VHSA/Marshall + Sterling Equine Insurance Medals The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that Marshall + Sterling Equine Insurance is the Official Sponsor of all of the VHSA/M+S Medal Qualifying Classes,  as well as the VHSA/M+S Medal Finals.

The 2025 VHSA/M+S Medal Finals are being held In Memory of Claiborne S. Bishop The Virginia Horse Shows Association is honored to be holding the VHSA/Marshall + Sterling Equine Insurance Medal Finals In Memory of Claiborne S. Bishop. Claiborne was the driving force behind the VHSA Medals.  We hope to be able to achieve her level of excellence in our Finals this year without her.

2025 Pony Medal Finals

Thank you to the Warrenton Pony Show and the Junior Committee for hosting the VHSA/M+S Pony Medal Finals on Friday, June 27, 2025.  We would also like to thank the Judge, Jeanne Marie Dunford-Miller for judging our Medal Finals and doing a beautiful job!  We are always pleased to have our Finals held at the Warrenton Pony Show.

Congratulations to the following Winners:

Congratulations to Zoe Basmajian, 2025 Pony Equitation on the Flat Champion
with her trainer, Fiona Turner, and our Sponsor, E. Sue Bopp of Marshall + Sterling Equine Insurance

1st  - Zoe Basmajian, trained by Fiona Turner
2nd - Robert Caputo, trained by Fiona Turner
3rd  - Grace Fennell, trained by Jenny Graham
4th  - Madilynn Kane, trained by Sugi Dewan
5th  - Madison Battle, trained by Jenny Graham
6th  - Anna Reasor, trained by Lisa Hammerschmidt
7th  - Caroline Tufts, trained by Colleen Kelly
8th  - Sophia Frescatore, trained by Tara Best

Congratulations to Sophia Frescatore, 2025 Children's Pony Medal Champion
with her trainer, Tara Best, and our Sponsor, E. Sue Bopp of Marshall + Sterling Equine Insurance

1st  - Sophia Frescatore, trained by Tara Best
2nd - Caroline Tufts, trained by Colleen Kelly
3rd  - Madelyn Damato, trained by Fiona Turner
4th  - Teagan Ogden, trained by Sugi Dewan
5th  - Virginia Page, trained by Fiona Turner
6th  - Ellie Bruscia, trained by Bethany Wood
7th  - Charlotte Nelson, trained by Fiona Turner
8th  - Hayden Ashley, trained by Lisa Hammerschmidt

1st  - Robert Caputo, trained by Fiona Turner
2nd - Anna Reasor, trained by Lisa Hammerschmidt
3rd  - Emilia West, trained by Sugi Dewan
4th  - Grace Fennell, trained by Jenny Graham
5th  - Madilynn Kane, trained by Sugi Dewan

Congratulations to all of our Winners!! 

2025 VHSA/M+S Equitation Finals Festival

The Lexington National Horse Show at the Virginia Horse Center will once again be hosting the VHSA/Marshall + Sterling Equine Insurance Medal Finals the weekend of August 8th.  In order to be qualified for the Children's Medal Finals, Junior Equitation on the Flat Finals, Hunter Seat Medal Finals, Amateur Equitation on the Flat Finals and the Adult Medal Finals, a current VHSA Member must have either Two Blues or a minimum number of points.  The Equitation Committee will make the points determination in late June/early July and this will be posted.  A current member can qualify for the Finals up to and including the Lexington National Horse Show.

The VHSA office will e-mail qualifiers with the Entry Form and Profile Sheet.  Representatives will be set up in the Horse Show Office (first door on left coming from outside) in early afternoon so that qualifiers can pick up their Medal Finals Exhibitor Number starting on this day.  The back number is completely separate from the Horse Show.

In order to qualify for the Medal Finals, a current VHSA Member must have either TWO BLUES or a Minimum amount of points:

Children's Medal - must have a minimum of 50.0 points

Junior Equitation on the Flat Finals - must have a minimum of 100.0 points

Hunter Seat Medal - must have a minimum of 1.0 point

Amateur Equitation on the Flat Finals - must have a minimum of 40.0 points

Adult Amateur Medal - must have a minimum of 10.0 points

To ENTER the Medal Finals, an exhibitor MUST complete the ENTRY FORM and e-mail it to the VHSA Office at vhsa@verizon.net.  There is a $100 entry fee that can either be paid by clicking PAY DUES above, click on Medal Finals or complete the credit card information on the Entry Form.  The Entry is not complete until we receive the ENTRY FORM and payment.

ENTRY FORM

PROFILE SHEET

Please complete the Profile Sheet for ALL Medal Finals.  Please e-mail the Profile Sheet to the VHSA Office as well.  We will need these for the Announcer at the show.

