Wade Parks and Naturally Lazy Win Reichert Harris 3 and Over Limited Western Pleasure
Wade Parks, Carly Veldman Parks, and Belinda Harris pose for a celebratory photo with JLo.
By: Brittany Bevis
The always enthusiastic Wade Parks had good reason to smile (and show off his dance moves) this evening at the 2014 Reichert Celebration. Parks rode Naturally Lazy to a win in the Harris Leather and Silverworks 3-Year-Old and Over Limited Western Pleasure for owner and breeder, Belinda Harris of Cottontown, TN.
The Reserve Champion was Angie Cannizarro aboard Venture Code for Ricky Noiseux of Preston, CT. Judges for the class this evening were Larry Hansch, Betsy Tuckey, Ty Hornick, and Tim Zuidema.
It certainly was a fun coincidence that a horse belonging to Belinda Harris won the Harris Leather and Silverworks 3-Year-Old and Over Limited Western Pleasure.
“My husband is from the Carolinas, so I try to tell him we might be kin [with the Harris family] somewhere along the line!” Belinda jokes.
This evening marked a special win for Belinda and her husband, because “JLo” is by Lazy Loper and out of Belinda’s old show mare, Jez Talkin Sweet, who she also raised.
“JLo was so pretty when she was born, and she has a full sister that’s going to be brown and just as pretty,” Belinda says. “The [mother] is bred back to VS Flatline, and Wade is trying to talk me into selling him the baby. I told him he’d ride them all from now on. He’s done a great job. Every time I call him, he says he loves this mare, and I can’t have her back.”
Parks has had JLo in training for about five months. The Reichert Celebration is the third horse show she’s ever been to, and tonight was her maiden performance.
“She has a full brother up in New Hampshire, and he was the same way,” she says. “He went to his first show and was real easygoing, and the baby is that way too. JLo just wants to go out and do her job.”
Belinda’s husband, Frank, agrees about the mare’s gentle nature, and he would know. He was there when she took her very first steps.
“We’re very hands on with the babies from day one,” he says. “I’m right there when they’re born, and I help them nurse for the first time if they need it. We’re a small place and this is our life, and I’m Belinda’s biggest fan.”
In addition to a nice check, Parks was presented with a Harris work saddle, Reichert Celebration belt buckle, medallion, rose neck wreath, the Maiden Bonus, and other assorted prizes. Cannizzaro received a pair of beautiful Reichert Celebration spurs and other awards including a Mary Kay gift bag and Reichert medallion.
Angie Cannizzaro with Venture Code.
Results:
Champion- Naturally Lazy/Wade Parks for Belinda Harris of Cottontown, TN
Reserve- Venture Code/Angie Cannizzaro for Ricky Noiseux of Preston, CT
