COVID-19 Update
Due to the ongoing concerns of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Virginia Horse Shows Association will be extending the suspension of all VHSA sanctioned events through June 10, 2020.
We strongly recommend that competition organizers suspend all VHSA sanctioned competitions until June 10, 2020. For those competitions that do run, there will be no accumulation of points towards VHSA year-end awards during this suspended period.
The VHSA office is limiting hours of operation to Monday-Wednesday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. We ask for your patience and understanding during this challenging time. To all of our members, please be safe.
If you have any questions, please e-mail our office vhsa@verizon.net
To all of our members, please stay safe and healthy.
Resources:
The Virginia Horse Council has created a graphic chart for Barn Safety: BARN SAFETY CHART
The Virginia Horse Industry Board has provided resources for all horse owners: https://www.vhib.org/covid-19-resources
VHSA/EMO Medal Exceptions
The 2020 Show Year has had many challenges due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and everyone has been affected in many ways. We are optimistic that we will eventually be able to once again participate in the sport that we all love.
Due to this unprecedented year, the Virginia Horse Shows Association's Equitation Committee is making exceptions for qualifying for the VHSA/EMO Medal Finals.
RIDERS WHO ARE IN THEIR LAST JUNIOR SHOW YEAR
For those Junior Members whose last Junior year is the 2020 show season, we are making a special exception for qualifying for the VHSA/EMO Hunter Seat Medal and the Championship on the Flat Final only. Those Junior Members who will age out this show year and who were qualified for the 2019 Hunter Seat Medal and/or the 2019 Championship on the Flat Final are automatically qualified for the 2020 Hunter Seat Medal and/or the Championship on the Flat that will be held at the Lexington National Horse Show. However, per VHSA rules, the 2019 winners are ineligible to compete.
CHILDREN'S MEDAL & ADULT MEDAL PARTICIPANTS
To assist in the qualifying process, the VHSA is allowing the ability to combine the Children's Medal and the Adult Medal at horse shows who offer these two Classes. This is for the Children's & Adult Medal that are held at both the Regular and the Associate Show Level.
We hope that these exceptions make this show year a little less trying.
National Show Hunter Hall of Fame
Congratulations to two Virginia Horses who have been elected into the 2020 National Show Hunter Hall of Fame:
Estrella, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest M. Oare
Henry The Hawk, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Kennetn Wheeler, Sr. and Ms. Jane Womble Gaston
Henry The Hawk, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Kennetn Wheeler, Sr. and Ms. Jane Womble Gaston
Congratulations to these very well deserved horses!
AYR Equitation Challenge
ATTENTION VIRGINIA JUNIOR EQUITATION RIDERS!
For the 2020 competition year ONLY, the organizers of the AYR Equitation Challenge have implemented the following changes regarding qualifying.
1. All riders who showed at the 2020 Stonewall I, II and Spring Welcome at the Virginia Horse Center who finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in a 3’6” Equitation class and the winner of any Oak Ridge medal have qualified.
2. All riders who win 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in a 3’6” Equitation class at ANY VIRGINIA SHOW held in 2020 up to and including Lexington National will qualify.
3. All riders who have shown in a 3’6” Equitation class in 2020 in Virginia AND AGE OUT in 2020, regardless of winnings, will qualify.
If riders or trainers have any questions please call Wendy Mathews at 540-729-9704.
Stay tuned for potential updates.
Keswick Horse Show
The May 2020 Keswick Horse Show has sadly been cancelled due to concerns for the health of our exhibitors, staff and spectators as advised by national and state mandated Executive orders and affiliate equine associations regarding the prevention of the spread of COVID 19, the coronavirus. Management is looking into the possibility of Summer or Fall replacement dates that do not interfere with other established Virginia/Zone 3 shows and will certainly let you know if that becomes a reality.
At the very least, this special, classic-Virginia, USEF Heritage Horse Show with “AA” and WCHR Ratings held on the historic Keswick Hunt Club grounds looks forward to returning to beautiful rings, lovely horses, true Southern hospitality and great friends in 2021 for its 117th year.
The Virginia Horse Show will update our calendar with any rescheduled show dates for 2020.
The Virginia Horse Show will update our calendar with any rescheduled show dates for 2020.
Virginia Horse Center - NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 3, 2020
April 3, 2020
Virginia Horse Center Aggressively Pursuing Rescheduling Shows
April 3, 2020, 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 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 the 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.
VHSA Division Sponsorship
The 2020 Division Sponsorship Opportunities are available. Sponsorships cost $100 per Division and the Sponsors are listed on our website, in our VHSA Convention Booklet and the VHSA 2021 Yearbook.
