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Press Release: August 13, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
The 2022 Lexington National marked the first Grand Prix Alicia Wilkinson and Salut Ca-Va competed in the US. One year later, they celebrated their anniversary with a win in the $25,000 Lexington National Grand Prix, besting a field of sixteen horse and rider teams over a course designed by Paul Jewell of Ewing, New Jersey.
With a first-round time set at 83 seconds, there were no clear rounds for the first half of the Grand Prix until Brooke Kemper and Bayra, owned by Bayra LLC, turned in a fault-free first round in 81.840 seconds.
Wilkinson and Horse Show Leases, LLC’s Salut Ca-Va followed in the order, turning in a fault-free round in a time of 80.812 seconds, ensuring a jump-off to the delight of the crowd. Marylisa Leffler and Rolling Acres’ ZaZa Z followed and, with their clear first round in 78.375 seconds, joined the jump-off order.
Lizzy Traband and Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Molenhoeve Ochocinco BC were the last to turn in a fault-free first round in a time of 80.582 seconds and joined the trio.
The jump-off round time allowed was set at 48 seconds. As first to go in the order, Kemper and Bayra turned in a clear round in a time of 40.947 seconds and set the new time to beat.
Kemper's lead was short-lived when Wilkinson and Salut Ca-Va followed with their fault-free time in 34.939 seconds and set the new time to beat.
Leffler and ZaZa Z were up next, and despite their time of 33.284 seconds, four jump faults would see them finish in fourth overall.
Sitting in the enviable last-to-go spot were Traband and Molenhoeve Ochocinco BC. The pair turned in a clear jump-off round, and their time of 36.193 seconds secured the second place ribbon, leaving Wilkinson and Salut Ca-Va victorious and Kemper and Bayra in third place.
According to Wilkinson, this show marks their one-year anniversary. “I imported him in June 2022, and we did our first show in the US together here exactly a year ago. This is our anniversary show,” she laughed.
“I feel so lucky to own him. He’s amazing. He is the most forgiving, kind, fast, gritty and 'wants to win' kind of horse. He’s clean, he’s fast, he’s careful and tries so hard. He’s really everything,” Wilkinson said.
“I think it was a really good course. It was built really well and asked good questions,” she commented. “The first round had some wide oxers but overall, I thought it wasn’t terribly difficult. In the jump off, the turns and tight rollbacks were tough.”
Course Designer Paul Jewell said, “I knew it was going to be a hot afternoon. I was going to have sixteen efforts but removed a jump, making fifteen efforts. For the first round, I built a few wide oxers to test their scope and rideability. I thought the triple combination was fair at 1.35 m, and overall, it was a nice test with good results. Even some of the horses that had rails jumped great. The jump-off was good, and we had a nice number of spectators and a great crowd.”
Addison Reed and Reed Training & Sales, LLC Doc Di Villigana finished in fifth place. The pair had one time fault in the first round with their time of 83.361 seconds.
Sixth was awarded to Kemper and CM Sporthorses, LLC’ Seaview Demonstration for their four-fault first round, and the seventh was awarded to Laura Gaither Ulrich and her own Carnlea Premier.
David Matisz earned an eighth-place ribbon with his own Nero Uno and an eleventh-placing with Lindsay Simmons Beale’s Don Loma. Ninth was awarded to Sulu Rose-Reed and Reed Training & Sales LLC’s Rich Girl and Lacy Morrone-Cramer and Equi-Sport, LLC’s Cascado 15 finished in tenth. Mackensie Bowles and her own Canali Z wrapped the class up with a twelfth-place finish.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.
Presented by the Heisley Family Foundation
Absolutely and Miranda Scott Won the $5,000 USHJA Professional
National Hunter Derby, presented by the Heisley Family Foundation
Prima, owned by Debbie Meighan and ridden by Jonelle Mullen of Warrenton, Virginia, earned a score of 171.5 and a third-place ribbon and Grace Owens’ Superlative, ridden by Chris Wynne of Virginia Beach, Virginia, placed fourth for their score of 169.
Amy Squier Perez’ Figure of Speech, ridden by Guy Cambria of Upperville, Virginia, earned a fifth-place finish for a score of 168, and Molly Alderman’s Danieli, ridden by Joy Janouskovec of Whitsett, North Carolina, placed sixth overall for a score of 166.5.
Rhian Williams’ Commander in Chief, ridden by Katherine Hess of Washington, DC, finished in seventh, and Kristin O’Brien’s Livingston, ridden by Kayla Yoder of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, earned an eighth placing.
Penny Leigh LLC’s Merlino PL, ridden by Brett Shear-Heyman of Middleburg, Virginia, finished in ninth and Gryffindor, owned by London Wendell and ridden by Jennifer Sabella of Virginia Beach, Virginia, placed tenth.
Sally Hamlin’s Oboras Split, ridden by Alexandra Gilbertson of Warrenton, Virginia, finished in eleventh place, and Guy Cambria, aboard Marytrent Hamilton’s Invinceable wrapped up the class with a twelfth-place finish.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.
Doc Holiday and Abby Cole Win the $5,000
USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby
Presented by the Heisley Family Foundation
Thirty-one horse and rider teams were on the hunt for the blue ribbon in Friday’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by the Heisley Family Foundation and Abby Cole piloted Doc Holiday, owned by Elizabeth Akey to the winner’s circle with their overall score of 168.5 and also won the Hollins University Leading Junior Rider Award.
“He is just perfect,” said Cole. “I started leasing him one year ago at the 2022 Lexington National, and he is just a love.”
“I actually did this course today as a warmup for the Musical Freestyle,” she laughed. “It was really nice, rode well, and all the distances came right up for us,” she commented.
Claire Parkinson rode her own Chazeaux to a second-place finish with a score of 168 and Karen Robinson Dickman’s First and Goal, ridden by Jessica Gulden, placed third with a score of 167.5.
Fourth place was awarded to Herkules, owned and ridden by Lucy Rabb. The pair earned a score of 166.
Addison Huffman rode her own Calantus to a fifth-place finish with a score of 164.5, and sixth was awarded to Corazon, owned and ridden by Ashley Dewoolfson for their score of 164.
Emilie Beasley and her own Debonair placed seventh, and Kingland Stables, LLC’s Privilege, ridden by Ali O’Brien, finished in eighth place.
Shimmer, owned and ridden by Libby Bishop, earned a ninth-place ribbon, and Kerry Cole’s Amazing Grace, ridden by Abby Cole, finished in tenth place.
Eileen Miller’s South Wind, ridden by Makayla Benjamin, earned an eleventh-place finish, and Isabella Bertozzi, aboard her own Cousteau, wrapped up the class with a twelfth place.
This is Cole’s last horse show as she is heading to start her college career at Purdue University on Sunday. She plans on studying cybersecurity and hopes to join a club team at school. “I’ve been showing here at the Virginia Horse Center for eight years. I’ve made a ton of friends here. Everyone is super nice and so encouraging.”
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.
The Heisley Family Foundation was created as a legacy to the Heisley family and is deeply rooted in Virginia equestrian tradition and sport. Mr. Heisley’s deep and enduring love of Virginia and his family is why the Heisley Family Foundation supports the Virginia Horse Center and The Festival of Champions. The Heisley Family Foundation is committed to the promotion of the care and wellbeing of our equine partners and the history of the equestrian sport tradition.
The Leading Junior Rider Award is sponsored by Hollins University.
Located in Roanoke, Virginia, Hollins University unites excellence in liberal arts education with experiential learning opportunities and career preparation to help students lead lives of consequence.
With decades of individual and team National titles and amazing horses, coaches, and staff, the university’s riding program has long earned its standing among the nation’s best.
The riding facilities are only a short walk from the center of campus, making it easy for students to pursue academic and athletic excellence. Riding at Hollins is a life-changing opportunity for undergraduates with any level of experience. To learn more, visit hollins.edu or follow Hollins University Riding on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Fabulous First!
First Derby and First Derby Win for Butler and Balenciaga
$1,000 Virginia Festival of Champions 2'9/3' Hunter Derby
Beth Butler piloted Balenciaga, owned by The Barracks, to a winning round, besting a field of thirty-three horse and rider teams in the $1,000 VHC 2’9/3’ Hunter Derby during the Sandy Gerald Derby Day.
“The course was fantastic, and it was really fun to ride. I loved the hunt-and-go format. The course rode really well. It gave you spots to show off, and the format was great. When I was doing my round, I was thinking about how much fun I was having,” she said. “Nancy [Wallis] did a great job putting the track together.”
Butler rides with Maria Shannon at The Barracks. “Balenciaga’s barn name is Balou, and he is such a great horse. He takes good care of me and is an absolute joy to ride. The Barracks does a great job taking care of him and all of the horses.”
Butler continued, “This is our first year of showing together and our first derby. It was extra special to show in the Sandy Gerald. I rode at Hollins and graduated in 2007 and my trainer Maria rode there, too. We used to show here, so it made it extra special to ride in Sandy’s [Gerald] ring. It was really heartwarming, and we miss him so much.”
Second place was awarded to Blue Moon, owned and ridden by Susan Ross. Varekai, owned and ridden by Kim Shuler, won third place, and Alexandra Gilbertson piloted Oliver Brown’s Relevant to a fourth-place finish.
McDonogh School Inc.’s Jentle, ridden by Sanaa Chappelle, finished in fifth place, and Streett Moore’s Levistano 2, ridden by Kylie Martin, earned a sixth.
Seventh place was awarded to Superstition, owned and ridden by Emily Easton and Lisa Hammerschmidt’s Laudable, ridden by Karsyn Mason, finished in eighth place.
Flynn Peljovich rode Avalanche, owned by Streett Moore, to a ninth-place finish, and Hitting Streak, owned and ridden by Jill Adler, earned a tenth-place finish. Waterlily, owned and ridden by Kirsten Tillotson, earned an eleventh place, and Take Z Charge, owned and ridden by Marlee Presgrave, wrapped up the class with a twelfth place finish.
Tradition of Valor Wins the $1,000 VFC 2’/2’6” Hunter Derby
Virginia [Lainey] Butler and her own Tradition of Valor [Soldier] bested a field of thirty-four horse and rider teams, taking home the blue ribbon in the $1,000 VFC 2’/2’6” Hunter Derby.
