fine shots that grace this page.
The over all high point score and winner of a $25.00 gift certificate from Village Home & Garden in Galway, NY was Nicole Keuhnert of Altamont, NY.
We offered 10 championships in our show which were won as follows:
Our Judge Donn Avalonne was delighted with his new 'air conditioned judges stand'. We had invited Donn especially for our 50th anniversary show, since he had judged so many of our events over the years and is a favorite judge.
As always he did a splendid job!!!
This year we had gift certificates to award, thanks to many fine local merchants.
The $10.00 gift certificates were given to winners in the pleasure classes and they were:
Five certificates from JP’s North in Greenville went to: Cindy Flower of Altamont for Sr. Western; Nicole Keuhnert of Altamont for Starter Rider Western; Sheena Tuthill of Krumkill Stables for Starter Rider English: Cheryl Cotter of Gansevoort for Starter Horse Western; and Lynn Baldauf of E. Berne for Starter Horse English.
$10.00 certificate from Silver Maple Tack Shop in Delanson went to Terri Lupi of E. Nassau for English 19 & over.
$10.00 from The Original Applebee’s in Westerlo went to Breanne Lewandowski of Schenectady for Walk-Trot.
$10.00 certificate from Bewley & Co. Tack Shoppe of Guilderland to Caitlin O’Brien of Altamont for English 13 & under.
$10.00 gift card from Tractor Supply Co. to Amanda Clark of E. Berne for English 14-18;
$10.00 certificate from Dean’s Mills of East Durham and W. Coxsackie to Eric Fabian of Schenectady for the Mystery Class. Dean's Mill also supplied plant hangers for the trail class.
Trail is still the most popular class at the show and the outside course within the 'pulling ring' fenced enclosure was 'gussied up' by a hard working and sun broiled group the day before. The course this year in tribute to our 50 years was particularly difficult, asking horse and rider to really work together.
The highest score in the trail class and winner of the fence charger donated by Valley View Farm Fence Systems in Berne, NY was Stephanie Mulligan on Driftwinds Cool Cat from Selkirk, NY.
It is interesting to note that Jim Mulligan (no connection) of Greenville donated the use of the many wooden accents that adorned the trail class. The many beautiful flowers were complements of Valentine's Sweetwater Farm in South Westerlo.
The $20.00 certificate from Double M Western & Tack Stores in Ballston Spa went to Terri Lupe of E. Nassau for the Open Riding Pattern Class and the $15.00 certificate from Altamont Country Values in Altamont went to Cheryl Cotter of Gansevoort for the Starter Riding Pattern Class.
