Palomino quarter horse gelding tops Great American Ranch & Trail Horse Sale at $77K

With nearly 100 horses parading through the sales pen at the 2022 Great American Ranch & Trail Horse Sale, it would be hard to not find something you like. From 12-hand ponies to 17-hand Friesians, ranch-bred and trained quarter horses to loudly colored paints with impressive show records to draft crosses with miles of trails behind them, their resumes varied nearly as much as the medley of colors they came in.

And as much as we all know that color doesn’t make a good horse, we also know that buyers can’t resist a flashy horse. Make it a blue roan or a palomino and that’s the true icing on the cake.

For the past two years, the feathered feet of Gypsy Vanners stole the show. But this year, it was a palomino quarter horse named “Newt” that drew the highest bid. Heza Triple Peponita, a 2017 AQHA gelding consigned by Triple R Stables in Ohio, sold for $77,000. The winning bid came over the Internet, where the sale is live-streamed. Watch a video from the bidding.

Hip No. 50, Heza Triple Peponita, during the trail competition. He was the sale high-seller at $77,000.

The Great American Ranch & Trail Horse Sale is unique. It gives sellers a chance to show off their horses (or potentially broadcast any shortcomings in the horse’s training). Sale horses compete for cash and prizes. But potential buyers are winners, too, as they get the chance to watch the horses face unfamiliar obstacles in an unfamiliar, noisy environment.

At this year’s sale, many of the sale horses competed in either the trail horse competition, the ranch horse competition, or both — betting their horse’s training will shine through even in the difficult environment of an indoor coliseum.

Trail course obstacles include stepping over logs, crossing a bridge, weaving through tree branches, passing a campfire, ground tying while their rider disappears into an outhouse, and loading onto a trailer.

Ten finalists then return the next morning for a harder version of the course and perform a freestyle routine that shows off the horse’s unique abilities.

While the top-seller placed seventh, it was a North American Spotted Haflinger, Tigers Sweet Gentry, who quietly plodded through the course and with guns blazing in the finals came away with the championship. He later sold for $40,000. Reserve champion was Hip No. 25, TRS Loud Sensation, who sold for $25,000.

Tigers Sweet Gentry won the $2,000 Trail Horse Competition.

The ranch horse competition is held on Friday afternoon and includes completing a ranch horse pattern with stops, spins, and lead changes as well as boxing and penning a calf, before attempting to rope the calf.

This year, a flashy sorrel named Play Berry took home top honors. He later sold for $30,000.

Play Berry receives his prizes for the Ranch Horse competition win.

Trail Horse Top 5

Hip No. 76, Tigers Sweet Gentry, 2017 North American Spotted Haflinger, sold for $40,000
Hip No. 25, TRS Loud Sensation, 2010 APHA gelding, sold for $25,000
Hip No. 33, Southern Living, 2017 AQHA gelding, sold for $32,500
Hip No. 55, Ima Yella Skippa Kid, 2018 AQHA gelding, sold for $17,000
Hip No. 40, Wranglin in Rio, 2016 AQHA gelding, (no sale)

Sale high-sellers

Heza Triple Peponita, #50, (AQHA) $77,000
RW Shotgun Blue, #23, (AQHA) $45,000
(tie) Ollie, #35, (grade) $40,000
(tie) Rio Angelical 77, #36 (AQHA), $40,000
(tie) Tigers Sweet Gentry, #76, (Spotted Haflinger), $40,000
St James of Glen Grace, #18, (Gypsy Vanner), $38,000
Buckeyes Joe, #27, (Gypsy Vanner), $37,000
EQHR Blue Fire Boots, #58, (AQHA) $34,000
Southern Living, #33, (AQHA), $32,500
Tyson, #3, (grade pony), $30,000

Budweiser Clydesdales to appear in Roanoke’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Update: The Budweiser Clydesdales may not appear in Saturday’s parade because of inclement weather. While the parade is set to be held rain or shine, the iconic eight-horse hitch does not appear in snow or rain. Both are in Saturday’s forecast. Parade officials remain hopeful that the weather will remain clear enough to allow the horses to participate.

“Eight tons of champions,” the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, will be featured March 12 at Roanoke’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The famous bay draft horses were scheduled to appear in 2020, however the parade was canceled because of the pandemic. Now, they will make good on that promised appearance. The eight-horse hitch will pull their bright red beer wagon, complete with Dalmation, through downtown Roanoke’s streets starting at 11 a.m. Saturday. The parade travels from Jefferson Street to Campbell Avenue, ending at Williamson Road.