Butler commented, “It was so nice that everyone had the opportunity to do a Derby. We really decided just this week that it could be a fun opportunity and a good warm-up for the Low Adults. As it turned out, it ended up being a great class for us!”
“I thought the course was really fun. When I heard that there were going to be 12 jumps, I almost passed out; I thought I would forget one!” she laughed. “He [Soldier] liked it in the Wiley. I was a little surprised. He gets distracted, and since the Wiley has a lot of foot traffic, I was afraid someone would walk by, and he’d have a 'squirrel!' moment,” she laughed. “But he was very focused and very good. That was only our second derby ever. I rode in one on another horse I used to ride, and he had done a Derby with a pro before.”
“I was really proud of him,” Butler continued. “We scored an 87 in the Classic and an 83 in the Handy. When I heard our score in the Classic round, I was shocked! I had a riding incident that took me out for about three weeks, and I’m just starting to come back. This is actually only my second-week riding and maybe my fifth time back in the saddle again. I had no expectations about winning anything in this class. Our goal was to have fun. I was thrilled to get an 87!” she said.
According to Butler, she bought Soldier when he was six. He was only under saddle for about 2 months when she got him, and about three weeks later, she took him to his first horse show.
Lainey and Soldier have had a successful year showing in the low adults this season and are excited about the potential of moving up to the adult amateur division in the future.
Butler trains with Ashley Holsinger of Memory’s Hill Farm. “I appreciate Ashley’s help. We couldn’t be on this journey without her,” she said.
Second place was awarded to Jessica Chandler and her own Anton 825. Third place was awarded to Sarah Vagnoni’s Malvern Hill, ridden by Elizabeth Vagnoni, and fourth was awarded to Streett Moore’s Guess Again, ridden by Brooklyn Tan.
Ashland, owned by Karen Bruce and ridden by Elyssa Harris, earned a fifth-place finish, and Isabelle Baldwin’s Brigadier, ridden by Chapin Smith, finished in sixth place.
Seventh was awarded to Oakfields Adele, owned and ridden by Josie Galvin, and Adrian Ford’s Verena, ridden by Natalie Paley, earned an eighth-place finish.
Blue Label, owned by Sabrina Daniels and ridden by Chloe Welsh, finished in ninth place, and Samantha Jurick’s Victorious, ridden by Melissa K Jurick, earned a tenth placing.
Coming Up Tulips, owned by Lisa Hammerschmidt and ridden by Violet Anderson, placed eleventh, and Simpatico, owned and ridden by Elizabeth Powers, wrapped up the class with a twelfth place.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.
Addison Huffman wins the VHSA/EMO Childern’s Medal
Thirty horse and rider teams competed in the Anderson Coliseum, vying for the VHSA/EMO Children’s Medal. Fifteen-year-old Huffman of Hydes, Maryland, trained by her cousin Selina Petronelli, earned the win. Huffman had placed second last year.
“I thought the course was not that difficult, but it asked a lot of questions and I felt prepared,” commented Huffman.
“It’s great to train with my cousin,” said Huffman. “It can be a little ‘tough love’ at times, but she knows me so well, and that level of connection is great. I am so thankful for her help.”
Her aunt, Denise Petronelli of Claddagh Manor in Churchville, Maryland, commented, “When she was a little girl, she would come over to the family farm, and I would lead her around on a Shetland pony. She would take naps on that pony,” she laughed.
Huffman got her new mount, ‘Conto’ about a year ago. She said, “He was an equitation horse and from Wellington. When we got him to the farm, he wasn’t used to getting turned out. Well, about two months after he got to us, he got kicked in the field. He recovered, and we’ve been showing him ever since.”
“We only turn him out with the small ponies now,” commented her aunt, Denise Petronelli.
“I don’t think he was used to just being a horse, getting turned out and just living on a family farm,” said Huffman. “We’ve had a year to bond, and we hack around the property which he loves. Now 'Conto’ nickers to me when I come to the barn.”
Huffman has been showing in the Junior Hunters as a warmup for her equitation classes. “He did so well, we qualified and actually won ninth overall in the Junior Hunter Finals a couple of weeks ago,” she said.
Second place was Kelly Kiser of Smithfield, Virginia, trained by Sulu Rose-Reed and Peyson Parker, trained by Chris Wynne finished in third.
Martha Morales of Woodbine, Virginia, trained by Kim Williams, earned a fourth-place finish, and Nada Soueidan of Williamsburg, Virginia, trained by Tara Best, finished in fifth.
Ava Sleeme of Richmond, Virginia, trained by Katherine Schmidt Butler finished in sixth, and Daisy Ballantine of Alexandria, Virginia, trained by Ian McCartney, finished in seventh. Saana Chappelle of Owings Mill, Maryland, trained by the McDonogh School, turned in an eighth-place finish.
Equitation Freestyle Challenge
HUGE SUCCESS!
Friday’s Sandy Gerald Derby Day closed out with the Equitation Freestyle Challenge, presented by Jumps by Fuzzy.
Twenty-five riders each had 2.5 minutes to show off their best equitation skills to their music of choice. Riders needed to throughout their round complete the following: Jump at least 8 jumps of the 10 provided in either direction in order to best show off their skills as well as demonstrate a trot circle, both sitting and rising, counter canter change of lead (both flying and simple) and trot a jump.
Frankie Falise and Broadwater Farms, LLC’s Freedom G were the last to go in the class. They showed their best to her favorite Taylor Swift song and won with a score of 87. “I have never done a class like this before, and it was so much fun!” she said. Her blue ribbon awarded her trainer, Patty Foster of Rolling Acres, a package of four tickets to the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, as well as a custom jump sponsored by Jumps by Fuzzy and a check for $1,000.00. “I’m super excited about going to Vegas with them,” she said.
The second-place rider was Samantha Aisenberg and Haley Rediford’s Ballon. The pair earned a score of 86.5, and her trainer, Fiona Turner, won a check for $750.00.
Isabelle Greer and her own Quelle Carte finished in third place with their score of 83, awarding her trainer, Lynne Gebhard, a check for $250.00.
For the complete list of ribbon winners, please visit horseshowsonline.com.
Jumps by Fuzzy
Jumps by Fuzzy sponsored the VHC Equitation Freestyle Challenge and donated a custom jump to the trainer of the winning rider. [Patty Foster and Rolling Acres].
Young Horses
Jumps by Fuzzy sponsored the VHC Equitation Freestyle Challenge and donated a custom jump to the trainer of the winning rider. [Patty Foster and Rolling Acres].
Community Junior Graduates Send-Off Party
The Community Junior Graduates Send-Off party took place alongside the Equitation Freestyle, where all high school graduates were celebrated as they moved on to their next chapters. The mood was festive as families and their children reminisced on all the good times and friendships made at the Virginia Horse Center over the years.
“All of these kids and families are part of our VHC family. We wish them well on their next phase, and we look forward to hearing about them and welcoming them home at future events,” said CEO Glenn Petty.
On Deck
Today featured the $25,000 Grand Prix in the Dee Dee Arena and the reception on the Concourse during the Junior VHSA/EMO Medal Finals. Stay tuned for tomorrow's special event recap.
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Thank you to our Festival Champions Sponsors
Press Release: August 12, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
The hunters were out in force all Friday as the Sandy Gerald Ring set the stage for top hunter competition and good fun and was capped off with the Community Junior Send Off Party. More than 100 derby riders ranging from the National Hunter Derby to the 2’/2’6” heights rode in Friday’s Derby competitions making it a Derby extravaganza!
The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by the Heisley Family Foundation, was split and saw 19 professionals and 31 Junior/Amateur horse and rider teams compete.
Course Designer, Nancy Wallis of Ewing, New Jersey did a beautiful job in the Sandy Gerald. “I just try to make a course that offers a smooth round for everyone. We like to see the scores in the 90s. Good scores mean that the course runs smoothly. Everywhere we go the Derbies are very popular and the riders really have fun with them. I think people are looking for something different. Virginia is horse country, and this is a big horse show for the hunters."
"I liked designing the Derby course in the Sandy Gerald because its wide. Since you have to go across the arena a lot in the Derbies, I think this ring is really well suited for the courses and the surrounding mountains and views here on top of the hill really make it stunning,” she added.
Presented by the Heisley Family Foundation
Absolutely and Miranda Scott Won the $5,000 USHJA Professional
National Hunter Derby, presented by the Heisley Family Foundation
Prima, owned by Debbie Meighan and ridden by Jonelle Mullen of Warrenton, Virginia, earned a score of 171.5 and a third-place ribbon and Grace Owens’ Superlative, ridden by Chris Wynne of Virginia Beach, Virginia, placed fourth for their score of 169.
Amy Squier Perez’ Figure of Speech, ridden by Guy Cambria of Upperville, Virginia, earned a fifth-place finish for a score of 168, and Molly Alderman’s Danieli, ridden by Joy Janouskovec of Whitsett, North Carolina, placed sixth overall for a score of 166.5.
Rhian Williams’ Commander in Chief, ridden by Katherine Hess of Washington, DC, finished in seventh, and Kristin O’Brien’s Livingston, ridden by Kayla Yoder of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, earned an eighth placing.
Penny Leigh LLC’s Merlino PL, ridden by Brett Shear-Heyman of Middleburg, Virginia, finished in ninth and Gryffindor, owned by London Wendell and ridden by Jennifer Sabella of Virginia Beach, Virginia, placed tenth.
Sally Hamlin’s Oboras Split, ridden by Alexandra Gilbertson of Warrenton, Virginia, finished in eleventh place, and Guy Cambria, aboard Marytrent Hamilton’s Invinceable wrapped up the class with a twelfth-place finish.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.
Doc Holiday and Abby Cole Win the $5,000
USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby
Presented by the Heisley Family Foundation
Thirty-one horse and rider teams were on the hunt for the blue ribbon in Friday’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by the Heisley Family Foundation and Abby Cole piloted Doc Holiday, owned by Elizabeth Akey to the winner’s circle with their overall score of 168.5 and also won the Hollins University Leading Junior Rider Award.
“He is just perfect,” said Cole. “I started leasing him one year ago at the 2022 Lexington National, and he is just a love.”
“I actually did this course today as a warmup for the Musical Freestyle,” she laughed. “It was really nice, rode well, and all the distances came right up for us,” she commented.
Claire Parkinson rode her own Chazeaux to a second-place finish with a score of 168 and Karen Robinson Dickman’s First and Goal, ridden by Jessica Gulden, placed third with a score of 167.5.
