AQHA has officially confirmed that the Novice (Level One) Championships East will be held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington this fall. With such a big show right in our own backyard, many in the Roanoke region may be wondering how they can take part.

The first and most basic step is that you must be an AQHA member and have your Novice card. And of course you must be riding a registered quarter horse as well. ([Please note that due to Level 1 rules, the competitor does not have to own the horse that he or she shows at the Novice championships.) Six divisions will be offered at the show: Amateur, Select, 14-18, 13 & under, Rookie Youth and Rookie Amateur.

Then you must qualify for the championships (The qualifying period for the 2015 Level 1 Championships is July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015.) This can be done 4 ways.

1. Show at 20 shows in a Level 1 class; if a show does not offer the Level 1 class, contact the show manager or show secretary to add the class. 
2. Place in the top 10 in a Level 1 class at a Merial AQHA regional championship show; a top-10 placing qualifies the rider on that horse only. Virginia is part of Region 5 with Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
3. Qualify through the exhibitor’s state/provincial affiliate. The top three individuals in each Novice class offered at the Novice Championship shows that are not nationally qualified will be invited to the Novice Championship shows as a Virginia Quarter Horse Association qualifier. Points are computed in the same manner as points for year-end awards.
4. Enter Rookie classes if eligible. To enter a Rookie class, the exhibitor only needs to be eligible for that Rookie class as of January 1; there is no qualifying method for Rookie classes. Keep in mind the horse that you intend to bring for the class must also be Rookie eligible. Eligibility for a Rookie-level class depends on both the horse and the rider’s show records: Both of you must have less than 10 lifetime AQHA  points in that class on your show records. However, you can have points in another class and still qualify as a Rookie in a new class. You remain Rookie eligible through the year, no matter how many points you accumulate throughout the year.

Each horse-and-rider combination will pay a $325 flat entry fee, which will include the entry of up to three classes, office and drug-testing fees, plus one stall. Tack stalls may be purchased for $100, and exhibitors will also need to pay for shavings. Each additional class, after three, will cost an additional $35 per class. No classes are offered on an individual basis without the $325 flat fee being paid first. No class entries will be taken on-site.

The videos below offer a little of a glimpse into past Novice Championships shows. Only a few years old, these shows have been growing each year. With 1,562 total entries in the championship in 2013 and 2,726 entries in 2014, the 2015 horse show is estimated to involved between 700 to 1,000 horses and several thousand people.

Mike Rosser & Besides That.

This weekend the hunters/jumpers are back in Lexington and the sun will be out for at least most of the show. And Green Hill will be hoping the rain/ice in the forecast holds off for the second in their Winter Series. And of course if you don’t do cold, there’s always the events streaming online from warmer climates.

VIRGINIA HORSE CENTER

The horse center is holding the Stonewall Country Horse Hunter/Jumper Show through Sunday. The “A” rated show will be judged by Mike Rosser and Peggy Beachy. The show will use the center’s Coliseum and the East Complex. Rosser, of Southern Pines, N.C., was awarded the North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association “Horseman of the Year” in 1998 and again in 2007.  He is now second-vice president of NCHJA. Mike has been an “R” Judge for the USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) for 25 years and is  also a judge for AQHA ( American Quarter Horse Association). He has judged many prestigious horse shows, including Devon, Wellington, Washington International and the AQHA World Show. 

GREEN HILL EQUESTRIAN CENTER

The center in Salem, Va., is holding its Winter Series Fun show on Sunday. It will be judged by Richard Toms. The show will start at 11 a.m. It will begin with model (halter) classes and showmanship and go on to the riding classes, including pleasure and gymkhana (games) events. There are no over fence classes at this show.

ONLINE

• The USEFnetwork.com will broadcast the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix from Ocala, Fla., on Sunday, Feb. 1.
• HorseShowGlobal is live streaming the Arizona Sun Circuit from Scottsdale Arizona through Sunday. 

A LOOK AHEAD

• Polar Bear School Show, Feb. 14-15, Virginia Horse Center East Complex
• Hollins Spring Welcome Horse Show, Feb. 26 – March 1, Virginia Horse Center
• Pennsylvania Horse World Expo, March 5-8, Harrisburg
• Spring Breakout AQHA Show, March 21-22, Virginia Horse Center
• Virginia Horse Festival, March 27-29, The Meadow Event Park, Doswell, Va.
• Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, April 25-26, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Ky.

Caitlin Ackerman and Ziptown Doc win Novice amateur hunt seat equitation at the 2012 East Novice Championship. (Quarter Horse Journal photo)

Update: AQHA has now confirmed that the AQHA Level 1 Championships will be held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Va. The qualifying period for the 2015 Level 1 Championships is July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015. View the AQHA’s confirmation.

“We are thrilled to announce that, after months of discussion and negotiations, the Novice Championship is coming to the Virginia Horse Center in 2015,” said John Nicholson, consultant to the Virginia Horse Center. “Without question, adding prestigious events like the Novice Championship to the Horse Center’s calendar strongly indicates that it’s not only surviving, it’s thriving. This is the latest in a series of positive developments that are elevating the Virginia Horse Center. Going forward, our goal is to bring more quality equestrian events, like this one, to the Horse Center.”

