Welcome to our Fall 2022 Newsletter
It has been a whirlwind of a season here in the southern Shenandoah Valley. If you joined us this season, we hope you enjoyed our many facility improvements, our courteous staff, and our relaxed, horse-friendly environment. Do you have comments or suggestions for improvement? We would love to hear from you! Send us an email HERE. Read on to learn the latest news, and enjoy the fall season!
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Colonel David R. Lands
Joins VHCF Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the addition of Colonel David R. Lands to the Board for a three-year term. Col. Lands is the Director of Air Operations for the Virginia Air National Guard at Joint Force Headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. He is an alumnus of Christopher Newport University and lives with his family on his farm in Gloucester.
In addition to his distinguished military service, Col. Lands is deeply engaged with the equine industry in Virginia. He is a past Chairman and current member of the Virginia Horse Industry Board and the Virginia Horse Council. Col. Lands is also a current member and past President of the Virginia Paint Horse Club as well as the President-Elect of the American Paint Horse Association. You may read the full press release HERE Photo credit: Jessica Hein, Publications Director, American Paint Horse Association, 2022
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Lunging Arena To Be Enlarged
We have plenty of facility improvements on our 'to-do' list, all of which have the health, safety, and enjoyment of horses and riders as a priority. This fall we will be expanding the lunge area behind the East Complex. The need to maintain a dedicated lunging arena capable of meeting demand requires this expansion. Additional sand will be added to ensure safe and consistent footing. We hope you enjoy this improvement!
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Virginia Festival of Champions 2022 Wraps Up With Successful Lexington National Horse Show
The Lexington National Horse Show, the final installment of the Virginia Festival of Champions to benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, was a sold-out week of competition. The show hosted the Markel/Virginia Hunter Championships and the EMO/VHSA Equitation Finals. “We had a fantastic show and are appreciative of the competitors, their families, and friends who came to the Virginia Horse Center for the Lexington National. A heartfelt thank you to all those that sponsored the show, the competition, and the hospitality tent,” said Allen Rheinheimer, show manager of the Virginia Festival of Champions. Read more HERE
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Top Riders And Horses Convene For The VADA Fall Dressage Show & Great American IG/USDF Region 1 Championships
The nearly perfect fall weather held throughout the weekend for the 2022 Great American IG/USDF Region 1 Championships October 6-9. Michael Bragdell on Faberge Blue took top honors in the Grand Prix Open with a very respectable score of 74.4% followed by Lauren Sprieser on Guernsey Elvis with a final score of 71.9%. You may view all final results on HorseShowOffice.com HERE
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Maryland Horse and Pony Show Features Crowd Favorites
Once again, the level of competition at the Maryland Horse and Pony Show did not disappoint! Among the stars- Megan Young won the $5,000 USHJA Heisley Family Foundation National Hunter Derby on Lee Cesery’s Shakespeare. Meanwhile, MaryLisa Leffler had back-to-back wins including the $5,000 Welcome Stakes with Rolling Acres Farm’s Za Za Z - only to turn around and take champion in the Green Conformation division with Katie Triantos’s Carlzon. You may view all the results HERE
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Virginia Young Horse Festival Celebrates Breeders From Across The Region
The Virginia Young Horse Festival featuring the USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championship presented by Kym K. Smith and The Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF/USHJA Hunter Breeding National Championship presented by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oare, saw another successful year celebrating the efforts of Virginia breeders, owners, riders, and trainers. The Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF/USHJA Hunter Breeding National Championships concluded the year's competition by naming Lady Issay, a 2020 Westphalian mare by Lord Ferragamo and out of Icca, the Overall Grand Champion Best Young Horse. Bred, owned, and handled by Alaina Brooks, of Hayesville, North Carolina, Lady Issay earned the honor after judges evaluated horses on the East Coast and in the Central region, choosing the best horse of both competitions to be awarded the title and the Dave Kelley Perpetual Trophy. You may read more HERE
Photo: USHJA, Shawna Simmons Whitty/SAS Equestrian
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61st Virginia State 4-H Championship Horse
and Pony Show Shines A Spotlight On Youth
Members of the 4-H Horse Program from across the Commonwealth convened at the VHC on September 7-10 to compete in a wide array of classes ranging from Introductory Dressage to Ranch Reining. Exhibitors enjoyed numerous educational opportunities, a silent auction, college information booths, and plenty of vendors were available for last-minute purchases. Results are available HERE Our thanks to the army of volunteers who provided an experience to remember for Virginia 4-H members and their families!
