Tag Archives: Virginia Horse Center

Become a Part of the Virginia Horse Center Legacy

Spring has arrived early at the Virginia Horse Center. The grass is greening up, horses are getting frisky, and the trees are budding. Just like spring we are beginning again, after thirty years, we are looking forward to a better and newly improved Virginia Horse Center and the future is very bright.

In order to serve the Virginia equine community, we must rely on the generosity of individuals and businesses like you for support. The Virginia Horse Center belongs to you. Without the assistance of horse lovers and community minded individuals just like you, we wouldn’t be able to keep our doors open or make much needed improvements.

Your friendship and ongoing support is vital to the future of the Virginia Horse Center. Each year we must hit our annual fundraising goal. This year our goal is $560k. We have raised $450k so far!  With just three months to go before our fiscal year end of June 30, we need to raise an additional $110,000 to hit our target and keep the VHC strong and thriving. Please DONATE TODAY and help us reach our goal!

Every dollar the Horse Center receives from friends like you, regardless of the amount, is a testament to the belief in its mission and future and ensures that quality equine shows and programs will continue at the highest levels.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
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$30,000 Grand Prix Events Take Center Stage at Lexington Spring Festival

Mary Lisa Leffler and Bling Bling. Photos courtesy of Teresa Ramsay Photography.

Lexington, VA – April 13, 2017 – The Virginia Horse Center is pleased to once again host two premiere grand prix events to capstone the Lexington Spring Festival. The $30,000 Rockbridge Grand Prix on Saturday, April 29th and the $30,000 George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Grand Prix on Saturday, May 6th will both cap off the exciting hunter/jumper action as athletes race to victory.

During the Lexington Spring Premiere on Saturday, April 29th, the $30,000 Rockbridge Grand Prix will be held in the Coliseum at 6:30 p.m., where riders will vie for the coveted Dubliner Trophy donated by Margaret Price. Declarations to the show office are due no later than 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28th and the entry fee is $500. Both Grand Prix classes held during the Lexington Spring Festival are eligible for inclusion on the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List.

In 2016 it was Mary Lisa Leffler aboard Bling Bling, who produced a double clear in the featured event and took home top honors. “It’s just one of my favorite events,” she expressed. “The hospitality of the Virginia Horse Center is second to none. They try so hard during the evening grand prix and they really put on a good horse show. The best part of the whole thing last year was that my sister drove my parents down, so they finally got to see their horse compete. Having them there and winning was great!”

The pinnacle of the Lexington Spring Encore will be the $30,000 George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Grand Prix, also in the Coliseum at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6th. Declarations are due no later than 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 5th, the day before the class.

Manuel Torres aboard Christofolini H

Last year Colombia’s Manuel Torres piloted Christofolini H, a Rheinlander gelding owned by Andrea Torres Guerreiro, to victory with a speedy, clear round. “For us, it is one of our favorite shows of the year,” noted Torres. “We love the crowd, the facilities, and the stabling – the horses are very relaxed here. We come every year and we really like it. They always pick really good course designers to come and do these two weeks of competition, so it is very exciting for us to come to the Virginia Horse Center.”

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which owns and operates the Virginia Horse Center. The Foundation is proud to be a part of the Rockbridge community, an asset to the state’s equine economy, and a resource to the East-Atlantic competition circuit. The Virginia Horse Center stands at the forefront of Virginia’s $1.2B equine economy. Founded to promote all disciplines of equestrian sport, its 600 acres of picturesque grounds hold a 4,000 seat coliseum, eight barns to accommodate 1,200 horses, 19 show rings including two large indoor arenas, cross-country and combined carriage driving courses, campgrounds, and full catering and café services.

To view the prize list or learn more about the Lexington Spring Festival at the Virginia Horse Center, please visit www.horsecenter.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
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Virginia Horse Center Foundation Brings Mission to Middleburg

Lexington, Va. – Feb. 5, 2017 – The Virginia Horse Center Foundation hosted a successful event on January 31, 2017 at the National Sporting Library and Museum in Middleburg, Virginia. Upwards of 30 people were in attendance including members of the Board of Directors and the Advisory Board, as well as friends of the Foundation.

