The final day of the 107th World Championship Horse Show was Saturday, August 28, in 2010. The show was held in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair each year at a commodious facility called Freedom Hall. Just as at the Shelbyville Horse Show earlier in the month, the Lyle family rented a box each year, and Bryce and Damon were invited to join them there on this Saturday. Beau had delivered the tickets the day before, when both he and the guys were helping prepare the fraternity house for the Welcome Back party. He had also, at Bryce’s request, purchased for them a program for $15. This was a 450 page tome which covered the entire week, but Bryce wanted it as a souvenir as much as for any other reason, even though he and Damon would be taking in only the last day. Beau did caution Bryce about parking. He would have to pay the fee, and there was no provision for in and out. If he left and wanted to come back, he would have to pay again. Consequently, Bryce and Damon had determined to spend the entire day at the fair.
There were two sessions of the horse show. The morning session began at nine and consisted of 16 classes, so it would run until about twelve-thirty or so, Bryce estimated. Then the guys would have the afternoon to explore the remaining portions of the fair before the grand finale, the championship classes beginning at seven in the evening. Having studied the program, Bryce knew that not only Beau and his sister Amy had competed earlier in the week, but also their cousin Roland, but, as the championship rounds were made up of those who at least obtained a ribbon in an earlier elimination round, he did not know whether any of them would be riding on Saturday, even though their names were listed in the program. When Beau delivered the tickets the day before, he had been in a playful mood, telling Bryce he would just have to wait and see. They were so busy preparing for the party that Bryce did not have time to give him the third degree later.
Damon was less reluctant than when they set out for the Shelbyville Horse Show earlier in the month. He had enjoyed the events then, and he felt comfortable with the Lyle family. They drove to the fairgrounds and paid the entrance and parking fees, parking a little distance from Freedom Hall. The place was already beginning to fill up at twenty before nine. There were families, some obviously farm families, setting out to enjoy the day. From across the parking lot came sounds of cows mooing. To one side was a large stadium, used at other times for football games, where a concert featuring a couple of C & W stars was scheduled for the evening, in competition with the horse show. Not everyone who came to the fair was interested in the horses, by a long shot.
Bryce had downloaded a map of the fairgrounds, so they more or less knew where to go for the horse show. They entered Freedom Hall through a rear door, and located a staff person, who told them how to get to the box rented by the Lyle family. When they arrived, they once again found the senior Lyles in possession.
“Ah, here are our guests,” Dolph Lyle greeted them. “Welcome. Glad you boys could make it today.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lyle. I’m really looking forward to it, especially the evening session,” Bryce returned.
“Yes, there are many top notch riders here, and first class horses as well. You’ll see some fine riding today,” Dolph assured them.
“How are you, Damon? Have you become any more interested in the horses, or are you still tagging along just to please Bryce?” Tillie Lyle asked.
Damon grinned. “I do a lot just to please Bryce. He’s high maintenance. But I really enjoyed it last time, and so I’m looking forward to enjoying the show again. Besides, Bryce promised me we could do some other things during the afternoon.”
“My yes. There are lots of things to do. So, you boys are planning to stay the whole day?” Tillie questioned.
“Yeah. Beau told us about having to pay twice if we left and came back, so we decided to make a day of it,” Bryce replied.
“I’m sure you’ll find plenty to do,” Dolph said.
At that time, Beau, Roland, and Amy all arrived. Beau and Amy were dressed in riding costume, but Roland had on ordinary good clothes.
“How come you’re not all decked out, too?” Bryce teased Roland.
Blushing some, he replied, “With my lacrosse practice, I did not put in as much time on horseback as these two,” pointing to Beau and Amy. “As a result, I did not do as well earlier in the week, so I’m not competing today.”
“That’s all right, Roland. You did your best,” his grandmother comforted him. “Where’s John Luke?”
“Here I am,” John Luke Lansing announced as he came bounding down the aisle. “I had to make a pit stop along the way.”
