Featured Article (August 2001)

Virginia Horse Show Fall Preview

Variety is the Key to Virginia's Horse Show Scene

Virginia's horse show scene is steadily building and expanding. Once considered hunt country by reputation, Virginia is now becoming known as horse country. A wide variety of breeds and their accompanying disciplines have been flowing into Virginia, boosting the state's reputation in almost every equine area. And what better way to demonstrate these horses' abilities than through shows and competitions.

It is advantageous for a rider to explore a variety of disciplines and breeds. The more we learn the better, right? Plus, it is just plain fun to watch barrel horses speed around the cloverleaf, or jumpers fly over huge, crazy-looking obstacles, or a pair of Andalusians strut their high school stuff to music. And, yep, you guessed it; Virginia is a great place to see such a variety.

One of the best places to immerse yourself in eclecticism is the famous Virginia Horse Center (VHC) in Lexington. Known for its beautiful facilities and strong competition, this venue hosts, perhaps, the widest variety of shows in the area. We will begin and end our tour of fall horse shows at the VHC.

On August 4th & 5th the National Foundation Quarter Horse Association Show (NFQHA) will be held at the Virginia Horse Center. Competition begins each day at 8:00 a.m. and is sponsored by the Southeastern FQHA of South Carolina. The judges are Eddie Smith, from NC, Wayne Whitehead of OH, Erica Aaron, GA - all are affiliated with the AQHA and NFQHA. The National Foundation Quarter Horse Association (NFQHA) is based in Joseph, OR, with its satellite clubs extending throughout the United States, France, and Canada. The Mason Dixon club and the Southeastern club currently support the Eastern United States.

Over 100 competitors are expected to attend, watched by several hundred spectators. There will also be a Foundation Sale that weekend (Virginia's first one). The most popular events are the cattle events and steer daubing where the steer starts out in the roping chute, and when it is let out, the horse and rider must "daub" the animal with mustard which is dipped onto the end of a rag tied onto a pole - lots of laughs and, yes, it's a judged event. Other events include roping, reining, cutting, barrel racing, pole bending, working ranch horses, and more. Points earned are scored on a national level and are posted in the NFQHA journal. Last year’s awards included a Trails West Trailer, custom saddles, and trophies. Open, Non-Pro, and Youth classes are offered.

Our local FQHA club is the Mason Dixon Foundation Quarter Horse Club (MDFQHC). Eric and Jeanette Pardy from Warrenton (Jeanette is the President of the MDFQHA), along with the support of Cindy Lipich and her staff of Diamond C Farm in Rixeyville, sponsored the first NFQHA clinic and show to be held in the Northeastern United States. The show was held in June at the Waterford Downs Estate in Leesburg and sported competitors from all over the East Coast. "Western riding and the Western state of mind as some call it, has been spreading rapidly throughout the East. The Mason Dixon club is here to promote it," says Jeanette, who doesn't forget to mention: "Our logo is 'Western by the Grace of God.' We enjoy using that especially since our Western club arose successfully right in the heart of hunt country." West meets East, in this case.

A few days later, from August 8th - 12th, at the VHC, is the well-known Lexington National Horse Show, an AHSA Double "A" Rated and SWVHJA sanctioned hunter show, which it now 20 years old. It has been at the VHC for about 12 years. A consistently large number of horses are expected to compete - approximately 500. Two of the big attention-getters are the Virginia Horse Show Association (VHSA) Medal Finals and the VHSA Horsemanship Championship. Currently there are 30 riders qualified for the Children's Medal with Ben Garner leading, 31 riders for the Adult Medal with Audrey Latham leading, 23 riders for the Hunter Seat Medal with Megan Schoellhamer in the lead, and 20 riders for the Pony Medal with Jessica Van Brocklin leading. The judges include one Virginian, Meredith McLaughlin. The other three judges are John Roper, Richard Keller, and Eddie Federwisch.