The Clydesdale’s appearance in Roanoke is one of hundreds made annually by the traveling teams.

The horses are stabled at Hollins University but are not available for public viewing before or after the parade.

One of the Clydesdales, Ivan, was on hand for a meet and greet at Healing Strides of Virginia in Boones Mill on March 7.

Clydesdale Handler Grant Johnson explained the qualifications required for a horse to become a Budweiser “gentle giant” to WDBJ7 in 2020. “One of them is they have to be a gelding. They have to be bay in color, have a black mane and tale, white blaze face, and with Clydesdales there’s always the famous white feathers. They have to have four white feathers,” he said.

They also have to be at least 18 hands. Before greeting the masses, the Clydesdales go through four to five years of training.

“We want horses that are calm, have a good disposition, and can handle noises and crowds,” Johnson said.

Virginia Horse Council plans annual educational seminar

The Virginia Horse Council will hold its annual educational seminar and meeting at 9 a.m. on March 12 at the Virginia Horse Center.

The seminar will include two sessions. The morning session will feature Dr. Allison Faber Marshall of Full Circle Veterinary Care, who will discuss the benefits of Chiropractic Work and Acupuncture. The afternoon session will feature Chris Wiley of CW Wiley Custom Saddles. He will talk on Western saddle fit.

The cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members, includes lunch and an individual one-year membership. Tickets can be purchased in person at the event.

For more information, visit the Virginia Horse Council’s website.

A flood of love, grief, disbelief after death of Botetourt County horsewoman

The Roanoke Valley equestrian community was left reeling last weekend as word spread that one of their brightest stars had died.

Tabitha Thompson, 39, of Fincastle, died Friday after she was hit by an SUV while riding her bike on Route 11 just north of Troutville.

Thompson was a longtime horsewoman and active in horse shows and other equestrian activities throughout the Roanoke Valley and beyond. For several years she organized and ran the popular Cross View Farm Horse Show series at Green Hill Equestrian Center, building a show that provided hundreds of local riders a chance to compete. The show series offered classes in many disciplines while keeping a fun, supportive atmosphere at the forefront of the competition.

She, herself, was an avid rider, competing in AQHA and APHA shows around the region including the APHA Eastern National Championship, the AQHA Level One Novice Championships, and the All-American Quarter Horse Congress with her bay mare Too Tuf To Be Fancy, who she called Lila.

View the gallery below to see the many photos that featured Thompson and her mare Lila in Roanoke Equestrian over the past several years.

Thompson’s is lovingly remembered for her penchant for helping others. An outpouring of love filled social media as friends, family, and acquaintances shared memories and utter disbelief at her passing. Many told stories of how she had made them not just better riders, but also better people. Others shared stories of Thompson’s generosity, of times she even offered her own horses or riding facilities to help others succeed. In stories of how her infectious positivity inspired so many, words such as “sweet,” “caring,” “kind,” and “selfless” were repeated again and again.

Thompson was well-known in other circles as well. She touched countless lives as a beloved nurse, working for many years at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She had recently graduated from the nurse practitioners program at Duke University School of Nursing. She was also an avid runner, competing in the Blue Ridge Marathon and other running competitions.

The Silver Snaffle Horse Show series, set for April 9, July 2, Nov. 19 at Green Hill Park Equestrian Center, will be held in Thompson’s memory. A special showmanship challenge will honor Thompson’s love for that class, using the pattern that she performed at last year’s Quarter Horse Congress. For more information on how you can help support the show, click here.

Read Thompson’s obituary here.

In the news:

Virginia Tech research to have big impact on riding helmets

A fall from the back of a horse carries increased risks for head injuries, and while an increase in helmet use has helped reduce those injuries, the overall number of head injuries among riders is still high.

And choosing a helmet is a bit of a guessing game for riders. Word of mouth and anecdotal evidence seems to drive buying decisions and there is no rating system available that helps riders make an informed decision about which helmet to wear.

In hopes of providing some guidance and help lead manufacturers to produce safer helmets, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has set its sights on developing a rating system for riding helmets.

As part of a two-year project, the lab will develop a star system rating how effective the helmet protects riders. The lab’s helmet ratings identify which helmets best reduce concussion risk. More stars equate to better protection, with 5 stars representing the best available helmets. Consumer demands for five-star helmets will in turn drive manufacturers to develop helmets with the best protection.

