Friday - American Saddlebred Horse Association

Marc Of Charm Captivates;
It's Dan The Man, Real Action Remain Undefeated!
Photo by Gayle Strickroot
Lionel Ferreira takes his victory pass atop Marc Of Charm in the Five-Gaited Three-Year-Old Stallion/Gelding Division I class on Thursday night.
By Alan F. Balch
When almost every class called to
Freedom Hall at the World’s Championship
is so deep in talent, it becomes
more and more difficult to find the
proper superlatives – and Thursday
evening was another such performance.
With the traditional emphasis on young
horses tonight, there were at least three
standouts in this observer’s opinion –
only space and time prevent our describing
more.
When have we seen a three-year-old
Five-Gaited colt to equal Marc of
Charm? Ever? That’s the question on the
minds of horsemen with long memories.
Sky Watch? Yorktown? We know what
they became ... and is it fair to any
young colt to even breathe those names
at the same time? Knowing what they
became, we search our minds-eye for
what they really looked like at three,
with their futures still in the distant mist.
Yet it must be said that this colt could
be “any kind,” already mature beyond
his youth – apparently in mind as well as
body – charismatic himself and joined to
a charismatic showman who always
pushes the envelope, Lionel Ferreira,
from one continent to another and back
again for this World’s Championship.
Owned by Riverdreams LLC, Carolyn
and Gary Koch of Chapel Hill,
North Carolina, bred by Marc J. Gibson
of Willisburg, Kentucky, his namesake
along with his sire, the late Santana's
Charm. His pedigree is fascinating, and
breeders thrill to seeing promise like this
delivered. There’s his own version of the
“golden cross,” with the Supreme Sultan
line on the top, and Wing Commander
Continued on page 2
Photo by Jen Corcoran
Lionel Ferreira atop Marc Of Charm.
WCHS Results and Judges’ Cards | 1 | Friday, August 28, 2009