The Horse Center and the AQHA have agreed to a one-year contract with a two-year option to return.

Update: The Virginia Horse Center previously confirmed the Novice Championship, but in a Facebook post today (Jan. 24) they have clarified that they are still awaiting a decision and confirmation from the AQHA but are optimistic the show is moving to the horse center.

The Virginia Horse Center has confirmed that the AQHA Novice Championship will be coming to Lexington, Virginia, on Sept. 29-Oct. 4, 2015. A representative for the VHC confirmed the show was moving to the center via Twitter and said an official announcement was “coming soon.” If won, the show would be huge for the ailing equestrian facility which on Wednesday announced plans to help it get out of “intensive care” in its quest to get its finances back on track.

In that announcement, VHC treasurer and board member Tom Clarke said, “ “Things are looking very good going forward.” He said in a news release on the center’s website that the horse center “has 80 shows scheduled for this year, up from 73 last year. Although it lost its No. 1 show, the Arabian Sport Horse, the horse center has succeeded in landing the Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. Hunter Breeding National Championship and the AQHA Novice Championship Horse Show.”

The show is also listed on its events calendar.

Last year the AQHA Novice Championship was held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and perhaps the VHC is starting to pull some big shows from other arenas. Clarke said, “We’re methodically cultivating relationships. We’re marketing new shows. … We hope to steal shows from other places. We see this as a positive year.”

The Virginia Horse Center is easily accessible from Interstate 81 and Interstate 64.

The show is continuing to grow. In 2013, there were 1,562 total entries. Last year,  there were 453 rookie entries and 2,273 Level 1 entries. The Virginia Horse Center currently hosts the AQHA Spring Breakout and the Virginia Classic horse shows.

The horse shows and other events are hard to come by in the Roanoke region this weekend — and perhaps just as well as weather forecasters are beginning to utter the “S” word for this weekend in the area. If they are right and you’re left to cuddle up inside this weekend, there is still hope: Online streaming. I can’t even imagine if I would have had such a thing as a horse-crazy kid. With a good connection, you never have to never be very far from an arena filled with sleek show horses.

STREAMING ONLINE

• USEFnetwork will broadcast two Grand Prix live from the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, Calif., on Friday and Sunday. Friday’s is the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. Sunday’s is the $50,000 Go Rentals Grand Prix.
• USEFnetwork also has a huge library of On-Demand videos that include George Morris clinics, the U.S. Dressage Finals, the Washington International Horse Show, the Pennsylvania Horse Show, the U.S. Pony Finals and the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic just to name a few.
• The Arizona Sun Circuit (AQHA, NRHA, NSBA) is streaming live on Horse Show Global. The show starts Saturday, Jan 24, and runs through Feb. 1.
• FEItv is broadcasting Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping from Zurich. (Requires $15 monthly subscription.)

A LOOK AHEAD

• Stonewall Country Horse Show, Jan. 30-Feb. 1, Virginia Horse Center
• Polar Bear School Show, Feb. 14-15, Virginia Horse Center East Complex
• Green Hill Winter Series II, Feb. 1, Green Hill Equestrian Park, Salem
• Hollins Spring Welcome Horse Show, Feb. 26 – March 1, Virginia Horse Center
• Pennsylvania Horse World Expo, March 5-8, Harrisburg
• Spring Breakout AQHA Show, March 21-22, Virginia Horse Center
• Virginia Horse Festival, March 27-29, The Meadow Event Park, Doswell, Va.
• Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, April 25-26, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Ky.

Volunteers from Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue will be at the Bonsack Kroger to collect food donations. If you would like to make a donation to help the horses at the rescue come stop by Saturday, Jan. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m . They are in need of the following items.

• Corn Oil
• Canned Corn
• Canned Carrots
• Corn Flakes 
• Canned Apples

The rescue is always in need of a variety of items from copy paper and office supplies to horse feeds and lead ropes. You can check their wish list for items to donate. Another great way to support the horses at RVHR is to sponsor a horse. Just $25 per month will feed one younger horse grain for a week. There are also many volunteering opportunities at the rescue. Some of the duties include: feeding, grooming, watering, basic office assistance, landscaping, general grounds upkeep and building maintenance.

The rescue has 47 rescue horses under their care a two facilities. Some of those available horses are below: 

We just had our first messy snowfall and the recent single-digit temperatures here in the Roanoke Valley may have you feeling a bit fuzzy, but that doesn’t mean the horse world has ground to a stop. And now when your own horse activities may have slowed down for the winter is when you just might need that horse fix the most. Here are this weekend’s activities, plus some things to look forward to.