Fourth place was awarded to Herkules, owned and ridden by Lucy Rabb. The pair earned a score of 166.
Addison Huffman rode her own Calantus to a fifth-place finish with a score of 164.5, and sixth was awarded to Corazon, owned and ridden by Ashley Dewoolfson for their score of 164.
Emilie Beasley and her own Debonair placed seventh, and Kingland Stables, LLC’s Privilege, ridden by Ali O’Brien, finished in eighth place.
Shimmer, owned and ridden by Libby Bishop, earned a ninth-place ribbon, and Kerry Cole’s Amazing Grace, ridden by Abby Cole, finished in tenth place.
Eileen Miller’s South Wind, ridden by Makayla Benjamin, earned an eleventh-place finish, and Isabella Bertozzi, aboard her own Cousteau, wrapped up the class with a twelfth place.
This is Cole’s last horse show as she is heading to start her college career at Purdue University on Sunday. She plans on studying cybersecurity and hopes to join a club team at school. “I’ve been showing here at the Virginia Horse Center for eight years. I’ve made a ton of friends here. Everyone is super nice and so encouraging.”
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.
The Heisley Family Foundation was created as a legacy to the Heisley family and is deeply rooted in Virginia equestrian tradition and sport. Mr. Heisley’s deep and enduring love of Virginia and his family is why the Heisley Family Foundation supports the Virginia Horse Center and The Festival of Champions. The Heisley Family Foundation is committed to the promotion of the care and wellbeing of our equine partners and the history of the equestrian sport tradition.
The Leading Junior Rider Award is sponsored by Hollins University.
Located in Roanoke, Virginia, Hollins University unites excellence in liberal arts education with experiential learning opportunities and career preparation to help students lead lives of consequence.
With decades of individual and team National titles and amazing horses, coaches, and staff, the university’s riding program has long earned its standing among the nation’s best.
The riding facilities are only a short walk from the center of campus, making it easy for students to pursue academic and athletic excellence. Riding at Hollins is a life-changing opportunity for undergraduates with any level of experience. To learn more, visit hollins.edu or follow Hollins University Riding on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Fabulous First!
First Derby and First Derby Win for Butler and Balenciaga
$1,000 Virginia Festival of Champions 2'9/3' Hunter Derby
Beth Butler piloted Balenciaga, owned by The Barracks, to a winning round, besting a field of thirty-three horse and rider teams in the $1,000 VHC 2’9/3’ Hunter Derby during the Sandy Gerald Derby Day.
“The course was fantastic, and it was really fun to ride. I loved the hunt-and-go format. The course rode really well. It gave you spots to show off, and the format was great. When I was doing my round, I was thinking about how much fun I was having,” she said. “Nancy [Wallis] did a great job putting the track together.”
Butler rides with Maria Shannon at The Barracks. “Balenciaga’s barn name is Balou, and he is such a great horse. He takes good care of me and is an absolute joy to ride. The Barracks does a great job taking care of him and all of the horses.”
Butler continued, “This is our first year of showing together and our first derby. It was extra special to show in the Sandy Gerald. I rode at Hollins and graduated in 2007 and my trainer Maria rode there, too. We used to show here, so it made it extra special to ride in Sandy’s [Gerald] ring. It was really heartwarming, and we miss him so much.”
Second place was awarded to Blue Moon, owned and ridden by Susan Ross. Varekai, owned and ridden by Kim Shuler, won third place, and Alexandra Gilbertson piloted Oliver Brown’s Relevant to a fourth-place finish.
McDonogh School Inc.’s Jentle, ridden by Sanaa Chappelle, finished in fifth place, and Streett Moore’s Levistano 2, ridden by Kylie Martin, earned a sixth.
Seventh place was awarded to Superstition, owned and ridden by Emily Easton and Lisa Hammerschmidt’s Laudable, ridden by Karsyn Mason, finished in eighth place.
Flynn Peljovich rode Avalanche, owned by Streett Moore, to a ninth-place finish, and Hitting Streak, owned and ridden by Jill Adler, earned a tenth-place finish. Waterlily, owned and ridden by Kirsten Tillotson, earned an eleventh place, and Take Z Charge, owned and ridden by Marlee Presgrave, wrapped up the class with a twelfth place finish.
Tradition of Valor Wins the $1,000 VFC 2’/2’6” Hunter Derby
Virginia [Lainey] Butler and her own Tradition of Valor [Soldier] bested a field of thirty-four horse and rider teams, taking home the blue ribbon in the $1,000 VFC 2’/2’6” Hunter Derby.
Butler commented, “It was so nice that everyone had the opportunity to do a Derby. We really decided just this week that it could be a fun opportunity and a good warm-up for the Low Adults. As it turned out, it ended up being a great class for us!”
“I thought the course was really fun. When I heard that there were going to be 12 jumps, I almost passed out; I thought I would forget one!” she laughed. “He [Soldier] liked it in the Wiley. I was a little surprised. He gets distracted, and since the Wiley has a lot of foot traffic, I was afraid someone would walk by, and he’d have a 'squirrel!' moment,” she laughed. “But he was very focused and very good. That was only our second derby ever. I rode in one on another horse I used to ride, and he had done a Derby with a pro before.”
“I was really proud of him,” Butler continued. “We scored an 87 in the Classic and an 83 in the Handy. When I heard our score in the Classic round, I was shocked! I had a riding incident that took me out for about three weeks, and I’m just starting to come back. This is actually only my second-week riding and maybe my fifth time back in the saddle again. I had no expectations about winning anything in this class. Our goal was to have fun. I was thrilled to get an 87!” she said.
According to Butler, she bought Soldier when he was six. He was only under saddle for about 2 months when she got him, and about three weeks later, she took him to his first horse show.
Lainey and Soldier have had a successful year showing in the low adults this season and are excited about the potential of moving up to the adult amateur division in the future.
Butler trains with Ashley Holsinger of Memory’s Hill Farm. “I appreciate Ashley’s help. We couldn’t be on this journey without her,” she said.
Second place was awarded to Jessica Chandler and her own Anton 825. Third place was awarded to Sarah Vagnoni’s Malvern Hill, ridden by Elizabeth Vagnoni, and fourth was awarded to Streett Moore’s Guess Again, ridden by Brooklyn Tan.
Ashland, owned by Karen Bruce and ridden by Elyssa Harris, earned a fifth-place finish, and Isabelle Baldwin’s Brigadier, ridden by Chapin Smith, finished in sixth place.
Seventh was awarded to Oakfields Adele, owned and ridden by Josie Galvin, and Adrian Ford’s Verena, ridden by Natalie Paley, earned an eighth-place finish.
Blue Label, owned by Sabrina Daniels and ridden by Chloe Welsh, finished in ninth place, and Samantha Jurick’s Victorious, ridden by Melissa K Jurick, earned a tenth placing.
Coming Up Tulips, owned by Lisa Hammerschmidt and ridden by Violet Anderson, placed eleventh, and Simpatico, owned and ridden by Elizabeth Powers, wrapped up the class with a twelfth place.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.
Addison Huffman wins the VHSA/EMO Childern’s Medal
Thirty horse and rider teams competed in the Anderson Coliseum, vying for the VHSA/EMO Children’s Medal. Fifteen-year-old Huffman of Hydes, Maryland, trained by her cousin Selina Petronelli, earned the win. Huffman had placed second last year.
“I thought the course was not that difficult, but it asked a lot of questions and I felt prepared,” commented Huffman.
“It’s great to train with my cousin,” said Huffman. “It can be a little ‘tough love’ at times, but she knows me so well, and that level of connection is great. I am so thankful for her help.”
Her aunt, Denise Petronelli of Claddagh Manor in Churchville, Maryland, commented, “When she was a little girl, she would come over to the family farm, and I would lead her around on a Shetland pony. She would take naps on that pony,” she laughed.
Huffman got her new mount, ‘Conto’ about a year ago. She said, “He was an equitation horse and from Wellington. When we got him to the farm, he wasn’t used to getting turned out. Well, about two months after he got to us, he got kicked in the field. He recovered, and we’ve been showing him ever since.”
“We only turn him out with the small ponies now,” commented her aunt, Denise Petronelli.
“I don’t think he was used to just being a horse, getting turned out and just living on a family farm,” said Huffman. “We’ve had a year to bond, and we hack around the property which he loves. Now 'Conto’ nickers to me when I come to the barn.”
Huffman has been showing in the Junior Hunters as a warmup for her equitation classes. “He did so well, we qualified and actually won ninth overall in the Junior Hunter Finals a couple of weeks ago,” she said.
Second place was Kelly Kiser of Smithfield, Virginia, trained by Sulu Rose-Reed and Peyson Parker, trained by Chris Wynne finished in third.
Martha Morales of Woodbine, Virginia, trained by Kim Williams, earned a fourth-place finish, and Nada Soueidan of Williamsburg, Virginia, trained by Tara Best, finished in fifth.
Ava Sleeme of Richmond, Virginia, trained by Katherine Schmidt Butler finished in sixth, and Daisy Ballantine of Alexandria, Virginia, trained by Ian McCartney, finished in seventh. Saana Chappelle of Owings Mill, Maryland, trained by the McDonogh School, turned in an eighth-place finish.
Equitation Freestyle Challenge
HUGE SUCCESS!
Friday’s Sandy Gerald Derby Day closed out with the Equitation Freestyle Challenge, presented by Jumps by Fuzzy.
Twenty-five riders each had 2.5 minutes to show off their best equitation skills to their music of choice. Riders needed to throughout their round complete the following: Jump at least 8 jumps of the 10 provided in either direction in order to best show off their skills as well as demonstrate a trot circle, both sitting and rising, counter canter change of lead (both flying and simple) and trot a jump.
Frankie Falise and Broadwater Farms, LLC’s Freedom G were the last to go in the class. They showed their best to her favorite Taylor Swift song and won with a score of 87. “I have never done a class like this before, and it was so much fun!” she said. Her blue ribbon awarded her trainer, Patty Foster of Rolling Acres, a package of four tickets to the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, as well as a custom jump sponsored by Jumps by Fuzzy and a check for $1,000.00. “I’m super excited about going to Vegas with them,” she said.
The second-place rider was Samantha Aisenberg and Haley Rediford’s Ballon. The pair earned a score of 86.5, and her trainer, Fiona Turner, won a check for $750.00.
