The Roanoke Valley Horse Show will return in 2016, but this time the historic horse show has found a new home in the Virginia Horse Center, the horse center confirmed in a news release Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016.

After 43 years, insufficient funding for the charitable show caused the event to be canceled in 2015. For 2016, the popular horse show will be held from June 20-25 at the Virginia Horse Center, about 40 minutes north of Roanoke in Lexington, Virginia.

The show is a nonprofit event, and the funds raised are donated to health and human service organizations in the region. While the horse show will be moving outside of the area, the event will continue to benefit the Roanoke Valley.

“Unfortunately, we had to cancel last year because we were unable to cover costs,” Mark Hartberger, president of the Roanoke Valley Horseman’s Association said in the news release. “The cost of the Salem venue was just far too expensive. There is nothing wrong with [the Salem Civic Center]; it’s a perfect location, and we made a beautiful horse show. It is just very expensive to hold a horse show on grounds that are not made for horse shows.”

Previously, the Roanoke Valley Horse Show was responsible for both the time and expense of installing footing, tent stabling and much more in order to make the horse show a reality. Now, the ability to utilize the Virginia Horse Center facility will not only allow the horse show to continue, it will save event organizers and volunteers time and will enable more money to be given back to the charities which the Roanoke Valley Horse Show supports.

“All of the maintenance, putting up tents, getting the asphalt parking lot ready to put horses on – it is all very time consuming and expensive,” Hartberger said. “The Virginia Horse Center is cared for every day so that we don’t have to worry about any of those things.”

Virginia Horse Center Foundation President Ernie Oare wanted to see the Roanoke Valley Horse Show continue, and he was instrumental in facilitating the move to the Horse Center.

“The historic and traditional volunteer charity horse shows like Roanoke are the kind of horse shows that are very sadly going by the wayside,” Oare said in the news release. “That’s why we’re so happy that we can hopefully help keep it going for years to come. The Virginia Horse Center operation is turn-key for them, which will allow their expenses to be much, much less than they were.”

The horse show is an all-breed horse show offering hunter, jumper, racking, roadster, Saddlebred and western divisions. To learn more about the Roanoake Valley Horse Show and supporting the event in 2016 visit www.roanokevalleyhorseshow.com.

 

The Virginia Horse Trials announced in December an opportunity for a young Cross Country Course Designer who is starting their pursuit of Course Designing, but if you want a shot you’ll have to act fast.

The VHT is looking for an enthusiastic new cross country course designer to take over our Horse Center side cross country course which caters for BN to Prelim classes under the mentorship of our recently appointed FEI Course Designer John Nicholson from New Zealand for an initial 2-year period.

Nicholson is a well-recognized international designer who designs in numerous countries around the world and who this year was the course director for the FEI International Course Designers Seminar in Ireland, which focused on designers from all over the world.

The winning candidate will be expected to be on site for about 10-14 days prior to the events working alongside Nicholson and the builders. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by VHT and a small fee may be negotiated for the right candidate.

Applications must be submitted by Jan. 8. (Friday!) Applications should include the following:

• Cover letter
• Equestrian Resume
• A brief outline on your thoughts on modern
  cross-country-course designing and ideas on how to improve the presentation of courses.

Mail applications to Virginia Horse Trials, 3455 FM 731 Burleson, TX, 76028

Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel with a phone interview, then a final selection will be made by this panel and the Executive Director of VHT. Final appointment will be made by the
end of January 2016.

Additional information about the application and selection process can be found at Course Designer Mentor Program.

While many were dreaming of a white Christmas, nature had another color in mind this year. Instead of fluffly white flakes, the holidays came with warm weather and plenty of rain. In stables all across the area, that means pastures of mud. That’s enough to make many horsemen actually start wishing for colder weather. At least it will be frozen! Nothing makes going to the barn less enjoyable then wading through the slop to do the daily chores. Pushing a heaping wheel borrow through 6 inches of mud? There’s nothing much more jolly. But beyond the inconvenience and mess, mud can spell deeper problems.

