Taft Dickerson rides Best on the Rocks to win Dave Higgins Memorial trophy
Taft Dickerson and Best on the Rocks won more than a Green Western Pleasure class on Sunday at the Virginia Quarter Horse Association’s Spring Breakout horse show at the Virginia Horse Center. They also won the chance to be part of honoring the late Dave Higgins, a VQHA hall of fame member who died last year after a car crash.
The VQHA honored the former show manager by awarding the Dave Higgins Memorial Trophy to the winner of the Green Western Pleasure class.
Dave Higgins, show manager of the association’s annual Virginia Classic horse show, died last year after being involved in a wreck on the way home from the April show. He later died of his injuries.
Best on the Rocks performed with a good cadence and pleasant expression throughout the class to unanimously win the class of eight under all four judges. He later that afternoon would also tie to win the Sr. Western Pleasure class.
Ranch horses are star of AQHA Spring Breakout at Virginia Horse Center
Ranch riding has become one of the most popular classes at AQHA shows and it’s no different at the Spring Breakout in Lexington, Virginia in March. The more natural gaits, and emphasis on working tack instead of silver and sparkles seems to be attracting a new group of riders to AQHA shows.
Steve Meadows and KR Justa Spark were Circuit Champions in the All Age Ranch Pleasure class. The Novice Amateur Circuit Championship went to Dun Resolved It All and Dana Laney, while the Amateur Circuit Championship went to Julie Rogers and Gunner Got Out.
Saturday also included Hunter classes including Hunt Seat Equitation.
Western Riding was also shown on Saturday.
Bonnie Blue National Horse Show tightly restricts photography
If you’re going to the Bonnie Blue National Horse Show on May 11-14 at the Virginia Horse Center, leave your camera at home. The prize book for the USEF-rated show states that commercial photographers are limited to press photographers only. How do you know if you are a commercial photographer? The prize list states that “cameras with detachable lenses or lenses of more than two inches are prohibited. Any lenses greater than two inches is considered professional equipment and is not permitted in the arena buildings or into the competition arenas to include seating areas.”
Press passes will be issued by the horse show office after press photographers sign an agreement stating that they won’t sell the photographs under any circumstances.
Professional photographers may not record the event with any kind of camera, or video
equipment. (I’m not certain how they decide that you are a professional photographer using your iPhone illegally.) This policy will be strictly enforced. Violation of the policy may result in removal from the show grounds. Commercial photographers found violating this policy will be accessed a $1,000 fee and escorted off the grounds.
The show is celebrating its 30th year. The policy is not unique is just this show but to all AHA national shows.
Here is the policy as it was written and published in the show’s Prize List:
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO
Photographs will be taken by Doug Shiflet during the sessions and will be available directly through him. Video will be provided by Richfield Video. Arrangements may be made before the session or by calling 1-800-345-2429.
Commercial Photographers at all national shows are limited to PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY. Press photographers (anyone taking pictures for newspapers or periodic publications ) will be required to sign an agreement stating that they will abide by official Bonnie Blue Nationals Horse Show rules and any photographs they take are to be used for editorial purposes only and are NOT TO BE SOLD under any circumstances. Only one press pass will be issued per publication. Once an agreement has been signed, an official BBN Press Pass will be issued. Press passes can only be obtained from the horse show office. Cameras with detachable lenses or lenses of more than two inches are prohibited. Any lenses greater than two inches is considered professional equipment and is not permitted in the arena buildings or into the competition arenas to include seating areas. The official show photographers are exempt from this policy. Professional photographers may not record the event with any kind of camera, or video equipment. This policy will be strictly enforced. Violation of the policy may result in removal from the show grounds. Commercial photographers found violating this policy will be accessed a $1000 fee and escorted off the grounds.
Looking for Bonnie Blue National photos? Visit Doug Shiflet’s page by clicking here.
Related links:
Horse show photography: When spectators decide to break out a camera
House Mountain Horse Show provides spring warm-up
A week of perfect March weather led into the House Mountain Horse Show on March 12-13 at the Virginia Horse Center. On Sunday afternoon classes were full, if not overflowing, with entries. Here’s a slideshow of photos from Sunday afternoon in the horse center’s Coliseum where Intermediate and Academy Hunters were competing.
GET YOUR HORSE FIX: Equestrian events in the Roanoke region March 5-6
The daylight is sticking around longer, the temperature outside has crept up a bit, and the equine events in the Roanoke region are heating up too.
Weekend highlight: Green Hill Park Equestrian Center will host it’s GHPEC Winter Series II, on Sunday, March 6. The show will also include a used tack sale (no fee to set up a table!) Richard Toms will judge. The show will start at 11 a.m. and is Blue Ridge Horse Force sanctioned.
Also this weekend:
- Hollins Spring Welcome Horse Show, March 3-6, Virginia Horse Center
- Tack Swap and Sale, March 5, Hardy Central Baptist Church, Henrico, Va.
- Early Bird Coggins Clinic, March 5, Liberty Lake Park, Bedford, Va.
Get ready for these events March 12-13
- Breeding & Foaling Learning Day, March 12, Buchanan, Virginia (Space limited to 25, register by emailing deb@amethystacres.com)
- Coggins/Rabies Clinic, March 12, Ferrum
- Working Cow Horse Clinic, March 12, Bedford, Va.
- Michael Lyons Intro to Reining Clinic, March 12, Blacksburg (Walnut Springs Stables) $25 to audit
- Coggins/Vaccine Clinic, March 12, Buckingham, Va.
- House Mountain Horse Show, March 11-12, Virginia Horse Center
- Interscholastic Equestrian Association Zone 3 Championship, March 12-13, Virginia Horse Center, East Complex
Support Virginia Horse Center on Amazon
If you want to support the Virginia Horse Center and shop via Amazon, be sure to sign up for the Amazon Smile program.
