Benefit Trail Ride for Andrea Johnson, May 28, 2011

Andrea suffers from a little known disease called Wegener’s Disease which is an inflammation of the blood vessels.   Before she was diagnosed with this disease & started on medication, Andrea was unable to care for herself and could not walk without the aid of a walker.  She has been unable to work since October and medical bills are adding up.  Doctors say she will need to stay on medication. Andrea and her husband, Doug, have been friends of ours for several years & we want to help them out as much as we can. 

Location:  Reedy Creek Hunt Club, 198 Glendale Mill Rd., Freeman, Va. 23856  Gates will open at 3 p.m. Friday for those who wish to come early.   Primitive camping allowed, limited space.  Saturday Registration:   8 a.m. – 10 a.m.    Ride at your own pace.   

Trail will be marked with Blue Ribbon.    On your own for lunch, so please pack your lunch.   Dinner will be at 4:30 p.m.    Coggins will be checked. Please bring a copy of your Coggins to be submitted upon arrival. $25.00 per person for trail ride and dinner - $10.00 dinner only. Homemade Brunswick Stew available Friday evening - $5.00 per person 

Directions:   From Lawrenceville,  #58 east.  Pass Exxon Service Station/Freeman Post Office, right on Vulcan Road.  Look for Trail Ride sign.   Left on Belfield Road at stop sign, right on Glendale Mill Road, right on first driveway. From Emporia, take #58 west approximately 10-12 miles.  Pass Reedy Creek Wood Products sign on left, left at Rt. 634  (to Freeman), go to stop sign, turn right on Belfield Road, then left on Glendale Mill Road.       

Contact:   Nancy Watson, 434-532-6785; Francis Watson, 434-637-3868.  Please RSVP. 

USTR Memorial Day Benefit Ride

The 17th Annual Benefit Ride is just around the corner, Sunday May 29, 2011 at Glenwood Park in Middleburg, VA.-- Last year's beneficiaries were: Horses for Heroes -- Equestrian Facilities Fund --Trot Search and Rescue—You are welcome to come out for a terrific ride over the wonderfully scenic and private trails rarely open for public riding. Ride 6 to 15 miles at your own pace on well marked trails that range from gently rolling mixed fields/woods to more aggressive hills and river crossings. Ride the trail(s) right for you - there is something for everybody! While you enjoy your ride and your lunch, remember you are helping the USTR help some very worthy causes. If you have recommendations for a 2011 beneficiary, the USTR wants to know. The ride registration form is posted on their website: www.ustrailride.org. 

Benefit Dressage Clinic for Diamonds in the Rough Rescue Horses on May 21st.

Join us and learn more about dressage in a relaxed atmosphere!  Lessons are available to horses and riders of all levels, breeds and disciplines.  Anna Schriebl, the instructor, trained in Germany for six years with a former instructor from the Spanish Riding School of Vienna and competed in dressage and show jumping in Germany and America.  She also earned her German Bronze Riding Medal.

Lessons are $35 and ALL proceeds go towards the Merry Oaks/Diamonds in the Rough rescue horses’ vet bills.  The clinic will be held at Merry Oaks Stable in Windsor.

Please call 757-876-3272 for more information, and go to http://www.merryoaksstables.com/ for directions

May Events at Cedar Run Ranch with Kenny Harlow

May 2nd-20th
Kick off the Spring at Cedar Run Ranch with our Three Week Apprenticeship program. Learn Kenny's proven techniques first hand while experiencing round penning, trail riding in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, and learning all the skills of good horsemanship and safe effective training methods. Shorten your stay to a one week "mini" apprenticeship, and challenge yourself to your riding and training goals!
Contact us today to sign up, as spots are filling quickly, 434-983-2221 or kenny@kennyharlow.com.

May 10th, 11th, 12th & 24th
Jose Mendez will be at Cedar Run Ranch! In this amazing clinic you can have a lesson with the dressage master himself, Jose Mendez-Royal School of Spain! An international selected representative, his Grand Prix Freestyle was described by the Head of the Judges Committee for Beijing Olympics, Mariette Withages as a "Joy to Watch". Snr Mendez will sometimes ride horses at clinics, and it is amazing to see the transformation of your horse before your eyes! He is kind, soft and welcomes all levels of horses and riders-especially encouraging of young riders! Please contact us for prices and times for lessons at 434-983-2221 or kenny@kennyharlow.com!

May 23rd-27th
Professional Trainer's Week at Cedar Run Ranch
Attention Kenny Harlow Certified Trainers, Professional Trainer's Week is coming up May 23rd-27th! Come to the ranch and learn all of Kenny's new training exercises that will make your training more fun and easier!  Contact us at 434-983-2221 or kenny@kennyharlow.com

New! Live Wagering Approved on Strawberry Hill Races!

In a bid to ensure that those in attendance actually realize that there are horses involved, there will be wagering on the Strawberry Hill Races for the first time in 2011.

The Virginia Racing Commission has approved a live racing application that permits pari-mutuel wagering on four Strawberry Hill Races steeplechase races on May 21, 2011 at Colonial Downs in New Kent County. Strawberry Hill’s traditional training flat race, the SFVA Turf Cup, is exempt and will not be available for wagering.

This marks the first time that live, pari-mutuel wagering will be available at the Strawberry Hill Races, which was founded as the Deep Run Races in 1895.

The 79th running of the Strawberry Hill Races will happen the same day as The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland.

New in 2010, Pari-mutuel wagering will again be available to Strawberry Hill attendees through Colonial Downs, both on selected simulcast races from throughout the United States as well as the Preakness Stakes. Most of the Pimlico Race Card will be simulcast at the Strawberry Hill Races in real time, with the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes being the grand finale of the day. As a result, gates open later – at 11 a.m., with the first of five Strawberry Hill Races going off at 2:30 p.m.

For complete information, pricing and times, please visit strawberryhillraces.com. 

Equine Rescue League 21st Anniversary Spring Open House May 7th & 8th

At Promise Kept Farm, Lovettsville, VA.

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The Equine Rescue League marks a milestone this year – over 20 years of service to equines in need and the local community.

This year’s Spring Open House will be a reflection of all the Equine Rescue League has accomplished as well as a celebration of the horses, ponies, donkeys and mules who have come through the farm shelter.  Many magnificent creatures have passed through the League’s facility.  They have been physically and emotionally healed and have gone on to wonderful careers and loving homes. 

The Open House provides an opportunity not only to learn about the League’s rescue, rehabilitation and adoption programs, but to also meet a variety of breeds and horses of all ages that are available for adoption.  Each has their own moving and inspiring story of triumph.

Anyone with an interest in horses is welcome to the Open House.  Whether looking for a new equine addition to the family or not, all are invited to spend time with the horses, enjoy the beautiful Loudoun County countryside and participate in a weekend of fun and activities. 

Activities for the 21st Anniversary Spring Open House include a Parade of Horses, Games, Demonstrations, Used Tack sale, Yard Sale, Bake Sale and Raffles.  Funds raised are used to feed resident horses and provide each with necessary veterinary, farrier and dental care.

The Spring event will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 7th & 8th, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Promise Kept Farm in Lovettsville, VA.  Admission and parking are free.  To ensure a safe and fun weekend for all, the League asks that visitors not bring their pets to the farm shelter.

For more information, please call 540-822-4577 or e-mail the League at bubbasays2@aol.com.  The Equine Rescue League also maintains a website at www.equinerescueleague.org.