He quickly entered the box, and greeted the elder Lyles, then turned and kissed his boyfriend. That certainly put to rest any question Bryce or Damon had about being accepted by these folks. Bryce and Damon had spoken with Roland and John Luke only the evening before at the Welcome Back party, so greeted them as friends.
The announcer began making preparatory noises, so everyone settled down for the beginning of the morning session. The first two classes were driving competitions, of less interest to those in the Lyle box than riding classes. Bryce noted that the prizes were considerably larger than at the Shelbyville show, with the first class being a $2,500 class and the second a $3,000 class. The first class, for hackney ponies, was sponsored by a stable in Illinois, and the second, for country pleasure driving, by one in Connecticut. Bryce checked the list of exhibitors, or competing riders and stables, in the rear of his program, and found that it took up 35 pages. A quick glance at the first page found exhibitors from 18 states listed. This really was the ultimate competition for Saddlebred horses and riders.
The third class of the morning, class number 216, was the $3,000 class for junior exhibitors in three gaited show pleasure competition. Unnoticed by Bryce, Amy Lyle had slipped out a little while ago. Bryce was surprised, therefore, when he looked at the list of riders, and saw her name there. He started to say something to her, only to find her gone.
“Where’s Amy?” he asked.
“There,” Damon said, pointing to the ring, where she had just entered on her CH Wonderhorse.
Everyone had a laugh at Bryce’s expense, and he just knocked himself on the head for being so unobservant. Of course, they all cheered when Amy came near their box. They thought she did a fine job. Evidently, so did the judges. At this show, unlike at Shelbyville, there were three judges for each class, and their scores would later be published. All that mattered now, was the announcement that first place went to Maya Manilow of Chicago, but second place went to Amy Lyle. As this was a $3,000 class, second place won not only the red ribbon, but also $600.
Bryce was anxious to congratulate Amy to make up for his earlier inattention, but when the next class began, she did not come back to the box. When he mentioned that she was taking a long time, her grandmother said, “Take a look at Class 219.” Bryce turned a few pages ahead in his program, and found that Class 219 was another $3,000 prize class, this time for junior exhibitors in park pleasure competition. And there was Amy again!
“Wow, two championship classes, and only three classes apart. She’ll be exhausted,” Bryce said.
“Ever since Shelbyville she has been practicing hard every day. I think Beau’s comment spurred her on,” Tillie said
Beau looked smug.
“It was still not kind,” his grandmother rebuked him.
The smug look disappeared.
Damon noted that, although there had been 28 entries listed in the program for Class 216, only 16 riders actually competed, including one not listed. He mentioned this, and Dolph explained that those listed registered in the hope that they would obtain a ribbon in one of the elimination classes, but only those who actually did competed in the championship class. And there were always last minute registrations after the program was printed. Bryce said that was a lot like last minute registration for classes at school.
After two more classes, then, came the park pleasure class for junior exhibitors. Bryce noted that Amy was not the only rider in both classes. Maya Manilow was there. The competition was great, as all the horses and riders had survived many previous contests to arrive at this point. There were no inept riders or bad mounts in the show. This time, when the judges’ decisions were announced, Amy came in first! She was the champion with the blue ribbon! She rode to the far end of the ring, where she received her ribbon, the trophy, and a check for $720. The ribbon was attached to the bridle of CH Wonderhorse, but the trophy and check were taken by her trainer. After all the other ribbons had been awarded, and the other riders had left the ring, Amy got what was called her victory pass, a ride around the entire circuit of the ring with the ribbon flying to the applause of the entire audience. She was beaming. CH Wonderhorse looked like she was enjoying it as much as Amy. She knew she had done it right.
When Bryce turned to see how Beau was reacting to his sister’s victory, he found his fraternity brother missing. Learning from his previous experience, he looked ahead in the program, and found that Beau was scheduled to ride in the next class, a three gaited country pleasure class for amateurs. When the gate was closed and the class complete, there were seventeen riders in the ring, including Beau. He was the only male rider in the group.