Isabelle Greer and her own Quelle Carte finished in third place with their score of 83, awarding her trainer, Lynne Gebhard, a check for $250.00.
For the complete list of ribbon winners, please visit horseshowsonline.com.
Jumps by Fuzzy
Jumps by Fuzzy sponsored the VHC Equitation Freestyle Challenge and donated a custom jump to the trainer of the winning rider. [Patty Foster and Rolling Acres].
Young Horses
Jumps by Fuzzy sponsored the VHC Equitation Freestyle Challenge and donated a custom jump to the trainer of the winning rider. [Patty Foster and Rolling Acres].
Community Junior Graduates Send-Off Party
The Community Junior Graduates Send-Off party took place alongside the Equitation Freestyle, where all high school graduates were celebrated as they moved on to their next chapters. The mood was festive as families and their children reminisced on all the good times and friendships made at the Virginia Horse Center over the years.
“All of these kids and families are part of our VHC family. We wish them well on their next phase, and we look forward to hearing about them and welcoming them home at future events,” said CEO Glenn Petty.
On Deck
Today featured the $25,000 Grand Prix in the Dee Dee Arena and the reception on the Concourse during the Junior VHSA/EMO Medal Finals. Stay tuned for tomorrow's special event recap.
Please Take this Survey
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Thank you to our Festival Champions Sponsors
Press Release: August 11, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Virginia is horse country! And with over 750 horses at the Virginia Horse Center, the rings are jumping! The second day of the Lexington National saw top competition in the jumpers, hunters and the prestigious AYR Equitation Finals.
Twenty-one horse and rider teams took to the Dee Dee Arena in the $5,000 Lexington National Open Jumper Stake 1.35 m and it was Brooke Kemper aboard Mackensie Bowles’ Lando Van De Oude Molenhoeve who took the blue ribbon.
Paul Jewell of Lambertville, New Jersey designed the course and only eight advanced to a second-round opportunity. With a second-round time set at 45 seconds, Addison Reed and Reed Training & Sales’ Doc Di Villigana moved the time to beat to 32.051 seconds.
David Matisz and his own Fuego followed in the order and their second-round time 47.373 seconds with 8 jump and 3 time faults saw them finish in tenth overall.
Lizzy Traband and Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Ochocinco BC finished in seventh after posting a clear second round in 32.440 seconds and Mackensie Bowles aboard Andrew Bourns’ Renkum Overdrive finished in sixth overall after posting a fault free second round in 32.243 seconds.
Rolling Acres’ ZaZa Z, ridden by Marylisa Leffler advanced to a second round opportunity and took the lead with their fault free time of 30.145 seconds. Alicia Wilkinson in the irons of Horse Show Leases, LLC’s Salut Ca-Va turned in a 28.178 second round, but four jump faults earned them an eighth-place finish.
Next to advance to a second round was Brooke Kemper and Mackensie Bowles’ Lando Van De Oude Molenhoeve. The pair flew through the timers with a fault free time of 29.759 seconds, taking the lead and setting the new time to beat.
Kemper commented, “There was an inside turn from the first one to the second one that I thought was really nice and I think everyone did it. And then there was an option to the second to last jump and I didn’t like the angle when you went inside. But my horse has really good foot speed, so I opted to go around; I thought it was a nicer ride for him and it worked out in my favor since it was a little bit faster for me. “
Sulu Rose Reed and Reed Training & Sales, LLC’s Rich Girl followed in the order. Four jump faults in a time of 33.718 seconds earned them a ninth place finish.
Lacy Morrone-Cramer and Equi-Sport, LLC’s Cascado 15 turned in a fault free second round in 30.768 seconds which placed them in fourth overall.
Addison Reed returned to the Dee Dee Arena with Gail Thompson’s Doirin Clover Boy as the last horse and rider team to advance to a second round. The pair turned in a fault free round in a time of 29.961 seconds, taking second place. ZaZa Z and Marylisa Leffler finished in third overall.
Kemper commented, “We bought him [Lando Van De Oude Molenhoeve] for Mackensie a few years ago. She’s ridden him in the amateur jumpers and sometimes I show him although he’s actually offered for sale now.”
“He’s a good boy,” said Kemper. “Every time he goes in the ring he wants to win. He knows the game, he’s scrappy, and he always tries to leave the jumps up. He knows his job, knows what he has to do and is all business in the ring. He’s very nice to have in the barn and is really easygoing. He truly is a barn favorite,” she said.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.
AYR Equitation Challenge
The 16th Annual Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge [AYR] took place Thursday evening in the Anderson Coliseum and welcomed the nine qualified riders to the prestigious event.
This special equitation class, held in honor of Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup, is Virginia’s most coveted qualifying equitation finals open to the first and second-place finishers of qualifying classes at all Virginia A and AA shows.
Samantha Aisenberg, in the irons of Haley Redifer’s Ballon, was crowned the Champion. This is Aisenberg’s last year riding as a Junior, and her hard work has paid off.
“I mentally prepped for a really hard course. But surprisingly, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I had done a lot of what was asked of us, so I felt very prepared. I show here about five to six times a year so I’m used to the Coliseum and thought the footing was very good.”
Ballon and his owner, Haley Redifer, actually won the class back in 2017. But today, she groomed for Aisenberg.
According to Aisenberg, her own horse went lame about a year ago. They were looking for another mount for her to finish up her junior year of showing, and "He just kind of fell into my lap out of nowhere,” she said. “I’m so thankful to my trainer Fiona [Turner]and Haley [Redifer] for letting me borrow her amazing, special horse Leo,” she added.
“I age out this year, so this is my last year as a junior rider, and next year I’ll be riding in the adults. All my friends will be showing as juniors, but it’s going to be fine,” she said.
Aisenberg will be riding in the VHSA/EMO Children’s Medal Finals tomorrow and plans on competing at THIS Medal Finals in the fall as well as others.
Second place was Andie Preblick and Happy Valley Show Jumping’s Catoki’s Way. Third place was awarded to Abby Cole aboard Elizabeth Akey’s Doc Holiday.
Elsa Eastment and her own Domino Van Lange Weeren finished in fourth place and Kelsey Lambert, aboard her own Cantaro M, placed fifth overall.
Elisabeth Marek and Bo Hopson’s Chambertino earned a sixth-place finish and Lydia Jordan with Calista Miller’s C’est Bon Cidane placed seventh. Isabella Salas and Donald Stewart’s Spindale finished in eighth place.
Congratulations to all riders!
Photographs © KMK Photos LLC
Hunter News
On Deck
Friday morning features the EMO/VHSA Children's Medal Finals in the Anderson Coliseum and the Sandy Gerald Derby Day, starting with the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by the Heisley Family Foundation. The 2’9”-3’ Hunter Derby and the 2’-2’6” Hunter Derby will follow, and the day rounds out with the highly anticipated freestyle Equitation Challenge.
Friday evening, join us for the Community Junior Graduates Send-Off Party on the Hill as we wish all of our graduating junior riders the best of luck on their next chapters!
Saturday features the $25,000 Grand Prix in the Dee Dee Arena. Later that day, all are welcome to enjoy a reception on the Concourse during the VHSA/EMO Equitation Finals.
Two-time Olympian and Virginia native Joe Fargis was at the Virginia Horse Center [pictured left].
Please Take this Survey
Help us help you, and take this quick survey today! The VHC has been conducting a survey, and we’d love to hear from you. It only takes a couple of minutes, and we would appreciate your support if you would click here and answer some questions. Thank you!
Thank you to our Festival Champions Sponsors
Press Release: August 9, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
The Lexington National, the final installment of the 2023 Virginia Festival of Champions, got underway today at the Virginia Horse Center.
Hospitality
The day kicked off bright and early with the Groom’s Breakfast. Volunteer Lucy Wallace delivered breakfast sandwiches and coffee to the barns.
Competitors were treated to a complimentary breakfast, thanks to the generous support of our hospitality donors. All are welcome to enjoy breakfast and coffee all show days in the Winners' Ring Restaurant.
Don't miss the 'Cookie Man' when he drives around in the afternoons delivering snacks!
TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunters
The TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter kicked off in the Sandy Gerald Arena today. Taking top honors in the over fences and under saddle classes was EMO Stables’ Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, ridden by Maria Shannon. “He really tried today and I was very happy with him,” said Shannon.
Second place was Craigs-Ateriat, owned by Rebecca Smith and ridden by Sarah Nolley. Nolley’s own horse has been recovering from an injury and she was grateful to Becky Smith for letting her ride Craigs-Ateriat for about a year. “He got his name because he was purchased off of a Craig’s list ad,” she laughed. According to Nolley, ‘Craig’ was raced a bit and then after being purchased, has moved on to showing in the hunters and jumpers. “He’s a great horse, great to be around in the barn and has a funny personality. He’s very smart to the jumps.”
On Deck
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Thank you to our Festival Champions Sponsors
Press Release: July 26, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Lexington, Va. In response to USEF recommendations related to the ongoing Vesicular Stomatitis outbreak in California, the Virginia Horse Center will not permit entries from USDA-confirmed VS-affected states (currently CA) and are restricted from entering our shows.
This policy will apply to the following shows:
Virginia Young Horse Festival
August 25–August 27
IMPORTANT NOTICE PLEASE READ
*USEF definition of horse from VS-affected state: A horse is considered originating from a VS-affected state if the horse has resided in a USDA-confirmed VS-affected state or been in a USDA-confirmed VS-affected state within 14 days prior to entry onto competition grounds. At this time California is considered to be the only VS-affected state.
Enter Today for the Lexington National Horse Show!
The Festival of Champions benefits the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Sponsorship opportunities and vendor applications are available.
Vendors!
Reserve your space soon before they are gone!
Contact lengel@horsecenter.org for your custom sponsorship proposal.
Press Release: July 19, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
LEXINGTON, VA. The Lexington National takes place August 9–13 and is the final installment of the Virginia Festival of Champions which benefits the Virginia Horse Center Foundation.
For hunters, the WCHR show will also include some exciting new additions including a Derby Day in the Sandy Gerald Arena scheduled for Friday, August 11. Derby Day kicks off on Friday with the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by the Heisley Family Foundation.
The Lexington National will offer the 2’-2’6” $1,000 Hunter Derby, and the 2’9”-3’ $1,000 Hunter Derby open to all riders, horses and ponies at the show.
