Tag Archives: Virginia Horse Center

Competitions

Roanoke Valley Horse Show Prepares for 2016 Début at Virginia Horse Center

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Lexington, Va. – June 7, 2016 – The historic Roanoke Valley Horse Show has found a new home in the Virginia Horse Center, and is excited for this year’s competition held from June 20-25, 2016. Highlight events during the multi-discipline event for exhibitors and spectators will include the highly anticipated $25,000 Grand Prix of Roanoke on Saturday June 25, and the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Chatham Hall on Friday June 24.

“We’re excited to be moving to the Virginia Horse Center because it gives us the ability to offer more classes, and it also helps our great staff of volunteers in not having to actually build a venue as we did at our previous location,” said Roanoke Valley Horse Show chairperson Stacey Wright.

“A new addition this year will be all day barrel racing on Monday with $2500 added prize money instead of an invitational, as it has been in the past,” Wright explained. “We are hopeful that our move to the Virginia Horse Center will allow us to grow some of our other classes in the future such as our Arabian division, our Racking Horse division, our Saddlebred/Hackney/Roadster division as well as our Quarter Horse and Hunter/Jumper divisions.”

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. While the horse show will be moving outside of the area, the event will continue to benefit the Roanoke Valley and to uphold the show’s longstanding traditions of southern hospitality.

“We are really looking forward to moving to the Virginia Horse Center and feel that it will be a great improvement in safety for our horses and our exhibitors as well,” Wright said. “It will allow us to grow our profits so we can contribute back to the charitable organizations that we support such as the Bradley Free Clinic 4-H and the Virginia Maryland Equine Program at Virginia Tech. It’s still the same great horse show, just in a new location. We are there for the benefit of the charities in the Roanoke Valley and that’s where our profits go, back to the Roanoke Valley,” Wright emphasized.

The 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 and supporting the event in 2016, 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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Virginia Horse Center to Host 2017 IEA National Finals

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Lexington, Va. – May 24, 2016 – The Virginia Horse Center is excited to announce that it will be hosting the 2017 Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) National Finals in Lexington, Virginia April 21-23.

IEA Nationals is hosted in different locations each year to allow members to travel to different parts of the country, experience different horses and horse communities, and allow various IEA zones and the teams within them to showcase their horses. For 2017, Zone 3 was chosen zone, and the Virginia Horse Center was the perfect fit.

IEA National Finals Coordinator, Stephanie Keough, said, “Zone 3 has long tradition of quality equestrian competition and activity. We’re excited for our riders to be part of that. When looking at Zone 3, Virginia Horse Center is a top-notch facility that can accommodate all of our needs.”

The Virginia Horse Center was founded to promote the development of all aspects of the equestrian sport and is located in the rolling hills and mountains of Rockbridge County. The facility features a 4,000 seat coliseum arena, eight barns to accommodate over 1,200 horses, and 19 different show rings including two indoors, a cross country field and combined carriage driving course, campgrounds, and full catering and dining services.

The Virginia Horse Center is run by the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Foundation is an integral part of the Rockbridge County, VA community and economy and is a valuable resource to the East-Atlantic competition circuit. The Foundation serves over 500,000 people and 100,000 animals, and manages 115 annual events, most free and open to the public.

“The IEA is one of the most important organizations in equestrian sport today,” expressed Virginia Horse Center Foundation CEO John Nicholson. “By providing young people an organized forum for safe and fair competition, IEA not only is making a critical contribution to the future of our sport, but also to the positive character development of middle and high school students throughout the country. The Virginia Horse Center is proud to welcome the all the participants of the IEA National Finals. We are confident all will enjoy our first class facilities and will enjoy the beautiful vista of the Shenandoah Valley.”

Keough concluded: “We’re looking forward to the continued support of our many sponsors and expect the quality of the event to continue to impress!”

Founded in 2002, the IEA has more than 12,500 members across the United States.  The IEA was organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students and is open to public and private schools and barn teams. Its purpose is to set minimum standards for competition, provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated equestrian sport programs, to generally promote the common interests of safe riding instruction and competition and education on matters related to equestrian competition at the middle and secondary school levels. There is no need for any rider to own a horse because the IEA provides a mount and tack to each rider at every event, including the National Finals.  For more information, please view the IEA website at: www.rideiea.org.

To learn more about additional upcoming events at the Virginia Horse Center, visit www.horsecenter.org.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Manuel Torres and Jason Berry Capture Wins at Lexington Spring Encore

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Manuel Torres and Christofolini H. Photos by: Teresa Ramsay Photography.

