VHSA News

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The VHSA Newsletter
The VHSA Newsletter is now featured on line on our website.  This allows for a larger publication with colored photos and advertisements.  Also, the information is available sooner to our members.  Please click the following link to pull up the February/March Issue of the VHSA Newsletter. 

Happy Birthday Secretariat - March 27th - Meadow Event Park, Doswell, VA
Celebrate the 40^th birthday of home grown hero, Secretariat , America ’s wonder horse and record breaking Triple Crown winner of 1973.   Tram and walking tours of historic barns, foaling shed, horse cemetery.  Readings by Kate Tweedy , granddaughter of Christopher Chenery, and Lou Ann Ladin from  SECRETARIAT’S MEADOW:  THE LAND, THE FAMILY AND THE LEGEND (announcing the upcoming release of this new book and opportunity for advance sale of signed copies.)   Special guest:  “Rainaway” (great grandson of Secretariat and current resident of The Meadow Event Park ).  Slide presentation of the Chenerys’ Meadow Farm and history from  Penny Chenery’s private collection of photographs.  Luncheon available provided by Savor ($10 in advance only).  For the "Secretariat" Birthday Invitation, please click on the following link:  Secretariat

2010 VHSA Associate Championship Horse Show
In an effort to shorten the show days, eliminate the night sessions and make the show more fun, the show will expand from three (3) days to four (4). Thursday’s schedule will only utilize the Coliseum. At the present time we plan to run the Green and Open Working and possibly a section of the Pleasure Horses on Thursday. Friday, Saturday and Sunday we will use both the Coliseum and the East Complex for the remainder of the schedule. The show is scheduled for November 11 through 14, 2010. As plans progress, we will keep you informed. Book your rooms early and we look forward to seeing you there.

2010 VHSA Associate Summer Horse Show
Mark your calendars ~ the VHSA Summer Horse Show is a reality!  It will take place at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia, on July 2, 3, and 4, 2010.  The show will be our Associate Jumper Championship Show and will feature double point Associate Jumper Divisions as well as all of the other Associate Divisions and a variety of unrecognized divisions (Hunter Divisions will be single points).  In addition, we hope to have the show sanctioned by several of the larger Associations that participate within the Associate Program.  The Prize List will be mailed some time in May to all VHSA members.  Book your rooms and watch the VHSA website for additional information.  The Howard Johnson's has offered a special rate for the weekend, just mention the VHSA Horse Show to receive the special rate (Howard Johnson:  540-463-9181 www.hojo.com).  Save the date and we look forward to seeing all of you there!

2010 VHSA Rule Changes

Hunter Classics: The Virginia Horse Shows Association will now recognize Hunter Classics and the points will be included in the respective divisions for year-end points.

Amateur Owner 3'3: The Virginia Horse Shows Association will now recognize the Amateur Owner 3'3" as part of the VHSA year-end awards program. This division will not be split by age as the Amateur Owner 3'6" is.

Small Hunter: The Virginia Horse Shows Association has lowered the jump height for the Small Hunter to 3'0".

VHSA Medal Finals: At the VHSA Medal Finals, two disobediences by a horse or pony will eliminate the finalist (previously three disobediences). The three disobediences will remain at all qualifying classes.

Returned Check Policy: Any person or persons who submits a check to the VHSA that is returned due to insufficient funds will receive an invoice from the VHSA for the amount of the check as well as a $50 penalty fee. At this time, the person or persons will be considered not in good standing, points will not count and all privileges will be suspended. Privileges will not be reinstated until a valid money order or cashier's check is received in the VHSA office. If the VHSA office does not receive the entire amount due within thirty (30) days from the date of the invoice, the person or persons name will be posted on the VHSA website as not in good standing and why.


Individuals "Not In Good Standing"
The following individual(s) are considered "not in good standing" with the VHSA:

None at this present time

National Show Hunter Hall of Fame
The National Show Hunter Hall of Fame nominees includes two Virginia Horsemen.  We are very pleased to announce that Mrs. Mary Braga and Mr. Noel Twyman will be included on the National Hall of Fame Ballot which is being mailed to all of their members the first part of February.   Mr. Twyman was inducted into the Virginia Horse Shows Association's Hall of Fame in 2007.  The Virginia Horse, "Duke of Paeonian", who was inducted into the VHSA's Hall of Fame in 1992, is also included on the National Hall of Fame Ballot.   The deadline for voting is March 15th (must be a member of the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame to be eligible to cast your vote).  For more information about the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame and this year's inductees, please go to their website:   www.nationalshowhunterhalloffame.com    