Hollins University will sponsor the leading Junior Rider award in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by the Heisley Family Foundation. The Hollins University Leading Junior Rider Award was a hit at the Lexington Spring Premiere and Encore and recognizes the up-and-coming Junior riders in the sport.
VHSA/EMO Medal Finals
The VHSA/EMO Medal Finals take place Thursday, August 10-Sunday, August 13! VHSA registration takes place starting at 2 pm on Thursday and a full schedule follows.
Click here for details.
Equitation Freestyle!
Attention Junior Riders! Sign up today for the Equitation Freestyle! This is a freestyle 'take your own line competition' set to music. Each rider will have 2.5 minutes to show off their best equitation skills to the music of their choice (clean versions only in MP3 format and must be turned in along with bio Thursday by 5:00 PM). For details check out the prize list!
The winning trainer receives a custom jump, a National Finals Rodeo ticket package for 4 and $1,000.00. The second-place trainer receives $750.00, and the third-place trainer wins $250.00.
Annual Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge
The 16th Annual Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge, Virginia's most coveted qualifying Equitation Final, held in honor of Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup, is open to the first and second-place finishers of these qualifying classes at all Virginia A and AA shows:
- US Hunter Seat Medal
- ASPCA Maclay
- WIHS Equitation Classic Hunter Phase
- WIHS Equitation Classic Jumper Phase
- WIHS overall winner
- USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Class
- VHSA Hunter Seat Medal
- Oak Ridge Medal
- VHSA Horsemanship Award
Offering a trainer bonus and exciting prizes, don't miss it and sign up today!
For more information, please contact Wendy Mathews at 540.729.9704.
The Festival of Champions benefits the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Sponsorship opportunities and vendor applications are available. Vendors-reserve your space soon before they are gone! Contact lengel@horsecenter.org for your custom sponsorship proposal.
Thank you to our Festival of Champions Sponsors
Official Sponsors of the Virginia Horse Center
“Otis Mead and his team of some 90 people in Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County delivered for the legislators a finely crafted binder of information on the Rockbridge site, and a team-produced video capturing Rockbridge County’s history, its incredible mountain vistas—showing off a whole culture.
It was no stroke of luck that brought the Virginia Horse Center to Rockbridge County. It was the work and the will of a creative bunch of people, led by Otis Mead III, who thought of every single detail and every reason in the world to bring this horse center to this location.”
Today, the Virginia Horse Center boasts 600 acres which are home to a 4,000-seat coliseum, 14 schooling and show rings, 745 stalls, 125 campsites and 10 acres of blue roof to match the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountain views. As the Horse Center approaches its 40th anniversary, watch for more improvements and world-class competitions!
Excepted from reflections by journalist Mary Bishop.
VHC Status Update on EHV-1 Decontamination
LEXINGTON, VA. As we reported in our press release of June 24, 2023, every stall and all grounds equipment such as Bobcats, tractors, muck buckets, rakes, etc. have been sanitized by a Virginia State Veterinarian-designated team which began Monday, June 26.
According to Dr. Abby Sage, Veterinarian, VDACS Office of Veterinary Services, “The coordinated effort with the show management staff facilitated a quick and thorough response. All barns have been disinfected and the Virginia Horse Center is safe for upcoming shows.”
Press Release: June 30, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Facts about EHV-1
Per Dr. Abby Sage, the virus can only live outside the horse for 48 hours unless in water. Also, the virus only spreads from a horse up to 30’. She has advised us that from first exposure to first symptom is 7 days. The affected horses had been on the grounds 2 days when the first symptom occurred, therefore neither of the horses had contracted the virus on the Horse Center grounds.
If anyone wants more detailed information, please contact Glenn Petty, VHC CEO at gpetty@horsecenter.org or 540/464-2969 or go to the Virginia Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services website at vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-equine-herpes-virus.shtml.
VHC Status Update on EHV-1 Announcement
LEXINGTON, VA. As we reported in our press release on June 22, 2023, The Virginia Horse Center has navigated the recent Equine Herpes Virus exposure by following the instruction of the Virginia State Veterinary Office supported by the VHC Biosecurity Protocol and several veterinarians onsite. The goal has been to ensure the safety of the horses at the VHC and to keep the owners, trainers, riders and handlers of the horses informed of the procedures needed to do so. As of this release no horses, other than the initial two, have shown any symptoms of EHV.
On June 20, 2023, the first day of the Shenandoah Classic Horse Show, a horse in the early morning showed abnormal symptoms and was shipped to Rood and Riddle in Lexington, KY. The next morning, a 2nd horse from the same stable and same owner showed the same symptoms. It was shipped immediately off the grounds to Rood and Riddle also. At about 9:30 pm that night, tests came back positive for EHV. Getting these horses off the grounds immediately proved to be possibly the most important action taken for this incident. One horse is recovering and the other had to be euthanized with neurologic symptoms.
The Virginia Horse Center’s BioSecurity Plan was immediately implemented with calls to Virginia State Veterinary officials, the USEF Biosecurity Veterinarian, and show management. Our show veterinarian was already working with the affected stable's veterinarian.
At 10:00 am Thursday morning, an on-site meeting was held with State Veterinary officials and management. This was followed by a meeting of trainers in the affected barn. They were informed all 80 horses in that barn were under quarantine. These horses have now been allowed to ship out with the approval of their destination State Veterinarian.
Next, a meeting was held with all unaffected (not quarantined) trainers (barns). About 120 people attended that meeting. All meetings were led by Dr. Abby Sage, VMD, DACVIM, of the State Veterinarian’s office. Since these horses were not under quarantine, Dr. Sage stated that the show could continue. After some mixed discussion, it was eventually determined by management to continue the show for those not under quarantine.
Since these meetings, all horses on the grounds have been having their temperatures taken twice per day. No horses on the grounds since the 2 sick horses departed have had a temperature of either 101.5 or above.
Dr. Sage pointed out in the meetings that the virus can only live outside the horse for 48 hours unless in water. Also, the virus only spreads from a horse up to 30’. She also explained that from first exposure to the first symptom is 7 days. The horses had been on the grounds for 2 days when the first symptom occurred, therefore neither of the horses would have contracted the virus on the Horse Center grounds.
By Monday morning, June 26, all stables at the Horse Center for the Saddlebred show will be off the property except one stable from Texas with 28 horses. This layover barn is not under quarantine but will be stabled alone in Barn 6 and will not leave the barn and school only inside the barn.
None of the 80 quarantined horses will be on the grounds after this Sunday, June 25. Starting Monday morning, the State Veterinarians office will have a special team on the grounds disinfecting every stall and grounds equipment such as Bobcats, tractors, muck buckets, rakes, etc. Dr. Sage has stated that after Monday the Virginia Horse Center will have the “safest stalls in the country”.
Glenn Petty, VHC CEO stated “The Virginia Horse Center cannot state enough how appreciative we are for the professional and common sense leadership of Dr. Abby Sage and Dr. Tabitha Moore, State Veterinarian’s office; Dr. Ginger Reagan, show veterinarian; Dr. Hugh Behling, Kalarama Farm veterinarian; Dr. Katie Flynn, USEF BioSecurity Veterinarian; and R H Bennett, show manager. We had a great team and thoughtful management of the situation worked. Also, the trainers and exhibitors could not have been more supportive and cooperative. At the end of the large trainer meeting, the team was given a round of applause for the handling of this situation.”
Moving onto the grounds next week will be the Arabian Horse Association Region 15 and 16 Championship and the Vaulting Region IX Championship. We will be ready for these 2 shows. The House Mountain Hunter Jumper Show scheduled for next week has been moved to July 18-19.
If anyone wants more detailed information, please contact Glenn Petty, VHC CEO at gpetty@horsecenter.org or 540/464-2969 or go to the Virginia Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services website at vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-equine-herpes-virus.shtml.
Press Release: June 24, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
VHC Response to EHV-1 Announcement
LEXINGTON, VA. On June 22, the State Veterinarian’s Office of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) was informed two horses from the same barn tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), the virus that causes Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy. The infected horses were stabled at the Virginia Horse Center during the Shenandoah Classic [Saddle Horse Show]. Both horses were immediately moved off the grounds when they first exhibited symptoms. One horse is receiving medical care and is stable. The other horse was subsequently euthanized. Approximately 80 exposed horses that were stabled in the same barn at the VHC have been placed under quarantine. All exposed horses are being monitored twice daily for fever (temperature over 101.50 F) and other clinical signs. No other horses at the horse show are considered exposed and the horse show will continue. However, the unexposed horses are having temperatures and clinical signs monitored out of an abundance of caution.
The Virginia Horse Center is following its biosecurity plan and will remain open for business. There is no cause for alarm concerning the general horse population in Virginia. EHV-1 is a virus that is present in the environment and found in most horses all over the world. Horses typically are exposed to the virus at a young age with no serious side effects. A large percentage of horses carry the virus with no clinical signs for the remainder of their lives. Rarely, exposed horses develop the neurologic form of the disease. Horse owners with concerns should contact their veterinarian.
The Equine Disease Communications Center Biosecurity web pages equinediseasecc.org/biosecurity have more information on best practices for disease prevention in horses and VDACS has more information on EHV-1 at vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-equine-herpes-virus.shtml. Horse owners also may contact VDACS’ Office of Veterinary Services at 804.786.2483.
CEO Glenn Petty commented, "Our thoughts go out to those connected with the affected horses. We are following the guidance of Virginia State Veterinarian Abby Sage and have been told by the Virginia Department of Agriculture that we have followed strict protocol and have the situation under control. As an added precaution, all horses on the grounds will have temperatures checked twice daily to monitor any future spread. All barns at the Virginia Horse Center will be completely cleaned and disinfected. We appreciate the support and guidance provided by the VA Department of Agriculture and our veterinarians. I'm happy to answer any questions. Please email me at gpetty@horsecenter.org."
Press Release: June 22, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Lexington, Virginia: The Virginia Horse Center and Virginia Horse Center Eventing are pleased to announce that the inaugural VHC Eventing presented by Capital Square was a huge success. We are so thankful for the outpouring of support and positive words about our event.
Virginia Horse Center Eventing is especially thankful to Louis Rogers, an avid equestrian, founder, and co-CEO of presenting sponsor, Capital Square. Capital Square’s support contributed to the VHC’s ability to produce this highly acclaimed international event.