Lexington, Va. – May 12, 2016 – The Lexington Spring Encore at the Virginia Horse Center always draws the country’s leading competitors for its premiere hunter/jumper event. This weekend, Colombia’s Manuel Torres and Christofolini H took home the top spot in the $30,000 George L. Ohrstrom Grand Prix on Saturday, besting a field of sixteen.

The win came after a second place finish in the Open Jumper Welcome Stake held earlier in the week for Torres and the 9-year-old Rheinlander gelding. The Welcome Stake gave a nice preview for riders of the speed of the course. “We had the Welcome Stake in the beginning of the week,” said Torres. “That ended up being a really fast jump-off, so I had to be prepared for a fast jump-off in the Grand Prix.”

Torres, a five time Olympian, rode to the top of a tightly contested class with speedy clear round. An early spot in the class did not deter Torres. “Christofolini H loves speed so even though I was very early in the class it ended up working out fine for me,” said Torres. Rounding out the top three were last week’s winner, Mary Lisa Leffler, this time aboard Carlot, for second place, while Brooke Kemper and Classified placed third with just one rail down in the jump-off.

Torres praised the facility and the course designer. “For us, it is one of our favorite shows of the year. We love the crowd, the facilities, and the stabling – the horses are very relaxed here,” he noted. “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 here.”

Christofolini H is a relatively new ride for Torres. “I began to jump the grand prix in Ocala in the beginning of the year, so it’s a new mount for me.” He says. “I’m just getting used to him. He’s a very talented horse. Hopefully I keep getting to know him better and have a good season.”

Jason Berry was on top of his game this weekend, claiming three of the top four spots in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. He picked up the victory aboard Cobalt Blue R with a score of 185.0. Elizabeth Bailey and Acido 7 scored the second place spot with a score of 173.5, while Berry also placed third and fourth on IAmWhatIAm and Attila, respectively.

Jason Berry and Cobalt Blue R
Jason Berry and Cobalt Blue R

Berry imported Cobalt Blue R, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Oak Ledge Farm, last year. Everything came together for them in the derby class. “For the handy tonight he was just on it.” Berry said, “From the time I picked up the canter it was like they put the jumps where I needed them to be. He was super easy to ride for that.”

A Virginia native, Berry was enthusiastic about his win at the Virginia Horse Center. “It’s definitely our home show,” he expressed. “It’s great to win a class here; it’s great to have this facility in your backyard. They have a great indoor Coliseum where they had the class tonight. To have the weather that we’ve had, pouring down rain for the last few days, the option of having a good class no matter what the weather is the best thing about the Virginia Horse Center!”

For more results from the Lexington Spring Encore, visit www.horseshowsonline.com. To learn more about additional upcoming events at the Virginia Horse Center, visit www.horsecenter.org.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Mary Lisa Leffler and Bling Bling Shine Bright in $30k Rockbridge Grand Prix

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Mary Lisa Leffler and Bling Bling. Photo by: Teresa Ramsay Photography.

Lexington, Va. – May 3, 2016 – Mary Lisa Leffler and Bling Bling are kicking off the spring show season in winning form at the Virginia Horse Center. After earning a win in Ocala and a win in Atlanta, the duo can now add winning the $30,000 Rockbridge Grand Prix during the Lexington Spring Premiere to their growing list of accomplishments.

Leffler and Bling Bling’s double clear performance in the Saturday night’s highlight event was strong enough to earn them the top honors and they led the lap of honor. “We’re still a new partnership,” Leffler said. “I know she’s fast and she’s clever. She turns and burns, so for me, I could jump all those jumps on angles and not have to worry.”

The pair went fourth in the order, and Leffler did not have a chance to watch anyone go before her in the jump-off. She knew that the first few of riders had rails, and her quick wit combined with her horse’s agility sent them straight to the top of the leaderboard, while last year’s winners, Brooke Kemper and Classified, ended the class in second place.

Leffler has been competing at the Virginia Horse Center for as long as she can remember. She said, “It’s just one of my favorite events. Their hospitality – they try so hard the evening Grand Prix, they really put on a good horse show.”

“The best part of the whole thing was that my sister drove my parents down, so they got to see their horse finally go,” Leffler continued. “So having them there and winning was great!”

In the hunter ring, it was Joy Janouskovec that went home with top honors. Janouskovec and her mount Walk the Line won Friday night’s feature class, the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, besting a field of 21 competitors.

