Arballo Gives Northeast Reining Classic Something to Sparkle About

Northampton, Massachusetts, July 25, 2004

"The Northeast Classic surpassed expectations and broke all past records," said show manager and Northeast Reining Horse Association president Craig Sutter of Stamford, Connecticut, referring to the 12th annual Northeast Reining Horse Classic and Derby presented by the NERHA, July 8-11, at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, Massachusetts. He said, "With the expanded four day schedule, a total of 737 entries (a 30 percent increase over 2003) competed for more than $55,000 in prize money and awards. When measured against last year's event there is no doubt we made major strides in a very positive direction," he said.

Sutter credited a successful draw to more than 70 sponsors, including a significant number who made it possible to offer good footing (Orchard Equipment/Goldoni/Millcreek) and prizes in every class, including FMB Cowboy Gear, Cowboy Magic, Eques Ltd., Mrs. Pastures, , Performance Horse magazine, PLS Staging, Poulin Grain, Recovery EQ, Shapley's, SmartPak, Valley Vet Supply and W.F. Young/Absorbine. Youth Reining Day and raffle prizes received the personal attention of NRHA champions Jerry Kimmel and Tim McQuay.

"The prizes made it fun because you can say okay we didn't win first but here's a bucket of stuff we still get to take home," said one competitor. For those who did win, the rewards were better than ever.

Derby Sparkle
On Saturday night before hundreds of Reining fans, one of those 737 entries roared in like a jet for a landing in the $2,000 Added Open Derby and trophy sponsored by SunSwept Performance Horses. Mark Arballo of Middletown, New York claimed his third consecutive Northeast Classic Open Derby title and the first trophy saddle in the event's history with a score of 149 for pattern 10 on Sandra L. Gordon-Wylie's six year old mare by Shining Spark, Greatdiamondsparkle.

Arballo was presented with the Rocky Dare Reiner saddle by Brad Egolf of FMB Cowboy Gear of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. Egolf, who started reining 30 years ago with Bob Loomis and Dutch Chapman, created the design, which features a double-padded seat and teardrop skirts. "This is one of my prettiest saddles," he said. Ironically, the saddle's namesake -- Rocky Dare of Salem, New Jersey -- finished second behind Arballo with a score of 146 aboard Steven Simon's Custom Lucille.

Winning never gets boring," said a modest Arballo of his three-peat title. "I knew I had Rocky behind me (in the draw) so I didn't hold anything back." Arballo had ridden Greatdiamondsparkle to last year's Open Derby win. "There was added pressure because of the saddle," he said. "I wanted to win it."

"If I had known you'd win I'd have made the seat smaller," joked Egolf, referring to Arballo's lithe frame but adding how pleased he was to see it go to a longtime friend. "I met Mark years ago when he worked the Willowbrook shows with Kim Sloan. He's a perfect gent and a terrific hand."

Arballo's assistant trainer, Joanna Uhlin, also credited Greatdiamondsparkle's role. "She's phenomenal. Just a really good-minded horse."

Arballo also won the $1,000 Added Intermediate Open Derby and trophy sponsored by Horse Central Stable.

Last year's USET Young Rider Reining Medal finalists, Ginger Tongyai of Medford, New Jersey, and Shining Salute had a big score (145) for big wins in the $2,000 Added Non Pro Derby and trophy sponsored by Manhan Farm and $1,000 Added Limited Non Pro Derby and trophy sponsored by Jeff Stern. Shining Salute is co-owned by Tongyai and Wendy M. Lippincott.

Futurity Forecast
If the high quality three year olds that showed their stuff in this year's Futurity are any indication, predicts Sutter, "These nice horses are sure to make their mark in the big futurities later in the year."

Sliding into first with a score of 143.5 in the $1,000 Added Open Futurity sponsored by Ferro's Grandview Ranch and Milnes Quarter Horses, and $500 Added Intermediate Open Futurity sponsored by Rene Gagnon and Weston Equine Massage, were Robert La Porta of Damascus, Maryland and his Chex N Olena.

With a score of 138, the $1,000 Added Non Pro Futurity sponsored by Dirt Works Performance Horses and Stephen's Glass & Laser, went to Danny Sanborn of Salisbury, New Hampshire, on Joanne Sanborn's MDS Holey Enchilena. The dynamic duo also won the $500 Added Limited Non Pro Futurity sponsored by Twin Pine Farm and Orchard Trailers.