Damon, looking over Bryce’s shoulder at the program, said, “I thought Beau rode in five gaited classes.”
“Good for you,” Bryce congratulated him. “You’ve been paying attention. But a five gaited horse can do all three of the gaits that a three gaited horse can do, so there he is on CH Beau’s Boy.
“Oh, yeah,” Damon conceded.
Dolph smiled. “Beau wanted to ride today, I think mainly to show off for you two, but he knew he was not good enough yet for the only five gaited class, which is the World’s Grand Championship class this evening,” he said.
“Show off,” his cousin Roland commented.
His grandmother looked like she was about to rebuke him, but Amy arrived back at the box just at that time, and Beau approached the Lyle box on the back of CH Beau’s Boy as he circled the ring in Class 220, so any rebuke got lost. Amy was absolutely transported with pleasure as she showed her grandparents, and then everyone else, her blue ribbon. She was hugged and kissed by everyone, including Bryce and Damon. She was walking on air, even as she turned her attention to her brother in the ring.
Beau was doing well, but as Dolph pointed out, just as at Shelbyville most of the other riders had a good deal more experience than he. He was just 19, and some of those riders were riding before he was born. Age alone would not win, of course, but by this point in the equestrian competition year there were no inept riders in the show. Even though no one really expected Beau to win, they all cheered him lustily whenever he came near the Lyle box. The horses lined up for the judging, and Beau grinned and saluted his family and friends. Then all the riders retired to the gate end of the arena while the judges’ scores were tabulated. In only a few minutes, the list of ribbon awards was being called out, and Beau came in fifth. He was delighted, with a big grin on his face as he rode out of the ring with his ribbon.
The next class was for riders age 13 and under. Bryce recognized William Nalty, the boy they had seen at Shelbyville, and pointed him out. Damon asked, “Are any of those famous dudes here that we heard about at Shelbyville, like Captain Kirk?”
“William Shatner rode in the five gaited show pleasure class at this show, rather than driving, as he did at Shelbyville,” Dolph said. At that point, Beau arrived at the box, and was congratulated by everyone. But he had overheard his grandfather, and informed the group, “I competed against him in the preliminary round on Tuesday night, and made it into the championship round last night, but he beat me. So did a lot of other folks.”
“Beau, you came in seventh. That’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Tillie admonished him.
“I’m not ashamed. I just wish I had done better, like I did just now,” he exulted.
Once again, everyone congratulated Beau, including some pounding on the back from his cousin and fraternity brothers.
After they settled down some, Roland added, “Carson Kressley competed in five gaited classes on Monday and Tuesday evenings, and I rode in the one on Tuesday. He was around yesterday afternoon as well. He owns a horse that a girl was riding in the age 13 and under class, and I saw him along the rail cheering her on.”
“Are either of them here now?” Damon asked, looking around.
“I don’t see either one, but I don’t know where their seats are. They’re not scheduled for anything today. If they are still here, they’ll be at the competitions this evening for sure,” Dolph said.
Class 222 was a futurity class for mares or geldings. The announcer told everyone that the winner would take home $15,450. Obviously the WCHS was big time compared to the Shelbyville Horse Show. It was interesting to Damon that, after the competition at walk, trot, and canter, the horses were stripped of their saddles and blankets so the judges could more accurately assess conformity.
Class 223 indicated that the Shatners were still around, as Elizabeth Shatner competed in this roadster under saddle championship class. She came in second. In class 227 Maya Manilow, the rider who had beat Amy out of first place in her first competition, was again riding. This was the three gaited junior exhibitor country pleasure class for riders age 14 to 17. She was not the only repeat. Another was a young man with the interesting name Dakota Reiser. Bryce wondered whether he was part Lakota Indian, but he could not tell from the stands where he sat. When the judges’ decisions were announced, Maya Manilow came in first once more. Following her performance, her horse, CH First Light of Dawn formally retired from competition in a ceremony in the ring. “She’s really good,” Amy said. “Riding in three championship classes on the same morning is just too exhausting. I didn’t even consider trying all three.” After class 229 the morning session came to an end. It was no longer morning, and later than Bryce had estimated.
