Horses seized in Orange County neglect case seized again from different horse rescue

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.

New Beginnings Facebook Page

Anne Shumate Williams — Peaceable Farms owner Anne Williams

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.

Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue seeks help to rehibilitate horse found starving in Franklin County

The Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue has welcomed Stallone, a 28-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, to its herd.

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.”

unnamed(2) — 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.

Aaron Vale, 12-time winner of Grand Prix of Roanoke, loses home to fire

house fire — 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.

Equine community mourns death of Hollins riding coach L.M. “Sandy” Gerald

The Roanoke Valley horse community is mourning the death of local horseman L.M. “Sandy” Gerald, head coach of the Hollins University riding team.

Besides his work at Hollins, Gerald was a well respected course designer and USEF “R” judge; was awarded the Virginia Horse Show Association’s Susan H. Hagan Memorial Trophy; was a seven-time ODAC Coach of the Year; was inducted into the Southwest Virginia Hunter/Jumper Association Hall of Fame in 2006; was the VHSA Horseman of the Year in 2006 and 1992 (making him only the second person in the history of the VHSA to earn the honor a second time) and also was inducted into the Roanoke Valley Horse Show Hall of Fame in 2015.

Gerald also served as hunter/jumper manager for the Roanoke Valley Horse Show from 2009 – 2014. The Roanoke Valley Horsemen’s Association released this statement today:

“The Roanoke Valley Horsemen’s Association along with the Roanoke Valley Horse Show were shocked and greatly saddened by the sudden loss of our very dear friend LM Sandy Gerald. He has been a great asset to our association and show for many many years, but more importantly he was a very dear friend who was above all else a true Southern Gentleman. His absence will be felt for many years to come. Out thoughts and prayers are with His family, His Hollins family, his friends, and the hundreds of riding students he has impacted over the years.”

He is reported to have fallen while decorating a jump at Hollins and later died while in surgery to repair a broken hip.

The Roanoke Times: Sandy Gerald, respected equestrian at Hollins University, dies unexpectedly

ACTHA rumors continue to swirl, website gone

The Amercian Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA), which has been going through financial difficulty for some time but has promised they were back on track and would have rides again this spring, has taken down their website and disconnected their phones.

One member says on Facebook: “According to the buzz on the FaceBook, ACTHA Ride Host Network Group, the website is gone, the people are gone and right up to the last minute they were automatically renewing memberships and taking people’s money for rides that were still on the books, but never going to happen. A class-action suit is possibly coming. An organization that is 8,000 strong would survive if the people in charge had been up front about the problems. Word on the street is that ACTHA tried to sue Equine Trail Sports and lost, costing them a fortune. I don’t know if this is true, but that is gross mismanagement of funds, as members were never told about it, and we thought funds were going to pay the ride hosts and the horse charities. Money, pride, and corruption, once again ruins a very good organization.”

While those rumors are not confirmed, the organization’s Facebook page, which has more than 50,000 “likes,” or people following it, shows post after post of people complaining that their credit cards were being charged for canceled rides and for annual membership fees. Many were also complaining of their inability to get in touch with anyone at the organization.

Another member posts on the ACTHA Facebook page: “Total Scam. They have charged my credit card two times without my authorization. I had a one year membership. I have emailed them and called them. Now their phone is disconnected.

I bet there are more people that they have done this too.”

The website’s disappearance and disconnected phones leave little hope that the organization will be returning to the trails anytime soon.

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JT Tallon to be honored at IHSA Nationals in Kentucky

Two great Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) equestrian team coaches will be recognized for their service and contributions to college riding and the horse industry on Saturday during the 44th IHSA National Championships, May 5-8, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington: the late James T. ‘JT’ Tallon (Southern Seminary, Randolph Colleges) and Lori Cramer (Miami University of Ohio).
JT Tallon is remembered as a pioneer in the development of college riding in Virginia, spending two decades coaching at Randolph-Macon Women’s College before retiring in 2011, and after nearly a decade coaching Southern Seminary (for Women) became the winningest hunt seat coach in its IHSA history. IHSA executive director Bob Cacchione has pledged a Zone 4 scholarship in the name of the former equestrian director, who will be remembered for coaching perhaps the most successful IHSA team of all time – Southern Seminary for Women in Buena Vista, VA, first as assistant to Russ Walther and later as head coach, taking ‘Sem’ to eight IHSA National Champion team titles in the 1980s, a streak that remains unmatched to this day. Tallon was a true fixture of the Virginia and college horse industries as a coach, trainer, course designer and judge. “Hunter courses are like Muzak in an elevator,” the posthumous recipient of the 2016 IHSA Pioneer Award once said. “You know it’s there but it should never call attention to itself.”

Cramer will become the 23rd recipient of the IHSA Lifetime Achievement Award, presented since 1993 to recognize the longstanding commitment of its coaches. Cramer is an IHSA alum of the University of Findlay who went on to coach Findlay to the IHSA Collegiate Cup team national title in 2001. Originally from New Jersey, she graduated from University of Findlay with an undergraduate degree in Business and Equine Studies and Master’s in Business Administration and later became director of English Equestrian Studies there, coaching the University of Findlay team during her four years there to the national title and two reserve national titles, as well as never finishing out of the Top Five. She coached the Ohio State IHSA hunt seat team to first in their Region and a rally at Zones; and served (for the first six years of her tenure) as head coach for the Miami Equestrian Team before currently serving as adviser to its coaches in addition to heading renovations and building projects at the stables. She is an IHSA Zone 6 Chair, sits on the USHJA Board of Directors and in December was recognized with the USHJA Presidents Distinguished Service Award.

Virginia Tech rider to represent U.S. in Belgium

callan01 — Callan Curtis is a sophomore at Virginia Tech. *Photo via Facebook.*

Virginia Tech sophomore Callan Curtis has been chosen to represent Team USA in a Student Rider Nations Cup competition in Belgium.

Curtis, of Lovettsville, Virginia, was selected along with Hayley Bowen of the University of Reno and Courtney Welch of UC Santa Barbara to ride at the AIEC-SRNC event on March 25-27.

Fifteen teams from around the globe made up of 45 riders are expected to compete in Dressage and Show Jumping classes.

Curtis rides for the Virginia Tech Hunter team. This will be her first international competition.

Roanoke Valley Horse Show returns in 2016!

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The Roanoke Valley Horse Show, which was canceled last summer, is back on the schedule for June 20-25. But you won’t find it by looking at the calendar for the Salem Civic Center. This year, the Roanoke Valley Horse Show is scheduled to be held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia.

The show has just recently received approval to be held by the required horse show associations and can now move forward with planning and fundraising for the event, Roanoke Valley Horsemen’s Association board member Lynda McGarry told the Botetourt County Horsemen’s Assocation on Jan. 5 at its monthly meeting.

McGarry said there are plenty of changes in the works for the horse show, including dropping admission charges for spectators. The show will continue to be a multi-breed event.

The Roanoke Valley Horse Show facebook page also announced the new show location on Jan. 3: “New Year- New Location! The RVHA is excited to announce that the 2016 Roanoke Valley Horse Show will be held at the Virginia Horse Center June 20-25 2016! This could not have been possible without the help and dedication of our Show Chairman, Stacey Wright, managers Steve Kildow and Andrew Ellis and other members of the show committee. Although we will be at a new location, the Roanoke Valley Horsemen’s Association is committed to keeping this horse show’s charitable contributions coming back to the Roanoke Valley and traditions of southern hospitality at the top of our priority lists! Please mark your calendars to join us!”