The Grand Prix of Roanoke had a new venue and a new champion for 2016, as Brooke Kemper rode her 12-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding Classified to the top spot for the $25,000 prize Saturday, June 26, at the Virginia Horse Center.
Brooke Kemper on Classified
The 12-time winner of the Grand Prix of Roanoke, Aaron Vale, was not part of the field of 11 at the show’s new venue at the Virginia Horse Center.
As a large crowd of spectators looked on, Kemper, of Shadow Pond Stables in Culpeper, Virginia, was clear in her first ride and then clear again in the jump-off with a time of 37.258. She just barely edged out Maryann Charles and FVF Sailorman, who jumped a double clear with a time of 37.279.
Also in the jump-off round was Tyler Smith riding Soho D’Ermisserie, who had a double clear with a time of 41.763, and Gavin Moylan riding Pernod, who had four faults and a time of 35.411.
Maryann Charles and Sailorman
Tyler Smith and Soho D’Ermisserie
Brooke Kemper also rode Classified to a win in the Rockbridge Grand Prix at the Virginia Horse Center in 2015. She was third in the George L. Ohrstrom Grand Prix at the horse center in May. Kemper grew up on her parents’ Kemper Knoll Farm near Harrisonburg, Virginia. Her mother, Darlene, is a riding instructor, while her father, Whit, is a full-time farmer.
Tyler Smith and Soho D’Ermisserie were third in the Grand Prix of Roanoke
Green Hill Equestrian Center in Salem is working to improve the footing in the facility’s three arenas.
Green Hill Park Equestrian Center in Salem, Virginia, has developed a five-phased plan to improve the footing in all three rings at the facility.
Phase 1 of the project is to correct the grading in Ring 2 so that new footing can be installed in the ring. The estimated cost of this phase is $30,000. A GoFundMe account has been created to help pay for these improvements.
The footing for Ring 2 will be Phase 2 of the project. A timeline for the work is not yet available.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 1, in Charlottesville for local horseman Felix Jacob Nuesch, who died peacefully on June 6, 2016, at his home in Free Union. He was 84.
An active member in the horse community, Nuesch was instrumental in developing the Virginia Horse Center and was on the board for many years. He was inducted into the center’s Hall of Fame as well as the Virginia Horse Show Association Hall of Fame and was named Horseman of the Year by the Virginia Horse Council.
Nuesch was born and raised in Balgach, Switzerland. As a young man he was a member of the Swiss Calvary and he competed in military events and in combined training events.
Felix Nuesch riding a young racehorse.
After coming to the United States in the 1950s, he managed Canaan Farm in Esmont. He later managed several other farms such as Lewisfield and Ingleside in Charlottesville while he started his own business at his home, Rehberg Farm, in Free Union. At Rehberg Farm he trained race horses, hunters and jumpers and developed fox hunter prospects as a member of the Farmington Hunt. In 1984, he started Braeburn Thoroughbred Training Center in Crozet, Virginia, where he and his family broke and trained horses for owners such as Lael Stable, Christiana Stable, Morven Stud, Al Fried, Jr., Joanne Nielsen, and Mr. and Mrs. Orme Wilson. His family continues to run the farm where his son, Pat, is the head trainer.
Memorial donations may be made to the Virginia Horse Center Foundation in Lexington or the Earlysville Volunteer Fire Department.
The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va.
Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg, Virginia, has hired Paul Goodness, one of the most highly respected farriers on the East Coast, and his team to provide full-time, on-site services at the center.
A campus of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, the EMC is a full-service equine hospital located in Leesburg, Virginia, that offers advanced specialty care, 24-hour emergency treatment, and diagnostic services for all ages and breeds of horses.
Full-time farrier and podiatry services are also offered at Tech’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Blacksburg, where it sees approximately 1,200 cases annually through the equine podiatry service. The college also recently opened a new equine podiatry center on its Blacksburg campus.
Goodness and his team will work closely with center faculty, referring veterinarians, and farriers to help make diagnoses, alleviate pain, and provide therapeutic shoeing for horses with problematic feet or joint pain.
“Paul and his team are among the most highly regarded and advanced farriers in the country,” said Michael Erskine, center director. “They are a perfect fit here at the EMC where our culture of caring and collaboration ensures the best treatment and services for our clients.”
Goodness, a certified journeyman farrier with the American Farrier’s Association, has been shoeing horses for four decades. His sport horse shoeing practice, Forging Ahead, attracted clients and farriers from all over the country. In the past, Goodness served as the United States Equestrian Team farrier between 1992 and 1996, and participated in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Goodness will be joined by his son, certified farrier Luke Goodness, and a team of assistant farriers. They will provide lameness consultation and therapeutic shoeing for patients in a fully equipped shop that includes all-weather work stalls and additional holding stalls. The farrier shop will be open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“This is very special. Having vets and farriers working closely together is so much more effective and helpful for both the owner and the horse,” Goodness said. “There are few other places in the country where full-time farriers and veterinarians come together to treat horses under one roof.”