From August 17th - 19th the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) will have its Colonial National - one of the East Coast's biggest barrel racing competitions. The 2001 NBHA National Championship Tour, which consists of seven shows, takes place from April - October across the United States. It will kick off in South Carolina and end in Texas. The Colonial is the 5th show on the tour. Last year this show saw over 700 horses compete in the Open classes, ($44,425 payout) over 200 horses in the Youth, ($11,668 payout) and around 100 horses in the Senior classes ($5,067 payout). Total prize money was $61,160. The NBHA uses a four-division (4-D) format. This makes it possible for the beginning, intermediate, and advanced barrel racer to compete and win in the same event. All riders, regardless of ability, run in the same 4-D barrel race. Time brackets then determine the four divisions. With the 4-D format, the overall fastest time of the race is used to set the time brackets for the four divisions. There are three NBHA 4-D Classes, the Youth 4-D for ages 18 and under, the Open 4-D, and the Senior 4-D for competitors 50 and over. The Youth and Open classes will each have two separate races, and the Senior will have one race.

The Champion of each division will be the horse and rider team who earns the most money in the Open, Youth, or Senior class. The Champion of each division in each class receives a Circle Y saddle and a Gist buckle. 1st - 3rd place teams receive Wildcard invitations to the World Championships and other great prizes. Last year, Adam Roper from Powhatan won the Open 1-D with TA Express's time of 15.034. Dennis Pickenpaugh of Powhatan and Kee Kee Run won the Open 2-D with a time of 15.536. Amy Johnson of Swords Creek won the Youth 2-D with Bo's time of 15.631. Niki Boyd of Fort Valley won the Youth 4-D with Doc's time of 17.134. Spencer McCarty of Hampton and Bee Boppin Bobby won the Senior 3-D with a time of 16.138. Mary Lee Kyper of Suffolk and Alma Ruth won the Senior 4-D with a time of 17.139.

The weekend after the barrel racing competition, the VHC hosts both the Blue Ridge Quarter Horse Association Show (August 24th - 26th) and the Eastern Region Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Club (ERALHC) Horse Show (August 23rd - 26th). The ERALHC show is in its 9th year and last year attracted about 85 horses. It is always hard to tell how many spectators are there, but the numbers reflect the fact that this is fan-friendly show as these fabulous Spanish and Portuguese horses demonstrate their abilities and their beauty. The Spanish Andalusians and the Portuguese Lusitanos are shown in separate divisions. Some of the most popular classes are Halter, Western Pleasure, Saddle Seat, Driving, English Equitation (similar to Hunt Seat), and Dressage where levels offered go from Introductory to Grand Prix. Most of the Dressage horse and rider teams are showing at the 1st - 3rd levels. Seminars on the Andalusian will be held on Friday at 4:00 followed by costume classes (accompanied by music) at 7:00 for historical, heritage, and freestyle/fun costumes. That evening there will also be a special exhibition of high school trained horses individually performing the high level movements of Classical Dressage. Seminars for the Lusitano will be held on Sunday morning at 8:30. This show is a qualifier for the International Andalusian and Lusitano Association National Show in Texas.

The Spanish judge this year is Sr. Isaac Rodriguez Martin. The Portuguese judge is Francisco Bessa De Carvalho. The Dressage judge is Ginna LaCroix. The U.S. judge is Francine Dismukes. Some Virginia exhibitors include Karen Lewis of S/S Farm, Linda Ristow of Millrace Farm, Mickey Copeland, Julie Kenay, and Eldora Brown. Tamarack Farm, which stands Domino, plans to show eight of Domino's foals and a three-year-old. Last year Domino foals dominated the classes for his age group.

One thing you will see a lot of at this show is the color gray. Approximately 80% of Andalusians are gray, 15% are bay, and 5% are black. Andalusians have quite a history behind them and can be traced back to the Bronze and Iron Ages on the Iberian Peninsula.

August 31st - September 3rd is the Virginia Quarter Horse Association Breeder's Futurity AQHA Show at the VHC. Last year this show saw over 400 exhibitors, 300 of which were entered in the Futurity. This years' Futurity classes have been expanded in the Virginia Bred division (horses that are born, owned, and shown in Virginia) to include Weanling Stallions/Mares, Non-Pro Weanling Stallions/Mares, and Open 2 yr. old Western Pleasure. Other classes include the VQHA Breeders Incentive Program (stallion service classes) with a $50,000 purse, the VQHA Open Futurity, and the National Snaffle Bit Association classes. The VQHA has developed the Breeder's Incentive Program (BIP) to promote the breeding of quality American Quarter Horses. The VQHA Breeders' Futurity showcases the offspring of stallions enrolled in the BIP. Originally begun by Francis and Stanley Helmintoller and Rex Bumgarner, the BIP and Futurity are now headed by Betsy Tuckey and Connie Knight. A list of the current BIP stallions can be found at: www.vaquarterhorse.com/bip_and_futurity.htm. In addition to the large number of classes in the popular conformation division, you will get to watch Reining and Trail horses, Hunter and Western Pleasure, Hunter Hack, and Driving. Last year, Mary Norman of Virginia Beach won the most money along with the title of Amateur Gelding Champion. Other prominent Virginia competitors include Steve Meadows of Staunton, John and Betsy Tuckey of JBT Farms in Ashland, Dave Hickens of Farmville, Connie Christopher of Chriswood Farm in Manassas, and Mountaintop Ranch in Elkton. There are, of course, many, many more successful Quarter Horse competitors in this state.

