News Archive

2018 – 2022

Join our email list!

October 5, 2022

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

Click Here to read more

 

August 17, 2022

Virginia Festival of Champions 2022 Wraps Up With Lexington National

Click Here to read more

 

July 8, 2022

Virginia Horse Center Featured in Business View Magazine

Click Here to read more

 

June 2, 2022

VHCF Announces New Chief Development & External Relations Officer

Click Here to read more

 

May 23, 2022

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

Click Here to read more

 

April 15, 2022

Nutrena Named Official Feed of the Virginia Festival of Champions

Click Here to read more

 

January 11, 2022

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

Click Here to read more

 

September 10, 2021

unTacked- The Equestrian Lifestyle Magazine Guide To Lexington

Click Here to read more

 

September 8, 2021

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

Click Here to read more

 

August 16, 2021

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

Click Here to read more

 

August 15, 2021

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

Click Here to read more

 

August 14, 2021

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

Click Here to read more

 

August 13, 2021

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

Click Here to read more

 

August 12, 2021

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

Click Here to read more

 

May 2, 2021

117th Annual Keswick Horse Show To Be Held At VHC

Click Here to read more

 

February 10, 2021

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

Click Here to read more

 

July 15, 2020

VHC Competitors Enjoy Trail Riding after a Day of Competition

Click Here to read more

 

July 15, 2020

VHC Receives High Praise for Covid-19 Guidelines Compliant Show

Click Here to read more

 

June 4, 2020

VHC Prepares to Open with Bonnie Blue National Horse Show

Click Here to learn more

 

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.

Click Here to learn more

 

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: 

Click Here

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.

VHC Status Update on EHV-1 Announcement

By admin | June 24, 2023 | Comments Off on 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…

VHC Response to EHV-1 Announcement

By admin | June 22, 2023 | Comments Off on 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…

Thank you to the sponsors of VHC Eventing presented by Capital Square

By admin | June 12, 2023 | Comments Off on Thank you to the sponsors of VHC Eventing presented by Capital Square

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…

VHC Eventing Presented by Capital Square Wrap Up

By admin | May 29, 2023 | Comments Off on VHC Eventing Presented by Capital Square Wrap Up

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.…

Capital Square Spotlight on Annie Eldridge & Ariel Grald

By admin | May 19, 2023 | Comments Off on Capital Square Spotlight on Annie Eldridge & Ariel Grald

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…

Lexington Spring Encore—That’s a Wrap!

By admin | May 8, 2023 | Comments Off on Lexington Spring Encore—That’s a Wrap!

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…

Mahalo and Ashley Foster Worthington Win the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

By admin | May 6, 2023 | Comments Off on Mahalo and Ashley Foster Worthington Win the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

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…

Goliath and Addison Reed Win the $15,000 Welcome

By admin | May 4, 2023 | Comments Off on Goliath and Addison Reed Win the $15,000 Welcome

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…

The Lexington Spring Encore is Underway Chime Shines in the 3’6″/3’9″ Hunters

By admin | May 3, 2023 | Comments Off on The Lexington Spring Encore is Underway Chime Shines in the 3’6″/3’9″ Hunters

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”…

That’s a Wrap!

By admin | April 30, 2023 | Comments Off on That’s a Wrap!

Afonwen Rihanna Steel Your Heart [Steel Your Heart] won the Sarahlisa Trophy Best Child Pony Type. The trophy was donated by longtime Virginia Horse Center supporter Leslie Brown and her son Andrew. Leslie…

ZaZa Z and Marylisa Leffler Win the $35,000 Rockbridge Grand Prix

By admin | April 29, 2023 | Comments Off on ZaZa Z and Marylisa Leffler Win the $35,000 Rockbridge Grand Prix

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…

Lexington Spring Premiere

By admin | April 27, 2023 | Comments Off on Lexington Spring Premiere

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…

Lexington Premiere Opening Day

By admin | April 27, 2023 | Comments Off on Lexington Premiere Opening Day

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.…

MadFest Announcements

By admin | April 21, 2023 | Comments Off on MadFest Announcements

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…

Virginia Horse Center Eventing Secures 2023 Pan American Games Judges & Ground Jury for May CCI 3* and Advanced CT

By admin | March 13, 2023 | Comments Off on 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…

The Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival and Lexington CDI3*, presented by Täkt Saddlery, Returns to the Virginia Horse Center May 18-21, 2023

By admin | February 2, 2023 | Comments Off on The Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival and Lexington CDI3*, presented by Täkt Saddlery, Returns to the Virginia Horse Center May 18-21, 2023

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,…

Virginia Horse Center to Remain Hub of National and International Eventing

By admin | January 26, 2023 | Comments Off on Virginia Horse Center to Remain Hub of National and International Eventing

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…

Horse Trials and CCIs will Return to VHC in May

By admin | January 26, 2023 | Comments Off on Horse Trials and CCIs will Return to VHC in May

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation announced Jan. 25 that national and FEI-level eventing will continue this year at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia, under the name of Virginia…

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.