Attendees were treated to a private tour of the museum’s current art exhibitions, ‘Picturing English Pastimes: British Sporting Prints at the NSLM’ and ‘The Chronicle of the Horse in Art,’ as well as highlights from the museum’s permanent collection.

Founded as the National Sporting Library in 1954, the institution has expanded to become a library, research facility and art museum with over 26,000 books and works of art in the collections. The National Sporting Library and Museum is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the literature, art, and culture of equestrian, angling, and field sports.

Following the tour, a luncheon was held for participants. During the luncheon, Virginia Horse Center Foundation President Ernie Oare and CEO John Nicholson spoke. They addressed the attendees to discuss the mission and vision of the Horse Center, as well as their enthusiasm for the growth that they are seeing in the family and friends of the Horse Center particularly in Northern Virginia. The Virginia Horse Center recognizes that all areas of the state contribute to the overall equestrian culture of Virginia and need each other to succeed. The Virginia Horse Center is here to support all of our friends around the state and in the mid-Atlantic region.

“It was wonderful to have such a dedicated group of equestrians learn more about the Virginia Horse Center and the mission of the Foundation,” said Nicholson. “Middleburg is not just a top equestrian destination in Virginia, but it is one of the top equestrian destinations in the country. The residents understand the importance of the sport and its history – a legacy we hope to continue at the Virginia Horse Center with their support.”

To learn more about the Virginia Horse Center Foundation and its mission, please visit www.horsecenter.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
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Stonewall Country Horse Show II Kicks Off at the Virginia Horse Center

Photo Courtesy of David Bell.

Lexington, Va. – Feb. 1, 2017 – This weekend, the Virginia Horse Center will host the second Stonewall Country Horse show of 2017. The hunter/jumper show, running from Feb. 2-5, will also feature USHJA Outreach classes on Thursday, Feb. 2nd, for exhibitors interested in bringing along their young horses to school before the summer show season begins.

The Stonewall Country Horse Show series offers Virginia and Mid-Atlantic residents an opportunity to compete in a National rated horse show environment with two indoor rings and many indoor schooling options.

The National rated Stonewall Series will feature professional and amateur divisions for both hunters and jumpers. Competitors who are trying to earn valuable equitation qualifying points will also have the opportunity to do so in the WIHS, ARIAT, and THIS National Children’s Medal classes. Many of these same classes are also qualifiers for the Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge, which is held annually at the Lexington National Horse Show in August.

With the addition of USHJA Outreach classes this year, horses and riders who are not as experienced in the show ring will also be able to compete in classes that are offered at a discount in both class fees and stabling fees.

To learn more about the Virginia Horse Center and their entire line up of exciting events, please click here.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
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Stonewall Country Horse Shows Kick Off at the Virginia Horse Center This Weekend

Photo Courtesy of David Bell.

Lexington, Va. – Jan. 17, 2017 – Each winter, the Virginia equestrian community looks forward to the Stonewall Country Horse Shows at the Virginia Horse Center. Celebrating their 25th anniversary, these events, which benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, offer two hunter/jumper shows at the facility from Jan. 19-22 and Feb. 3-5. This year, the Stonewall Country series will also feature USHJA Outreach classes for exhibitors interested in bringing along their young horses to school before the summer show season begins.

The Stonewall Country Horse Show series offers Virginia and Mid-Atlantic residents an opportunity to compete in a National rated horse show environment with two indoor rings and many indoor schooling options. A complete schedule and list of classes is available here.

Virginia Beach based trainer and USEF “R” judge Chris Wynne is enthusiastic about the opportunities that these shows provide for those who are not able to travel to Florida for the winter.

“We enjoy these shows because it’s such a friendly hometown atmosphere,” Wynne said. “The exhibitors and trainers all contribute to this; everyone really enjoys each other at these shows. The management does a great job putting on really nice shows with great courses and jumps and an indoor environment that prepares us well for later in the season.”

The National rated Stonewall Series will feature professional and amateur divisions for both hunters and jumpers. Competitors who are trying to earn valuable equitation qualifying points will also have the opportunity to do so in the WIHS, ARIAT, and THIS National Children’s Medal classes. Many of these same classes are also qualifiers for the Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge, which is held annually at the Lexington National Horse Show in August.

