Tag Archives: Virginia Horse Center

Virginia Horse Center to Host Dressage Championships This Weekend

The Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships return to the Virginia Horse Center, Oct. 16-19, 2014

Lexington, Va. – October 15, 2014 – The Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial (CBLM) Championship is one of the oldest, most historic dressage championships in the United States, and this weekend, the annual show returns to the Virginia Horse Center for its 32nd year.

The show runs Thurs., Oct. 16 through Sun., Oct. 19 in conjunction with the Virginia Area Dressage Association’s (VADA) Fall Competition. Highlight events of the weekend include the CBLM Intermediaire I Musical Freestyle Finals at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening and the CBLM Grand Prix Musical Freestyle at 9:24 p.m.

“The show is named after Col. Ljungquist who was one of the dressage pioneers in this country. It was started 32 years ago, and it was essentially the first regional championships in the country,” show manager Dianne Boyd said. “This year we have more than 350 entries. We are running three championship rings with a total of seven separate rings and two major night classes.”

In addition to awarding the CBLM Championship honors, three special awards will be presented throughout the weekend.

The Barbara Silverman Memorial Freestyle Award honors former VADA member Barbara Silverman by promoting Musical Freestyles and the Women’s Ovarian Cancer Foundation, two things that were very dear to Silverman.

The Mary Beth McLean Memorial Perpetual Trophy is presented to the rider with the highest Prix St. George and Intermediaire I CBLM Finals score in memory of rider Mary Beth McLean.

Finally, the Patsy Albers Memorial Perpetual Trophy is given in memory of Patsy Albers, the backbone of the Junior and Young Rider program in Region 1. The Junior/Young Rider who receives the highest score from all classes will be presented with a trophy and will have their name engraved on the perpetual trophy.

Also taking a noteworthy spot on the schedule is the ride of Elizabeth Gathright and her mare Little Sure Shot at 10:18 a.m. on Thursday morning in Ring 3. What makes Gathright’s ride stand out is the fact that it is a ‘Century Ride’ – the ages of Gathright and Little Sure Shot combined total more than 100!

Outside of the show ring, part of what makes the CBLM Championships and the VADA Fall Competition so special are the added highlights for spectator and exhibitor alike.

Prior to the start of Saturday night’s freestyle is the extremely popular Doggie Costume Show. Last year more than 50 adorably costumed dogs vied for the $400 in prizes generously donated by Kem Barbosa, Michelle King and VTO Saddlery, and it is sure to be a hit again this year.

Throughout the evening on Saturday, the vendors set up on the Virginia Horse Center grounds will offer a progressive dessert party, allowing attendees to go from spot to spot while enjoying all types of different desserts.

“The dessert party is in its second year,” Boyd said. “We also do a stall decorating contest. It’s been getting pretty competitive these past few years!”

To find out more about all that the CBLM Championship and VADA Fall Competition has to offer, visit www.vadafallshow.info.

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

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Virginia Horse Center Partners with PhelpsSports.com to Bring Extensive WEG Coverage

Normandy, France – August 20, 2014 – In just three days, Normandy, France will transform into a hub of the world’s best horses and riders in all eight of the FEI disciplines as the equestrian world ushers in the start of the 2014 World Equestrian Games (WEG).

It is that same unbeatable, international level of competition across all disciplines that the Virginia Horse Center is working to bring to Lexington, VA, and that, thanks to a partnership with PhelpsSports.com, the Virginia Horse Center is now bringing virtually to the world.

From Aug. 23 to Sept. 8, look no further than PhelpsSports.com for all of the latest news, photos and results presented by the Virginia Horse Center straight from Normandy!

“Who better to work with on providing our WEG extensive coverage than the Virginia Horse Center?” Mason Phelps, Founder and President of Phelps Media Group, said. “The team at the Horse Center is very devoted to being involved in all forms of equestrian sport, and the Virginia Horse Center is already home to top of the line events for all of the disciplines competing at the WEG.

“Hopefully in 12 to 16 years, we will be reporting on the WEG directly from the Virginia Horse Center!” Phelps concluded.

