We have a winner!
SSDF Rhythm And Blues takes it all in the 2022 Superior Morgan Sweepstakes inaugural event!
Breeder, owner, handler Dennis L. Fry claims the check for $60,500 in the largest prize money ever offered in a Morgan breed class.
November 16, 2022 — It was the culmination of years of planning by the Superior Morgan Horse Sale and the braintrust of David “Tuffy” Owens and Glenn T. Werry, and it did not dissappoint. With over 50 2022 foals entered and shown in the inaugural event on Tuesday evening, then a call back of 27 for the Wednesday evening final event, there was eye candy galore for fans of Morgan Horses in the Michiana Event Center in Shipshewana, Indiana.
Top handlers brought one, two or three foals to present and were lucky if one reached Wednesday’s final countdown. The talent in the ring included World Champion trainers and professionals with multiple titles in the Morgan Weanling Sweepstakes, the Morgan Weanling Gala, and futurities throughout the country.
Entries came from Hall of Fame breeders and first timers alike. One thing they all had in common… they wanted a share of a purse totalling well over $220,000. And it was a sensationally well supported 2020 Superior Sweepstakes Stallion Service Auction that made it possible.
After what seemed like the longest countdown in history, beginning with seven honorable mentions and working their way to the top, the last men standing were Dennis Fry and Elijah Lehman, holding the leads of two exceptional colts.
When the dust settled, there was a $60,500 check presented to SSDF RHYTHM AND BLUES (Graycliff Tony GCH x DDF Jazz, by Centerpiece), bred, owned and presented by Dennis L. Fry of Middlebury, Indiana. Dennis’ family is Signature Stables, and they own the nice stallion DDF Raptor, by SpiceOLife Present Tense GCH.
In the Reserve spot and taking home a check for $41,800 was the dark and handsome son of Dragonsmeade Axios, CLS ESQUIRE AXIOS, out of FRVA Princess PrettyGirl, by CBMF Over The Moon, last year’s record setting horse sold in the Superior Morgan Sale. Elijah Lehman did a beautiful job handling this colt for owner/breeder Ervin Bontrager of Topeka, Indiana, who has already tasted the laurels of a success as the nice young World Champion CLS Xavier is a product of his breeding program.
Full results will be posted tomorrow… be sure to check back!
Dennis enjoys his first RH Bennett interview coming out of the ring with his prize.
To see photos and learn more about this year’s Superior Sweepstakes stallions, visit our Stallions page from the button at right. Your chance to breed for a 2024 Superior Sweepstakes Winner is offered in Friday evening’s stallion service auction!