With the addition of USHJA Outreach classes this year, horses and riders who are not as experienced in the show ring will also be able to compete in classes that are offered at a discount in both class fees and stabling fees.

To learn more about the Virginia Horse Center and their entire line up of exciting events, please click here.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Stonewall Country Horse Shows to Feature USHJA Outreach Classes at Virginia Horse Center

Lexington, Va. – Jan. 9, 2017 – The Stonewall Country Horse Show, benefitting the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, is proud to offer two hunter/jumper shows at the Virginia Horse Center Jan. 19-22 and Feb. 3-5. This year, the Stonewall Country series will also feature one day of USHJA Outreach classes during each show for exhibitors to participate in and earn points towards the national recognition.

The addition of the USHJA Outreach classes this year will directly benefit horses and riders who are not as experienced in the show ring. The USHJA Outreach program offers a discount for classes, stabling and office fees – making it even easier to help students and young horses prepare for the spring and summer show seasons. USHJA Outreach classes are available for competitors showing in hunter and jumper divisions.

Any rider may compete in Outreach hunter and jumper classes, but riders wishing to earn points and national recognition must be USHJA members. USHJA offers an Outreach Membership for $35. Riders are also required to be members of USHJA (Outreach level or higher) in order to compete in the USHJA Outreach medal classes. Horses are not required to be registered with USHJA to compete in Outreach classes.

“We’re delighted that the Stonewall Country Horse Show is offering USHJA Outreach sections,” said Katie Patrick, USHJA director of sport programs. “These sections provide more members with an exciting opportunity to gain national recognition at varying levels, and we look forward to seeing riders excel and achieve their goals throughout their equestrian pursuits.”

The Stonewall Country Horse Show series first day of Outreach classes will be on Thursday, January 19, 2017, with the second happening on Thursday, February 2, 2017. The complete list of USHJA Outreach classes is as follows:

  • USHJA Outreach Hunter 2’0″
  • USHJA Outreach Hunter 2’6″
  • USHJA Outreach Jumpers 2’3″ (.70m)
  • USHJA Outreach Jumpers 2’6″ (.75m)
  • USHJA Outreach Jumpers 2’9″ (.85m)
  • USHJA Outreach Jumpers 3’0′ (.90m)

The National rated Stonewall Series will feature professional and amateur divisions for both hunters and jumpers. Competitors who are trying to earn valuable equitation qualifying points will also have the opportunity to do so in the WIHS, ARIAT, and THIS National Children’s Medal classes. Many of these same classes are also qualifiers for the Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge, which is held annually at the Lexington National Horse Show in August.

To learn more about the USHJA Outreach program and classes, click here.

To learn more about the Virginia Horse Center Foundation and their upcoming events, click here.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Stonewall County Horse Show Returns to the Virginia Horse Center for 25th Anniversary

Photo Courtesy of David Bell and RideonSports Photography.

Lexington, Va. – December 22, 2016 – The Stonewall Country Horse Shows are returning to the Virginia Horse Center in 2017 for its 25th anniversary. The events, which benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, will offer two hunter/jumper shows at the facility from Jan. 19-22 and Feb. 3-5. This year, the Stonewall Country series will also feature USHJA Outreach classes for exhibitors interested in bringing along their young horses to school before the summer show season begins.

The Stonewall County Horse Show series offers Virginia and Mid-Atlantic residents an opportunity to compete in a National rated horse show environment with two indoor rings and many indoor schooling options. A complete schedule and list of classes is available here.

“I am really looking forward to competitors being able to show on the refreshed footing in both the Coliseum and East Complex this year,” said Leslie Brown, manager of the Stonewall Series. “The Virginia Horse Center has been really focused on making sure that the footing is perfect for every competition and we are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather doesn’t offer any distractions.”

The National rated Stonewall Series will feature professional and amateur divisions for both hunters and jumpers. Competitors who are trying to earn valuable equitation qualifying points will also have the opportunity to do so in the WIHS, ARIAT, and THIS National Children’s Medal classes. Many of these same classes are also qualifiers for the Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge, which is held annually at the Lexington National Horse Show in August.

