VHCF Launches Volunteer Partnership - 2 events announced

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation installed a new development department in March of 2011 which has built out a professional and strategic approach to garnering philanthropic donations as well as extending the public’s understanding of its services, model, and needs.  Many educational and social programs have aided in this effort and raised considerable funds for the Foundation.  As more ideas were brought to the table, it became apparent that a volunteer team would greatly benefit the Virginia Horse Center’s public outreach and the VHCF Equestriennes was formed. 

The VHCF Equestriennes is a women’s volunteer group with a mission to support the Virginia Horse Center’s equine events and facilities through programs designed to increase attendance and visibility. Membership is open to all women committed to recreation, education, and preservation.  The founding members made up of a core group of women from Lexington, Middlebrook, Staunton, and Charlottesville but aims to be inclusive of many more regions in Virginia moving forward.  A logo contest for the group was held in June, and the design of Linda Barbarosa was selected to represent the efforts of the Equestriennes on behalf of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation.

The Equestriennes have already put on two successful programs in 2012 – an evening with celebrated, female jockey Donna Barton Brothers in March and a seminar on financial planning for women and the Virginia Equine Liability Act with two experts in the field in April.  Two more programs are slated for this fall.  The first is a Trailer Safety Seminar on September 23 from 1-4pm.  The seminar will feature the know-how and equipment of Blue Ridge Trailer Sales, with two hours of instruction as well as the chance to practice safe hitching, backing, and driving of horse trailers at the Virginia Horse Center.  The second event is a Barn Tour in the style of a garden tour.  Ten barns in Middlebrook, Staunton, and Lexington will open their doors and stalls on Saturday, October 6 to show participants how different breeds and farms have set up their riding operations or just designed their equine lifestyles.  Proceeds from both events will directly benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation’s “Turn Up the Lights” campaign to replace ninety-nine fixtures in the Anderson Coliseum for safety, energy efficiency, and to improve the competitor’s experience.  More details and registration information is available at www.horsecenter.org under the Events calendar.

VHSA Clinic with Geoff Teall has openings

The VHSA Special Events Committee's has announced that the Mounted Clinic with Geoff Teall has three openings in the 3'6" Session. They have received these last minute cancellations and would like to offer this space to our members. The Clinic
will be held on Tuesday, August 7th, in the Coliseum of the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia. This is a great prep for the VHSA Medal Finals to be held in the Coliseum later in the week. The cost is $215 per rider, which includes lunch as well.

The USHJA Zone EAP Clinic is being held at the Virginia Horse Center as well (8/6-9/12) and thanks to the sponsorship of the SWVHJA everyone can audit at no charge. There is no cost for auditing the VHSA Clinic, however, we are offering a box lunch for $10. The lunch coupon for the box lunch must be reserved in advance.

There will be a joint USHJA-VHSA dinner on Monday evening (8/6) with their Clinician, Karen Healey and our Clinician, Geoff Teall. The dinner is free to all registered clinic riders thanks to sponsorships from Cavalor Feed and Charles Owen. For all auditors the dinner is $15. All dinner attendees must reserve their ticket prior to the event because tickets for the dinner and the lunch will not be sold at the door.

Please contact the VHSA office immediately if you are interested in participating in the Clinic either as a rider or as an auditor. Please call (540) 349-0910 or e-mail our office immediately (vhsa@verizon.net).