VHSA HALL OF FAME
400 Rosedale Court, Suite 100
Warrenton, VA 20186
tel(540) 349-0910

 

News

 
 

THE 17TH ANNUAL AMY YLVISAKER REISTRUP EQUITATION CHALLENGE
This special equitation class, held in honor of Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup, is open to the first and second place finishers
of these qualifying classes at All Virginia "A" and "AA" Qualifying Horse Shows

The 17th Annual Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge will be held in the Anderson Coliseum on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at the Virginia Horse Center.

Qualifying Classes & New for 2024:

  • US Hunter Seat Medal
  • ASPCA Maclay
  • WIHS Equitation Classic Hunter Phase
  • WIHS Equitation Classic Jumper Phase
  • WIHS Overall Winner
  • USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Class
  • VHSA/EMO Hunter Seat Medal
  • VHSA Horsemanship Award
  • ONLY 3'6" EQUITATION CLASSES WILL BE QUALIFIERS
  • Must be a VHSA member to compete in the AYR Equitation Challenge
  • The VHSA Office will take Entries & distribute exhibitor numbers.

 

 

For more information contact: Wendy Mathews 540.729.9704

Trainer Bonus * Exciting Prizes * Virginia's most coveted qualifying Equitation Finals

 

                                                                                            

"Official Farm Equipment Dealer"

We are pleased to announce that Virginia Tractor is the Official Farm Equipment Dealer of the Virginia Horse Shows Association.

"Our team is composed of farmers and property owners who truly understand the value John Deere brings to any job."

We greatly appreciate Virginia Tractor's Sponsorship and Support. Please support them and John Deere for all your farming equipment needs. VIRGINIA TRACTOR



 

Meredith McLaughlin

 

As most of you know, we lost a bright light in our lives in May of 2023, with the passing of Meredith McLaughlin.

A Celebration of Meredith's Life will be held on Monday, May 13th at the Keswick Hunt Club at 5:00 p.m.


 
2024 VHSA Associate Championship Horse Show Dates

Due to the Virginia Horse Center's Schedule, they have required the 2024 VHSA Associate Championship Horse Show Dates be changed to October 31st thru November 3rd. Please make your Hotel Reservations as soon as possible.  Due to this mandated date change, the last full weekend in October (26-27) will be a restricted weekend for Associate Horse Shows to be held. Horse Shows that were held during the 2023 restricted weekend will be allowed to hold their shows the weekend of October 26th & 27th, with the agreement that the show results will be submitted to the VHSA office within two (2) days of the competition date.

 

 
2024 VHSA Rule Change
The Virginia Horse Shows Association has a Rule Change for the 2024 Show Season.  We are opening up our Pony Breeding Junior/Amateur Handler Class to include Horses as well.  We are also not requiring that "VHSA" has to be included in the title of the class.  We are hoping that this will encourage more non-professional handlers to participate in the horse shows as well as more competition for the Eileen Beckman Junior/Amateur Handler Championship Award each year.  The following is the 2024 Rule:
 
Rule 27, Sec. 5, Part II, (g). VHSA Hunter & Pony Breeding Junior/Amateur Handler Class:  To be shown on the line by a non-professional handler. To be judged 100% on showmanship, turn-out and conditioning of the animal.  Any age horse or pony may be shown.  Horses and ponies will be walked and/or jogged.  In order to accrue points towards the Hunter & Pony Breeding Junior/Amateur Handler Class the handler must be a current VHSA member and the animal must be recorded with the VHSA.  The non-professional handler with the most points at the year-end will receive the Eileen Beckman Junior/Amateur Handler Champion Perpetual Trophy that will be presented at the VHSA Awards Ceremony in December of each year.

We are currently working on the VHSA Yearbook highlighting the Gallery of Champions and Reserve Champions from 2023! The Yearbook is scheduled to be completed in March and it will be available online, as well as a limited amount of printed Yearbooks will be available for purchase. We will keep you updated when the Yearbook is complete.