With the addition of USHJA Outreach classes this year, horses and riders who are not as experienced in the show ring will also be able to compete in classes that are offered at a discount in both class fees and stabling fees.

“It is very exciting to be able to host events like the Stonewall Country Horse Show Series at the Virginia Horse Center,” noted CEO John Nicholson. “Many riders and trainers want to continue showing throughout the winter months, and the Coliseum at the Horse Center offers the perfect venue. The USHJA Outreach classes are an exciting new addition that opens up the sport to many levels of competitors. We look forward to celebrating the Stonewall Country Horse Show Series 25th anniversary in 2017.”

To learn more about the Virginia Horse Center, please visit www.horsecenter.org.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Virginia Horse Center Foundation Prepares to Participate in Giving Tuesday

Lexington, Va. – Nov. 22, 2016 – Each year thousands of non-profit organizations participate in a special day following Black Friday and Cyber Monday on November 29, called #GivingTuesday. The Virginia Horse Center (VHC) Foundation is using #GivingTuesday as an opportunity for their patrons to celebrate the VHC Foundation’s 30-year anniversary by donating $30 to their annual giving campaign. This small donation has the ability to help the VHC continue to fulfill their mission of becoming financially sustainable and to provide a preeminent facility for world-class equine events.

Every investment, no matter how great or small, in the VHC Foundation enriches the experience for every participant and visitor. The VHC is a dynamic organization that supports the thrill of competition, the special partnership between horse and rider, and a vibrant community.

For patrons that are interested in helping the VHC celebrate their 30-year anniversary, there are many ways to get involved. You may make a donation by going on-line to www.razoo.com/us/story/Virginia-Horse-Center-Foundation, or go to their website, www.horsecenter.org, and click the DONATE icon at the top right of each page.

If you plan of participating in #GivingTuesday with the VHC, you will be joined by an incredible group of “athlete ambassadors” that are supporting #GivingTuesday with the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, including: Winn Alden, Michael Bertozzi with Cavallo Farm, Will Coleman, Robert Crandell, Phillip Dutton, Brooke Kemper, Mary Lisa Leffler with Rolling Acres, Darrin Mollett with Beverly Equestrian Center, Clark Montgomery, Lauren Sprieser and Don Stewart.

To learn more about #GivingTuesday and how to participate in this special event, follow the VHC Foundation and its “Athlete Ambassadors” on Facebook. You can also show your support by including the hashtags #GivingTuesdayVHC and #GivingTuesday in your own posts.

To learn more about the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, please visit www.horsecenter.org.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
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Virginia Horse Center Welcomes Horses Potentially Affected by Hurricane Matthew

October 5, 2016 8am hurricane update.

Lexington, Va. – Oct. 5, 2016 – The Virginia Horse Center will be welcoming any horses that need to be evacuated due to Hurricane Matthew. The hurricane is expected to make landfall on the eastern coast of the U.S. on Thursday morning and effect Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina over the weekend.

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation is known for its safe and well maintained stalls. The stalls are uniformly 12′ x 10′ with 7′ 10″ tall walls that are 5 7/8″ wide. There are four, stall-dedicated barns that hold 120 stalls each. Barn 8, which is adjacent to the East Complex, holds 122 stalls. The remaining barns, The Big Lonely, Woods Hill, and Bent Tree Barn, are laid out around schooling arenas and hold 49, 46, and 48 stalls, respectively. All barns have internal wash stalls and dedicated manure pits.

There will be no charge for stabling evacuated hoses. A $20 stall cleaning deposit will be taken when horses arrive on the property. Feed, shavings and hay are available for purchase and camp sites are available at $40 + tax per night.

Please contact the Stable Office at (540) 464-2966 for more information. A negative Coggins Test is required for all horses.

Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 is scheduled to be a full day of family-friendly events at the Virginia Horse Center. A performance by Fairland Ferguson, the 2016 Fall Fashion Fair, as well as the House Mountain Hunter and Jumper Show, will all continue as planned.