Six horses authorities say were mistreated and neglected at an Orange County farm last year were seized again this week from a different horse rescue due to poor conditions and care, Orange County authorities said Thursday.
Several horses seized from Peaceable Farm have been seized again by authorities after deputies received multiple complaints that the animals at New Beginnings Horse Rescue, a privately-owned facility in Aylett, Virginia, had little or no food and water.
Orange County Commonwealth’s Attorney Diana O’Connell says six of the 42 horses seized had originally come from Peaceable Farm, where in October 2015, deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office led a raid where more than 100 horses and many cats and dogs were discovered. Anne Goland (aka Anne Shumate Williams) surrendered more than 80 horses, 28 cats, and 7 dogs over the course of a few days.
Eleven horses of those horses from Peaceable Farm were taken to New Beginnings.
“It is deeply discouraging that these horses have suffered abuse and lack of care again. Unfortunately, Orange County does not have jurisdiction over these animals,” wrote the sheriff’s office in a release. “We understand, and share, the deep concern and frustration of all those who are outraged at the suffering these horses have endured. The fact that the situation in King William County is strikingly similar to what occurred in Orange County last October underscore the reality that the lack of oversight, inspection and regulation of animal rescue facilities in Virginia limits the ability of local government to prevent, manage or budget for these situations.”
Virginia does have a Horse Industry Board, but its goals include “the promotion and economic development of the horse industry.” Other states’ boards, such as the Maryland Horse Industry Board, serve regulatory roles in addition to promoting the industry.
On Thursday, authorities charged Cassy Newell Reed, the owner of New Beginnings Horse Rescue, with three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Reed has been summoned to appear June 16 in King William General District Court for arraignment on the charges.
In a news release, RVHR wrote, “It is the second week of June and we can’t understand why this sweet 28 year old TB gelding is in such unthinkable condition. He was found loose in Franklin County searching for food. As we can all see why he only weights 823 LBs! His past owner has signed him over to the county and his situation is being investigated at this time. Our vet was here last night to draw blood and do a fecal to see if there are any underline issues we need to help him with other then he was being starved to death.”
Stallone, a 28-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, was found walking loose in Franklin County. He has been surrendered to Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue. Photo courtesy RVHR
The rescue will start his rehabilitation with getting Stallone’s teeth floated. That alone will cost about $200.
Because his rehabilitation will take a long time, the rescue is seeking monthly sponsors to help care for his needs. (to become a recurring monthly sponsor please got to https://www.givedirectcharity.org/donate/?cid=11590 to set up your donation)
They are also in need of grain for Stallone. The rescue will be using Sentential Senior which can be purchased from Tractor Supply in Rocky Mount. If you like to donate a bag you can call and speak to Trina at 540-334-1109. The rescue will also need bagged hay and bedding.
Stallone will also need:
Weight builder any kind
Canned Corn
Canned Carrots
Apple sauce
Corn Flakes
Lots of Corn Oil
Anyone who makes a donation to help care for Stallone will be sent information on how to access his stall camera so that you can check in on him whenever you like.
Donations are also appreciated, even if you cannot do a monthly sponsorship, and can be made through the rescue’s online donations partners Givedirect, JustGive or on the rescue’s website.
The Roanoke Valley Horse Show has found a new home at the Virginia Horse Center, and the horseman’s association is excited for this year’s competition from June 20-25. Highlight events during the multi-discipline event for exhibitors and spectators will include the $25,000 Grand Prix of Roanoke on Saturday, June 25, and the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Chatham Hall on Friday, June 24.
“We’re excited to be moving to the Virginia Horse Center because it gives us the ability to offer more classes, and it also helps our great staff of volunteers in not having to actually build a venue as we did at our previous location,” Roanoke Valley Horse Show chairperson Stacey Wright said.
“A new addition this year will be all-day barrel racing on Monday with $2,500 added prize money instead of an invitational, as it has been in the past,” Wright explained. “We are hopeful that our move to the Virginia Horse Center will allow us to grow some of our other classes in the future such as our Arabian division, our Racking Horse division, our Saddlebred/Hackney/Roadster division as well as our Quarter Horse and Hunter/Jumper divisions.”
The Roanoke Valley Horse Show is a nonprofit organization and event, and the funds raised from the annual horse show are donated to health and human service organizations in the region. While the horse show will be moving to Lexington, the event will continue to benefit the Roanoke Valley and to uphold the show’s longstanding traditions of Southern hospitality.
“We are really looking forward to moving to the Virginia Horse Center and feel that it will be a great improvement in safety for our horses and our exhibitors as well,” Wright said. “It will allow us to grow our profits so we can contribute back to the charitable organizations that we support such as the Bradley Free Clinic 4-H and the Virginia Maryland Equine Program at Virginia Tech. It’s still the same great horse show, just in a new location. We are there for the benefit of the charities in the Roanoke Valley and that’s where our profits go, back to the Roanoke Valley,” Wright emphasized.