The competition at the Virginia Horse Center continues this week, hosting the Lexington Spring Encore Wednesday through Sunday, May 4-8. The Spring Encore will boast many different exciting events, featuring both the $30,000 George L. Ohrstrom Grand Prix and the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.

The $30,000 George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, May 7, in the Anderson Coliseum arena. Along with the winning presentation, there will be a Groom’s award presentation to the groom of the winning mount. Guests are also invited to join the course designer, Mr. Anderson Lima of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for a course walk before the class.

The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby will take place Friday, May 6, at 5:00 pm in the Hilltop arena. In honor of the Virginia Horse Center’s 30th Anniversary, there will be a ‘Celebrate 30’ Wine & Cheese Party held at the Hilltop ring. The party will begin at 5:30 pm and run until the conclusion of the derby.

Find out more online at www.horsecenter.org.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Community/Charity, Dressage

Equestrian Gardy Bloemers Pays It Forward with Philanthropy – and Boots on the Ground

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Gardy Bloemers competing Crusedor at Virginia Summer Dressage. Photo by High Time Photography.

If you spend any time at the Virginia Horse Center (VHC), you’re bound to come across Gardy Bloemers. She may be competing in the dressage arena, advising the management on a fundraiser or helping sell raffle tickets, but one way or another she is sure to be engaged in an activity that benefits the center.

For her it’s all a labor of love – and a major facet of her commitment to spearheading efforts to grow and revitalize Western and Central Virginia, and in particular the Virginia Horse Center. Her focus is to share her high-caliber expertise in business development with the horse center in Lexington and with organizations in the Charlottesville area (which is her home base except for winters, when she competes on the dressage circuit in Wellington, Florida).

Bloemers immediately fell in love with the horse center when she went there to watch a Lipizzaner performance upon her return from living, working and riding in Europe for 20 years. “I was amazed by the place and said to myself that I’d love to be on the board someday,” she said. And the rest is history.

John Nicholson, VHC executive director, said Bloemers ranks among the most ardent and effective supporters of the facility. “Gardy has been remarkably dedicated to the Virginia Horse Center,” he said. “She has uncommon intelligence and extraordinary judgment. She has certainly been a key member of the team that has overseen the resurgence of the horse center.”

Her strong professional background in marketing and sales, said Bloemers, “usually translates in the nonprofit world as ‘fundraising,’ from whatever the source: individual philanthropy or dollars from corporate advertising and sponsorships.” While her work spans those realms, Bloemers is far more innovative in her efforts. When most people think of investing in a cause, it translates to writing a check. But she has put a new twist on investing by adding elbow grease to the equation and leading by example.

The accomplished upper-level dressage rider (U.S. Dressage Federation bronze and silver medalist), a longtime board member and current secretary of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, Inc., is an enthusiastic advocate and hands-on supporter of the center. This summer season she is campaigning her 8-year-old Dutch warmblood, Crusedor, at both third and fourth levels.

“My focus has been to serve as a voice for the dressage community to management and my fellow board members and to serve as a contact and spokesman for the Virginia Horse Center when I’m in the dressage community,” said Bloemers. “As an active competitor and volunteer with the Virginia Dressage Association and our local chapter (VADA-Charlottesville), I’m able to have my ear to the ground.”

As a member of the horse center’s executive committee since early last year, Bloemers and her colleagues have actively participated in the turnaround of the facility, together with key managers. She remains dedicated to improving and elevating the VHC, as well as supporting dressage competitions there. Bloemers is a regular participant in and sponsor of events such as Lexington Spring Dressage and Dressage at Lexington, and one of the fall championships (the USDF Regional Dressage Championship or the Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships (CBLM).

In addition to her support of equestrian-related causes, she champions other causes about which she feels passionate. She sponsored a prestigious award this year on behalf of the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, on which she has served as a board member for the last three years. She presented the award to Apex Clean Energy, which won for being the tech company that created the most new jobs.

“Gardy is a devoted and enthusiastic advocate for entrepreneurs and innovation-based businesses,” said Tracey Greene, executive director of the CBIC. “She has an exceptional talent for securing resources and bringing knowledge to improve outcomes of any project, initiative, or company. Her strategic outlook, combined with her in-the-trenches efforts, has significantly strengthened the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council. I am personally grateful for Gardy’s dedication and loyalty.”

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Championships, Competitions, Vaulting

Vaulting Heads to Virginia Horse Center This Week

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Kamyah Hugee on Butterscotch from Falconwood Vaulters.