The Horse Shows In The Sun (HITS) fall series at Commonwealth Park in Culpeper consists of the Winston National from August 15th - 19th, the Constitution Classic from August 22nd - 26th, and the Cosequin USGPL Invitational Finals from September 26th - 30th. Georgine Winslett of Culpeper will be one of the three jumper judges for each show. The other judges come from all over the country. The course designer for each show, respectively, is Danny Foster of Canada, Michael Curtis of Arizona, and David Ballard of Canada. The HITS Culpeper summer/fall series of six horse shows at Commonwealth Park, which began in April, is now featuring a $50,000 Grand Prix every Sunday for the first five shows. The sixth big purse of the season - the $100,000 Cosequin Grand Prix Invitational - marks the end of the Cosequin USGPL Invitational Finals. More than $850,000 in total prize money will be awarded at the six events. The Winston National and the Constitution Classic both feature a $50,000 HITS Grand Prix class. The USGPL Finals will feature the $25,000 Wild Card Grand Prix on Friday and the $100,000 Cosequin USGPL Invitational Grand Prix on Sunday. During the Finals, Commonwealth Park will also host the $5,000 Marshall & Sterling Pony Jumper Final on Saturday, the Marshall & Sterling League Semi-Finals (which take place throughout the weekend), the $25,000 Pre-Green Hunter Invitational Final on Saturday, the $15,000 JR/A-O Low Invitational Final on Sunday, and the $25,000 JR/A-O High Invitational Final on Sunday.

Last year Allison Firestone (Upperville) and Arnica de la Barre won the Winston National $50,000 HITS Grand Prix and Tracy Bartko and Argus won the Constitution Classic $50,000 HITS Grand Prix. Competition begins each day at 8:00 in the morning and goes until approximately 4:00, plus an evening class on Fridays. HITS has improved the Commonwealth Park every year since purchasing the show grounds in 1997 and continues to enhance the amenities. HITS Culpeper offers Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation competitions in six all-weather rings. Competitors vie for ribbons, trophies, coolers, and prize money in more than 270 classes at each show. Each event hosts approximately 900 to 1,300 horses accompanied by an estimated 3,000 riders, trainers, and grooms. More than 3,000 spectators are expected to visit Commonwealth Park during the fall series of horse shows.

August 30th - September 2nd marks the 102nd anniversary of the Warrenton Horse Show at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds in (you guessed it) Warrenton. This Labor Day Warrenton tradition attracts around 400 horses. A large number of spectators make this event more fun with tailgate parties and a Fauquier Hospital Benefit Party. This show is definitely for Hunters. The line up includes all the normal Hunter classes, even some Schooling and Children's Jumpers. In addition, the show hosts an Eastern Regional International Hunter Futurity on Friday morning and a Virginia Thoroughbred Association Futurity Exhibition and VHSA Hunter Futurity on Saturday afternoon, which includes Thoroughbred and Non-Thoroughbred breeding classes. Following those classes you will see some new classes for a not-so-prevalent breed: Pure- and Part-Bred Cleveland Bay In-Hand, Under Saddle, and Hunter Hack. Saturday evening you will see the Ladies Sidesaddle classes and the Jack Russell terrier race. The famous and elegant Hunt Night begins Sunday morning at 11:00 with classes like Field Hunter, Hunter Pairs, Hunter Hack, Hunting Staff, Master's Class, Field Hunter Corinthian Stake Class, and Hunt Teams. Another noteworthy class is the Virginia Bred Young Hunter Under Saddle and the popular Local Hunter divisions: Owner/Rider and other than O/R. The Pleasure Hunter divisions (walk/trot, walk/trot/canter, and "go as you please") are meant for those who perhaps haven't shown a lot or who are testing the waters.

