News

2019 New Recognized Divisions
The VHSA is pleased to announce that we are now recognizing the Pre-Adult Hunter and the Pre-Children's Hunter Divisions as part of our year-end awards program.  We will go back through rated horse shows that have been held thus far this year and add those division points into our system.  We will get these points updated as soon as possible.  The Specifications for these two new VHSA recognized divisions are:

Pre-Adult Hunter. Open to horses only. To be shown by an amateur. A rider in the Pre-Adult Hunter Division is not eligible to cross enter in any other division where the fences exceed 2'6" at the same show except VHSA Medal classes. Course shall not consist of no less than eight fences. Fence height shall be 2'6", spreads not to exceed height of fence. No combinations allowed. To be judged on manners, performance, soundness and suitability as an Adult Hunter. A minimum of three (3) classes shall be held in any section in which a championship is offered. In the event there are less than three entries in either of the Pre-Children’s Division or the Pre-Adult Division, these divisions may be combined at management’s discretion.

Pre-Children’s Hunter. Open to horses only. To be shown by a junior exhibitor. A rider in the Pre-Children’s Hunter Division is not eligible to cross enter in any other division where the fences exceed 2'6" at the same show except VHSA Medal classes. Course shall not consist of no less than eight fences. Fence height shall be 2'6", spreads not to exceed height of fence. No combinations allowed. To be judged on manners, performance, soundness and suitability as a Children’s Hunter. A minimum of three (3) classes shall be held in any section in which a championship is offered. In the event there are less than three entries in either of the Pre-Children’s Division or the Pre-Adult Division, these divisions may be combined at management’s discretion.

Sandra Charles (Kailey Charles) - NSF Check
Fae  Cordova (Savannah Cordova) - NSF Check
Olivia Fuller - NSF Check
Lauryn E. Haynie - NSF Check
Paul Logan, Pachanga Farms - NSF Check & Rule Violation
Susie Mansell (Show Place Farm, LLC) - NSF Check
Kathy Martin Grumulski - NSF Check
Veronica Lorraine Martin (Kelly Davenport) - NSF Check
Andrew Kenneth Milne (Anna Milne) - NSF Check
Margaret Elizabeth Morris - NSF Check
Stacey Schneider - NSF Check
Shannon Simmons - Outstanding Debt
Amanda Smith - NSF Check
Jesica Warthen (Alexis Warthen) - NSF Check
Jeanette Whitehurst (Carrie Ellis) - NSF Check 

VHSA 2019 Yearling Futurity 

The 2019 VHSA Yearling Futurity Competition will be held at the Warrenton Horse Show on Wednesday, August 28th in the morning.  We are pleased to announce once again that the Virginia Horse Industry Board has awarded the Futurity Program a $5,000 grant that will be used solely for Prize Money to the Virginia Bred Yearlings who place 1st through 8th place.  Currently we have ten Yearling who are eligible to compete in this years Futurity Competition:

                                                                               Covering
      Owner                        Mare                              Stallion  

1.   Snowden Clarke        Hummingbird                Mapleside Wish List
2.   Diana Dodge             Hanna                             Popeye K
3.   Diana Dodge             Sincerely Yours              Nob Hill
4.   Diana Dodge             Acclaim                           Nob Hill
5.   Mary Beth Donnelly  Saintly                            Quarterback
6.   Frazer Hendrick        Brezel                             Brilliant Intuiten
7.   Frazer Hendrick        Goldieboxx                     Musical Marque
8.   Frazer Hendrick        So Random                     Timbre
9.   Phyllis C. Jones         D.D.                                Friend or Foe
10. Phyllis C. Jones         Stephanies Castle         Mapleside Wish List

Total Eligible Yearlings = 10

The Entry information will be mailed to all eligible yearling owners in July.

VHSA 2020 Yearling Futurity Nominations 

The 2020 Yearling Futurity Nomination forms have been mailed to all who are already on our mailing list.  If you are not already on the mailing list, the information and form can be downloaded HERE!
The 2020 Yearling Futurity Nominations are due in the VHSA office by May 31, 2019.   

 Equine Nutrition Basics    by Kayla Wolfe

At the Lexington Spring Welcome Horse Show at the Virginia Horse Center, the VHSA’s Special Events Committee presented a lecture led by Emory and Henry’s Jessica Denniston on Equine Nutrition Basics. Highlights of the lesson included the functions of the foregut and hindgut, essential nutrients, and how to choose a diet for a specific horse. The equine has one stomach that is composed of a foregut and hindgut. The foregut of the horse digests fats, proteins, and sugars through enzymes while the hindgut breaks down fiber. Horses need certain nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fat to fulfill their diet. Water, being the most vital nutrient for the horse, is used for transportation of nutrients and between eight to twelve gallons of it is consumed each day. When deciding on a diet for a horse, the age, workload, weight, and ability to consume grass should be evaluated. A horse that is doing a lot of exercise may need higher quantities of a certain nutrient to maintain a good balance. The weight, or body condition score should be considered when deciding both the type and quantity of food given to the horse. Access to hay or grass is necessary and must be recognized while choosing a diet for a horse. Roughage should be the primary source of food for the equine, followed by grain to assure that all the nutrients are given. Jessica Denniston explained and showed us the affects of a bad diet on a horse. 

For further information, please see the Equine Nutrition Basics Handbook which can be downloaded HERE!

 The EMO Agency, Inc.

We are pleased to announce that The EMO Agency will once again be sponsoring the VHSA/EMO Children's Medal, Hunter Seat Medal, Championship on the Flat (Htr Seat), Adult Medal and the Amateur Equitation n the Flat qualifying classes as well as the VHSA/EMO Medal Finals to be held at the Lexington National Horse Show in August.

 The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund

We are pleased to announce that the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund will once again be sponsoring the VHSA/LMCF Pony Medal, Pony Equitation on the Flat and the Children's Pony Medal qualifying classes as well as the VHSA/LMCF Medal Finals to be held at the Warrenton Pony Show in June.

 National Show Hunter Hall of Fame

We are very excited that two great Virginians will be inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame this year:

Meredith McLaughlin
Marguerite Taylor

Congratulations to these very deserving individuals who will join the impressive list of inductees.  The National Show Hunter Hall of Fame's Induction Ceremony will be held on May 28, 2019, at the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford Pennsylvannia during the Devon Horse Show.