Roxanne Booth, VHC Eventing co-organizer and President of the VHC Board of Directors said, “We appreciate Capital Square’s support of our inaugural event. Capital Square recognizes the preparation, planning, focus, and determination it takes to compete in such a sport and produce an event of this magnitude. With 350 riders in 12 divisions, including competitors from 6 countries represented at Virginia Horse Center Eventing, we were proud to brand Capital Square on all clothing, pinnies, and awards presented to some of the best eventers in the world at our inaugural event.”
“It was an amazing weekend for the inaugural international and FEI-level event at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia, under the name of Virginia Horse Center Eventing. The weather was perfect, the event organized to a ‘T’ and an excellent time was had by all the competitors, trainers, and visitors,” said Rogers. “Virginia deserves a first-class facility and international event and we have both at the Virginia Horse Center and Virginia Horse Center Eventing. This is the first of a new tradition of excellence in the Commonwealth,” according to Rogers.
Press Release: June 12, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Hyperion Stud was the sponsor of the Young Event Horse Division at the inaugural VHC Eventing. The YEH Division provides horses with the necessary training opportunities in order to continue their development as top eventing horses. Maple’s Spicey Chilli, owned by Christa Schmidt and ridden by Caitlin O’Roark took home top honors and won the Hyperion Stud YEH Division.
The Virginia Horse Center and the entire VHC Eventing management team are thankful for their support. “We appreciate Vicky and Hyperion Stud’s support of this important division. The entire Hyperion Stud team is dedicated to equestrian sport and their sponsorship of our inaugural event is testament to their commitment,” said Roxanne Booth.
Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates was a sponsor of this year’s VHC Eventing presented by Capital Square. Did you love your visit to Virginia? As the premier boutique real estate company in Virginia, Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates can locate and find you your perfect home, equestrian facility or land that you can call home. They provide the best in customer service and take the time to know what their customers are looking for in their next move.
“We appreciate Loring’s sponsorship of VHC Eventing. Her commitment to the equestrian sport and eventing is commendable. She is engaged with our community through her work and support of the Virginia Horse Center. If you’re looking to create a home in the beautiful Commonwealth, contact Loring and support the sponsors who support the Virginia Horse Center and VHC Eventing,” said Booth.
VHC Eventing presented by Capital Square Jog Sponsors
Blue Ridge Trailer Sales was the sponsor of the Jog at the inaugural VHC Eventing. More than a combined thirty horses over two jogs participated.
“We appreciate the support of Blue Ridge Trailer Sales,” said Booth. “When you’re shipping your horse on your own to any equestrian event, it is so important that your horse is safe. Blue Ridge Horse Trailer Sales provides quality trailers and excellent customer service. We recommend you visit them and support the companies that support our sport,” she added.
Old Dominion Equine Associates
Old Dominion Equine Associates was the sponsor of the Best Dressed Jog awards, presented by Dover Saddlery. The riders and horses looked fabulous during the jog and Old Dominion Equine Associates was happy to recognize their efforts.
“We appreciate Old Dominion Equine Associates’ sponsorship of the Best Dressed Jog Award. The audience was great, and I know everyone appreciated their support,” said Booth. “We were delighted to see Dr. Brady and representatives of Old Dominion Equine Associates enjoying the event and mingling with the competitors. They provide excellent equine veterinary care, and we were delighted to partner with them.”
About Old Dominion Equine Associates
Founded in 2002, Old Dominion Equine Associates is a specialized veterinary practice serving the equine community of Charlottesville, Virginia, and the surrounding area.
Old Dominion Equine provides full-service veterinary care to the horses of central Virginia as well as purchase exams and care of sport horse athletes in the US and abroad.
Dover Saddlery was the awards sponsor for the Best Dressed Jog Awards and provided each winner a $250 Dover gift certificate and award jackets provided by Dover Saddlery’s Charlottesville store. They also gave every volunteer a $30 gift certificate.
“We are so thankful for Dover’s generosity,” said Booth. “They went above and beyond. Our volunteers were thrilled with the gift certificates. Our winning Best Dressed recipients were delighted with the generous gift certificates as well as the wonderful, embroidered jackets. I just can’t say enough about how touched we were with their donation,” she added.
World Equestrian Brands provided beautiful Verducci figure 8 bridles as awards for the winners in the CCI Divisions for the May VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square.
To say the recipients were excited about their new Verducci figure 8 bridles would be an understatement. “The bridles were beautiful, and it was so much fun to see the smiles on their faces when we handed them their prizes,” said Booth. “We appreciate World Equestrian Brands’ support of our inaugural event.”
Schneiders Saddlery was the Official Apparel sponsor of VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square. All hats and the Officials' shirts were provided by Schneiders.
“Schneiders and Donna Murray were fantastic to work with,” said Booth. “She took care of our order and had the customization done without a problem. Everything was received on time and the quality was top notch. We appreciate their support of VHC Eventing.”
The competitors in the Modified division were blown away with the beautiful Sagmae prizes. Booth commented, "Many of the recipients were literally speechless! Competitors loved the scrims, the leather trimmed rope halters, and the always popular Sagmae saddle pads. We greatly appreciate their support."
The Southern Inn was the Official Restaurant of VHC Eventing presented by Capital Square and catered the special reception Friday afternoon in the Stave Mill Pavilion. All attending were treated to delicious food and the friendliest and very professional Southern Inn servers.
Located in downtown Lexington, the Southern Inn has excellent food, full bar and great atmosphere. “We are thankful for The Southern Inn’s support of VHC Eventing. After the reception at the Horse Center, we went to the Southern Inn and enjoyed a delightful dinner with our sponsor, the VHC Eventing team, VHC CEO, and our prestigious officials. I highly recommend The Southern Inn for those visiting the Virginia Horse Center,” said Booth.
Levante Brewing Company provided the refreshments for the Exhibitor Bon Fire Party Saturday night. Levante also provided a free shipping code for those who wanted to get more Levante shipped directly to their door! VHC Eventing greatly appreciates their support!
The riders and more importantly, their horses, were excited to receive a bag of Jack’s Favorites Horse Treats.
Jack's Favorites is proud to offer single-ingredient treats and all-natural horse cookies you can feel good about giving to your horse.
Roxanne Booth commented, “The riders were excited to receive a special treat for their most deserving horses.”
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all sponsors and vendors who supported VHC Eventing presented by Capital Square. As we plan for our November 1-5 International Event, we ask that you consider supporting VHC Eventing. We are happy to customize all sponsorship packages with the goal of exceeding your expectations.
Please contact Lisa Davis Engel or call 908.310.6348.
Lexington, Virginia: Virginia Horse Center Eventing presented by Capital Square wrapped up yesterday after a fun-filled weekend of top competition. The Virginia Horse Center welcomed riders of all levels from Olympic to beginner eventers.
The course updates and world-class officials made the inaugural VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square memorable.
The entire VHC Eventing management team and the Virginia Horse Center appreciate all who competed at this weekend's event, and we look forward to welcoming you back in November!
Press Release: May 29, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Congratulations to Sydney Hagaman and her own Charmeur. The pair won the CCI3* S with a final score of 31.3.
Hagaman lives in Middleburg and is coached by Mike Pendleton. Charmeur is a ten-year-old German Sport Horse and Hagaman has owned him since he was four. “I had always had thoroughbreds and he is the first warmblood I’ve owned,” said Hagaman.
She continued, “He [Charmeur] was really good. He was super relaxed, really rideable and jumped well in show jumping. The cross-country course rode really nicely and the way it was set was great. I really liked it. The new jumps were nice and despite the fact that we haven’t had any rain, you could definitely tell where the course had been aerated.
“That was the fastest I’ve ever gone in cross country. The whole course rode well and Charmeur felt really good,” she said.
“I was very happy to be here this weekend and a lot of the riders I spoke to felt the same way,” she said. “It’s a great facility and we’re happy to see the VHC continuing eventing here.”
World Equestrian Brands provided a newly redesigned Vespucci figure 8 bridle and Vespucci rubber reins as prizes won by Sydney Hagaman.
World Equestrian Brands has been equipping equine athletes for over twenty years. World Equestrian Brands proudly represents Amerigo Saddles, E.A. Mattes Sheepskin products, Equilibrium Products leg protection and therapy items, Vespucci bridles and strap goods, and Sergio Grasso riding boots. Visit their website for more information.
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and The Newmarket Syndicate’s Newmarket Cooley earned an overall score of 27.3, earning them the win in the 2* L. Halliday-Sharp also took home second place honors with Deborah Palmer’s Maybach for their overall score of 28.1.
Halliday-Sharp commented, “I really enjoy this event and I’ve come every year since 2020. It’s a great event for the young horses. These are both young horses doing their first 2* long. I honestly really love the big hill and it really teaches you a lot about them as horses and how they come out the next day. This was a great experience for them, and I think it will make them bigger and better horses in the future.”
In addition to the top two placings, Halliday-Sharp received a newly redesigned Vespucci figure 8 bridle and Vespucci rubber reins, generously donated by World Equestrian Brands as well as a Brant Gamma Photography gift certificate.
Winning Weekend for Ariel Grald
Ariel Grald Wins CCI 2* S with Claire Williams’ In Vogue
Ariel Grald and Claire Williams’ In Vogue won the CCI 2* S with an overall score of 28.8, narrowly beating second-place Kim Severson and Anita Antenucci’s Arden JuJu’s score of 29.1.
“The pressure is on when Kim Severson is right behind you,” she laughed.
“Stella [In Vogue] belongs to a good friend, Claire Williams, who has been laid up recovering from a skiing accident. We sourced her from Ireland as a four-year-old. This was her final prep run before Bromont where I will be riding her in the 2* Long. We strategically picked Virginia to work on our gallops up the hills. My intention was not necessarily to make the time on cross country, but to focus on giving my horse a good prep run. But she really loves to gallop and despite my trying to slow her down a bit on the hills, her rideability and efficiency on the cross-country course have her going faster than you actually think you are. And it turned out my watch wasn’t working correctly either,” she said.
Grald also earned a fourth placing with Annie Eldridge’s Adagio's Nobility for their combined score of 33.8.
Grald commented, “Bringing Michel [Vaillancourt] in to design the show jumping course made a huge difference. The courses were well set and while we have some good designers in the US, we need to ride various tracks and it’s important to have the opportunity to ride different styles,“ she said.
“We all recognized the positive changes to the event and the future and the direction its headed in. The feel and vibe is very different and with this reinvigoration, it will be cool to see how the event develops,” she added.
