The spring and summer months mark the height of event season at the Virginia Horse Center. The range of facilities allows for simultaneous use by a number of organizations, breeds, and disciplines. Descriptions of the upcoming events follow below, and more information can be found at www.horsecenter.org.
June 27-July 2: O’Connor Eventing Clinic Olympic riders David and Karen O’Connor, and a distinguished panel of instructors, give the guidance and encouragement needed to reach the next step with your horse. The clinic focuses on improving horsemanship skills and riding and is open to beginner novice to advanced riders in all disciplines. More information on their teaching philosophy and the clinic can be found at www.oconnoreventteam.com.
June 28-29: House Mountain Horse Show This two day, regional hunter-jumper show is recognized by the Southwest Virginia Hunter/Jumper Association and the Virginia Horse Shows Association associate program. The show offers qualifying classes for the $500 Invitational Green/Low/Working Hunter Classic and the $250 Invitational Children’s/Adult Hunter Classic. Also featured are qualifying classes for the $1,000 After the Finish Line Hunter Stake and the $1,000 Jumper Stake at the November Thoroughbred Celebration Horse Show.
July 1-3: Virginia Horse Show Association Summer Show Judges Dede Bache-Shumate, Dale Crittenberger, and Judy Spitzer will award honors to riders associated with the SWVHJA, CHSA, BHSA, and the VBHSA during the VHSA Associate Summer Horse Show which allows riders from Virginia and bordering states to accrue points in their respective divisions. This show will feature double VHSA Associate jumper points, the only such show for 2011, and bonus VHSA Associate points for all four class divisions.
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July 2-3: Region IX Vaulting Championships Region IX equestrian vaulters, more commonly known as horse gymnasts, will thrill spectators with performances of seven compulsory exercises and freestyle routines on horses being lunged in a circle at the walk, trot, and canter. The American Vaulting Association was founded in 1966 and Region IX includes competitors from Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia.
The Virginia Horse Center Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which owns and operates the Virginia Horse Center. The Foundation is proud to support a 600-acre facility that serves 400,000 people; functioning as a classroom, land reserve, market place, and recreation venue. The VHCF manages 110 events annually, most free and open to the public, and hosts the Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center.