Everyone was ready for lunch. There were plenty of venues around the fairgrounds selling food and drink. Dolph and Tillie told the youngsters to go off on their own, and not be tied down by their slower pace. “We’ll see you back here by seven this evening for the grand finale,” Dolph stated. Beau and Amy indicated that they wanted to change clothes. Not only were they conspicuous in their riding habits, but they were also kind of sweaty and sticky after their competitions, despite the air conditioning in Freedom Hall. They led the others back to the area where the stables were, and where Lyle Stables had a kind of booth in addition to the actual stables for the horses. There, the two competitors washed off and changed clothes. They greeted their horses, and got nuzzled in return. Then all six young people set out to find food.
As soon as they left the horse barns, Beau took the lead, taking them to Mike Linning’s Tropical Tent, by going through the south wing to the parking area in front. Mike Linning’s was a seafood restaurant known for fried fish, which at the fair also offered free entertainment with a meal. The six hungry youngsters piled their trays high, and found a table. The entertainment at this hour, it seems, was a performance by a dance academy troupe. Well, not very exciting, but okay, and the main attraction was the food. Portions were generous.
After eating, they went back into the south wing, where there were exhibits of all sorts, from the farm bureau to the Ford assembly plant, from various churches to the Kentucky Secular Society, and from the Right to Life organization to the Reproductive Choice group. After that, they decided to visit the midway for a time at Roland’s suggestion. On the way, at the main entrance to Freedom Hall, they met the several times life size manakin of Freddy Farm Bureau, who talked to young kids and gave information. At the midway, they walked about a bit, then, again at Roland’s suggestion, rode the roller coaster, and none of them lost his lunch.
A little after four o’clock, they found themselves in the north wing, where there were displays by vendors offering riding habits, tack, and other equestrian goods. But Beau insisted that, before spending time on that, they make a reservation for dinner at the Saddlebred Café. Otherwise, they would not be able to eat there, as it would be crowded. They reserved a table for six at five-thirty. Only then did they visit the vendors and look over all the goods on display. The American Saddlebred Horse Association also had a booth, with some books and videos for sale with instruction for riders and stories about horses, as well as jewelry and other souvenir items. Most of the clothing and jewelry were for females, who dominate the sport. They also joined a tour of the section of the north wing where horses were stabled, and heard some stories about some of the famous champions of yore, like Wing Commander. After that, it was about time for dinner, so they returned to the Saddlebred Café, and were shown to their table. There was a generous buffet, where the six teenagers piled their plates high.
They then made their way back into Freedom Hall and back to the Lyle box. The program for Saturday evening consisted of only eleven classes, each a championship class, concluding with the World’s Grand Championship class for five gaited adult riders. Bryce immediately noted that everyone seemed to be dressed more formally this evening than in the morning, and he felt a bit out of place, but as the others with him were also less formal, he said nothing. Dolph and Tillie, however, had either gone home during the afternoon or else had a change of clothing with them, as they looked very impressive. The evening began with the National Anthem sung by a music major from the University of Kentucky, as everyone stood, hand over heart or, in the case of Dolph, a veteran, saluting, facing a flag on the monitor at the end of the arena.