FEI CVI 1* & 2*, Vaulting Region IX Championship and Commonwealth Games

Lexington, VA – June 20, 2015 – Vaulting is generally described as gymnastics on the moving horse, and this week it is moving into the Virginia Horse Center.

From Thursday, June 25 through Sunday, June 28, the Horse Center will welcome spectators and exhibitors of all levels for three different vaulting competitions: CVI Lexington VA 1* & 2*, the Equestrian Vaulting Region IX Championships and the vaulting portion of the Commonwealth Games.

Spectator admission is free for all three events, and the public is invited to attend throughout weekend. Competition at the CVI Lexington VA begins at 12 p.m. on Thursday and continues into the evening before resuming again Friday afternoon.

On Saturday, the Region IX Championships kick off at 9 a.m. in the East Complex and continue all day Saturday and until 3 p.m. on Sunday.

“Spectators will get to see all levels of vaulting from our youngest vaulters, which are our ‘tiny tots,’ all the way through our gold level vaulters,” said Lisa Zielenske, the Region IX Supervisor and coach of the Falconwood Vaulters. “We have 96 competitors coming from everywhere from Georgia to Maryland and all the way up to Indiana. We’ll have 11 different states represented and a total of 24 clubs competing.”

The Commonwealth Games vaulting competition will get underway at 12 p.m. on Saturday, and additional Commonwealth Games equestrian events will also be running throughout the weekend.

Vaulting at the 2015 World Equestrian Games
Vaulting at the 2015 World Equestrian Games

Vaulting originally began centuries ago as a way to train soldiers to fight from any direction on horseback. This technique of training was continued through World War I, but following World War II, when horses were no longer used in battle, vaulting became a popular sport. Today, it is one of the seven Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) recognized disciplines. To learn more about vaulting and about the CVI Lexington VA Equestrian 1* & 2*, click here.

For a schedule of all upcoming events at the Virginia Horse Center, visit www.horsecenter.org/Events.

The Virginia Horse Center is situated on a 573-acre site with eight barns to accommodate 750 horses in permanent stabling. Indoor stabling can be increased to 1,200 horses with the use of temporary stalls. The Virginia Horse Center hosts 19 show rings, including two large arenas and a five-mile Olympic cross-country course. Four of the Virginia Horse Center barns are winterized with close access to the 4,000 seat indoor coliseum. The Virginia Horse Center is recognized for the excellent footing of its show rings and the durable construction of the concrete stalls. The Virginia Horse Center also offers camping facilities and on-site food and beverage services. Find the Horse Center online at www.horsecenter.org.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Community/Charity

John Nicholson Named CEO of Virginia Horse Center

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Lexington, VA – April 8, 2015 – The Virginia Horse Center Foundation Board of Directors has ratified John Nicholson as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Virginia Horse Center.

Following his highly successful 17-year tenure as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park, Nicholson joined the Virginia Horse Center management team in May 2014, first as a consultant and most recently as the interim CEO, before officially assuming the CEO office.

For the past 10 months, Nicholson has been an active force in executing the Virginia Horse Center’s short-term and long-term business plans and in facilitating the launch of a new era for the Lexington, Virginia facility. Together with Virginia Horse Center Foundation President and Chairman, Ernie Oare, Nicholson has been instrumental in assembling a ‘dream team’ of staff to continue the recent turn-around efforts for the facility.

“It was clearly identified about a year ago that if the direction at the Horse Center was not changed, the ship would sink,” said Oare. “We now have a team of unbelievable people, including Leigh Anne Claywell as the Chief Operating Officer and John Nicholson as the Chief Executive Officer, to help steer the ship in the correct direction and into a bright future. Nicholson brings to the table incredible experience and expertise in this capacity that is completely unmatched.”

Nicholson added, “I’m honored to have been asked to increase my involvement and leadership of the Horse Center as the full-time CEO. Over the past year, the management team has made significant strides in reversing the challenges faced by the Horse Center, and this is just the beginning. I’m confident in a bright future.”

Prior to making the shift from Lexington, Kentucky to Lexington, Virginia, Nicholson led the Kentucky Horse Park during its rise to prominence on the global equestrian stage, which included hosting the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games and procuring the prestigious National Horse Show.

Hosting the World Equestrian Games was the culmination of a decade-long effort to plan and recruit the international event that had previously never been held outside of Europe. Ultimately, the events were televised internationally to 500 million viewers and created an economic impact of $202.5 million.