The Tentative Schedule is below:

Thursday, August 7th (afternoon) 
The Written Test for the Junior Horsemanship Competition will be administered in the Hospitality Room (across from the Horse Show Office).  Hunter Seat Medal Qualifiers can sign up for the Practicum part of the Junior Horsemanship Competition at this time.  For those who are unable to take the test at that time, please speak with the VHSA Representatives to take the test at a different day/time and/or sign up for the Practicum.

Friday, August 8th
The Practicums will be running throughout the day for those who have scheduled a time at the Hollins University Stall located directly across from the Horse Show Office.

The Children's Medal Finals will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. in The Coliseum (Jump Order to be posted one hour prior)  Course walk:  6:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, August 9th
The Practicums will be running throughout the day for those who have scheduled a time at the Hollins University Stall located directly across from the Horse Show Office.

The Junior Equitation on the Flat Finals will begin at approximately 6:00 p.m. in The Coliseum (Entry List to be posted one hour prior).  
The Hunter Seat Medal Finals will begin shortly after the completion of the Junior Equitation on the Flat Finals (Jump Order to be posted one hour prior to the beginning of the Flat Finals)
The Junior Horsemanship Competition will be awarded immediately following the Hunter Seat Medal Finals.  We ask all participants to stay close for the Presentation.
Course walk:  5:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Sunday, August 10th
The Amateur Equitation on the Flat Finals will begin at approximately 7:45 a.m. in The Coliseum (Entry List to be posted Friday Evening)
The Adult Medal Finals will begin shortly after the completion of the Amateur Equitation on the Flat Finals (Jump Order to be posted Friday Evening)
Course walk:  7:15 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.

The AYR Equitation Challenge will be held immediately following the Adult Medal Finals

 
The 26th Annual VHSA Junior Horsemanship Competition will be held during this time as well. Further information will be announced soon.

New for 2025: The Junior who has entered the Hunter Seat Medal Final and scores the highest points on the Written Exam will win the Claiborne Bishop Excellence Award.

The following is a Study Guide for all who are participating in the Written Exam portion of the Junior Horsemanship Competition.

HORSEMANSHIP STUDY GUIDE

The Written Test is open to all who are entered into the Hunter Seat Medal, as well as those who are qualified for the Children's Medal Final, as practice only.

Further information will be posted as we get closer to August.  Please contact the VHSA Office with any questions at (540) 349-0910 or by e-mail (vhsa@verizon.net)

 Lexington National Horse Show Schedule

THE 18TH ANNUAL AMY YLVISAKER REISTRUP EQUITATION CHALLENGE

This special equitation class, held in honor of Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup, is open to the first, second and third place finishers of these qualifying classes at All Virginia "A" and "AA" Qualifying Horse Shows

The 18th Annual Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge will be held in the Anderson Coliseum on Sunday, August 10, 2025, immediately following the VHSA Adult Medal Finals, at the Virginia Horse Center.  Please make sure to check in with the VHSA Representatives to Enter this Class (at no charge) and to pick up your AYR Exhibitor Number.  The VHSA Registration Desk will be set up next to the Horse Show Office (first door on left when entering building).  We will be set up beginning on Thursday, August 7th.

Qualifying Classes:

• US Hunter Seat Medal
• ASPCA Maclay
• WIHS Equitation Classic Hunter Phase
• WIHS Equitation Classic Jumper Phase
• WIHS Overall Winner
• USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Class
• VHSA/M+S Hunter Seat Medal
• VHSA Horsemanship Award
• ONLY 3'6" EQUITATION CLASSES WILL BE QUALIFIERS
• Must be a VHSA member to compete in the AYR Equitation Challenge
• The VHSA Office will take Entries & distribute exhibitor numbers.

The AYR Equitation Challenge Meeting will take place on Saturday, August 9th - late morning.  Announcements will be made at the Horse Show for exact time.

For more information contact: Wendy Mathews 540.729.9704

Trainer Bonus * Exciting Prizes * Virginia's most coveted qualifying Equitation Finals

The following individuals are qualified for the Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge (as of Deep Run):
(*Denotes Non-VHSA Members - must be a VHSA Member to compete in the AYR Equitation Challenge)

Julia Babington*

Samantha Bourque

Finley Boyd

Robert Caputo

Barbara Closter

Madalyn Dubois*

Jessica Gulden

Campbell Hudkins*

Addison Huffman

Kelly Kiser

Madison Licato*

Anika McMath

Martha Morales

Vivienne Noel*

Byrdie Paisley

Peyson Parker

Baylee Rowan*

Blake Rowan*

Savannah Shaver

Ava Sleem

Sophia Tabasso*

Ella Tarumianz*

Violet Tatum*

JJ Torano*

Skylar Ward

Please make sure to enter this Equitation Challenge with the VHSA Representatives at the Lexington National Horse Show (Next to Horse Show Office)