Welcome to our Spring 2022 Newsletter
Who doesn't love springtime in Virginia? We would like to think that it is always a good time to compete at the VHC, but it is particularly special this time of year. Crisp mornings, trees in bloom, and the anticipation of the season to come. We have worked hard over the winter to make this season 'one for the books." Read on to see what we have in store for you!
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Great American Ranch and Trail Horse Sale Attracts Bidders From Across the USA
The Great American Ranch and Trail Horse Sale, a favorite at the VHC, held another successful sale on April 7-9. Bidders from as far away as Oregon placed winning bids on a variety of horses suitable for working cattle as well as hitting the trails. The top bid of $77,000 was achieved by an impeccably trained horse named Heze Triple Peponita (pictured). The event was live-streamed on YouTube and also featured online bidding. You may view more of the sale re-cap on their Facebook page HERE
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Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival & Lexington CDI2* Presented by Täkt Saddlery Call for Entries
Entries are open for the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival & Lexington CDI2* presented by Täkt Saddlery, which will take place at the Virginia Horse Center May 19 - 22, 2022. The Festival will include both a national USEF-licensed dressage competition and a new, international FEI CDI, or international dressage competition. Visit www.midatlanticdressagefestival.com
for all the latest news and updates. Vendor space is available! Contact us HERE for details.
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Excitement Builds For
Blue Ridge Arabian Classic
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The Blue Ridge Arabian Classic Horse Show will take place this weekend, April 14-16. This competition is a Double Region 15 Qualifying Show. Show Manager Robert Obermiller stated: “I’m excited for the return of the Blue Ridge Arabian show for 2022 and our ability to offer a full complement of disciplines for the purebred and part-bred Arabians such as English, Western, Ranch, Trail, Dressage, and Hunter over Fences. It’s a pleasure for me to assist the VHCF with this long-standing fundraising event to continue the facility improvements the equestrian community needs.” The prize list is available on the VHC website HERE Photo Credit: Bob Conklin
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James River Hunt Horse Show Comes to Lexington |
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The VHCF is pleased to welcome the James River Hunt Horse Show to the VHC this May 13-15. In 1951 the James River Hunt Horse Show was originally established at the L. M. Newcomb estate in Phoebus and then moved to the James River Hunt facilities in Hampton. When the facilities were sold, it was moved to the Airfield Conference Center in Wakefield where it was VHSA Horse Show of the Year in 1989 and again in 1990. From 1999 to 2021, it was held at Rosemount Farm in Spotsylvania. In 2021, it was also nominated for VHSA Horse Show of the Year.
The 2022 show has now been moved to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, with the goal of once again becoming an AA-rated show following the Lexington Spring Encore and preceding the Keswick Horse Show. View the Prize List HERE
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W&L Generals Win ODAC Championship
In a thrilling ride-off at the VHC on April 3, the Washington & Lee Generals edged out the Sweet Briar Vixens to win the Championship title for the first time since 2014. Washington & Lee and Sweet Briar tied atop the team standings with 15 points following three classes of competition in the Waldron Arena. The University of Lynchburg placed third with 14 markers. Hollins University placed fourth with 11 points, and Bridgewater College finished in fifth place with eight points. You may read more HERE
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VHC Hosts 4-H EquiSmartz Educational Competition
Junior and Senior 4-H and FFA contestants from across Virginia convened April 8-10 in Lexington for three days of competition in the 2022 Virginia 4-H Horse State Educational Competition Weekend. Days one and two took place at Rockbridge County High School and featured Communications Contests with both individual and team presentations as well as Hippology. Sunday found nearly 200 competitors in the East Complex of the VHC for the Horse Judging Competition. The event is sponsored by the Virginia Horse Industry Board, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia 4-H, and Future Farmers of America.
Photo Courtesy East Mont High School FFA
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VHC Set to Host Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championship
From April 21 thru April 24, collegiate dressage teams from across the country will convene in Lexington for the 2022 Theraplate Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) National Championship.
The mission of the IDA is "to introduce students to the equestrian discipline of dressage and to foster continued development, understanding and appreciation in the art of dressage through organized student competitions and educational opportunities. IDA’s main functions are to promote the sport of dressage and to establish and enforce IDA rules and policies." -IDA
Learn more about IDA and the IDA Championship HERE
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VQHA Spring Breakout an Early Season Success
Competitors arrived early and stayed late for this year's VQHA Spring Breakout, March 24-27. The show boasted 6900 class entries over four days. Featured were the Virginia Maiden with $30,000 added, the Equine Chronicle Yearling Halter Futurity with $3000 added, and the Premier Sires Matching Fund Program with $15,000 in matched funds available. You may view all of the results HERE
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2022 Virginia Festival of Champions Preview
The Virginia Festival of Champions returns to Lexington on April 27 thru May 1 with the first two of three competitions in this series, the AA-rated Lexington Spring Premier, followed by the AA-rated Lexington Spring Encore, May 4 thru May 8. Highlights this year include:
• USEF Premier AA Hunter Competition
• WCHR Recognized Event Week 1
• $5000 USHJA Hunter Derby Week 1 & 2
• $10,000 Open Welcome Class each week
• $25,000 Grand Prix each week
• USHJA Green Incentives
You may view the Prize List HERE
The third and final competition in this series, The Lexington National, will take place August 10 thru 14 at the VHC.
