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| Rainier, seen here with Kenny Wheeler, was named Sallie Wheeler Overall Grand Champion in both 2013 and 2014. Photo via www.jenniferwoodmedia.com |
The Virginia Horse Center has been selected to host this summer’s USEF Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. Hunter Breeding National Championship — East Coast on Aug. 29, 2015. The show was previously held at the Warrenton Horse Show.
“The Sallie Wheeler has grown, and now we’re going to the next level where this championship is really coming into it’s own,” said Bill Rube, chairman of the Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. Hunter Breeding National Championship subcommittee.
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| Sabrina was named the 2012 Sallie Wheeler Overall Grand Champion. Photo via www.charlotfarm.com |
The Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. Hunter Breeding Championship was created to increase awareness of the Hunter Breeding division and provide an arena for handlers, owners and breeders to showcase their talented young horses. It offers championships on both the East and West Coasts, with the same judges officiating at both events and overall grand and reserve grand champion honors presented to the best horses from either location.
“The Sallie Wheeler Championship is such an important show for the hunter breeding divisions and the hunter breeding programs here in the United States. The organizers and committee behind it have done a phenomenal job of growing it into the highly respected event that it is today, and we’re delighted to be working with them this year,” said John Nicholson, chief executive officer of the Virginia Horse Center.
The show consists of 10 classes on each coast:
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| Ooh Ah was named the 2011 Sallie Wheeler Overall Grand Champion. Photo via www.sterlingsilverstable.com |
- $1,000 Yearling Colt/Geldings
- $1,000 Yearling Fillies
- $1,000 2-year-old Colts/Geldings
- $1,000 2-year-old Fillies
- $1,000 3-year-old Colts/Geldings
- $1,000 3-year-old Fillies
- First and second place from each of the classes will move on to compete in the Best Young Horse Championship Class.)
- $1,000Amateur Handler (Class does not count towards the Best Young Horse Award)
- 3-year-old under saddle ** New for 2015 **
- 3-year-old Hunter Hack ** New for 2015 **
Upon completion of both West and East Coast Championships (West Coast Championship will be held Aug. 26 in Del Mar, California) the officials will compare results from the two Best Young Horse Classes (four horses in total) and determine the Overall Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Best Young Horse. The Overall Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion will be announced at the completion of the East Coast portion of the championships.
To find out more about the 2015 Sallie B. Wheeler/US Hunter Breeding Championships click here.
Roanoke Equestrian 