Tag: Dressage

Healing Strides of Virginia named one of only 5 USEF/USPEA National Para-Equestrian Dressage Centers of Excellence

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Photo courtesy of Healing Strides of Virginia

The US Equestrian Federation (USEF), in conjunction with United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA), have announced that Healing Strides of Virginia in Boones Mill, Virginia. and Wheatland Farm Equestrian Center in Purcellville, Virginia, have been named USEF/USPEA National Para-Equestrian Dressage Centers of Excellence (COE). The USEF Selection Committee carefully scrutinized each application and upheld the highest standards upon recommending the facilities as Centers of Excellence.

Healing Stride of VA and Wheatland Farm Equestrian Center join the following network of COEs:

Each Center of Excellence is unique in its structure and may have opportunities independent of other centers. The USEF and USPEA are committed to working with each to build plans that complement their individual strengths and opportunities. Specifically, USEF and USPEA will help COEs further develop their network with the therapeutic riding community by providing exposure to competition opportunities of interest to riders. These regional hubs of excellence will not only attract new riders to the sport of para-equestrian dressage but also work in partnership with the USEF High Performance Programs to develop athletes to a degree that they can represent the U.S. at International and Paralympic Games level and ultimately win medals.

In addition, Centers of Excellence play an active role in attracting trainers to the sport of para-equestrian dressage and helping them develop and understand the sport. COEs are the primary hubs for delivering the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage High Performance Programs and para educational symposiums.

For more information on the COE programs please contact USEF Sport Program Assistant – Dressage /  COE Coordinator, Para Equestrian, Austyn Erickson at 859-225-6929 or aerickson@usef.org.

Anne Lloyd joins Healing Strides as an advanced instructor

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Anne Lloyd with a student in Colorado.

Healing Strides of Virginia, the only PATH International Premier Accredited Center
for Therapeutic Horsemanship in the Roanoke Valley, recently welcomed advanced instructor Anne Lloyd to their staff. Lloyd, a native of England, started her horsemanship career as a certified instructor through the Association of British Riding Schools.

She was active with her own daughters in the British Pony Club, and looks forward to sharing her knowledge with Healing Strides’ Pony Clubbers at HSVA. Lloyd’s passion is to be able to help any rider achieve their goals and make a lasting connection with their horse.

With 25 years of teaching and showing experience in dressage and hunter/jumper, Anne helps riding students of all levels excel and meet their personal goals. Anne has a limited number of opportunities for students to join her training schedule. Call 540-334-5825 or email Healing Strides to get to know Anne and tour the facility. The summer riding session at Healing Strides begins June 12.

GET YOUR FIX: Horse events in the Roanoke area Jan. 17-18

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

ONLINE

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