For more information about the Virginia Horse Center and our complete line up of events, please visit www.horsecenter.org.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
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Roanoke Valley Horse Show Finds Success in Move to Virginia Horse Center

Brooke Kemper and Classified. Photos by: Andrew Ellis.

Lexington, Va. – June 28, 2016 – An impressive crowd of over 1,000 spectators turned out Saturday night to see Virginian Brooke Kemper and her own Classified, a 12-year-old Holsteiner Thoroughbred gelding, take home the win in the $25,000 Grand Prix of Roanoke. The evening class was the highlight of the show that this year found a new home at the Virginia Horse Center.

Kemper bested a field of 11 in the Grand Prix, emerging victorious after a four-horse jump off. Maryann Charles and FVF Sailor Man, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Fox View Farm, were last to go in the jump off and brought home second place. The third place spot went to Tyler Smith and his own Soho D’ermisserie, a 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding.

Kemper was happy with her ride and praised the Mark Donovan designed course.  “The first course really rode a lot like it walked,” Kemper said. “It was pretty straightforward so that was nice. The time allowed was generous so we got to take our time and stick to the plan and that worked out well. I came back second in the jump off and had a fast horse behind me so I had to try to be as quick as I could and still leave all the jumps up.”

Saturday night also saw Saddlebred championships in the Coliseum. Smith Lilly took home first place in the Five-Gaited stake class aboard Blackout, owned by Ceil and Kenny Wheeler. On Friday night it was Catherine Wheeler who took home the top prize in the Five-Gaited Junior Exhibitor Championship with He’s Born to Royalty. Aimee Harrell and her own Shokoe Slip were the champions in the Show Pleasure Driving.

The Roanoke Valley Horse Show is a nonprofit organization and event, and the funds raised from the annual horse show are donated to health and human service organizations in the region. Though the horse show moved outside of the area, the event will continue to benefit the Roanoke Valley and to uphold the show’s longstanding traditions of southern hospitality.

Jason Berry and Attila with owners Betty and Ernest Oare
Jason Berry and Attila with owners Betty and Ernest Oare

In the $5,000 Chatham Hall USHJA National Hunter Derby it was Jason Berry and Attila, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Ernest and Betty Oare, who brought home the top prize. Berry was thrilled with his ride and was full of praise for Attila. “I came back third or fourth,” Berry said. “I knew I had to be as handy as I could be. We made every inside turn and galloped everywhere we could. He was phenomenal. He had a 90 plus four bonus points. He rides great, he’s game for anything, he’ll turn, he’ll jump big – he’s a great horse.”

Second place went to Jill Wilson and Oddsare, a 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Twin Oaks Farm LLC. Rounding out the top three was Chaz Harpman aboard MTM Bazinga an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Nina Butler.

The show’s new location was by all accounts a success, and some rainy weather during the week was well handled by the facility. “The Virginia Horse Center could accommodate the bad weather we had all week,” said Kemper. “They were able to move everything indoors because of the rain, and when we did move back outside, the footing was great and it was safe.”

Berry echoed these sentiments, saying, “I loved the old show grounds just because it was in Roanoke. But we had terrible thunderstorms one day, so it was definitely nice to be at the Virginia Horse Center where they had indoor rings we could move everything to and still get all our classes in. At any other horse show we would have had to cancel. And even after torrential downpours, the footing in the outdoor rings was excellent.”

The exhibitor and spectator turnout exceeded expectations for this first year at the Virginia Horse Center. Kemper was enthusiastic about the new location of the show and the opportunity to interact with riders from other breeds and disciplines. “I’ve been to the Roanoke Valley Horse Show many times,” Kemper said. “I’m glad to see that they found a new home at the Virginia Horse Center – it was great. It’s a lot of fun to go; we don’t get to do many shows with other disciplines, so it’s a lot of fun to see the other breeds there and see them participating and get a little more interaction in the horse world.”

The Roanoke Valley Horse Show is an all-breed horse show offering Arabian, Hackney, hunter, jumper, racking, roadster, Saddlebred and western divisions. To learn more about the Roanoke Valley Horse Show, visit www.roanokevalleyhorseshow.com.

For more information about the Virginia Horse Center, visit www.horsecenter.org.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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