Houston is once again Totally Thoroughbred champ * The Racing Biz

from a Maryland Jockey Club release

Houston was crowned the overall champion of the Totally Thoroughbred Horse Show for the second consecutive year today at Pimlico Race Course, edging out Testimonially for top honors. The duo also went 1-2 in the inaugural show last July.

Owned by Megan Sullivan, the 13-year-old was ridden by Courtney Sommers. He qualified for the finals with a second place finish, behind Testimonially, in the three foot jump class earlier Saturday. Testimonially and rider Kara Evans won three classes during the day.

“I am really proud of him,” said Sommers, who graduated from Hereford High School (class 2000) and Towson University (2004). “Megan had to work today, so I was just helping out. It was a pleasure to ride such a nice horse.”

Sommers teaches riding lessons at Featherdown Farm in northern Baltimore County.

Overall there were nearly 400 entries in 11 classes with 140 Thoroughbred horses participating.

“Things went very smoothly,” said show manager Georganne Hale. “While we didn’t have as many entries as last year, it seemed people were happier because we were more prepared for the numbers by adding another ring and an extra judge.”

The event was the brainchild of Hale, the Maryland Jockey Club’s racing secretary, and Adena Springs Retirement Program manager Stacie Clark-Rogers. Part of the Thoroughbred Alliance Show Series (T.A.S.S.), the Totally Thoroughbred Horse Show is one of a handful of shows for Thoroughbreds where each horse shows under its Jockey Club name. Traditional show horses have their names altered often when they change owners or circuits.

More than $10,000 in prize money was paid to the owners of the first three finishers in each class (60%-winner; 30%-second place; 10%-third) and six ribbons were awarded for each class.

All the proceeds will go to two local Thoroughbred aftercare programs: Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue (www.angelacreshorsehavenrescue.org) and MidAtlantic Thoroughbred Rescue (www.midatlantichorserescue.org/).

Class 1-Old Hilltop Lead Line Presented by The Jockeys Guild (children 5 & under)
Class 2-In Hand Presented by InCompass Solutions
Class 3-Walk/Trot Presented by Meyers Feed Company (children 15 & under)
Class 4-Walk/Trot/Canter Presented by Winner’s Circle Partners

Class 5-Trot or Canter Over 2’ Fences Presented by Dana Point Farm

Division A (50 entries) Saratoga Jet
Division B (51 entries) Testimonially

Class 6-Dark Hollow Farm Hunter Classic Canter Over 3’ Fences
Class 7-Hillwood Stable LLC Jumper Classic Over 3’7” fences
Class 8-Pimlico Perpetual Trophy Presented By Gulfstream Aftercare (1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place horses from classes 4, 5 & 6)

OVERALL WINNER: Houston

RUNNER-UP: Testimonially

THIRD PLACE: Midnight Perspiration

FOURTH PLACE: Deep Threat

FIFTH PLACE: Daniel

SIXTH PLACE: Saratoga Jet

In just his third horse show, multiple Grade 2 winner Mr O’Brien placed sixth in the In Hand class. Now 14, the son of Mukaddamah set a course record while winning the 2004 Dixie Stakes (G2) at Pimlico on Preakness day and also emerged victorious in the Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park five months later for trainer Robin Graham.

Show Jumping Hall of Famer Rodney Jenkins, now a Laurel Park-based trainer, Lenny Hale, Steuart Pittman and Wendy Davis were the judges.

The sponsors for the Totally Thoroughbred Horse Show were Abba Vet Supply, Adena Springs Retirement Program, Claiborne Farm, Dana Point Farm, Dark Hollow Farm, First Impression Quality Embroidery and Signage, Hess Equine Veterinary Services, Hillwood Stable LLC, Holly Robinson Racing, InCompass Solutions, Kentucky Equine Research, Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Horse Industry Foundation, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Maryland Vet Group LLC, Meyers Feed Company, NextCar, Radisson Cross Keys Hotel, The Equiery, The Jockey Club-T.I.P., The Jockeys’ Guild and Winner’s Circle Partners.