Some of last year's winners include Betty Oare from Warrenton and her Thoroughbred, Stillwater who were Schooling and A/O Grand Champion Hunter. Best Child Rider, Children's Hunter Champion, and Local Hunter Champion was Christine Fiore of Middleburg. Baby Green Hunter and Special Hunter Champion was Ms. Stephen Clark of Middleburg with her horse, Bain Du Soleil. Adult A/O Hunter Champion was Mimi Able-Smith also of Middleburg. The Warrenton show is the first show of the Fox Hunter Championship Series. Last year's Warrenton Fox Hunter Champion was the Elkridge-Harford Hunt and Reserve went to the Marlborough Hunt. The other four shows in the series are the Middleburg Classic, the Capitol Challenge, the Pennsylvania National, and the Washington International.

Two more shows in early September are the Northern Virginia Region of Eastern Amateur Arabian Horse Show, held on the 1st and 2nd at Morven Park in Leesburg, and the September Spectacular Quarter Horse Show, held on the 8th and 9th at Frying Pan Park in Herndon.

The 2001 Virginia State 4-H Horse Show marks the 40th anniversary of this event - the annual highlight of the Virginia 4-H Horse Project. The show, which was held in conjunction with the State Fair for 36 years, will now be held at the Virginia Horse Center from September 13th - 16th. This multi-discipline equine event for 4-H members has touched many exhibitors, their families, volunteers and show staff over the past four decades. In recognition of this special anniversary year, a commemorative celebration will take place Saturday evening with some formal activities and a reception honoring the people involved since the beginning. Since 180 volunteers help with this show every year, this could be a very large group! Another large part of this show is the number of spectators since this is a family event for 4-H members. You will see lots of relatives and grandparents here. The show, however, limits its entries to 500. Most of the competitors are Hunters with a large Hunter Pleasure division and even a Hunter Pleasure Over Fences class. Next are the Quarter horse enthusiasts, which mix in with the Hunters as well as the Western classes. And after that comes the saddle horses - Arabians, Morgans, and the like. The Gymkhana is another popular event with barrel racing, pole bending, and the keyhole race. Because most of the 4-H members are between the ages of 13 and 14, you will see mostly horses and just a few ponies, though there are pony classes in every division.

This show has a dizzying number of classes in its 56 divisions since it is broken down into developmental stages: size of horse, age of rider, level of horse's experience, and level of rider's experience. Many of the top VHSA riders have gone through the 4-H program such as Amanda Svetz and Jocelyn McDonald. Some of the 4-Hers who have been doing well recently include: Amber and Erin Bradshaw of Chesapeake with their stock horses Bar Golds Pleaser and Mr. Classic Socks, respectively; Jessy Cambell of Albermarle Co. and her Thoroughbred Hunter, Love Me Tender; Benjamin Heizer and his Saddlebred, Hollywood Sweetheart; the Phillips family of Chesterfield and their Quarter Horses; multi-champion Carolyn Rice of Fauquier Co. and her Quarter Horse Hunter, The Big Red One; the Ketterman family and their Hunter horses.

Next we have the Double "A" Rated 9th Annual Middleburg Classic Horse Show from September 18th - 23rd at Great Meadow. This show benefits the Equestrian AIDS Foundation and will be judged this year by John Roper, George Schneider, and Julie Winkle. The course designer for this Hunter show is Glenn Moody of Charlottesville. The show consists of the regular hunter classes plus a Hunt Night and a $25,000 Hunter Classic. Last year's Classic was won by Tracey Weinburg, who has a farm in Middleburg, and her horse San Siro. Paige Johnson of The Plains and her horse Kokopelli came in second and Russell Frey of Middleburg and Simbold took third. Most of the horses found here are either Thoroughbreds or Warmbloods, ridden by an equal percentage of juniors, amateurs, and professionals.

