About Us
About The Virginia Horse Center Foundation
World-Class Destination
A premier destination for competitors, spectators, and equestrian disciplines from across the country.
A Place for Everyone
Built for What’s Next
About Us
Our Mission and Vision
The Virginia Horse Center Foundation provides a world-class facility hosting regional, national, and international equestrian events.
Our Mission and Vision
The Virginia Horse Center Foundation envisions a unique, bucolic landmark to honor and celebrate the timeless, special bond between mankind and the horse through safe, fair, and spirited equestrian competition.
Support VHCF
The Foundation
The Virginia Horse Center Foundation envisions a landmark that honors the bond between humans and horses through safe, fair, and spirited equestrian competition.
The Virginia Horse Center Foundation provides a stage for the reality of equine passions. Your dedication to our mission is greatly appreciated and needed.
No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.
Our Story
Building the Virginia Horse Center
More than 40 years ago, Virginia’s horse industry took a significant step forward when Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr. and the Commission of the Industry of Agriculture initiated a study to explore ways to boost its growth. After selecting a site in Lexington in June 1984, the Virginia Horse Center was officially established by law in 1985 under Governor Charles S. Robb, with a groundbreaking in 1986 led by Governor Gerald L. Baliles.
Initially, the Center operated as a public-private partnership, with a publicly appointed board managing operations and a private board driving growth through fundraising. Over time, the Virginia Horse Center expanded, adding an Olympic-level cross-country course, more barns and arenas, and a therapeutic riding center.
In 2007, when the state partnership ended, the Center transitioned to a fully private entity, with the Foundation taking ownership of the land and facilities through a USDA loan. Despite this change, we’ve remained committed to providing top-tier services and facilities to the equestrian community and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Forty years later, the Virginia Horse Center continues to thrive, thanks to the dedication of its supporters and a commitment to excellence. We are proud of our journey and look forward to the next chapter in our history.
Our Team
Leadership, Staff
& Board of Directors
leadership
Steve Shank
Chief Executive Officer
Sandra Thomas
Chief Financial Officer
Cinda Ayers
Vice President, Strategy
LeRoy Troxell
General Manager, Operations
Bonnie Keene
Director of Finance, Human Resources, and IT Manager
Rebecca Walton
Director of Sponsorship and Marketing
Vicky Bare
Accounts Payable Specialist
Lisa Grant
Human Resources Specialist
Matt Crookshanks
Coliseum, IT, and Mezzanine Administrator
Wayne Downs
Maintenance Supervisor
Danny Wimer
Food and Beverage/Catering Manager
Mark McCormick
Assistant Operations Manager
Cody Lee
Operations Manager
John Troxell
Lead Security
Sarah Burns
Development Associate
William Thomas
Operations Support Specialist
Tish Flynn
Stable Office Manager
The board members’ expertise is vital to the management and oversight of the Foundation, and we thank them for their time, support and guidance.
Officers
Roxanne Booth, President
Charlottesville, Virginia
Judy Miller, Vice President
Hampton, Virginia
Brooks Cushman, Secretary
Middlebrook, Virginia
Rebecca Polan, Treasurer
Waynesboro, Virginia
Judith Heisley Bishop,
Washington D.C.
Gardy Bloemers,
Esmont, Virginia
Emma Fass,
Williamsburg, Virginia.
William Heizer,
Staunton, Virginia
Alan Lohman,
Poolesville, Maryland
Dudley Macfarlane,
Crozet, Virginia
Brian Ross,
Fairfield, Virginia
Dr. Christina (Cricket) Russillo,
Purcellville, Virginia
Scott Troutman, Sr,
Suffolk, Virginia
Steve Grist,
Lexington, Virginia
George Williams,
Scottsville, Virginia
Chris Wynne,
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Careers at Virginia Horse Center
We’re always on the lookout for community champions to join our team. Current employment opportunities are listed below, and new positions will be posted here as they become available.