"I don't think Joanne has touched the ground since Danny won," said NERHA past president Dean Peightell. He explained that the win was an emotional one. MDS Holey Enchilena is out of a mare owned by Peightell who was originally intended to go to Matt Sanborn, a talented young man whose life was cut short in an auto accident. A squad of New Hampshire reiners, comprised of Matt's family and friends, compete in his memory as Team Shamrock.

"She's a very special horse," said Peightell, eyes glistening on the brink of tears. "When Matt saw her as a baby, he predicted she'd be a winner."

Devilish Freestyle
"It was Standing Room Only provided you could find a place to stand!" said Sutter of the debut of the Freestyle. Eleven entries vied for two bronzes amid record attendance for a Friday evening program.

Rocky Dare and Shining Salute entered the arena to Charlie Daniels's "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" followed by a red-cloaked demon carrying a guitar case. Rather than dueling instruments, they dueled reining patterns as Old Scratch drew a stick horse from the case and proceeded to match Rocky spin for spin. Cheers rose to the rafters as judges Don Flohr and Ollie Griffith gave Dare and the Devil a score of 150.5 to win the $1,000 Added Open Freestyle and bronze trophy sponsored by Joe D'Almeida.

Grooving to the Summer of Love with 1960s hippy chic were the psychedelic Carol Gruden of Tivoli, New York, and her Wind Him Up, winners with a score of 136 in the $1,000 Added Non Pro Freestyle and bronze sponsored by Josette Conti Performance Horses.

Tomorrow's Reiners
When NERHA past president Hank Duval's wife Gail passed away unexpectedly last January, NERHA and Northeast Classic show committee members rallied to find a way to pay tribute to a great lady and dedicated friend of the sport. That led to the Gail Duval Leadline Class for riders ages eight and under.

Looking to the future is the best way to honor the past," said Michelle Dupuis, NERHA member and event organizer. The class drew entries from as far away as Florida and Texas. "Each young rider was called in according to their draw order and inspected by the judges," said Dupuis. "After long deliberation, the judges couldn't break their tie and named all the riders co-champions!"

Each youngster won a lavish championship ribbon, Northeast Classic t-shirt, and toy teddy bear generously provided by New England's premier online horse community, EquineSite.com. As each leadliner entered, Canadian announcer Allan Donnan shared their favorite hobbies, which of course included riding and more riding!

The Northeast Classic also honored youth reiners with its second annual Youth Reining Day, offering free clinics on Freestyle Reining with 2004 Ocala (Florida) Freestyle Champion, Heather Servies of Killingworth, Connecticut, and on Massage for the Reining Horse, with equine therapist Lisa Keer Carusone of Weston Equine Massage in Massachusetts. Both clinics were free and open to the public, with drawings for such prizes as a Breyer/Reeves International model of NRHA Futurity Non Pro reserve champion Dun Gotta Gun autographed by Jerry Kimmel and a poster of NRHA All-Time Leading Sire Hollywood Dun It, signed by Tim McQuay.

"I think the clinics have been wonderful," said a Northampton mother who had brought her son, a student in a local therapeutic riding program, to Youth Reining Day. "He can't get enough. He loves the horses."

Since good horsemanship is not just how you ride but how you treat your horse and fellow competitors, the Northeast Classic and Massachusetts Horse Whisperer magazine were proud to again present a Junior Horsemanship Award to the young reiner age 18 or under judged to best exemplify kindness, consideration and a positive attitude. This year's winner of a framed, autographed poster of Hollywood Dun It and Horse Whisperer subscription was Domenick Bianchi, 18, of Granville, Massachusetts, who trains with Rene Gagnon of Stillwater Equestrian Center. Going into the Classic, Domenick ranked first in northeast affiliate standings for Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, and Youth 14-18 divisions.

Classic Style
This year the shopping kept pace with the showing as a record number of vendors contributed to an exciting and varied shopping environment.

"Being a fledgling business, exposure like we received at the Northeast Classic was invaluable," said Linda Pardy of the Custom Cowboy Shop. "We came away with several custom orders. It's a real pleasure doing business with such a professional group."

Martha Lefebvre, marketing manager for the animal health care division of W.F. Young, agreed. "This was time well spent by Absorbine for an important activity."

Yankee hospitality also extended from its host city of Northampton, named by "Outdoor" magazine one of 20 "Dream Towns" in the United States, which increased its local support. Northampton Brewery & Grille, the first and oldest continuously operating microbrewery in New England, contributed to the traditional Friday Night Exhibitors Party. Four hotels: Best Western; Clarion/Hampshire Hospitality; Quality Inn; and Red Roof Inn, hosted special rates for reiners and sponsored rooms for judges.