VIRGINIA HORSE CENTER

• The Stonewall Country Horse Show: This show is USEF “A” rated Hunter and Jumper horse show. This event is owned and operated by the VHCF and managed by Leslie Brown and will be held in the Anderson Coliseum and the East Complex arena. Judges are Phoebe Sheets and Downing Nyegard. Find a schedule of classes on the prize list. Note: Braiding is optional in all classes and divisions. The show will open Thursday at 7 a.m. with Working Hunter classes all day in the Coliseum. On Friday, Working Hunters will be in the Coliseum and Jumpers in the East Complex. Saturday will feature Children’s Hunters and Amateur Hunters in the Coliseum for the morning and afternoon with Open and Junior Working Hunters toward the end of the day. The East Complex will host pony hunters and short stirrup classes throughout the day with much the same schedule layout for Sunday as well. This show benefits the VHCF, an facility that has become incredibly important in the Virginia’s horse industry. This show will repeat on Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the VHC.
• Winter Schooling: If you are simply seeking for a great place to ride during the winter months, the Virginia Horse Center is open for schooling through March 1. Call the Stable Office at 540-464-2966 for reservations.

FARTHER AWAY

• Maryland Horse World Expo: (4 hour drive from Roanoke) The Horse World Expo will return to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland, this weekend. (4 hour trip from Roanoke) Daily admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 6-12. Younger than 6 are free. The Expo includes seminars, clinics, demonstrations, stallion avenue and parade of breeds, and of course shopping. This year’s speakers include Roxanne Bowman on saddle fitting, Olympian (Eventing) Stephen Bradley, Dana Bright on Driving,Kenny Harlow on training and AQHA judge and auction manager Mike Jennings on Buying and Selling horses. For a full list of speakers visit www.horseworldexpo.com/MDbios.shtml.
• Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association Clinic featuring Bernie Taurig at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky on Monday. (5 1/2 hours drive from Roanoke)
• Dressage Clinic with Britta Johnston, Understanding, Starting and Perfecting the Flying Change: A lecture discussing the flying change will begin at 12:30 p.m., Saturday at Capriole Farms in Catlett, Va. (3 hours drive from Roanoke) Horses working on flying changes will follow. Rides: $90 for a 45 minute lesson $20 for day stall, limited number. Auditors: $10.

  LOOK AHEAD

• Polar Bear School Show, Feb. 14-15, Virginia Horse Center East Complex
• Stonewall Country Horse Show, Jan. 30-Feb. 1, Virginia Horse Center
• Green Hill Winter Series II, Feb. 1, Green Hill Equestrian Park, Salem
• Hollins Spring Welcome Horse Show, Feb. 26 – March 1, Virginia Horse Center
• Pennsylvania Horse World Expo, March 5-8, Harrisburg
• Spring Breakout AQHA Show, March 21-22, Virginia Horse Center
• Virginia Horse Festival, March 27-29, The Meadow Event Park, Doswell, Va.
• Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, April 25-26, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Ky.

ONLINE

•  Watch the 2015 George Morris Horsemaster Session on demand at USEFnetwork.com.

“There’s something about the outside of the horse that’s good for the inside of a man.” 

A Boones Mill nonprofit, Unbridled Change, is using that bit of wisdom to offer equine-assisted mental health services for children, teens, and adults that need support overcoming obstacles in their life such as trauma, anger management, parenting and bullying.

Horses are a great mirror that reflect back a client’s behaviors, the organization says, allowing for awareness and eventually control and change.

Founder and Executive Director Michelle Holling-Brooks is the only Certified Eagala Advanced Equine Specialist in Virginia and one of only 14 in the country. EAP is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional working with the clients and horses to address treatment goals. Participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses and then talking about feelings, behaviors and patterns.

Unbridled Change offers several different programs to their clients:

• A ‘Bit’ of Support – Military Services program works with military personnel, veterans, spouses, and their families to help with transitions, stress relief and mindfulness skills, coping skills, parenting skills, mental health therapy for PTSD & MST and also recreational therapy.
• Take Back the Reins is an equine-assisted psychotherapy program that is designed for children, teens, and adults who were victims or witnesses of abuse or neglect with the aim of breaking the cycle of abuse. 
• Hoof-prints of a Healthy Herd is an equine assisted psychotherapy program that is designed for parenting and family reunification.  The program works with both the children and the parents to help address the core concepts of a healthy family unit: healthy boundary setting and acceptance, respect, communication and healthy relationship skills.
• Wranglers is designed for children, teens, and adults who struggling with anger management issues. 
• “Blazing the Trail of Character” combines hands-on activities with horses and six character development concepts: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. The program is available to area youth groups and schools.
• Riders Up! is designed for children, teens, and adults who are working on executive functioning skills, fine tuning self-regulation skills, and self-esteem.  

Find a video of Unbridled Change at http://vimeo.com/109596834. 

If you’d like to volunteer.  
Donate.  

Directions to the farm from Roanoke Airport: 
Take I-581 South toward Downtown Roanoke.  I-581 will turn into route 220 South toward Rocky Mount, VA .  (581 will merge from a highway to route 220 there will be a Lowes, HomeDepot, Walmart and other box stores when it first merges down).  Stay on 220 for about 10 miles – cross the county line into Franklin Co and the town of Boones Mill.  Just after the light turn an immediate left over the bridge onto Boones Mill Road (at Jack Garst Agency or Southern States).  At the stop sign turn right to stay on to Boones Mill Road.  Go 2 miles and turn right onto White Oak Road.  Go about 1 mile and turn right into the Unbridled Change’s parking lot at the indoor arena site.