Since 2011, the helmet lab has been providing unbiased helmet ratings that allow consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing helmets. The helmet ratings are the culmination of over 10 years of research on head impacts in sports and identify which helmets best reduce concussion risk.

The lab has worked on helmets for several other sports, including football, hockey, and cycling. Each sport requires a very sport-specific evaluation system. For equestrians, helmets are tested against various surfaces such as grass and dirt, as well as from taller heights like a rider would experience during a fall from a horse.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE VIRGINIA TECH PROJECT

Glenn T. Petty named next director of Virginia Horse Center Foundation

“I look forward to the challenge of helping the horse center to be the best it can be.”

— Glenn T. Petty

Glenn T. Petty has been appointed the new CEO of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation. An experienced business leader and horseman, Petty will succeed John Nicholson and assume responsibilities on May 3, 2021. Nicholson will be retiring to his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky.

The foundation board of directors announced the appointment April 14, 2021.

Petty spent 16 years as manager of the Governor James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex and 25 years as show manager of the 19-day State Fair Horse Show at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. Most recently, he was executive vice president of the Arabian Horse Association for 12 years.

He has experience working at the national and regional level with a wide array of breed and sport associations. Petty is also a past president of the North Carolina Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine Foundation.

Petty has served as a consultant on the construction and design of horse show facilities and fairgrounds across the nation. He has also officiated some of the nation’s largest shows including the Saddle Horse World Championships, the AHA Youth Nationals, and the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden and the Meadowlands.

“I simply could not be more pleased that Glenn Petty will succeed me as CEO of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation,” said John Nicholson, current CEO of the Horse Center. “I have known Glenn and worked with him for many years and I am proud to consider him a friend. He is an honorable, experienced, and well-respected member of the equestrian industry. Under his leadership we can look forward to great and exciting growth for our horse center in the years ahead.”

John Nicholson announced that he planned to retire more than a year ago, with the transition delayed by the pandemic.

Under Nicholson’s leadership, VHCF’s financial stability was restored, enabling it to thrive at a time when its survival was in question. Nicholson and his team attracted new horse shows, recruited new board members, and garnered the support of the equestrian community. Most recently, VHC raised millions of dollars to fund newly added renovations and upgrades at the facility, guided by VHCF’s first-ever master plan.

The new Dee Dee Complex arena is one of several upgrades at the facility.

Gardy Bloemers, president of the board of directors, said, “On behalf of the entire board, I would like to thank John for his more than six years of service with the Virginia Horse Center Foundation. Seven years ago, our organization faced two very serious problems: a leadership void and financial instability. It would be hard to imagine what would have happened to VHC had we not found John.”

During Nicholson’s tenure he worked with both management and the elected leaders of Lexington and Rockbridge to increase the local occupancy tax allocated to meet the debt service on VHCF’s $11.5 million mortgage from the US Department of Agriculture. Obtaining non-operating resources to meet annual debt service payments was the first step in returning VHCF to financial stability.

Board Vice President Kenny Wheeler said, “All of us are incredibly grateful to John for stepping in to lead at a time when we needed specific expertise and help. The situation was pretty dismal. His vast experience and ability to connect with the horse industry, and the localities of Lexington and Rockbridge County,as well as commonwealth leaders, enabled us to turn this ship in the right direction.”

Gypsy Vanners again take top bids at Great American Ranch and Trail Horse Sale

Tequila, a Gypsy Vanner-cross mare, was the high-seller and reserve champion of the trail horse competition.
*Photo by Rose Stinson Photography.*

If you’ve ever wondered if getting training for your horse is worth it, spending the day at The Great American Ranch and Trail Horse Sale at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington is a showcase of just how much “broke” is worth in the market today. A well-trained, useful horse will always be wanted.

The sale, in its 20th year, prides itself in offering well-broke horses. There were about 80 horses and ponies of all breeds to choose from at this year’s sale, which took place April 8-10, 2021. More than a few horses saw prices well over $20,000, but it was a tobiano Gypsy Vanner-cross mare named Tequila and consigned by Buckeye Farms who inspired the highest bids. After plenty of back and forth between a couple of bidders participating by phone, she was sold for $72,000 to Alicia Stearman of California.

Stearman said in a Facebook post that she plans to use Tequila for “vaulting and circus camps for kids, Roman riding with another Buckeye Gypsy I bought back in December. We will be performing with kids with her.”

