Tokaruk Show Stables Is Tops In Tennessee - Geitners Are Champs In Aiken

Franklin, TN - The Aiken, S.C.-based Tokaruk Show Stables collected a multitude of top prizes at Brownland Summer this crackling Fourth of July Weekend.

The fireworks flew on Sunday for TSS client Jaclyn Ruocco, who captured the top spot in the NAL/NHJA Child/Adult Jumper Classic aboard her horse Lemon Drop.  Ruocco and Lemon Drop were also Reserve Champions in the Training Jumper division and earned a blue ribbon in the Adult/Amateur Jumpers Level 3.

Several other TSS clients also set off sparklers. Lindsay Strafuss was Reserve Champion in the Large Junior Hunters (16-17) aboard Jet Set. Then, with her horse Polaris, Strafuss captured a 3rd place in the ASPCA Horsemanship class and a 4th place in the Pessoa/USEF Hunt Seat Medal. 

Ashley Keith was Reserve Champion in the Childrens Hunter (14 & Under) with Lochland and Elizabeth Grimes earned two top ribbons, a 5th in the Training Jumpers and a 4th in the Adult/Amateur Jumper, riding her mare Roxanne. Meanwhile, Michael Tokaruk himself earned dual TriColors this week, in the Low Working Hunter and the Baby Green Hunter divisions, aboard a new mount, Surreal, owned by Tokaruk.

In the Jumpers, Tokaruk won the YJC 7-year-old Division with the stable’s own Roger Rabbit and tied for Reserve Champion honors in the Modified Jumpers Level 7 with the Angela Woodbury-owned Shakespeare. Tokaruk and Shakespeare went on to score 3rd place in Sunday’s $25,000 Grand Prix.

Also in the Grand Prix, Michael was 7th with his well-known Holsteiner gelding Lord Byron while brother Luke Tokaruk was 12th aboard Lucius 35. Earlier in the week Luke and Lucius were 8th in the Welcome Stake.

In other show news this week, Aiken neighbors Daniel and Cathy Geitner of DFG Stables earned husband and wife titles at Aiken’s PSJ Midland II show.  Daniel Geitner was Champion in the Green/Regular Working Hunters with Kiara Barnett’s Rockville, while Reserve Champ honors went to Cathy Geitner aboard Linda Sullivan’s Release My Mind.

Daniel was also Reserve Champion in the Hopeful Hunters with Cornelia Buckley’s Duncan.

Photo credit: Jaclyn Ruocco and Lemon Drop courtesy of Lili Weik Photography