2010 VHSA Special Award Winners
Congratulations to the following Special Award Winners:

The Double R Partners-In Memory of Amy Reistrup Trophy: Alexa Lowe
The Frances Newbill Rowe Junior Exhibitor Award: Harrison Shure
Junior Exhibitor of the Year: Peyton Smith
Andrew Montgomery Award: June Camper
Susan Hagan Award: Teresa Ramsay
The Perfect Parent Perpetual Trophy: Janice and Samuel Nicholson 
Horseperson of the Year:  Peg Seals
Horse Show of the Year:  Deep Run Horse Show
Elizabeth Nelms Memorial Owner of the Year Award: Margaret Taylor
Michael Lenehan Memorial College Scholarship: Ashleigh Ramey
VHSA Allie Miller Memorial Riding Scholarship: Emily Keller
Mary Drury Award: Flash Gordon, owned and ridden by Jessica Rockwell
Amateur Sportsmanship Award: Lauren Fellows
The Barbara Meegan Young Rider Award: Ellie Lancaster

The 2009 Ten Best Associate Horse Shows

Presentation of the ten best Associate Horse Shows for the 2009 show season as nominated by the exhibitors, owners and trainers. The top ten best Associate Horse Shows and the Competition Managers of those shows are (in alphabetical order):

2009/2010 MEMBERSHIPS
The 2009 VHSA memberships expired November 30, 2009.   The 2010 membership year will begin on December 1, 2009, and runs to November 30, 2010. Beginning with the 2010 Show Year the VHSA will now only be offering one level of membership.  The Membership Dues are:  Senior Membership Dues are $40, Junior Membership Dues are $30, Farm Membership Dues are $50 and the Lifetime Membership Dues are $400 for Individual and $250 for Farm. Horse Recording fees are $35.  HORSE RECORDINGS ARE LIFETIME.  Renewals will be mailed to all current VHSA members within the next couple of weeks.  The Membership Form and the Horse Recording Form can be downloaded from this website.  VHSA Membership/Horse Recording Application  

VHSA Year-End Nominations
The VHSA is accepting nominations for the 2009 Horse Show of the Year, Horseperson of the Year and the Junior Exhibitor of the Year.  Please submit the name of the person/show you would like to nominate with a brief explanation as to why you feel that this person/show  is deserving of this award.  Your name and membership number must also be included.  Please note that both Junior and Senior Regular members are allowed to nominate a VHSA Regular Horse Show for the Horse Show of the Year.  However, only a Senior Regular member can nominate a Regular 
Senior member for the Horseperson of the Year and only a Junior Regular member can nominate a Junior for the Junior Exhibitor of the Year. Previous winners of the Horseperson of the Year can be nominated again.  However, previous winners of the Junior of the Year cannot be nominated again.  All nominations must be in the VHSA office no later than October 15, 2010.

2009 VHSA Yearling Futurity
Once again the historical Warrenton Horse Show hosted the VHSA Yearling Futurity Competition on Saturday, September 5, 2009.  Mr. Brooke Royster of Gordonsville, Virginia,  judged the three Colts/Geldings and six Fillies.  The winners of the day were:

The Champion of the Colts/Geldings was "Saint's Row", out of 100 Kisses, by Nob Hill, owned by Elise A. Roschen of Roanoke, Virginia.  
The Champion of the Fillies was "Trilogy", out of Squeaky Spring, by Paparazzo, owned by Barbara Sheffield, DVM of Virginia Beach, Virginia.   

Grand Champion was "Trilogy", out of Squeaky Spring, by Paparazzo, owned by Barbara Sheffield, DVM of Virginia Beach, Virginia
Grand Reserve Champion was "Delphine", out of Meant To Be, by Nob Hill, owned by Nancy Peterson of Roanoke, Virginia
Congratulations!

ATTENTION ASSOCIATE SHOW MANAGERS (effective immediately)
As a service to our Associate sanctioned horse shows, any VHSA member who has an outstanding horse show debt with one of our recognized horse shows will be ineligible, as well as the horses recorded in their name, to compete in the VHSA ASSOCIATE CHAMPIONSHIP HORSE SHOW. Once the VHSA has received written confirmation from the horse show that the debt has been cleared, that individual and horses recorded in their name will again be in good standing and eligible to compete at the VHSA ASSOCIATE CHAMPIONSHIP HORSE SHOW.

In order to utilize this service the debt must be at least thirty days in arrears and the member horse show must notify the VHSA office in writing with the horse show name, date, horse show contact person with telephone number/e-mail address, debtors name, amount owed and for what reason. The exception to this is any debt occurred within thirty days of the Championship Horse Show can be expedited by providing the VHSA office with the afore mentioned information.  There is a $10 charge for this service to help offset postage and administrative expenses.

Three Year Old Hunter Division
The jump height for the VHSA Three Year Old Hunter Division will be 2'9" (not 3'0").  Any Three Year Old Hunter Division that is combined with the Four Year Old Hunter Division at a horse show will count, as long as the Three Year Olds jump the 2'9" required height.   The VHSA does not currently recognize Four Year Old Hunters as a Year-End Awards Division.