For full results on the CCI2*S click here.
Looking for a Little Redemption
Grald also won the Advanced/Intermediate with Eldridge’s Forrest Gump 124 [Shrimp] and sixth with Edridge’s Caballe.
Grald said, “I came into the weekend wanting a little redemption because I fell off of him in the skinny ditch in the 4* Short in Tryon a few weeks ago. He [Shrimp] is heading to Bromont in the 4*Long and my aim was to have a good confidence weekend with him. I’ve only had him for about two years and this is a relatively new partnership for us. He can be a bit quirky so it’s important to keep him confident and trusting our partnership. He is very capable in all three phases, and this was a really good run for him and for us to get on the same page before Bromont.”
For full Advanced/Intermediate results, click here.
Checking Another Box on the Journey
Grald also won the Open Preliminary with Eldridge’s Cullintra End Game [aka Jasper] with an overall score of 38.5.
Grald commented, “This was Jasper’s Prelim debut. Annie and I bought him as a three-year-old from Ireland and I’ve been quietly producing him at home. He is the young one who gets put on the back burner sometimes when we’re busy with the upper-level horses. He enjoys the job and finds it easy; eventing comes naturally to him. We’ve had a nice progressive run of events this spring with him. Jasper moved up to Prelim this weekend and we’re really happy with him. He is six and young and needs a lot of strength and overall development, but Annie and I are excited about him as an upper-level prospect. His success this weekend just checks another box on this journey.”
For full results for the Open Preliminary, click here.
Lexington, Virginia. Capital Square, presenting sponsor of Virginia Horse Center Eventing, recognizes the horse owners who play a vital role in the sport of eventing. In honor of those owners who continue to support eventing professionals, the following top athletes competing at VHC Eventing this weekend are thrilled to shine the spotlight on their horse owners.
Horse: Quality TNT (2018, Grey, ISH/Dutch Warmblood, Gelding)
Horse: Electric Quality (2017, Bay, ISH, Mare)
Pictured: Barbara Cassani
Bourke Eventing, located at Stone’s Throw Farm in Berryville, Virginia is home to international three-day event riders Timothy Bourke and Marley Stone Bourke. Tim, a native Irishman, began his eventing career in the USA by training with the legendary Bruce Davidson, before becoming assistant trainer to Sharon White for 6 years. His international career includes competing at top international 5* events such as the Kentucky 3 Day Event and Burghley, England and being named a traveling reserve for the Irish team at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon.
Marley actively competes through the FEI levels and has a strong educational background which includes having attended Dartmouth’s Tuck Bridge Business Program which prepared her for running a business and training facility. She also worked for Sharon White and learned the ropes of competition and managing a highly regarded eventing business.
Marley was delighted to share their experience with horse owner, Barbara Cassani.
“Barbara has owned for us for approximately 5 years since she sent a horse in for training and since then she has been a part of 4 horses with us. She’s just a really unique and impressive person and an owner we appreciate.
“She really loves the sport and recognizes the journey, both in the good and the bad times. She’s interested in the day-to-day as much as the competition. Even though she’s from New Hampshire, she tries to get down and stay with us as much as she can to see the horses in training. Barbara is invested in our whole team as well and cares about my horses and all the girls and their horses too. We’re very close with Barb and she’s in it for the right reasons!”
~ Marley & Tim Bourke
Press Release: May 25, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Volunteers
WE WANT YOU! It takes a village to produce an event of this caliber and we are actively seeking volunteers.
For volunteer information, please click here.
Sponsors and Vendors
Attention Sponsors! Attention Vendors! VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square is produced to benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Sponsorship and vending packages including customization are available. For more information, please contact Lisa Davis Engel at 908.310.6248.
Lexington, Virginia: Capital Square, the presenting sponsor of Virginia Horse Center Eventing, recognizes those dedicated to the sport of eventing, which includes owner Annie Eldridge and rider Ariel Grald. Eldridge owns Setters’ Run Farm, and Grald is a top international eventer and an integral part of the Setters’ Run team.
Setters’ Run will have the following entries, all piloted by Grald, competing at this year’s VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square:
CCI 2*S
Adagio’s Nobility, a 2016 Bay Holsteiner Gelding
Belline Cavalry Man, a 2015 Bay ISH Gelding
Advanced/Intermediate
Caballe, a 2012 Dark Bay Holsteiner Mare
Forrest Gump 124, a 2011 Bay Hanoverian Gelding
Open Prelim
Cullintra End Game, a 2017 Bay ISH Gelding
Ariel will also be riding In Vogue, a 2016 Dark Bay ISH Mare owned by Claire Williams, and Exces de Folie, a 2014 Bay Selle Francais owned by Winnett Ordway.
Annie Eldridge and Ariel Grald met in 2012 through mutual friends when they were both in the Southern Pines region during the winter season. That introduction led Ariel, a native Vermonter, to spend the summer riding for Annie at her farm in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Since then, their relationship has evolved into a decade-long partnership rooted in the common goal of producing and training world-class sport horses. Annie and Ariel have exemplified how to carefully import, breed, and train talented athletes, with the long-term goal of keeping the horse first.
Press Release: May 19, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square
USEF Endorsed/USEA Recognized
T, TR, N, BN
USEF/USEA Recognized
CCI2-L, CCI3-S, CCI2-S, CCI1-L, I, P, PR, M
USEA Recognized Tests
Starter, YEH-4, YEH-5, presented by Hyperion Stud
Riders will have the opportunity to compete before a top panel of judges and technical delegates including Italian Olympian, Marina Sciocchetti, President of the 3*/1*/A-CT Ground Jury and well-known Bobby Stevenson, FEI level TD and Judge for 14 years. Both of whom will be members of the Ground Jury for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile.
VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square will be hosting an Advanced Combined Training division in addition to the CCI 3*, providing riders with the opportunity to prep for high-performance team selection and spectators with the ability to observe talented athletes at this level of equestrian sport.
Riders will also be challenged by the nearly 100 new cross-country jumps, constructed by Tyson Rementer and Levi Ryckewaert, plus the FEI jumps acquired from Red Hills International. Event organizer, Joannie Morris has secured top course designers including Jay Hambley (FEI cross country), Jon Wells (National cross country) and Michel Vaillancourt (show jumping).
Bonfire is Back!
The well-loved Brian Ross Bonfire is BACK!
Back by popular demand, the bonfire will take place Saturday night, May 27th. All competitors are invited to this fun social event.
Meet & Greet with Marina Sciocchetti and Bobby Stevenson
The VHC Eventing committee is well underway planning a special meet and greet with Marina Sciocchetti and Bobby Stevenson on Friday, May 26th. Details will be forthcoming.
Volunteers
WE WANT YOU! It takes a village to produce an event of this caliber and we are actively seeking volunteers.
For volunteer information, please click here.
Sponsors and Vendors
Attention Sponsors! Attention Vendors! VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square is produced to benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Sponsorship and vending packages including customization are available. For more information, please contact Lisa Davis Engel at 908.310.6248.
Thank you to the sponsors of VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square
The CDI Jog sponsored by Ewbank Equestrian for the MADFest and Lexington 3*CDI took place Thursday, May 18. There were a total of 35 pairs who presented and passed.
Following the jog, three horse-and-rider pairs were awarded special jog prizes and the winners were selected by Catherine Hadad-Staller. When asked about the jog awards, Catherine commented, “It was very difficult to choose between the best-dressed riders because so many people made an effort. And wow, did these riders clean up well.”
The atmosphere for the showcase event was fun and exciting and made espewcially so by the hospitality offered by Ewbank Equestrian and the amazing prizes offered by Lara Tweedie for Best Turned Horse and Anna Klose for Best Turned Rider Under 25 and Over 25.
Press Release: May 18, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
The Virginia Festival of Champions’ Lexington Spring Premiere and Encore wrapped up today after two successful weeks at the beautiful Virginia Horse Center.
Thank you to everyone for contributing to the show’s success. The Lexington Spring Premiere and Encore benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Thank you to our generous donors! The Virginia Horse Center embraces southern hospitality and thanks to our hospitality donors, the shows were able to serve it up for the benefit of all every show day!
The courses were spectacular and the decorations top-notch! For those that donated to enhance the floral arrangements at the show, your contributions are appreciated by all.
Nancy Wallis, hunter course designer commented, “It’s all about the equipment and the resources at the show. The new flowers at the Virginia Horse Center allowed us to decorate and really enhance the overall look of the hunter courses.” Wallis continued, “I thought there were great quality horses here and the scores were very good. The entire show went very well and I was happy to be a part of it.”
Congratulations Lexington Spring Encore Champions!
Best Children’s Hunter Rider: Emilie Beasley
Best Adult Amateur Hunter Rider: Brooke Cole
Best Child Rider on a Junior Hunter: Georgia Schmidt
Leading Child/Junior Jumper Rider: Cierra Case
Leading Adult/Amateur Jumper Rider: Cullen Drescher Speckhart
Leading Hunter Rider Up to 3’6”: Peg Seals
Leading Hunter Rider Above 3’6”: Chris Wynne
For more information visit horseshowsonline.com.
Press Release: May 7, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Rolling Acres’ ZaZa Z and Marylisa Leffler did it again and won the Lexington Spring Encore’s $35,000 George L. Ohrstrom Grand Prix today out of a field of sixteen horse and rider teams.
Only four qualified for the jump off round with a time allowed of 48 seconds.
Brooke Kemper and CM Sporthorses, LLC’s Seaview Demonstration were the first to go in the order. The pair flew through the course fault free and set the new time to beat at 37.199 seconds.
Ashley Foster and Rolling Acres’ Diadarco Van Evendael Z followed in the order and despite a clear round, their time of 39.328 seconds would keep Kemper in the lead.
David Matisz followed Foster aboard his own Nero Uno. Four jump faults in 40.209 seconds would see the pair finish in fifth place.
Press Release: May 6, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by TTR Sotheby’s International Realty kicked off the hunter competition today in the Wiley arena under sunny skies.
Twenty-six horse and rider teams went on the hunt for the blue over a course designed by Nancy Wallis of Lambertville, New Jersey.
Wallis said she designed both courses with a lot of options. “For the Classic round, the lines didn’t really have a related distance and there was only one measured line in the two strides. The riders really needed to ride off their eye. I think that provided a lot of options for people who knew how to use them. I was happy with the way the riders responded to the course. There were a few that had a hard time, but the top scores were high. I’m always aiming for the riders to get into the 90s,” said Wallis.