Watch video of Tequila’s sale.

The second-highest seller of the sale was also a Gypsy Vanner. RGR Shameless Adonis, consigned by Triple R Stables, brought $52,000 when the bidding was done on the stout 6-year-old black gelding.

Watch video of RGR Shameless Adonis’ sale.

RGR Shameless Adonis. *Photo by Rose Stinson Photography*

For the past couple years, Gypsy Vanners have been popular at the sale. The 2019 top-seller was a Gypsy Vanner named Congress Hill Moves Like Jagger. He sold for $45,000 that year. In 2018, the black Gypsy Vanner gelding GG Jonah was the top-seller at $40,000.

In 2020, the annual sale was canceled due to the pandemic. This year they returned with the traditional bidding by those in attendance, and by phone and added the ability to bid online as well where a live stream of the sale was available. Several horses were purchased through that online option.

While getting a chance to buy a great trail horse is at the center of the weekend, there’s more to the Great American Ranch and Trail Horse Sale then just an auction. Before the bidding ever begins, many of the horses take part in competitions reserved only for sale horses. The ranch horse competition involves performing a ranch horse pattern and cow work. This year’s winner, who took home a trophy saddle, buckle, and a $1,000 check, was Magnum Affair, a 6-year-old AQHA sorrel gelding. He later sold for $32,000.

The ranch reserve horse was RR Instant Feona. The 2015 quarter horse mare would sell for $17,000.

The trail horse competition begins Friday night before the sale with a preliminary run and is followed by a 10-horse finals on Saturday morning before the sale. It offers a unique opportunity to see the sale horses perform over unfamiliar obstacles that include large and small logs, a bridge, ground-tying while the rider uses an outhouse, a campsite complete with campfire, and loading into a horse trailer. This year the $1,000 win went to KM Best One Zippen, ridden by John Roberts. The 2014 sorrel quarter horse gelding would later sell for $27,000.

The trail horse reserve winner was the eventual high-seller, Tequila.

A special session for ponies started the sale, bringing from about $3,000 to up to $7,000. The first pony to ever qualify for the trail horse competition finals, a black and white leopard Appaloosa pony named Pongo, sold for $6,200.

While many of the horses in the first half of the sale were sold for $20,000 and up, don’t allow that to scare you off. There were plenty of horses, especially toward the last third of the sale, that tended to stay in the five figures.

Top sellers

$72,000 Lot No. 39: Tequila, 2016 Gypsy-cross mare
$52,000 Lot No. 42: RGR Shameless Adonis, 2015 Gypsy Vanner gelding
$40,000 Lot No. 22: SDR Comanches Echo, 2011 ApHC gelding, PHOTO
$32,000 Lot No. 31: Magnum Affair, 2015 Sorrel AQHA gelding
$31,000 Lot No. 28: Ciscos Last Cutter, 2016 AQHA Buckskin gelding
$30,000 Lot No. 12: Starlight Mobster, 2016 AQHA Palomino gelding WATCH
$30,000 Lot No. 20: Awesome Dry Texas, 2014 AQHA Palomino gelding
$30,000 Lot No. 45: Banjo, 2017 grade quarter horse cross
$29,000 Lot No. 21: Make Mine A Kiss, 2017 sorrel AQHA gelding
$29,000 Lot No. 41: Hez A Smart Tank, 2014 gray AQHA gelding, WATCH
$28,000 Lot No. 14: Playin in the Creek, 2011 sorrel AQHA mare
$27,000 Lot. No. 18: KM Best One Zippin, 2014 sorrel AQHA gelding WATCH
$27,000 Lot No. 49: Woodrow, 2011 sorrel Overo grade gelding, WATCH
$26,000 Lot No. 34: Chiefs Dashing Sabre, 2015 AQHA Buckskin gelding
$25,000 Lot No. 32: Mr. Illuminator Chex, 2017 grey AQHA gelding
$25,000 Lot No. 38: Plenty Blu Chukar Ma, 2015 Blue Roan AQHA gelding

See more photos, videos, and results at the Great American Ranch and Trail Horse Sale’s Facebook page.

Totilas, dressage superstar, dies at age 20

Legendary dressage horse, Totilas, died Monday after a severe bout of colic. He was 20.

Bred in the Netherlands, the Dutch Warmblood stallion was one of the most outstanding competitive dressage horses in the world and the first horse to score above 90 in competition with rider Edward Gal. He was the former world record holder for highest dressage score in Grand Prix Freestyle Dressage.