Teresa Ramsay Photography
Teresa Ramsay now has a website where exhibitors can view photos as well as order photos directly from her.  The website is teresaramsayphotography.com   

The Barbara Meegan Young Rider Award
In recognition of Barbara's support of the Associate Program and her many years of being involved with young riders the Barbara 
Meegan Young Rider Award was established and will be awarded each year to a deserving person in her honor.  The following is 
the criteria for this prestigious award:

1.   The rider must be in their first year of competition in the VHSA Associate Program and have competed in Hunter or Equitation Divisions.

2.   The rider must have exhibited primarily in the Associate Program, but may have competed in divisions at USEF rated shows, with 
      the exclusion of Regular Hunter, Working Hunter, Junior Hunters, Amateur Owner and Confirmation Hunter Classes.  (Limited showing 
      to divisions such as:  Short Stirrup, Maiden Equitation, Local Classes- mostly Unrated Divisions)

3.   Riders are to be nominated by their trainers.

4.   The recipient will be selected at the year-end VHSA Associate Championship Show.

5.   Points of consideration will be as follows:
      a)  Points accumulated in the VHSA Associate Program
      b)  Performance at the Year End Show
      c)  Conduct and sportsmanship at the Associate Championship Show

6.   The recipient will receive a ribbon at the show and the trophy at the VHSA Banquet.

VHSA Scholarships
The VHSA is accepting nominations for the Michael Lenehan Memorial College Scholarship.  Mrs. Louisa Lenehan donates $1,000 College 
Scholarship in memory of Michael Lenehan.  This scholarship is awarded to a high school senior on the basis of need, scholastic record and 
participation in the VHSA.  The individual must be a high school senior for the 2009/2010 school year.  This Scholarship is presented at the 
VHSA Awards Luncheon which is always held the first Sunday in December.   

The VHSA is also accepting nominations for the Allie Miller Memorial Riding Scholarship.  This $1,000 scholarship is donated from the VHSA 
Foundation and Allie Miller's Family in honor of her memory. It is given to a junior rider on the basis of need, ability and desire, and is to be used
for riding instructions with a professional trainer. Selection is made by a committee from nominations sent to the office by the VHSA membership.   
This Scholarship is presented at the VHSA Awards Luncheon which is always held the first Sunday in December.

Send all nominating letters by October 15, 2010, to the VHSA office at 32 Ashby Street, Suite 204, Warrenton, Virginia 20186.  Please call 
the VHSA office with any questions (540-349-0910)

2010 VHSA Board of Directors

DEADLINE TO REPORT POINT DISCREPANCIES
Regular Program:  Exhibitors have until October 31, 2010 to dispute any point discrepancies as posted.

Associate Program:  It is up to the exhibitor to rectify any point discrepancies through May 31st by July 31st, or the points prior to
 May 31st will stand as is.  It is also up to the exhibitor to rectify any point discrepancies by October 31st, or the points after May 31st  
and prior to October 31st will stand as is.

All points are final as of November 30th of each year for both Programs.

Please check your points carefully throughout the year and notify the office as soon as possible if you have questions - please encourage 
others to do the same!  Thank you!

POINTS TRACKING SHEET
In order for us to help you, please keep track of your points for each of your horses/ponies. If there is a discrepancy with your points, please send a copy of the Points Tracking Sheet to the VHSA office for verification. Points Tracking Sheets can be printed from this website by clicking on this link:  Point Tracking Sheet.  If you have any problems
with printing the form from our site, please contact the VHSA office.

VHSA RATED (REGULAR) POINTS SYSTEM

Hunter, Jumper Point System, Non-Hunter Points and Breeding Points* (Rated Shows) (This includes points for Hunter Classics):
Jumper points are based on money won, with the exception of the Children's Jumper and Adult Jumper which the points are listed below: 

*VHSA Breeding Points for less than three (3) entries:

If any of these entries become overall Champion or Reserve Champion (i.e., Best Young Horse) then the Champion will receive 60 points and the Reserve Champion will receive 36 points for "A" shows, etc. The Champion or Reserve Champion who was in a class with less than three entries will now receive full points (i.e., 30-1st, 25-2nd, etc.) For that class instead of just the one or two points that they would have received if they did not become the Champion or Reserve Champion.

VHSA Medal Points:

For Championship Points - Double what the 1^st place received (i.e., "A" 3-8 1^st rec. 30 pts, then they would receive 60 points for being Champion)
For Reserve Championship Points - 1.2 times total of what the 1^st Place receives in the 1^st class of the division. (i.e., 30 pts x 1.2 = 36 points for Reserve Champion)

Associate Program (Schooling Shows)