Under Nicholson’s leadership, the Horse Park steadily transformed into one of the finest equestrian competition facilities in the world. Nicholson oversaw its expansion that included approximately $80 million in capital improvement projects, including the 5,500-seat Alltech Arena, the 7,300-seat Rolex Stadium, new stabling barns, a new $10 million, 8,500-square-foot museum wing; and numerous new buildings within the park’s National Horse Center that are home to an impressive collection of national, regional and state equine organizations.

In addition to expanding the park, Nicholson concentrated on improving its public perception and increasing private sector support.

In 2008, under Nicholson’s leadership, the park received the Eclipse Award, the highest honor in the Thoroughbred industry. In 2010, he received the prestigious Equine Industry Vision Award from the American Horse Publications, an award that recognizes outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the equine industry, and he accepted the United State Equestrian Foundation’s Sallie B. Wheeler Trophy on behalf of the Horse Park for distinguished service in equestrian sport. In 2011, Nicholson was named one of the Chronicle of the Horse magazine’s “Overall Horsemen of the Year.”

“Similar to the incredible transformation that John headed at the Kentucky Horse Park, we strive to transform the Virginia Horse Center into a first-class venue capable of hosting events the likes of the World Equestrian Games,” Oare said. “John knows, perhaps better than anyone, what it takes to get that done, and we are thrilled to have him as part of our team.”

Find out more about the Virginia Horse Center at www.horsecenter.org.

The Virginia Horse Center is situated on a 573-acre site with eight barns to accommodate 750 horses in permanent stabling. Indoor stabling can be increased to 1,200 horses with the use of temporary stalls. The Virginia Horse Center hosts 19 show rings, including two large arenas and a five-mile Olympic cross-country course. Four of the Virginia Horse Center barns are winterized with close access to the 4,000 seat indoor coliseum. The Virginia Horse Center is recognized for the excellent footing of its show rings and the durable construction of the concrete stalls. The Virginia Horse Center also offers camping facilities and on-site food and beverage services. Find the Horse Center online at www.horsecenter.org.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Community/Charity

Support the Virginia Horse Center and Win a Horse Trailer or $15,000

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Lexington, VA – February 19, 2015 – Imagine donating $100 to the Virginia Horse Center (VHC) and in exchange receiving $15,000 or a brand-new horse trailer for you. Thanks to the work of a committed group of VHC supporters that is exactly what could happen.

Blue Ridge Trailer Sales is now raffling off a brand-new 2015 Platinum Coach Bumper Pull 2 Horse Trailer or $15,000 in cash to one lucky winner. Raffle tickets are $100 each and proceeds from the raffle directly benefit the Virginia Horse Center. Only 500 tickets will be sold, increasing participants’ odds of winning, and ticket purchasers need not be present to win.

Raffle tickets can be purchased now by calling (434)985-4151 or by emailing info@blueridgetrailer.com or at the Virginia Horse Center Office, (540)-464-2966.

The raffle is the brainchild of the “VHC Equestriennes,” a group of dedicated woman who have come together to do what they can to support the Virginia Horse Center through fundraisers, outreach and grassroots efforts.

Donna Martin, the owner of Blue Ridge Trailer Sales, is one of the VHC Equestriennes, and the woman behind the raffle initiative.

“It gives me great pleasure to help with such a worthy cause,” Martin said. “Our goal is to raise money and awareness contributing to the maintenance of this high quality facility for all Virginia and national equestrians.”

Check out the 2015 Platinum Coach Trailer online at www.platinumcoach.net. To find out more about the Virginia Horse Center, visit www.horsecenter.org.

About the Virginia Horse Center

The Virginia Horse Center is situated on a 573-acre site with eight barns to accommodate 750 horses in permanent stabling. Indoor stabling can be increased to 1,200 horses with the use of temporary stalls. The Virginia Horse Center hosts 19 show rings, including two large arenas and a five-mile Olympic cross-country course. Four of the Virginia Horse Center barns are winterized with close access to the 4,000 seat indoor coliseum. The Virginia Horse Center is recognized for the excellent footing of its show rings and the durable construction of the concrete stalls. The Virginia Horse Center also offers camping facilities and on-site food and beverage services. Find the Horse Center online at www.horsecenter.org.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Training/Clinics

Free Clinics and More at Virginia Horse Center Equine Education Day – December 13

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Betty Oare (pictured) will present a horse show judging clinic as part of the first VHCF Equine Education Day.