From September 20th - 22nd is the inaugural National Walking Horse Association (NWHA) National Championship Horse Show, dubbed "The National," at the VHC. Some of the most popular classes at this show are the Trail Pleasure (non-animated), Versatility, Plantation Pleasure (animated), and Light Shod English and Western. Other classes include Model Mares and Stallions, Pleasure and Obstacle Driving, Dressage, TWH Over Fences, Costume, Reining, Pole Bending, and last but not least, a Stick Horse class for those kids with big imaginations. Over 1,000 horses and their humans are expected to attend this championship. So far, the NWHA has received a strong response from riders and sponsors in Virginia for this event. The NWHA is a young organization of 3 years, but already has 44 shows throughout the country. Its purpose is to promote the natural gaited Walking Horse breed, to change the perception of the breed, and to erase the stigmatism associated with it. The NWHA is a USDA Certified organization, which, thanks to the 1970 Horse Protection Act, checks on the health of the horses involved in the show.

The annual State Fair of Virginia returns to the Richmond Raceway Complex (formerly Fairgrounds on Strawberry Hill) for an eleven day run from September 27th through October 7th. This location has been home for this annual event since 1947 when the fairgrounds were built. The State Fair offers a nonstop lineup of activity in its Equestrian Center beginning with the Miniature Horse Show on Thursday and Friday. Recently expanded to two days, the show will include a Gymkhana division for the first time this year. Another surprise awaits you as llamas compete in the horse show ring Friday and Saturday. The State Fair Jousting Tournament returns on September 29. Jousting was reintroduced to the Fair in 1997 after 30 years and is enjoying renewed popularity. Sunday will feature a Pleasure Driving Show, a division previously featured at the annual Virginia State Horse Show. On Sunday, both rings will be filled with activity as the Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad host an open "variety" show that has become a popular event at the fairgrounds. The State Fair Miniature Horse Show moves to Monday and Tuesday, with the addition of high score performance awards, followed by the Draft Horse Show and Pulling Contest on Wednesday, and the Mule Show and Pulling Contest on Thursday. The Mountain Dew Championship Rodeo takes place October 1, 2, and 3. The State Fair of Virginia Quarter Horse Show has a brand new schedule with four days of horse shows in two "split combined" double-pointed shows. The first show runs September 28th - 29th and the second show is September 30th - October 1st. Adding interest to Friday's schedule will be the State Fair Sheepdog Trial taking place in the Grandstand Arena.

Equine Director Sue Mullins is pleased to be able to schedule such a diversity of equine activity. "The State Fair always has a lot of folks attending who are not familiar with the many aspects of the horse world; our schedule and unique offerings this year will expose them to some of that diversity and help us fulfill our mission to educate and entertain." A major highlight will be the Royal Thunder Southern States Percheron Hitch that will be on site for the full eleven days of the fair, appearing in the nightly parade and performing their impressive maneuvers during regularly scheduled performances. This year's south of the border "Viva La Fiesta" theme should add a festive flair.

Now we jump to the end of October for the 43rd Annual Washington International Horse Show (WHIS) at the MCI Center in D.C. Last year's WHIS, held for the first time at the MCI Center, achieved new records in terms of prize money, ticket sales, and sponsorship, surpassing even the high expectations placed upon it by organizers and management. "Our first year at the MCI Center was an even greater success than we had dared hope for. Prize money was over $325,000, up 50% from last year; sponsorships were $800,000, tripled from last year; and ticket sales were up by 25%. We are delighted with our new venue and the show we were able to put on, and look forward to making the WIHS increasingly bigger and better in the future," said WIHS President Jorge J. Carnicero. The WIHS has also increased the prize money of the prestigious President's Cup Grand Prix - doubling the purse to a record $200,000. The President's Cup, a World Cup Qualifier, has quadrupled since 1999, thanks to the generosity and continued support of sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Alan Shephard. This increase makes the WIHS President's Cup one of only two grand prix in the United States offering $200,000 or more.

