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| Hat City, owned and ridden by Lauren Moran at the Thoroughbred Celebration Show in 2014.. Photo Credit David Bell/RideOnSports Photography |
Did I really just see daffodils blooming in Roanoke? Dare I hope that my pasture is turning ever-so-slightly green? Can I let myself believe that spring is here? I know at our house we are certainly hoping so as ice gives way to mud. My riding areas are much too water-logged to get any time in the saddle. So here are some events around our region where you can hopefully find drier footing and horses coming out of our winter hibernation.
VIRGINIA HORSE CENTER
This weekend is the center’s annual Thoroughbred Celebration Spring Show in the Coliseum and Wiley Arena. The two-day Hunter/ Jumper series is for horses who are either off the track or bred to race. Meg Rhodes will judge hunters. Leslie Brown will judge jumpers. Both days start at 8 a.m. Find a prize list and schedule of classes here.
SEMINAR
The Southwest Virginia Dressage Association will host it’s Educational Sunday at 8 a.m. March 15 at Flanagan Stables in Christiansburg. Lynne Gilbert (competitive endurance rider) will discuss long-distance riding. Heather Hilgartner, DVM (of Windover Equine Services) will discuss lameness in dressage horses. Wayne Jones (Owner of Star-Ro Trailers) will discuss trailer safety. Roddy and Sally Moore (Storey Creek Farm) will be discuss training and driving draft horses. Used tack sale also planned. The event is free, so bring a chair and learn something new.
A LOOK AHEAD
- Spring Breakout AQHA Show, March 21-22, Virginia Horse Center
- Leslie Morris Breast Cancer Benefit Horse Show, noon on March 21, Patrick Henry Girls Home at1039 Brookneal Hwy, Rustburg, VA
- Virginia Horse Festival, March 27-29, The Meadow Event Park, Doswell, Va.
- Botetourt County Horsemen’s Association welcomes Virginia Tech’s Dr. Scott Pleasant to discuss current health concerns for horse owners. April 7, Bellacino’s in Daleville.
- Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, April 25-26, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Ky.
- Micheal Lyons Performance Clinic, Saturday, June 27, Walnut Springs Stables, Blacksburg. $175 to ride, $25 to audit. Limited spaces are available. (336) 267-1086
- Clinton Anderson Walkabout Tour, Aug. 22-23, Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, Va.
Roanoke Equestrian 