Equine health concerns caused by mud:

For a horse, mud can be an unhealthy environment. Bacteria and fungi live in mud and can cause abscesses, scratches, rain scald and thrush. Scratches, grease heel, mud fever, rain scald and rain rot all share something in common: They are horsemen’s terms for one disease: dermatophilosis. When dermatophilosis strikes the pasterns, horsemen often call it scratches or grease heel; when it affects the horse’s body,they may call it rain rot, rain scald and mud fever. Dermatophilosis is characterized by scaly, crusty, scabby skin, and it’s a particular problem for horses that are exposed to moisture and muck for extended periods.  While every horse has the potential to be affected, those with white legs, those with either long hair or sparse hair on their cannon bones and fetlocks, and those that are turned out in the elements and not groomed every day are the most susceptible.

Bacteria may also find their way into the skin through minor wounds and cause cellulitis. Horses with cellulitis experience swelling and heat in an infected leg. They will show signs of pain and lameness and often have a 102- to 104-degree fever. The fever is important to differentiate cellulitis from a run-of-the-mill lameness. Horses with severe infections will go off feed and show signs of serious discomfort. Their legs become extremely sensitive with inflamed blood vessels. Although cellulitis isn’t a mud-related disorder, mud compromises the skin’s protective barriers against bacteria and keeps wounds soft and open.

In addition to bacteria concerns, muddy pastures also provide mosquitoes and flies a place to breed. Feeding on muddy ground can cause dirt or sand particles to be ingested, which can lead to sand colic. And of course injuries to the horse and humans can result from the slippery footing. Deep mud can cause injuries like bowed tendons and can also be tough on horses with arthritis.

5 hoof problems caused by mud

1. Softening Hoofs: When horses have their hooves in wet and muddy conditions, their soles begin to soften. This softening is one of the horse hoof problems that can cause a series of issues, including making their hooves sensitive and more likely to bruise.
2. Lost Shoes: But contrary to what many horse riders assume, the mud does not suck off the shoe. Instead, it causes the horse to pull it off on its own. When a horse slips in the mud, it keeps its front foot on the ground to attempt to reestablish its footing. The horse’s back hoof steps on the heel of the front one and then pulls off the shoe, once the front foot is picked up.  
3. Abscesses: Bacteria thrives in moist conditions, allowing it to invade your horse’s hoof and work its way towards the sensitive parts of the hoof. It then gets trapped inside the hoof, where it continues to multiply. Sudden limping or showing other signs of lameness should be watched for. There may be some swelling on the horse’s leg that has an infected hoof.
4. White Line Disease: This disorder is also known as seedy toe, hoof or stall rot, hollow foot, yeast infection, Candida and wall thrush. White Line Disease is a fungal infection which happens when the inner hoof wall separates, creating a hole or crack on the sole. The bacteria will invade through the crevice and begin to eat away at the foot’s The specific bacteria associated with this disease is anaerobic, meaning it lives without oxygen. 
5. Thrush: When mud gets packed into a horse’s foot, bacteria from the mud begins to establish itself there. While it eats away at the hoof’s tissue, the bacteria also creates an infection with visible discharge. While White Line Disease appears white and dry, thrush in horses shows itself as a dark, gooey substance with a rancid odor. It resides in the grooves within a horse’s frog and in cracks of the hoof.

Get rid of the mud with these stable upgrades

• Use gutters and downspouts to redirect water. Use collection systems such as rain barrels, cisterns and rain gardens.
• Build up high traffic areas with some sort of footing such as chipped wood, gravel or course sand to keep horses up out of dirt and allow rainwater to drain through. (Gravel should be no larger than ¾”) Use at least 3 inches of footing or more. If you already have a lot of mud, put footing in at least a 1:1 ratio (for 6 inches of mud, you’ll need at least 6 inches of footing.)
• If possible, keep horses inside immediately following a rain. Letting pens dry out a little will lessen the areas that get churned up.
• Create a sacrifice or high-use area to keep horses off the pasture. Use this area during rainy/wet periods or whenever the rest of the pasture needs a rest from grazing. Ideally, pasture grasses should not be allowed to be eaten below 3 inches of growth.

Starting Sunday, Dec. 6, the Virginia Horse Center will offer winter schooling and boarding through Feb. 29, 2016.