If you would like to purchase a full colored Yearbook, please e-mail the VHSA office with your name and how many Yearbooks you are interested in purchasing. 

 

 

USEF Proposes Horse Abuse Rule Changes 

The USEF has proposed rule changes to strengthen the horse abuse rule. Last week, an extraordinary rule change to GR 838 was proposed to accompany the standard rule change to GR 702 currently under consideration, which, if approved, would expand USEF jurisdiction beyond competition environments. Specifically, the two rules call for:


GR 702 – The proposed change to GR 702 was submitted in early September 2023 with the intention of increasing the scope of jurisdiction of USEF to pursue investigation and disciplinary action for reported horse abuse occurring outside of the competition environment.

GR 838 – This newly presented extraordinary rule change is intended to increase the scope of jurisdiction for equine abuse, further define actions that are considered equine abuse, require mandatory reporting of equine abuse, and amplify the ability for competition management and licensed officials to impose disciplinary actions during a competition for matters of equine abuse. The full Proposed Rule Change can either be found on the USEF Website.


 

 Wreaths Across America

We are pleased to announce that the Virginia Horse Shows Association is able to continue the tradition of donating to Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery again this year. We are very honored to play a small part in honoring our Veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much for all of us. Thank a Veteran and their families for the Freedoms we all get to enjoy. www.wreathsacrossamerica.org 

 

 

MEMBERS NOT IN GOOD STANDING

The following individuals are unable to accrue VHSA points, ineligible to compete at the VHSA Associate Summer Show, VHSA Associate Championship Horse Show and unable to attend the VHSA Convention:

Fae Cordova (Savannah Cordova) - NSF Check
Sophie Deel - Outstanding Debt
Olivia Fuller - NSF Check
Alyssa George - NSF Check
Amy & James Hall (Arabella Hall) - NSF Check
Samantha Lamb (Allison Scott) - NSF Check
Paul Logan, Pachanga Farms - NSF Check & Rule Violation
Susie Mansell (Show Place Farm, LLC) - NSF Check
Veronica Lorraine Martin (Kelly Davenport) - NSF Check
Andrew Kenneth Milne (Anna Milne) - NSF Check
Margaret Elizabeth Morris - NSF Check
Kristen Paster (Yorktown Stables) - NSF Check
Shannon Simmons - Outstanding Debt
Amanda Smith - NSF Check
Isabella Waller - Outstanding Debt
Jesica Warthen (Alexis Warthen) - NSF Check
  


 
2024 VHSA Membership Renewals
All memberships, horse recordings and voting will now only be done online. Please click on PAY DUES in order to renew your membership or record a horse and/or changes to a horse.    The Order is Complete when you see "TRANSACTION COMPLETE" at the top of your screen.  The Membership Cards and Horse Recording Certificates will still be mailed after the application is submitted to the VHSA office.  ALL ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS EXPIRE NOVEMBER 30TH OF EACH YEAR.
  

VHSA Division Sponsorship
The 2024 Division Sponsorship Opportunities are available.  Sponsorships cost $100 per Division and the Sponsors are listed on our website, in our VHSA Convention Booklet and the VHSA Yearbook.  

Click HERE for the complete list of Divisions that are available for sponsorship!


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!

VHSA Handbook For Horse Showing
The VHSA Junior Members Committee created a wonderful guide for horse showing.  This is a wonderful reference guide for all horsemen, regardless of age.  The Handbook can be downloaded by following this link:   VHSA HANDBOOK FOR HORSE SHOWING



2024 VHSA Board of Directors
 

Officers:

 
Mr. Walter J. Lee, President (Zone 4 Rep) Mrs. Wendy Mathews Treasurer (At Large) 
Mr. Oliver Brown, Vice President (Hunter/Pony Breeding Rep) Ms. Nancy Peterson, Secretary (Owner Rep)