The horse show is an all-breed horse show offering Arabian, Hackney, hunter, jumper, racking, roadster, Saddlebred and Western divisions. To learn more about the Roanoke Valley Horse Show and supporting the event in 2016 visit www.roanokevalleyhorseshow.com.
The Roanoke Valley equestrian community has been giving back to help one of their own after an accident in May left farrier and longtime 4-H volunteer Rex Brown unable to work.
Bowman was helping Roanoke 4-H Extension Agent Leslie Prillaman secure 4-H camp horses for the W.E. Skelton 4-H Center when the horse Brown was riding flipped over backward and landed on top of him. Brown suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, broken vertebrae and a fractured foot.
A GoFundMe account has been created to help pay Brown’s bills for the many months he will be off work, and to help with his hospital bills. Prilliman wrote as part of the GoFundMe page, “This is a man that never asks for anything, but is ALWAYS the first to offer his help, his time, his wisdom, his humor, his resources.”
On June 6, Prillaman wrote “Rex Update! Rex was at home today — and was getting his dog back this afternoon! He said is continuing to get stronger. He is so appreciative of the support he has received from friends-and wanted everyone know how thankful he is for all of the notes, calls and continued support.”
Aaron and Mallory Vale lost their Florida home to a fire on Friday, June 3.
On Friday, June 3, Aaron and Mallory Vale of Morriston, Fla., lost their home to a fire. While no people were injured, they lost their beloved dog, Roo, and many priceless items such as photos, trophies and heirlooms.
Aaron Vale has been a fixture at the Roanoke Valley Horse Show for many years, winning the $50,000 Grand Prix of Roanoke 12 times. Vale has more than 170 Grand Prix wins and over $3 million in prize money throughout his illustrious riding career.
A GoFundMe account has been created to help raise money for the family.
Devon Olivier and Karisma riding Training for the University of Georgia Red team USEA/Shelby Allen Photo
Nine teams from eight colleges and universities competed in the inaugural United States Eventing Association Intercollegiate Championship on May 26-29 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. The title came down to a nail-biting finale with the first and second place teams separated by less than a point. University of Georgia’s Red Team moved ahead of the overnight leaders, Clemson University, on the final day of competition to ride away with the top spot with a combined score of 99.06.
Georgia’s team was made up of seniors Emily Cox, Kaityn Ruff and Devon Olivier in the training division and sophomore Emily Cardin in the novice division. They held second place after their dressage and show jumping phases on Saturday. Cox, Olivier and Cardin had the lowest collective scores, giving them the win after three double clear cross-country runs.
Alex Peterson and Willie Wiggins riding in the CCI* for Clemson University USEA/Kate Boggan Photo
Clemson University saw some unfortunate rails for their CCI* combinations which set them back in the rankings, but the Tigers still finished as the reserve champions. Clemson’s team was made of seniors Samantha Hay and Anna Fogerty, junior Sarah Pyne and sophomore Alex Peterson.
Auburn University finished in third on a combined score of 105.27. Team members Andrea Glazer, Sallie Johnson and Kayley Bush competed in the training division and Lydia Kennedy rode in the novice division.
In addition to walking away with top honors and as many prizes as they could hold thanks to the Intercollegiate Program’s generous sponsors, the University of Georgia girls also claimed the coveted Spirit Award for showing the most school pride throughout the weekend. “We went all out,” said team president Emily Cox. “We wore all our matching gear and we did something special for cross-country — we covered our horses in paint.”
University of Georgia riders could be spotted across the hillside at the Virginia Horse Center with the famed “Georgia G” painted across the rump of each horse.
“Overall this team has so much spirit. We’re all there for each other, and we each had somebody waiting at the finish line for us on cross-country, and it was just great team spirit all together,” Cox elaborated. Team members earned refunded entries from the Virginia Horse Trials for their impressive show of school spirit.
This inaugural championship brought together students from across the East Coast for a weekend of great riding, school spirit and competition. Event organizer Andy Bowles was thrilled with the outcome of the weekend commenting, “I’ve officiated at young rider championships all around the world, and the camaraderie I saw here rivals those events.”
Many schools met here for the first time, sharing strategy and tips for the weekend and beyond. “It was cool to see the whole collegiate atmosphere and to compete with [the other teams]. It’s really fun to be able to stable with them, and all of the colleges talked through courses together. We all really wanted everyone to do well,” Cox said.
Next year’s Intercollegiate Championship is slated to return to the Virginia Horse Trials next year, and all affiliated colleges and universities are asked to send teams. The weekend was made possible by the sponsors of the Intercollegiate Program, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), Ride Safe, Fleeceworks and the Virginia Horse Trials.
To account for differences in level difficulty, each rider’s score is multiplied by a coefficient appropriate for their level, and then the individual scores are added together to determine the team score. Only the best three individual scores will count towards the team score, so teams of four dropped one score.
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