The program donates 0.5 percent of all eligible purchases to the charity of your choosing.
To shop in support of the horse center click here, or visit Smile.Amazon.com and select the Virginia Horse Center Foundation as your supported non-profit.
Virginia Horse Center hires consultant, welcomes back board member
Development consultant hired
The Virginia Horse Center has hired Jennifer Donovan recently joined the Virginia Horse Center team as development consultant with the center’s goal to create a permanent, full-time development officer role. Donovan was recruited from The Nature Conservancy after serving 4 years as Associate Director of Philanthropy.
Prior to fundraising for The Nature Conservancy, Donovan was the co-founder, principal and visionary for Equestrian Services, LLC and Equestrian Management, LLC for
13 years.
Donovan has extensive knowledge of equestrian facilities,including riding arenas, footing,
fencing, and pasture renovation, as well as all horse-related care and equine management
activities. Her excellent communication, planning, organizational and follow-up skills enable her to develop relationships with clients, staff and community organizations.
After 40 years of involvement in the equestrian industry, Donovan has a vision of raising the bar in the equestrian services industry. This vision encompassed creating a professional standard for quality design that focuses on safety and efficiency of care, all
the while creating an equine profession built on sound business practices, customer service, and quality management, training and instruction.
Raised in an equestrian family, Donovan was an avid pony clubber and hunter/jumper competitor growing up in Maryland. As an adult, upper level dressage is Donovan’s riding passion. She earned the USDF Bronze Medal and worked on qualifications for the Silver Medal until her Dutch Warmblood, Renard, was retired from competition. She also enjoys trail riding when her schedule allows.
Mullins joins board of directors
Patrick Mullins, who has been involved with the Horse Center since ground was first broken 30 years ago, has rejoined the board of directors.
“I remember I came with Bob Reel to look at the Horse Center about possible insurance on it. Bob and I stood up at the top of the hill where those three flagpoles are. That was the only thing there – those three flag poles. Bob was showing me what the dream was and what the goal was – which is very much where we are now,” Mullins said.
Mullins comes to the Horse Center with a more than 30 year career with Markel Equine Insurance, having put together insurance programs for leading equestrian organizations such as the American Quarter Horse Association, the American Paint Horse Association and much, much more.
Mullins also most recently served as the chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia from 2009 to 2015.
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Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue takes in 7 Franklin County horses
The Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue has taken in seven starving horses from Franklin County. On Feb. 25, staff from the horse rescue assisted Franklin County Animal Control to investigate a case of four to five neglected horses.
The Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue says four mares and one colt were found in a field, emaciated with body scores of 1 to 2, with no access to water or hay.
The horse rescue said that after being told by the owner there were no other horses on the property, they continued to investigate and found two more horses — a stallion and a mini — locked in small stalls and left standing in wet manure. Those two horses also had no access to hay or water, the rescue said.
The 7 horses were signed over to the county and removed immediately from the property and brought to the horse rescue for care.
The horses will be seen by a vet to be evaluated for any medical issues.
How you can help:
With the additional horses, the horse rescue is now caring for 62 horses. If you like to help these horses these are the items that the horse rescue needs:
- Grain – Sentinel feeds (LS and Senior) can be purchased at Tractor Supply in Rocky Mount (our contact is Trina at 540-334-1109) or Doc’s Feeds in Salem (Brett – 540-380-3433)
- Hay – Bagged Timothy Alfalfa from Tractor Supply, Square Bales of hay
Supplements- Corn Oil, Canned Corn, Canned Carrots, Applesauce and sugar cookies from any grocery food store. - Bedding – we use the cedar bedding which can be purchased at Walmart along with any bedding from Southern States or Tractor supply
- Dewormers – 7 Strongid Paste, 7 Quest Gel, 7 Anthelcide EQ and 7 Safe-guard.
- Blankets– 5 size 74 -76 and 1 size 70 we have one to fit the mini.
- Tack items – 5 full size halter (4 mares, 1 stud) 1 Yearling halter and 1 pony halter. 7 additional hang on fence buckets, additional lead ropes.
- Donations – For Information on how to make a monetary donations to help with the horses veterinary bills visit the rescue’s website at www.rvhr.com. Donations can be made online. All donors who contribute to the care of these horses will have access to the rescue’s barn cam where the horses can be visited via the internet at any time for 30 days. The instructions on how to use the webcams will be emailed to each donor.
Emily Jane Hilscher Memorial Show seeks sponsors/donations
Virginia Tech’s annual Emily Jane Hilscher Memorial Show has been scheduled for April 22-23 at the Alphin Stuart Arena in Blacksburg. The show is held in memory of Emily Jane Hilscher, a Virginia Tech equestrian team member and animal and poultry sciences freshman who was killed in the April 16, 2007, shootings at Virginia Tech.
The horse show is run using donations from local companies, alumni and friends. All the money collected at the horse show goes to a scholarship fund for Animal & Poultry Science majors who represent good academic standing, amazing character and a strong work ethic. The show is currently seeking sponsors/donations. Visit http://kburke08.wix.com/ejhmhs#!boarding-options/cxxj or email kburke08@vt.edu for more information.
The show is one of two 4-H qualifiers in the southwest Virginia area and is also SWVHJA sanctioned. Saturday’s classes include over fences in the morning and hunter and dressage classes in the afternoon. Sunday features Western classes including pleasure, horsemanship, ranch riding, racking, trail obstacle challenge and speed. Find the class schedule here.
Visit the show’s website at kburke08.wix.com/ejhmhs and its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EmilyJaneHilscherMemorialHorseShow/?fref=ts