Ms. Dede Bache-Shumate (At Large) Mr. Ernest M. Oare (At Large)
Ms. Tara Best (Zone 7 Rep) Mr. Clyde Poarch (Associate Rep)
Mrs. Claiborne Bishop (Equitation Rep) Mrs. Carol Reedy (Saddlebred Rep)
Mrs. E. Sue Bopp (Zone 2 Rep) Mr. Gordon Reistrup (At Large)
Mrs. Ada Cosby (At Large) Ms. Meg Rhodes (At Large)
Ms. Diana Dodge (At Large) Ms. Sandra Ruiz (Jumper Rep)
Ms. Jane Gaston (Zone 1) Mrs. Sulu Rose Reed (Zone 5 Rep)
Ms. Jenny Graham (At Large) Ms. Elise Roschen (Zone 6 Rep
Mrs. Sue T. Grossmann (At Large) Ms. Peg Seals (At Large)
Mr. Paul Mathews (Licensed Officials Rep) Ms. Jan Simpson (Trainer Rep)
Ms. Molly Trimble Moore (Zone 3 Rep)  Mr. Chris Wynne (At Large)
Mrs. Betty R. Oare (Hunter Rep)  
   


~ OFFICIAL SPONSORS OF THE VIRGINIA HORSE SHOWS ASSOCIATION ~ 

Antares Sellier - The Official Sadler of the VHSA
The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that Antares Sellier France is the Official Provider of Animal Health Products and Supplies of the VHSA.   Please visit their website at www.antares-sellier.com  


Blue Ridge Trailer - The Official Trailer Dealer of the VHSA
The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that Blue Ridge Trailer Sales is the Official Trailer Sales of the VHSA.   Please visit their website at www.BLUERIDGETRAILER.com 


The Clothes Horse - The Official Equine Custom Tailoring Company of the VHSA
The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that The Clothes Horse is the Offical Equine Custom Tailoring Company of the VHSA.   Please visit their website at www.theclotheshorse.com    


The EMO Agency, Inc. - The Official Sponsor of the VHSA Medals
The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that The EMO Agency, Inc. is the Offical Sponsor of all of the VHSA/EMO Medal Qualifying Classes as well as the VHSA/EMO Medal Finals.  Please visit their Website at  www.rideEMO.com 


EquiJet - The Official International Horse Transportation Company of the VHSA
The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that EquiJet is the Official International Horse Transportation Company of the VHSA.   Please visit their website at EquiJet


LM Boots - The Official Custom Boot Maker of the VHSA
The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that LM Boots is the Official Custom Boot Maker of the VHSA.   Please visit their website at www.lmboots.com


MRJ Horse Transportation - The Official Equine Transportation Company of the VHSA
The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that MJR Horse Transportation of Keswick, Virginia, is the Official Equine Transportation Company of the VHSA.   Please visit their website at www.mjrhorsetransportation.com


Platinum Jumps - The Official Manufacturer of Custom Horse Jumps of the VHSA
The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that Platinum Jumps is the Official Manufacturer of Custom Horse Jumps of the VHSA.  Please visit their website at www.platinumjumps.com   


Virginia Horse Industry Board - The Official Awards Sponsor of the VHSA
The Virginia Horse Industry Board  is the Official Awards Sponsor of the VHSA.   Please visit their website at www.vhib.org


Virginia Tractor - The Official Farm Equipment Dealer of the VHSA
The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that Virginia Tractor is the Official Farm Equipment Dealer of the VHSA.  Please visit their website at vatractor.com


J. B. Wiebe III, LLC - The Official Fine Leather Products of the VHSA
The Virginia Horse Shows Association is very pleased to announce that J. B. Wiebe III, LLC is the Official Fine Leather Products of the VHSA.  Please visit their website at https://jbweibe3.com/shop


Ralph E. Main, Jr. - Legal Counsel of the VHSA
Mr. Ralph E. Main, Jr. of Dygert, Wright, Hobbs & Heilberg, PLC of Charlottesville, Virginia, is the official legal counsel for the Virginia Horse Shows Association.