The first evening class was the ladies’ three gaited championship. One of the contestants was Barbara Goodman Manilow, who was most
likely the mother of the Maya Manilow who beat Amy in her first class that morning. She did quite well in the competition, so it was obviously a family thing for the Manilows. Dolph informed Bryce and Damon that the Manilows were active in the art community of Chicago, and were big supporters of Democratic causes. This was followed by a roadster pony class and a ladies’ five gaited class. Barbara Manilow also rode in that class, but on a different horse. The Lyles knew some of the competitors, and were cheering for Mary Gaylord McClean and Tammy Devore. This added to the interest in the competitions. In the amateur three-gaited championship round, Bryce noted a name he had encountered earlier that day and which he found interesting, that of Annike Moriarty Bruggeworth. He wondered at the background of this rider, and mentioned it to Dolph, who informed him that the lady concerned was an excellent rider, and came from New Jersey, but he knew nothing about her names except the obvious, namely, her maiden name was Moriarty and her married name was Bruggeworth. How someone with an Irish maiden name came to have a Dutch given name, and a diminutive at that, was a mystery. Beau told Bryce he was weird to be concerned about things like that.
“Not concerned, just interested,” Bryce defended himself, but found no support among the others.
John Luke commented that he was weirdly interested.
In the fine harness championship class, the Lyles were cheering for a driver named Kathy Caputso-Walker, who, they said, was a devoted horsewoman, and appeared year after year in these competitions. She was a local person, coming from Shelbyville.
Between classes 235 and 236 there was a pause in the competition as three inductions into the World’s Championship Horse Show Hall of Fame took place. Actually there were four persons, as the first inductees were a couple, Jackie and Rob Tanner. She was originally from Minnesota and he from California, but they had been married for 24 years, and now had a stable near Versailles, Kentucky. They have raised and trained winning Saddlebreds in just about every category available. The second round inducted Richard Obenauf, a native of Illinois, who was connected to the Manilows. He was also a stable owner and trainer. The final inductee was Harold Workman, President and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board. Beginning with horse shows as a student at the University of Kentucky, he manages horse and other agricultural shows throughout the year. He said, “I’ve really only had one job in my life, and I’ve looked forward to coming to work every single day.” Bryce commented that he hoped he could make a similar statement when he was in his sixties.
The three gaited world’s championship class was sponsored by Elizabeth Goth of Lebanon, Kentucky. She was a native of California, but learned better. She is also connected to the Bancroft family, which once owned the Wall Street Journal, but she is primarily interested in Saddlebred horses. She put up $25,000 to sponsor this competition, so she was definitely interested. In this class, many of the riders were professionals, so there was outstanding riding on outstanding horses, both admired by those in the Lyle box.
At last, Class 240 was announced. This is the five gaited World’s Championship competition, the high point of Saddlebred competition, the culmination of the more than two hundred competitions which made up the World’s Championship Horse Show. The class had a $100,000 purse, with the first place winner getting a quarter of that, and was sponsored by the Goodman and Manilow families of Chicago. The horse could be a mare, stallion, or gelding, and the rider had to be an adult. The competition was intense, and the horses were magnificent. In the end, the 2010 World’s Grand Champion was a repeat of the 2009 winner, Courageous Lord, owned by Martha Shepherd and Bill Carrington of Tennessee, and ridden by Merrill Murray.
In the euphoria attending the results, everyone in the Lyle box was hugging everyone else and shouting. Bryce noted Roland kissing John Luke, and so did not hesitate to kiss Damon as well. It was so great that the Lyles were comfortable with these displays of affections between gays. Of course, Amy kissed everyone. After all the hugging, shouting, and kissing, they began to leave. Bryce and Damon made it a point to thank not only Beau, who had invited them and delivered the tickets, but especially his grandparents, Dolph and Tillie Lyle.
As they were leaving, Damon spotted Carson Kressley also leaving. He suddenly bolted across the crowd and accosted the well-known media figure. Mr. Kressley was accustomed to this kind of adulation, evidently, as it did not disturb him at all. He signed his autograph on Damon’s ticket to the event for that date. Damon was not the least repentant, but instead was clearly proud of his accomplishment, talking about it incessantly on their way back home. He purchased a small frame, and hung the ticket on the common room wall.