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April
21-24 Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championship
27-May 1 Lexington Spring Premier AA HJ
May
4-8 Lexington Spring Encore AA HJ
11-14 Bonnie Blue UPHA National
13-15 James River Hunt A HJ
18-22 Keswick Horse Show AA HJ
19-22 Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival & Lexington CDI2*
26-29 VA International Horse Trials
June
3-5 Virginia Barrel Classic
4-5 Old Dominion Pony Club Jumping Rally
15-18 Cowboy Mounted Shooting
16-18 Rockbridge Horse Show
18-19 Old Dominion Region Pony Club Games Rally
22-25 Shenandoah Classic Horse Show (Saddlebred)
28-29 House Mountain HJ
July
1-3 AVA Region IX Equestrian Vaulting Championship
You may view our full 2022 Events Calendar HERE
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The Improvements Just Keep Coming!
We are working hard to meet and exceed the expectations of our visitors. Our current upgrades include:
- More than 200 stalls dug up, leveled, and tamped
- Three new jump wagons purchased
- Restroom renovations completed
- New 30 and 50 AMP power boxes installed in the food truck area
- Two new leased Tractors
- Wi-fi installed on the hill and in the North Campground
- New fencing for the Tardy Ring
Do you have suggestions for an improvement we should add to our list? Email us and let us know, we would love to hear from you: Info@horsecenter.org
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Help Us Keep The Ball Rolling-
Please Join Our Spring Appeal
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We have been able to complete some game-changing renovations, upgrades, and improvements which have ushered in a new era here at the Horse Center, one we are super excited about! Behind the scenes, however, we also need to keep the lights and fans on, the fences mended, lawns mowed, arenas dragged, and dutifully perform all the other support and maintenance a world-class facility requires. These basic needs are the reason we reach out in the spring and fall for your help.
We are just $65,000 away from meeting our annual goal (by June 30, 2022). Job #1 is to keep the VHC in great shape, welcoming equestrians and community members to a beautiful, safe, and fun venue. Thank you for helping us work toward that goal with your annual spring gift. Please click HERE to donate. Hope to see you this show season-we’ll have a ball!
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Our 2022 Spring Wish List
We are offering some creative gift and sponsorship opportunities this season. The list below represents some of our current needs for your consideration.
Do you have an idea of your own that you would like us to consider? Please contact our Development Department for additional details and to discuss the opportunities for a tax-deductible gift. We would love to hear from you!
-Fresh paint for our water truck with your sponsor logo on each side:
$10,000 (one-time payment) for 3-years or $4,000/year with a 3-year commitment
-Enlarge and upgrade footing in the lunge ring behind the East Complex:
$15,000
-New landscaping in the show office entrance area, including a park bench:
$5,000
-New 16 Channel Digital Radios for grounds crew use - 50 needed:
$400 sponsorship per radio or $20,000 total
-A used pickup truck for hay and shavings deliveries
-iPhone 12 or 13 for event coverage/social media
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We are funded by friends like you! |
Did you know the VHC is funded solely through rental income, charitable donations, sponsorships, and grants? We are a privately owned 501(c)(3) corporation. We are not owned or operated by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
By making a donation to our Virginia Horse Center Foundation Annual Fund, you become a driving force in our success! Make a gift to the VHCF to help keep the Virginia Horse Center strong for all equestrians. CLICK the DONATE NOW button above the painted horse. You may also contact our Development Department.
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Let Us Know How We're Doing, Rate Us On Google
Over 72,000 people viewed our brand via Google last month. Did you know you can leave a review of your experience at the VHC on our Google Business Profile? Now, of course, we think we deserve 5-stars, but what we really want to know is what you think! Tap HERE to leave your review. Thanks!
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Please Support Our Generous 2022 Facility Sponsors |
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Considering becoming a Venue, Event, or Legacy Sponsor?
We have created a Sponsor Guide designed to assist you in making an informed decision about your sponsorship investment. Inside you will find a helpful overview of the Virginia Horse Center, our demographics, information on our performance, and various sponsorship benefits. You may view the Sponsorship Guide on our website HERE.
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The Ronald V. Marshall, Sr. Gatehouse
Visitors like you travel through the gates of the VHC by the thousands every year. Did you ever wonder who the gentleman is that our gatehouse is dedicated to and why? Well, therein lies a story...
Dedicated on May 14, 2004, the gatehouse was the brainchild of Ronald V. Marshall, a VHCF Board Member for eight years. According to an article penned at the time of the dedication, Marshall stated: "I promoted and pushed the idea of the gatehouse, not only to secure the Horse Center but because it would be good for the security personnel who must work in the heat, rain, and cold."
Ronald Marshall was raised in Fairfax, Virginia, and is a Korean War veteran. He has always loved horses, inspired by his father, a Buffalo Soldier. He has competed in a number of western events including barrel racing, pole bending, calf-roping, and team penning, and currently makes his home in Falmouth, Virginia.
On behalf of our security personnel and all of us at the VHCF, our thanks once again go out to Mr. Marshall for his thoughtful generosity.
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Virginia Horse Center Foundation
540‐464‐2950
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