Virginia Classic show manager dies from injuries sustained in crash after show

Dave Higgins stands with exhibitor Shannon Fisher. Photo via Facebook.

Dave Higgins, the show manager at the Virginia Classic AQHA show held April 15-19 at the Virginia Horse Center, died Thursday from injuries he sustained in a crash after the show in Rockbridge County.

Higgins, 66, of Farmville, Va., died at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He also served on the Virginia Quarter Horse Association Board of Directors for the south central division.

A Subaru containing four high school students made a left turn in front of a pickup truck in which Higgins  was a passenger. A 17-year-old passenger in the Subaru also died on Wednesday.

The crash happened at 3:40 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of U.S. 501 and Virginia 130 near Glasgow. The Virginia Classic closed it’s last class about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Virginia Classic exhibitor Shannon Fisher wrote on her Facebook Page:
“I really don’t know how to put it into words how I feel right now. We lost Dave today and my heart just breaks. I’ve known Dave for the last 12 years and thru those years he has always been standing at the gate of to give me the “thumbs up” that I was doing a good job showing my horse. I’m gonna miss you Dave Higgins. I’m so glad that I saw him last Sunday before we left VA. He hugged me, told me how proud he was of me and said, “I love you sweetheart,” and my reply was, “I love you too Dave.” We are all going to miss you Dave. Life is so precious, so say the things you want and mean to say to people because you never know what tomorrow will bring.”

A training class was held in honor of Dave Higgins at the AQHA Easter Bunny show in Raleigh on Friday and raised over $1,000.

Funeral arrangements are pending.