Boarding and schooling at the horse center gives horses and riders access to the barns and indoor arenas, including Anderson Coliseum, the East Complex and the indoor schooling rings.

Daily rates for schooling at $25/horse or $15/horse if over 10 horses. The weekly rate is $100/horse, or $75 for more than 10 horses. And the monthly rate is $300/horse or $250 for more than 10 horses. Board does not include care/feed and turnout is not available.

Riders will also have access to jumps and other equipment and may also use the horse center’s trails and dressage arenas. Ring maintenance will be performed twice daily as needed. Cross-country-course access may also be available but may require an additional fee.

For full information and to reserve your stall or make schooling arrangements, please call the Virginia Horse Center office at (540)464-2966. 
  

Shakkira Jubellee (Bellagio RCA x True Aura by True Colours)…one of the beautiful Arabians you will meet at our “Christmas With Arabians” event this Saturday. Photo via Facebook.

Things are winding down on the calendar as we enter the holidays. This weekend you’ll find a Mountain State Rodeo Winter Series (Dec. 4-5) at the Virginia Horse Center and Christmas with Arabians program in Buchanan from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 5, learn how it’s possible to build a business around these exquisitely beautiful horses, even if you don’t own a farm. RSVP (required to save your spot) or get more info at http://amethystacres.com/contact or deb@amethystacres.com.

Also a Lucinda Green Clinic has been scheduled for Jan. 24 at Penmerryl Farm’s Equestrian Center in Greenville. Email gammonlee@gmail.com for registration forms. Price is $150 for small group jumping lessons on cross country technique. Lunch is included. Lucinda Green’s clinics have received high praise, including “She teaches you and the horse to be independent, yet work together. Lots of helpful take-home skills and lots of praise and encouragement!” from one recent participant. And another said, “I think every eventer should ride with Lucinda at least once in their lives!”

On Dec. 12, don’t miss the Hear the Beat Horse Show — Christmas Edition at the Virginia Horse Show, benefiting Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center. The show will include fun classes like a costume contest, an ugly sweater class, an eggnog class and much more, plus enjoy a Christmas bazaar, farmer’s market, silent auction and chili dinner. Danielle Toms will judge. Be sure to check the prize list to see the list of fun classes planned.

Also on Dec. 12, a IBRA barrels and poles show will be held at Old Grey Mare Arena in Raphine, Va. The exhibition will start at 11 with the classes immediately following.

To round out the holiday season with your horse, ride with the Franklin County Equestrian Club Reindeer Games Competitive Trail Ride on Dec. 26 at Waid Park in Rocky Mount. Registration at 10 a.m. and ride at 1 p.m. Ride is about 2 1/2 miles long with five obstacles. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st through 6th place. $5 members, $15 non-members.

 LOOK AHEAD

• Mountain State Rodeo Winter Series, Dec. 4-5, Virginia Horse Center 
• Christmas with Arabians, Dec. 5, Amethyst Acres, Buchanan, Va.
• Hear the Beat Horse Show – Christmas Edition, Dec. 12, Virginia Horse Center Anderson Coliseum
• IBRA Barrels and Poles, Dec. 12, Old Grey Mare Arena, Raphine, Va.
• Franklin County Equestrian Club Reindeer Games Competitive Trail Ride, Dec. 26, Waid Park, Rocky Mount 
• Lucinda Green Clinic, Jan. 24, GC Equestrian at Penmerryl Farm in Greenville, Va., email gammonlee@gmail.com for registration forms.
• Mountain State Rodeo Winter Series,Jan. 29-30, Virginia Horse Center 
• Mountain State Rodeo Winter Series, Feb. 26-27, Virginia Horse Center  
• Mountain State Rodeo Winter Series, March 25-26, Virginia Horse Center 
• Richard Winters Advancing Horsemanship Clinic with Cows, Oct. 7-9, Crockett, Va. (Contact: Lynn Decker 276-686-6647.) 

Like Roanoke Equestrian on Facebook for continued updates on horse shows in the area. Have a show coming up? Contact us at Roanoke.Equestrian@gmail.com to add it to our calendar.