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American Connemara Pony Region III Show Expands To Include Mountain and Moorland Ponies
The 35th Annual American Connemara Show was held September 3-4. Ponies from ACPS Region III competed in Dressage, Dressage Combined Tests, Jumping, and Breeding Divisions. New this year was a division for Mountain and Moorland Ponies. Performance classes were also held, including leadline and costume classes. Exhibitors were invited to enjoy a Friday evening trail ride to the Maury River and a complimentary catered dinner Saturday evening in the Stave Mill Pavilion. You may learn more about the American Connemara Pony Society HERE
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Irish Draught Inspections Draw Attention To Breeders In Our Region
The schedule was full as breeders presented their horses for consideration. During the inspections, stallions and mares are evaluated by a panel of inspectors from Ireland to make sure that they have excellent conformation, movement, and temperament so that the quality of breeding stock remains high. Geldings may also be inspected. Purebreds can receive Registered Irish Draught or a Class 1-4 ID status. Part-breds become Registered Irish Draught Sport Horses. You may learn more about the Irish Draught HERE
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November 2 - 6
The Virginia International Horse Trials
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Our Events Calendar Through December 2022
October
15-16 Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia Horse Show
20-22 Harvest Gaited Classic Horse Show
22 Goose Creek Horse Show
22 Lexington Mounted Division 5K Run/Walk
23 Benefit Trail Ride for Breast Cancer
23 Washington & Lee Intercollegiate Horse Show
27-30 House Mountain Horse Show HJ
November
2-6 VA International HorseTrials
10-13 VA Horse Shows Assoc. Championships
17-20 Southwest VA Hunter-Jumper Assoc. Finals
December
5-10 Rockbridge Christmas Basket Program
15-18 The Barracks Horse Show
You may view our full 2022 Events Calendar HERE
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Join Us In Supporting The VHCF |
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Our Fall Appeal Is In Full Swing!
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Virginia Horse Center Foundation needs the ongoing support of our friends in the equestrian community. It is with your help that we can continue to make critical improvements and upgrades such as stall mats and grounds maintenance to ensure continued safe, spirited equestrian competition and to maintain our stature as a community and economic hub. Supporting the Virginia Horse Center Foundation has never been easier! We invite you to consider making a gift by December 31st. You can make your gift online HERE Additionally, gifts of appreciated stock can benefit both you and the VHC. Your tax professional can provide details. Questions? Reach out to our Development Department via email HERE We look forward to assisting you!
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Thank You For 'Socializing'
With Us!
Click HERE to view our new LinkedIn profile. We look forward to sharing staff and Board updates, relevant industry updates, facility improvements, available positions, and more! Follow us, share us, and connect with us. We'll see you on LinkedIn!
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Welcome Our Newest Sponsor: Rock River Experiences
Rock River Experiences features five vacation rental properties within 15 minutes of Lexington. These homes contain 4, 7, 9, 11, and 17 beds and are located on acreage suitable for exploring and gathering groups. For more information, you may view Rock River Experiences website HERE
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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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Remembering VHC Board Member Homer E. 'Buddy' Derrick and Martha Louise Robey Derrick
Homer Edwin “Buddy” Derrick Jr. died on Sept. 5, 2022, after complications from a fall. He was predeceased by his wife, Martha Louise Robey Derrick, on Aug. 19, 2022.
Buddy was born on April 22, 1931, in Columbia, South Carolina, He earned a business degree from the University of South Carolina and served in the Navy as a lieutenant. He settled in Lexington, where he began his career at the First National Bank before becoming owner/operator of Lexington Motor Sales for 40 years. He served as mayor of Lexington from 1988 to 2000 and, among many accomplishments, was also instrumental in the formation of the Virginia Horse Center. You may read his obituary as published by the Lexington Gazette HERE You may read Martha Louise Robey Derrick's Obituary HERE
From all of us at the Virginia Horse Center, our deepest condolences to the Derrick family.
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PLEASE NOTE: Our administrative offices will be closed for the holidays December 19 - January 2, 2023 |
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Virginia Horse Center Foundation
540‐464‐2950
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