Totilas won numerous medals from the World and European Championships, including the World Championships held in Lexington, Kentucky in 2010 where he won three golds.

Totilas and Edward Gal’s world record freestyle test

Totilas was pulled into controversy over Rollkur — the hyperflexion training technique used on him and what critics say create artificial, extravagant gaits.

In 2011, Totilas was sold to ownership in Germany. With Matthias Rath in the saddle, Totilas competed in the 2011 FEI European Championships, where the pair took team silver. Totilas was injured in 2012 and didn’t return to competition for two years. In 2014, he won the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special at Aachen but was withdrew before the freestyle due to another injury. He was then retired after an MRI revealed bone inflammation in his left hind hoof.

Totilas was also a sought-after sire and sired hundreds of foals in a stud career stretching from 2010 to 2020.

A message from Gal on the Glock Performance Center Instagram page reads:

Goodbye my friend
Heaven has a new star today.
But my heart is broken.
Rest in peace #Totilas.
You will always be remembered.
Together with you I experienced happiness and even grief.
Time passed by and wounds healed.
But my love for you lasts forever.
You honored me with your trust.
You were my friend.
My condolences to Matthias and all who had the chance to work or live with this exceptional stallion.
And my thoughts to all of you who loved him.
Good bye my friend.
I will miss you until we meet again

Hollins seeking beginner-friendly lesson horses

Hollins University is looking for lesson horses suitable for beginner riders.

Hollins Riding program needs a few beginner-friendly horses that are capable of teaching students how to walk, trot, and canter.

“We would also love to find horses that will teach the beginners how to jump small jumps. We are on the search for truly low-level, non-reactive horses,” read a post shared on Facebook.

Email riding@hollins.edu for more details.

Sweet Briar College receives $1 million gift to update stables

Thoroughbred horse owner, philanthropist and son of a Sweet Briar College alumna, Richard C. Colton Jr. has given $1 million to the women’s college to support the renovation of the college’s stables, which will be named the Howell Lykes Colton ’38 Stables in honor of his mother.

Colton’s donation will enhance Sweet Briar’s ability to cultivate scholar-athletes who are accomplished leaders and supportive team members — and to maintain a nationally-ranked program that attracts top riders, instructors and trainers. The renovations should be complete by September.

“At Sweet Briar,” said the college’s president Meredith Woo, “one third of our students identify as riders, whether for competition or recreation. Their participation in the program helps them learn lessons of perseverance, discipline and teamwork. We are committed to supporting the excellence of our riding program and I thank Dick Colton for his tremendous generosity, which is an important part of that commitment.”

Mimi Wroten, director of the college’s riding program added, “I am extremely grateful for this gift. The renovation of our stables will allow us to continue the legacy of providing exceptional horse care and a superior experience for riders of all levels.”

Colton is glad to be able to support the school his mother loved so much. “To this day, my mother’s life and what she did with Sweet Briar has definitely impacted us,” Colton said. “We really admired Sweet Briar. Being part of its comeback is honoring my mother and has been a wonderful part of my life. Also, Sweet Briar is really well-known for its riding and I want to help keep it up.”

Colton’s mother, Howell Lykes Colton, was a member of the Sweet Briar Class of 1938. She was a member of a number of clubs and organizations on campus, and also served as the student head of riding. “My mom was a very intelligent woman and Sweet Briar was a great asset to her life.” Colton told us. “She was wise beyond her years. I think she would have excelled in the school even in today’s generation.”

Sweet Briar has become something of a tradition for the Colton family. Although Colton wasn’t able to follow his mother to Sweet Briar — he graduated from Washington & Lee in 1960 — his sister, Keenan Kelsey ’66 did attend and both have been generous to the college.

Sweet Briar started its formal riding program around 1920, making it one of the oldest and most distinguished programs in the United States. For the past two years, the riding team has been very successful. In 2018, it competed in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association Championship for the first time. Also that year, Makayla Benjamin ’18 won the prestigious USEF/Cacchione Cup, which recognizes the nation’s best collegiate rider each year. In April 2019, the team made history by competing beyond the opening round of the NCEA National Championship for the first time. In November 2019, the Sweet Briar team was ranked ninth over fences in the initial NCEA Rankings, alongside powerhouse schools like the Auburn University, the University of Georgia, Baylor University, Texas A&M, and Texas Christian University.