Attention Eventers! We are pleased to announce that the
Starter Trials and XC Schooling will occur at the
Virginia Horse Center March 23-24. Entries will open on February 13th and close on March 12th.
This is a great opportunity for horses and riders to gallop over the beautiful cross-country field featuring new obstacles for all levels, school in the Dee Dee Arena and experience
Attwood footing, and fine tune your dressage tests, all while overlooking the incredible Blue Ridge Mountains. The Virginia Horse Center facility offers the best ‘eventing with a view!’
On Saturday, March 23rd, the dressage arenas, show jumping course, and Sunday’s cross country courses [all flagged and some additional fences not on the course] are open to school. For only $100, school all three phases from 9 am to 4 pm.
On Sunday, March 24th, pay $170 for HT, $60 for CT, or $35 for the dressage test of choice [Introductory Test and Starter through P].
Sunday’s competition schedule includes:
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- Intro (CT only) – Max height 2’/USEA Starter Test
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- Starter – Max height 2’3″/ USEA Starter Test
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- Beginner Novice – Max height 2’7″/USEF BN Test A
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- Novice – Max height 2’11″/ USEF N Test A
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- Training – Max height 3’3″/USEF T Test A
Ship-ins are free of grounds fees.
Stalls are $50/night.
To pre-order bedding, email the VHC Stable office or call 540-464-2950.
Late entries for Sunday’s Starter Trials will pay an additional fee of $25.00. If space allows, entries will be accepted from March 13 to 19. No entries will be accepted after March 19.
Times will be assigned and emailed by Friday, March 21, and will be on the VHC and Event Entries websites.
Molly Bull is the event organizer. Now focused on Dressage, Bull previously rode at the Advanced level in Eventing for about eight years and brought her horse, Kiltartan, from a green 4-year-old to compete in and complete the Rolex KY 3Day in 2007. After her son was born, she worked in the show office for events, leading to organizing. “I decided organizing events was a better fit for me,” she said. Bull works for multiple venues, including Stable View in Aiken, FENCE in Tryon, and Town Hill in Lime Rock, CT. “I enjoy organizing at all the levels and also do plenty of unrecognized events,” she added.
Bull commented, “The event at VHC is particularly exciting for me because it’s a great chance for our local professionals to bring their students and young horses to this world-class facility. I really enjoy being able to put on a quality event for them.” Bull resides in nearby Scottsville and started competing at the VHC when she was just 13 years old. A graduate of Washington and Lee, Bull said, “Going to the VHC feels a little like going home to me. I have always loved Lexington and the Horse Center. The facility has so much to offer, and we are lucky to be able to use it for these unrecognized events that help prepare riders and horses to return for the bigger VHC Eventing competitions in May and November,” she added.
Bull continued, “I’m excited to share that
Rick Dunkerton will be our show secretary for all four events at the VHC, both the recognized and the unrecognized. Rick brings with him a wealth of experience, which will help enhance the competitors’ experience,” she added.
2024 VHC Eventing Schedule
March 23–24, 2024: VHC Eventing Starter Trials and XC Schooling
May 23–26, 2024: VHC Eventing, presented by
Capital Square
September 21–22, 2024: VHC Eventing Starter Trials and XC Schooling
November TBD: VHC Eventing
VHC Eventing offers competitions for all levels of eventers, from Starter Trials and XC Schooling to 3*VHC Eventing, all produced to benefit the
Virginia Horse Center Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Sponsorship and vending packages are customized and can include all 2024 VHC Eventing dates. For more information, please contact
Cinda Ayers.
