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
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