The WIHS also announced that qualifying for the 2001 WIHS Children's & Adult Hunter and Jumper Championships will be based on points accumulated at qualifying classes held at horse shows throughout North America. The top 30 horse and rider combinations, based on these qualifying classes, will be invited to compete in the Championships to be held during show. The WIHS Children's & Adult Championships will offer a total of $40,000 in prize money, with $10,000 awarded in each of the following: Children's Hunter Championship, Adult Hunter Championship, Children's Jumper Championship, and Adult Jumper Championship. Other special classes at this show are the $25,000 International-Open Jumpers Thursday afternoon, the $10,000 International-Open Jumpers Gambler's Choice that evening, followed by the Ladies Sidesaddle classes. The $25,000 Puissance class Friday evening follows the U.S. League World Cup Dressage Finals. Saturday is the $5,000 Hit and Hurry followed by the $200,000 President's Cup and the World Cup Dressage Freestyle. On Sunday you will see lots of ponies and awards ceremonies along with the Hunt Night Finals. The judges this year are Linda Andrisiani, Daniel Robertshaw, and Geoff Teall. The Jumper course designer is Conrad Homfeld, and the Hunter course designer is Richard Jeffery.

From October 25th - 28th at the VHC is the 19th Annual Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championship Finals and the Virginia Dressage Association Fall Championship, which has a sub-theme of "2001 - A Dressage Odyssey" and is the official USDF Region One Qualifying Competition for the 2002 North American Young Riders' Championships. Since the VHC is one of the best show facilities on the East Coast, VADA predicts the show will be quite large, as usual. Over 300 entrants, from New York to South Carolina, are expected to attend. The Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships were founded in 1983 to stimulate regional Dressage competition at the AHSA levels. In 1985, the FEI levels were added, and in 1988 Musical Freestyles (MFS) were included.

The Championships were founded by Dr. Samuel Barish, the current President of the United States Dressage Federation and are sponsored by Group Member Organizations within USDF Region 1 and the numerous qualifying shows. Some of the qualifiers for the Finals from Virginia are Carol Lawrence and Graziella at the Training Level, Katherine Martorana and Herbstnacht at the Training Level Junior Rider, Jill Rabin and Alcazar at the First Level, Amanda Chamber and Szaka at the First and Second Level Junior Rider, Carolyn Jackson and Calvados at the Second Level, Lisa Wilson Farthing and Mandigo at the Third Level, Kathy Rowse and Kostolan at the Fourth Level, Alison Head and Calhambeque at Intermediaire I, Ellen Simonetti and Afke E. at First MFS, Anita Scruggs and Bel Rambo at Third MFS.

On October 28th at the Deep Run Hunt Club in Manakin-Sabot is the Central Virginia Show Jumping Association (CVSJA) Year End Mini Prix, a VHSA Associate show, which is the culmination of a yearlong Schooling Show series, begun in 1992. This show does things a little differently each year by switching between a Hit and Hurry, a Power and Speed, and a Gambler's Choice class for the second round in each division: Novice, Low, Schooling, and Modified. The first round must be jumped clean in order to qualify for the second go. The Mini Prix requires formal dress and competitors must have competed in one other CVSJA show in order to compete at this show, which pays money through 6th place. Approximately 75 - 80 horses attend this show along with the others in the series. The competitors are mainly those who have done well on the "A" circuit. Some of the Virginia winners from this show are Sulu Rose of Manakin-Sabot and Romulus, Hannah Stovall of Virginia Beach and Geminis Star, Elizabeth Conyers and Catania, Dawn Peterson of Colonial Heights and Fly For All, Nora Tarpley of Virginia Beach and That's My Alibi, and Tracy Harmon of Richmond and Tighten.

November 3rd is the VADA/NOVA Championship & Dressage Schooling Show at Morven Park. This show is both a Schooling Championship and a separate Schooling Show. The judges are Susan Carr and Lisa Schmidt. The show offers up to Forth Level plus a First - Second Level Musical Freestyle. The competitors are mostly at the Introductory and Training Levels. Many riders do not compete in recognized shows, so this Schooling Championship was created as a way to give them something to work towards during the year. The top qualified riders and horses include Jessie Ginsburg and her Holsteiner, Rhinecliff, at the Second Level MFS, Kristen Pagelson and her Quarter Horse, Oh Henry, at the Training Level, and Leslie Painter and her Trakhener, Shadow Dancer, at the Training Level. This show will see between 40 - 50 horses in the Championship plus 50 - 60 in the Schooling Show. The day after this show, Morven Park hosts the CDCTA Championship & Schooling Dressage Show. And last but not least, check out the Southwest Virginia Hunter/Jumper Association Show and Medal Finals at the Virginia Horse Center from November 9th - 11th.

For a complete listing of shows in Virginia, visit the Virginia Horse Journal's site: www.virginiahorse.com/calendar.jsp.