Lexington, Va. – November 26, 2014 – It’s the season of giving, and this year the Virginia Horse Center Foundation (VHCF) wants to give something back to the equestrian community. On Saturday, December 13, 2014, the Horse Center will present its inaugural FREE VHCF Equine Education Day.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the East Complex building, the VCHF will present seven different clinics and seminars, allowing attendees to rotate through and attend all seven sessions. Registration for the day begins at 8:30 a.m., and complimentary donuts and hot chocolate will be served at that time.

The impressive line-up of clinicians and topics for the VHCF Equine Education Day will include:

Horse Show Judging Clinic with Betty Oare: While other seminars will be held repeatedly throughout the day, this clinic will be held once beginning at 1 p.m.

A lifelong equestrian, Oare rode professionally for her father, J. Arthur Reynolds, in Tryon, NC until 1981 when she took her amateur status. She has been named champion at many of the nation’s top hunter shows, and today, at the age of 70, she still campaigns two hunters, Capone and Fine Kiss, in the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions across the country. When Oare is not competing or foxhunting with the Warrenton Hunt, she is an active U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) ‘R’ judge. She also sits on the USEF National Hunter Committee, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s (USHJA) Hunter Breeding Committee, the USHJA Open Hunter Task Force and the USHJA Amateur Committee.

Equine Parasite Control with Dr. Tabby Moore: Dr. Tabby Moore of Blue Ridge Equine Clinic will explain the best practices in equine parasite control and the research behind them. Horse owners can bring their manure samples in a small plastic bag to learn how to evaluate them for parasites.

‘So You Want to Work with Horses’ with Melyni Worth: Worth comes to the seminar with a PhD in Equine Nutrition and as a board certified Equine Nutritionist. She currently serves as the Director of Equine Programs at both Wesleyan College and Averett College. A longtime owner, breeder, rider and competitor, Worth is also the owner of Foxden Equine and Cedar Creek Stables, and she will be discussing the numerous careers available within the equestrian industry.

Equine Nutrition at Its Best with Southern States Specialist, Ruth Hopke: Hopke will discuss what is new in the horse feed industry as well as basic nutrition fundamentals for horse owners.

Toxic Plants and Their Effects with Diane Hinch: Hinch is heavily involved in the Augusta County 4-H program, the Glenmore Hunt Pony Club and the National U.S. Pony Club (USPC) organization. She will be speaking on toxic plants and properly identifying the toxic plants found in Virginia that could be deadly to horses.

Horse Safety with Tamala Nichols: Nichols is a judge, a USEF dressage technical delegate and an FEI Level 1 dressage steward, as well as a 4-H leader in Roanoke County and the chairman of the Green Hill Park Equestrian Center. Nichols will be discussing the importance of horse safety.

Proper Horseshoeing: Guest speaker to be announced.

For questions regarding the VCHF Equine Education Day, please contact Grace Mullen by email at: gracemullen3@gmail.com.

For media inquiries, please contact Emily at emr@phelpsmediagroup.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Community/Charity

Virginia Horse Center Launches Annual Fund Campaign

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The Virginia Horse Center (VHC) has served our equestrian community for over a quarter of a century, and, just as in the past, each fall marks the launch of the Annual Fund Campaign.

If you have visited the Virginia Horse Center recently you may have noticed improvements “in the works” as well as a variety of recently completed improvements:

  • Improved and graded roads
  • Renovated Cash Van pavilion and Blue Hen Restaurant
  • Newly painted roofs
  • Upgraded lighting in Anderson Coliseum
  • Enhanced food and beverage service utilizing a top local restaurant partner
  • Updated judges’ stands

All of these improvements are made possible through the generosity of individual donors, organizations and supporters just like you.

During 2014, 96 events will have taken place at the VHC, and in the coming years that number will increase. Along with that increase is an ongoing commitment from the Board and staff to ensure that the Virginia Horse Center is the very best that it can be for all visitors and participants. Over the long term the VHC looks forward to hosting world-class equestrian events such as the Pan American Games and World Equestrian Games as well as the equestrian competitions for the Olympics. What we do now to plan and prepare will enable these events to take place here in Virginia.

For those of you who have supported the VHC with donations in the past, management and the Board would like to extend a sincere “thank you.” If you have not made a gift, please consider making one this year. Gifts can be made online here or by simply calling a staff member at 540-464-2950. Checks to support the Annual Fund can be mailed to The Virginia Horse Center Foundation, 487 Maury River Road, Lexington, VA 24450.