News Archive

2018 – 2022

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October 5, 2022

Virginia Horse Center Foundation Names Colonel David R. Lands to Board Of Directors

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August 17, 2022

Virginia Festival of Champions 2022 Wraps Up With Lexington National

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July 8, 2022

Virginia Horse Center Featured in Business View Magazine

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June 2, 2022

VHCF Announces New Chief Development & External Relations Officer

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May 23, 2022

It’s A Wrap: 2022 Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival & Lexington CDI2

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April 15, 2022

Nutrena Named Official Feed of the Virginia Festival of Champions

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January 11, 2022

VHCF Announces Inaugural Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival & Lexington CDI 2*

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September 10, 2021

unTacked- The Equestrian Lifestyle Magazine Guide To Lexington

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September 8, 2021

Kym K. Smith/USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships Press Release

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August 16, 2021

Virginia Festival of Champions 2021 Wraps Up With Successful Lexington National Horse Show

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August 15, 2021

Day 4 at the Lexington National: Smith Wins $10,000 Nutrena Jumper Classic

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August 14, 2021

Derby Day at the Lexington National, Day 3: Alan Lohman Pilots Carero to the Win!

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August 13, 2021

The Lexington National, Day 2: Jesse Smith wins the $2,500 Nutrena Welcome Stake with Nadav

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August 12, 2021

The Lexington National Is Underway! Virginia Hunter Championship Results Are In

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May 2, 2021

117th Annual Keswick Horse Show To Be Held At VHC

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February 10, 2021

John Nicholson Announces Retirement- Virginia Horse Center Foundation Plans Leadership Transition

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July 15, 2020

VHC Competitors Enjoy Trail Riding after a Day of Competition

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July 15, 2020

VHC Receives High Praise for Covid-19 Guidelines Compliant Show

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June 4, 2020

VHC Prepares to Open with Bonnie Blue National Horse Show

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May 12, 2020

UPHA Bonnie Blue National Horse Show Rescheduled for June 17-20

The Virginia Horse Center is pleased to announce that the UPHA Bonnie Blue National Horse Show, previously scheduled for May 7-9, will take place on June 17-20.

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May 4, 2020

Virginia Horse Center Sees Financial Benefits From Horse Race Wagering

Read about how VHC benefits from wagering pools in this article published by Virginia Horse Racing: 

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April 3, 2020

Virginia Horse Center Announces Closure through June 10, 2020

NEWS RELEASE                                                                             For Immediate Release
April 3, 2020
Contact: Jennifer Donovan
434-996-4380
JDonovan@horsecenter.org

Virginia Horse Center Aggressively Pursuing Rescheduling Shows

Lexington, Virginia, The Virginia Horse Center Foundation (VHCF), reports that it will remain closed in order to comply with Governor Northam’s Executive Order Fifty-Five (see link below) which directs all Virginians to stay home except in extremely limited circumstances through June 10, 2020 unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

It is VHCF’s goal to reschedule these shows as soon as it is safe to do so.  “We are so grateful to all of our exhibitors, trainers, vendors, donors and friends for their cooperation during this most difficult and unprecedented time,” said CEO, John Nicholson.

The VHCF will continue to make updates as information allows.

Download VHC Press Release

Download Governor Northam’s EO55

March 17, 2020

Virginia Horse Center Announces Two-Week Closure As Precautionary Measure

Lexington, Virginia

The Virginia Horse Center Board of Directors has elected to close the facility temporarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For additional information, please read the Press Release HERE

March 12, 2020

Virginia Horse Center CEO John Nicholson Issues Statement Regarding Coronavirus

Lexington, Virginia

The Virginia Horse Center is currently continuing to adhere to its full schedule of events. To read more, please read the recently released statement HERE

’February 28, 2020

Virginia Horse Center’s Economic Impact Delivers $94.9 Million to Commonwealth in 2019

Lexington, Virginia

The Virginia Horse Center is pleased to announce that an economic impact study performed by Chmura Economics & Analytics demonstrates the vast economic impact of the Virginia Horse Center. According to the report, operations and capital spending, organization of events and visitors to all VHC events by the VHC were responsible for $94.9 million in economic activity, supporting 896 jobs. You may read more HERE in the press release.

Lexington Spring Welcome on Deck!

By admin | February 15, 2024 | Comments Off on Lexington Spring Welcome on Deck!

February 29 – March 3, 2024 n addition to our roster of class offerings, we’re delighted to announce the addition of two new fun exhibition classes scheduled for Saturday night, March…

Unregulated Gambling Devices Pose Risks to Virginia’s Horse Industry

By admin | February 8, 2024 | Comments Off on Unregulated Gambling Devices Pose Risks to Virginia’s Horse Industry

Key Concerns regarding Gray Machines in Virginia: Additional Articles:Keep ‘Gray’ Machines Out of Virginia (richmond.com)Virginia: Skill Game Legalization Hits House Roadblock (richmond.com) As stakeholders in the Virginia horse racing community,…

VHC Eventing Starter Trials and XC Schooling on Deck! … and VHC Eventing Schedule

By admin | February 7, 2024 | Comments Off on VHC Eventing Starter Trials and XC Schooling on Deck! … and VHC Eventing Schedule

Attention Eventers! We are pleased to announce that the Starter Trials and XC Schooling will occur at the Virginia Horse Center March 23-24. Entries will open on February 13th and close on March…