The PhelpsSports.com and Virginia Horse Center coverage kicks off on Saturday with the 2014 Opening Ceremonies and continues on Monday, Aug. 25 with the start of the reining, dressage and para-dressage competitions. Check www.phelpssports.com frequently throughout the WEG for daily photos and updates on all events and special behind the scenes features.

In addition working with the PhelpsSports.com team reporting live from Normandy, the Virginia Horse Center Foundation will have its own representation at the WEG, gathering insight and information useful for the future as the Horse Center works toward hosting its very own WEG, Pan-American or Olympic Games.

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

About the Virginia Horse Center Foundation:

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which owns and operates the Virginia Horse Center. The Virginia Horse Center stands at the forefront of Virginia’s $1.2 billion 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 food services. The Virginia Horse Center also hosts many non-equine events including agriculture programs, dog shows and the Rockbridge Regional Fair.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Virginia Horse Center Foundation Begins New Era with Phelps Media Group

Lexington, VA – May 21, 2014 – The Virginia Horse Center is ushering in a new era with new board leadership, fresh management and most recently, the addition of Phelps Media Group to the Horse Center’s leadership team.

Phelps Media Group’s expertise in public relations and marketing makes the company a trusted partner for the execution of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation’s (VHCF) short-term business plan, aimed at restructuring debt and working closely with local officials to increase lodging tax support in order to stabilize finances and enable the facility to continue to run smoothly throughout the year.

“Seven years ago when the Virginia Horse Center became a privately owned, not for profit organization (501c3), its purchase from the state was carried out through a loan to the facility from the USDA, and debt was created,” explained VCHF President Ernie Oare.

The Horse Center Foundation is strategically taking steps to alleviate that debt and further improve operations of the popular, 600-acre horse park that houses over 100 events each year.

“The Virginia Horse Center is an incredible asset to both the equestrian and local community,” said Mason Phelps, president and founder of Phelps Media Group. “With the team that they have at the helm now, it should continue to not only be a vital asset but also to see improvements that benefit all those that utilize the facilities. We’re excited to be a part of this new period for the foundation and look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”

Leading the VHCF are Interim Executive Director Glenn Petty, the former director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, VHCF President Ernie Oare and Executive Committee members Gardy Bloemers, Tom Clarke, Buddy Derrick and Ken Wheeler, Jr.

The Horse Center recently welcomed John Nicholson, the former director of the Kentucky Horse Park, as a consultant to the Board. During his 17-year tenure, Nicholson spearheaded the Kentucky Horse Park to its greatest growth and garnered international recognition and acclaim for the facility. Nicholson and his firm Equine Facility Management (EFM) will now serve as valuable consultants to the VHCF.

“The Virginia Horse Center is one of the leading facilities in the country,” Nicholson said. “They have high caliber leadership in place prepared to tackle any of the current obstacles, and I’m honored to be working with them.”

“A ‘dream team’ of experts has been activated, and that team is working closely with the full board to initiate our remodeled business plan,” Ernie Oare said.

The restructuring plan includes handling debt, making maintenance improvements to the horse center and working closely with community officials who understand the importance of the VCHF to the surrounding area and to the Commonwealth.

“Citizens of our State and of the Mid-Atlantic region should be proud of the quality of the facility and accordingly the quality of competitors, both equine and human, that it attracts,” Gardy Bloemers said. “We should be proud and grateful to have this economic engine in our neck of the woods. Increasingly, we see the benefits of agritourism across the state and equitourism is a key component of that important source of revenue.”

“The community has long been supportive as they fully realize what a tremendous economic impact the Center has had on the local economy over the years,” Glenn Petty added. “We look forward to identifying each constituency’s specific goals and managing the Horse Center well beyond everyone’s expectations in the immediate and distant future.”

Stay informed regarding the improvements, events and announcements from the Virginia Horse Center Foundation! LIKE the organization on Facebook here and visit the website at www.horsecenter.org.

About the Virginia Horse Center Foundation:

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. The VHCF also hosts many non-equine events like dog shows, BMX, agriculture programs and the Rockbridge Regional Fair & Farm Show.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com