Other Highlights
"Northeast members ended the show on a high note by sweeping Sunday's Open classes," noted Sutter. Especially for Massachusetts reiners. Lisa Boon of Longmeadow won both the Open and Intermediate Open (145) on Stephen Boon's Leans Flashy Jac.

NERHA vice president Toby Tyler of Pepperell won (139) the Limited Open on Geri Wasylak's Im Cruisin Chicks. The weekend highpoint Limited Open buckle sponsored by Arballo Reining Horses went to Stacy Bongiorno and Gay Bay Prize of Chelmsford.

"With 53 entries in the combined Non Pro draw on Thursday evening, it was clear only the best runs would get paid," observed Sutter and the show manager was right.

Catherine Achtenhagen of Ocala, Florida and Style With Me nicely won (144) both the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro classes. Her husband, Gary, had a great weekend too, wining both the Prime Time Limited Non Pro classes with Hollywood Sure Slide. Prime Time classes for reiners age 50 and over were another new addition to the 2004 program that received compliments. C.R. Hogendorp of Mount Airy, Maryland took the highpoint buckle sponsored by Joe D'Almeida and the win (142) with Melon Kali Jac in Limited Non Pro.

Friday's Open class was won by Rocky Dare (144.5) riding Steve Simon's Custom Lucille. The Intermediate Open went to Joanna Uhlin (143.5) on Adam Slavitt's Mifidacious and the Limited Open was won by Stacey Bongiorno (140.5) and Gay Bay Prize.

"You can always count on large youth classes at the Northeast Classic and this year was no exception," said show secretary Cathy Nevitt who noted 29 entries in both draws. Hogendorp and Melon Kali Jac dominated the 14-18 division (including a 146 winning score in Friday's class) and highpoint buckle sponsored by Dirt Works Performance Horses LLC. Ryan Tyler lived up to Brian Dygert's nickname for him, "Ridin' Machine," winning Friday's 13 and Under (136) on dad Toby's Go Pure Country. The Saturday 13 and Under was won by Jenna Blumer (140.5) of Moscow, Pennsylvania on Jim Blumer's Sugarmans Belle. Jenna also won the highpoint buckle sponsored by Hodges Companies/MDS Farms.

It was a good first trip to the Northeast Classic for T.J. McKenna of Mt. Airy, Maryland who won the Rookie Youth classes on Voodoo O Lena and highpoint buckle sponsored by Stony Ford Reining Horses. Speaking of Rookies, Jessica Ruffino of Bristol, Connecticut and Cutters Pistol swept the Rookie Classes and weekend highpoint buckle, also sponsored by Stony Ford Reining Horses. Aaron Marx of Melville, New York and Little Peps Gaye Bar won both Prime Time Rookie classes.

"The Northeast Classic is a good place to be a Green Reiner," said Sutter and he was right. Each rider received a t-shirt donated by FMB Cowboy Gear as well as the chance to compete for a luscious weekend highpoint buckle donated by Chris Allen. With 55 horses in Saturday's Green Reiner class, it was Jessica Ulrich on Forever In Debt who emerged on top (70) after an andrenalin-packed tiebreaker against Kimberly Tillman (69.5) of Damascus, Maryland on Bob La Porta's Jodie Step To The Bar. The ladies tied with scores of 70 to duke it out in a run-off that left less than a point between them.

The Ladies and Gentlemen classes continued to break entry records, this year marking 84 and 82 respectively in the draws. Thursday's Ladies class went to Carol Gruden (70) and Wind Him Up. Friday's Ladies win went to Debbie Arballo (70.5) on Aaron Marx's Little Peps Gaye Bar.

Riding for Stony Ford Reining Horses, Jeremy Gates of Campbell Hall, New York took two horses to the winner's circle, winning the Thursday Gentlemen class on Catherine Herbert's Rock N Roll Olena and Friday's Gentlemen on Suellen Mally's Paint mare by Color Me Smart, JR Sweet And Little. The Classic win was the filly's first but probably not last. Mally foresees the cowey filly as a Reined Cow Horse.

What's Next
Whether talking talent in young horses or growing an NRHA affiliate event, looking ahead is essential to success. Sutter and the show committee expect bigger and better opportunities for competitors and sponsors ahead.

For Brad Egolf, the Northeast Classic was as personally and professionally rewarding as he could have expected and will cowboy up a trophy saddle for the 2005 Open Derby.

"Expanding the Derby, with more money and divisions, is our next goal," said Sutter. Anticipating what's next is good horse sense. For the Northeast Reining Classic it's good business sense, too. To learn more or become a NERHA member, visit www.NERHA.com.