Lexington Spring Welcome

By admin | January 31, 2024 | Comments Off on Lexington Spring Welcome

February 29-March 3Entries postmarked by 2/24 will not incur a $35 late fee. OFFICIALSJudges: Anne Scinta Louise and John RoperSteward: Dorothy TrappCourse Designer: Chris Wynne ENTER ONLINE PRIZE LIST RESERVE…

2024 VHC Calendar of Events

By admin | January 31, 2024 | Comments Off on 2024 VHC Calendar of Events

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Virginia Horse Center Calendar of Events is now available!Those events denoted with a red asterisk are produced to benefit the Virginia Horse Center…

Equus Survival Trust

By admin | January 9, 2024 | Comments Off on Equus Survival Trust

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that owns and operates The Virginia Horse Center. We are funded entirely by event rentals and donations from our fans…

Stephen Shank Appointed as Virginia Horse Center Foundation CEO

By admin | December 18, 2023 | Comments Off on Stephen Shank Appointed as Virginia Horse Center Foundation CEO

The Board of Directors of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation has announced that Stephen Shank has been appointed as the new CEO of the Foundation, effective March 26, 2024. Steve…

Coliseum Competition in the Heart of Horse Country

By admin | November 28, 2023 | Comments Off on Coliseum Competition in the Heart of Horse Country

The Virginia Horse Center is busy planning for the upcoming Lexington Country Horse Show 1 and the Lexington Spring Welcome at the Virginia Horse Center. The shows are USEF “National” Rated and recognized…

Happy Thanksgiving

By admin | November 16, 2023 | Comments Off on Happy Thanksgiving

SAVE THE DATE! Lexington Country Horse Show and Lexington Spring Welcome

By admin | November 9, 2023 | Comments Off on SAVE THE DATE! Lexington Country Horse Show and Lexington Spring Welcome

Lexington Country Horse Show January 18 – 20, 2024 National A Judges: Keith Hastings and Heide Cascario Lexington Country Spring Welcome February 29 – March 3, 2024 National A Judges:…

VHC Eventing — It’s a Wrap!

By admin | November 7, 2023 | Comments Off on VHC Eventing — It’s a Wrap!

VHC Eventing presented by Capital Square wrapped up on Sunday after an action-packed event which saw more than 400 horses compete at all levels. READ MORE

Tim Bourke (IRL) and Bon Vivant DSF win the CCI 2*L

By admin | November 6, 2023 | Comments Off on Tim Bourke (IRL) and Bon Vivant DSF win the CCI 2*L

Tim Bourke (IRL) and Bon Vivant DSF, owned by Jill Smith won the CCI 2*L with a score of 28.6. Tim Bourke has been catch riding Bon Vivant DSF [V] who belongs to…

Laine Ashker and Lovedance Win the CCI 3*S

By admin | November 4, 2023 | Comments Off on Laine Ashker and Lovedance Win the CCI 3*S

In 2022, Laine Ashker won her first FEI class with Lovedance in the 2*L at the November Virginia Horse Trials. The pair repeated history today, but this time, rode away with the…

VHC Eventing • Friday Update

By admin | November 3, 2023 | Comments Off on VHC Eventing • Friday Update

It was an exciting Friday at the Virginia Horse Center and results after today’s competition see Laine Ashker [USA] sitting in first place in the CCI3*S after earning the leading…

VHC Eventing presented by Capital Square is Underway!

By admin | November 2, 2023 | Comments Off on VHC Eventing presented by Capital Square is Underway!

Today kicked off the highly anticipated VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square at the Virginia Horse Center.  READ MORE

Capital Square Returns as the Presenting Sponsor of VHC Eventing

By admin | October 20, 2023 | Comments Off on Capital Square Returns as the Presenting Sponsor of VHC Eventing

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation and VHC Eventing are delighted to announce that Capital Square has returned as presenting sponsor of VHC Eventing. Read More

VHCF Board of Directors • Judy Miller

By admin | October 3, 2023 | Comments Off on VHCF Board of Directors • Judy Miller

The Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Glenn T. Petty are pleased to announce the addition of Judy Ulrich Miller of Hampton, Virginia, to the Board for a three-year…

The Lexington National is a Wrap!

By admin | August 15, 2023 | Comments Off on The Lexington National is a Wrap!

The Lexington National wrapped up after five days of top competition with more than 750 horses on the grounds at the Virginia Horse Center. A WCHR week plus the VHSA/EMO Junior…

Wilkinson and Salut Ca-Va • Grand Prix Win!

By admin | August 13, 2023 | Comments Off on Wilkinson and Salut Ca-Va • Grand Prix Win!

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…

Sandy Gerald Derby Day—Huge Success!

By admin | August 12, 2023 | Comments Off on Sandy Gerald Derby Day—Huge Success!

  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…

Virginia Horse Center Plans State-of-the-Art Riding Arena

The press release is available to read at the links below.

Lexington, Virginia — The Virginia Horse Center Foundation announces the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors, as they join the full slate of officers and board members for fiscal year 2018/2019. Joining the Board of Directors are Judith Heisley Bishop, Roxanne Booth, Steve Meadows, Lynn Rice and Jeffry Sterba.

“We are very excited to welcome these five individuals. They each bring a unique set of perspectives from their experience with different disciplines as equine professionals, owners or amateur competitors and from those gained as professionals outside of the horse world,” said Gardner Bloemers, President of the Board.