Wallis continued this theme in the Handy round. “There are several options where the riders can choose to take the turns to the inside or go around if they have a younger horse or if they’re a little green. They don’t need to force anything. I think the way it is laid out, the cream will rise to the top,” she added.
And the cream did rise to the top when Ashley Foster Worthington rode Rolling Acres’ Mahalo to the win with a combined score of 189.
Press Release: May 5, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Judy Bishop presented the awards on behalf of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Photo credit: Teresa Ramsay Photography
History repeated itself during the Lexington Spring Encore when Addison Reed rode Reed Training & Sales’ Goliath to the win in the $15,000 Welcome, just beating out Marylisa Leffler and Rolling Acres’ ZaZa Z.
The course was designed by Ken Krome and the second-round time was set at 48 seconds. Of the eighteen horse and rider teams, eleven advanced to a second-round opportunity.
David Matisz and his own Nero Uno were first in the order of go and posted a clear second round in 40.015 seconds, which set the new time to beat.
Leffler and Zaza Z were the next horse and rider to post a clear second round in a time of 35.583 seconds and took the lead.
That lead was short-lived when Reed and Goliath followed in the order, posting a clear second round in 34.173 seconds.
Press Release: May 4, 2023
Lisa Davis Engel 908.310.6248 or email
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
The Lexington Spring Encore got underway today at the Virginia Horse Center for the second installment of the Virginia Festival of Champions.
Highlights in the Wiley Arena included the 3’6/3’9” Green Hunters. Chime, owned by Dorli Burke and ridden by Ashley Foster took home the blue ribbon in two of the over fences and in the under saddle class.
Foster has been riding Chime since the Baby Greens and have been together for a while. Her owner, Dorli Burke shows her in the 3’3” Amateurs. According to Foster, “She’s [Chime] my baby. She has quite the personality and is definitely a winner. When she goes into the ring with her ‘game on’, she’ll just jump out of her skin. There’s no better feeling.”
Foster continued, “Chime is very sweet and loves her people. I feel like Dorli, her groom Anna Clair Smith and I are ‘her people’.”
Press Release: May 3, 2023
Lisa Davis Engel 908.310.6248 or email
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
The Lexington Spring Premiere wrapped up today at the Virginia Horse Center and awarded the week's champions special awards.
Thank you to all who showed with us and supported the show: The sponsors, vendors and our generous donors whose contributions insured complimentary hospitality for all!
We look forward to seeing you all next week for the Lexington Spring Encore!
Press Release: April 30, 2023
Lisa Davis Engel 908.310.6248 or email
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Sunny skies over the Virginia Horse Center set the stage for top competition today in the $35,000 Rockbridge Grand Prix. The Stave Mill Pavilion was packed with spectators and the hill had additional spectators watching and cheering on the competitors.
Course designer Paul Jewell of Lambertville, New Jersey designed the course and set the first-round time allowed at 81 seconds.
Only four of the fifteen horse and rider teams advanced to a second-round opportunity with a time allowed of 48 seconds.
First to go in the jump off order of go was Abby Grabowski aboard her own Quantum Trost 3. The pair had a rail earning them four jump faults in a time of 40.577. Next up was Marylisa Leffler and Rolling Acres’ ZaZa Z. The pair had finished second in the $15,000 Welcome on Thursday and all eyes were on the pair as they entered the Dee Dee arena.
"After I saw Abby and her horse get a rail, I knew I just wanted to go ‘medium fast’ and keep the jumps up. I knew that the two after me could be fast and so I was just trying to go fast enough, but not be stupid," commented Leffler. Leffler and Zaza Z turned in a clear jump off round in a time of 36.994 seconds and set the new time to beat.
Press Release: April 29, 2023
Lisa Davis Engel 908.310.6248 or email
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
More News
The big prize money of the day went to Addison Reed aboard Reed Training & Sales, LLC’s Goliath for their win in today’s $15,000 1.35m Welcome.
Of the nineteen horse and rider teams, Reed sat in the enviable last to go position. With a second-round time set at 46 seconds, Marylisa Leffler and Rolling Acres’ ZaZa Z held the lead with their fault free 31.669 seconds second round.
“I saw David [Matisz] go earlier in the class [riding David Matisz, LLC’s Nero Uno] and he was very efficient. He wasn’t too outrageously quick, but he was very tidy,” said Reed.
“I knew Marylisa and Zaza Z were going before me and I glanced at the board when I was in the warm-up arena. I saw that she beat David’s time and I knew I needed to go faster than David did. Marylisa and Zaza are so fast! I saw where David had taken his time on the course, and I basically trimmed it back for us and I got really lucky on the last fence. Of course, I like to go as fast as I can and jump clean, but I think if you focus too much on beating the other riders, that’s where the ‘wheels’ can come off,” she said. “I just try to do our best and focus on what works best for me and my horses,” she added.
RTS has owned Goliath for about five years. “When we get new horses in, we all ride them to see who gets along best. I was just the lucky one with Goliath. He’s a great horse and I think he’s getting ready to hit his prime,” she said.
Press Release: April 27, 2023
Lisa Davis Engel 908.310.6248 or email
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
The Lexington Spring Premiere kicked off the first installment of the Virginia Festival of Champions yesterday at the Virginia Horse Center under sunny skies at the beautiful Virginia Horse Center.
Press Release: April 27, 2023
Lisa Davis Engel 908.310.6248 or email
Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Lexington, VA - April 21, 2023- Let's get this party started! The Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival (MADFest) and Lexington 3* CDI presented by Täkt Saddlery are excited to announce our inaugural online auction to benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation. Thanks to our generous sponsor donations from Uniqcorn Exceptionnel, American Stalls—Luxury Barn Equipment & Hardware and Stübben North America, this fundraiser is possible.
Look and bid on your favorite items, including Bespoke Show Breeches from Uniqcorn, Luxury Stall Fronts from American Stalls, a discount of $3,000 for a single combined purchase of $25,000 or more with American Stalls and various horse care products from Stübben North America's Equine Care Line, all the while benefitting the Sport of Dressage in Virginia! To learn more or bid on these items, click HERE.
Press Release: April 21, 2023
Media Contact: Jillian Eberlein
347-466-3797 | je@phelpsmediagroup.com
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
Entries are Open for Virginia Horse Center Eventing May Horse Trials & CCI, Presented by Capital Square
Lexington, Virginia: Entries are now open for the highly anticipated VHC Eventing Horse Trials and CCI, presented by Capital Square, May 25-28, 2023 at the beautiful Virginia Horse Center offering:
- USEF Endorsed/USEA Recognized
- T, TR, N, BN
- USEF/USEA Recognized
- CCI2-L, CCI3-S, CCI2-S, CCI1-L, I, P, PR, M
- USEA Recognized Tests
- Starter, YEH-4, YEH-5
Riders will have the opportunity to compete before a top panel of judges and technical delegates including Italian Olympian, Marina Sciocchetti, President of the 3*/1*/A-CT Ground Jury and well-known Bobby Stevenson, FEI level TD and Judge for 14 years, both of whom will be members of the Ground Jury for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile.
VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square, will be hosting an Advanced Combined Training division in addition to the CCI 3*, providing riders with the opportunity to prep for future high-performance competition and spectators the ability to observe talented athletes at this level of equestrian sport.
Riders will also be challenged by the nearly 100 new cross-country jumps, constructed by Tyson Rementer and Levi Ryckewaert, plus the FEI jumps acquired from Red Hills International. Event organizer Joannie Morris has secured top course designers including Jay Hambley (FEI cross country), Jon Wells (National cross country) and Michel Vaillancourt (show jumping).
Thank you to the sponsors of VHC Eventing
Announcing Capital Square as the Presenting Sponsor of VHC Eventing
Lexington, Virginia: Virginia Horse Center Eventing is proud to announce that Capital Square has signed on as the Official Presenting Sponsor for this iconic event at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia May 25-28.
Capital Square’s founder, owner and amateur eventer Louis Rogers, understands the connection between business and eventing: a strong foundation, a well-planned strategy, hard work, attention to detail and mutual respect can lead to powerful results.
But for Rogers, work can be easy. If you have questions about tax-advantaged real estate investments, he can give you the answers, but on a 1,100-pound animal that has feelings, Rogers knows that’s hard.
Corrected Copy
Virginia Horse Center Eventing Secures 2023 Pan American Games Judges & Ground Jury for May CCI 3* and Advanced CT
Lexington, Virginia: Joanie Morris has been hard at work assembling a top panel of judges and technical delegates for the VHC Eventing's May Horse Trials and CCI. The event is fortunate to have secured Italian Olympian, Marina Sciocchetti, who will serve as President of the 3*/1*/A-CT Ground Jury. A native of Somma Lombardo, located in Northern Italy, Sciocchetti will add to an impressive list of other officials at VHC Eventing’s May Horse Trials & CCI before heading to Bromont to judge their June CCI 3-Day Event.
LEXINGTON, VA—The Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival [MADFest] and The Lexington CDI3*, presented by Täkt Saddlery, to benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, will return to the Virginia Horse Center May 18-21, 2023. This year, MADFest will once again feature both a national USEF-licensed dressage competition and an international-level FEI CDI3*. We are excited to share that Täkt Saddlery, which offers hand-crafted, bespoke saddles for Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing, will be returning as presenting sponsor in 2023.
Constant Contact Release: February 2, 2023
LEXINGTON, VA—The Lexington Country Horse Show II gets underway February 3–5, 2023 at the Virginia Horse Center. “The plan is to hold all of the classes in the Anderson Coliseum this weekend,” commented Show Manager Steve Wall.
Email Steve Wall to reserve stalls.
The Virginia Horse Center Foundation is pleased to announce that national and FEI-level eventing continues at the VHC under the name of Virginia Horse Center Eventing (VHC Eventing) on May 25–28th, 2023.
The Virginia Horse Center Foundation announced on Jan. 25 that national and FEI-level eventing would continue this year at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia, under the name Virginia Horse Center Eventing. VHC Eventing has received unanimous approval from the U.S. Equestrian Federation to hold beginner novice through intermediate level horse trials plus a CCI1*-L, CCI2*-S, CCI2*-L, and CCI3*-S.