Click HERE for the complete list of Divisions that are available for sponsorship!
The VHSA 2019 Annual Live and Silent Auction
Every year the VHSA holds a Live and Silent Auction during the Annual Meeting & Convention. This fund raiser would not be able to be held without the many volunteers who obtain auction items as well as the many donors who graciously donate items. We would like to thank everyone involved with the Live and Silent Auction, especiall our Donors. Please remember to visit these businesses in support of their generosity.
A complete list of Donors can be downloaded here: 2019 Auction Donors
MEMBERS NOT IN GOOD STANDING
The following individuals are unable to accrue VHSA points, ineligible to compete at the VHSA Associate Summer Horse Show, VHSA Associate Championship Horse Show and unable to attend the VHSA Convention:
Fae Cordova (Savannah Cordova) - NSF Check
Olivia Fuller - NSF Check
Samantha Lamb (Allison Scott) - NSF Check
Paul Logan, Pachanga Farms - NSF Check & Rule Violation
Susie Mansell (Show Place Farm, LLC) - NSF Check
Kathy Martin Grumulski - NSF Check
Veronica Lorraine Martin (Kelly Davenport) - NSF Check
Megan McCarthy - Outstanding Debt
Andrew Kenneth Milne (Anna Milne) - NSF Check
Margaret Elizabeth Morris - NSF Check
Shannon Simmons - Outstanding Debt
Amanda Smith - NSF Check
Jesica Warthen (Alexis Warthen) - NSF Check
Pamela Weaver (Amanda Weaver) - NSF Check
Sandra Ruiz was awarded the USEF Sportsmanship Award at the USEF Convention.
Congratulations to one of the best - Sandra Ruiz!
The votes have been counted and we are pleased to announce the following winners of the 2019 Special Awards:
Horseperson of the Year: Sally Lamb
Amateur Sportsmanship Award: Marion Cosby-Kastenbaum
The Barry A. Jackson Memorial Award: Georgine Winslett
Junior Exhibitor of the Year: Jordan Toering
Horse Show of the Year: Deep Run Horse Show
Andrew Montgomery Award: Warrenton Pony Show
Elizabeth Nelms Owner of the Year Award: Stacey McFadden
The Susan Hagan Award: Wayne Eubank
The Frances Rowe Junior Exhibitor of the Year Award: Beverly Alcock
The Mary Drury Award: Hobby Creeks Grey Goose, owned and ridden by Olivia Dougherty
The Joan Cozart Perfect Parent Award: Mr. & Mrs. Wayne VanBrocklin
The L.M. Sandy Riding Scholarship: Victoria DeFeo
The Michael Lenehan Memorial College Scholarship: Macey Berg
The Double R Partners Perpetual Trophy - In Memory of Amy Reistrup: Shelby Bonnie
Congratulations to the winners!
Equine Nutrition Basics by Kayla Wolfe
At the Lexington Spring Welcome Horse Show at the Virginia Horse Center, the VHSA’s Special Events Committee presented a lecture led by Emory and Henry’s Jessica Denniston on Equine Nutrition Basics. Highlights of the lesson included the functions of the foregut and hindgut, essential nutrients, and how to choose a diet for a specific horse. The equine has one stomach that is composed of a foregut and hindgut. The foregut of the horse digests fats, proteins, and sugars through enzymes while the hindgut breaks down fiber. Horses need certain nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fat to fulfill their diet. Water, being the most vital nutrient for the horse, is used for transportation of nutrients and between eight to twelve gallons of it is consumed each day. When deciding on a diet for a horse, the age, workload, weight, and ability to consume grass should be evaluated. A horse that is doing a lot of exercise may need higher quantities of a certain nutrient to maintain a good balance. The weight, or body condition score should be considered when deciding both the type and quantity of food given to the horse. Access to hay or grass is necessary and must be recognized while choosing a diet for a horse. Roughage should be the primary source of food for the equine, followed by grain to assure that all the nutrients are given. Jessica Denniston explained and showed us the affects of a bad diet on a horse.
For further information, please see the Equine Nutrition Basics Handbook which can be downloaded HERE!
Wreaths Across America
Wreaths across America is a non-profit organization that lays wreaths at the many grave sites across America for our fallen soldiers. The VHSA is pleased to once again sponsor 20 wreaths to be laid at Arlington National Cemetery this month in honor of our soldiers who have given their all for all of us. If you would like to sponsor as well, please visit their website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.com
VHSA Division Sponsorship
The 2020 Division Sponsorship Opportunities are available. Sponsorships cost $100 per Division and the Sponsors are listed on our website, in our VHSA Convention Booklet and the VHSA 2021 Yearbook.