Lexington, Virginia: Capital Square, presenting sponsor of Virginia Horse Center Eventing, recognizes the horse owners who play a vital role in the sport of eventing. In honor of those owners who continue to support eventing professionals, the following top athletes competing at VHC Eventing this weekend are thrilled to shine the spotlight on their horse owners.

Horse: Quality TNT (2018, Grey, ISH/Dutch Warmblood, Gelding)

Horse: Electric Quality (2017, Bay, ISH, Mare)

Pictured: Barbara Cassani

Bourke Eventing, located at Stone’s Throw Farm in Berryville, Virginia is home of international three-day event riders Timothy Bourke and Marley Stone Bourke. Tim, a native Irishman, began his eventing career in the USA by training with the legendary Bruce Davidson, before becoming assistant trainer to Sharon White for 6 years. His international career includes competing at top international 5* events such as the Kentucky 3 Day Event and Burghley, England, as well as being named a traveling reserve for the Irish team at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon.  

Marley actively competes through the FEI levels and has a strong educational background which includes having attended Dartmouth’s Tuck Bridge Business Program which prepared her for running a business and training facility. She also worked for Sharon White and learned the ropes of competition and managing a highly regarded eventing business.  

Marley was delighted to share their experience with horse owner, Barbara Cassani.

“Barbara has owned for us for approximately 5 years since she sent a horse in for training and since then she has been a part of 4 horses with us. She’s just a really unique and impressive person and an owner we appreciate. 

“She really loves the sport and recognizes the journey, both in the good and the bad times. She’s interested in the day-to-day as much as the competition. Even though she’s from New Hampshire, she tries to get down and stay with us as much as she can to see the horses in training. Barbara is invested in our whole team as well, and cares about my horses and all the girls and their horses too. We’re very close with Barb and she’s really in it for the right reasons!”  

~ Marley & Tim Bourke

[Pictured: Jeanne Shigo, Andrew McConnon, Bob Farrier, Natalie Drelles, Tesla Hausman]

Photo Credits: Hannah Fitch

Horse: Ferrie’s Cello (2012, Bay, Dutch Warmblood, Gelding)

Horse: Connery Cooper Z (2017, Gray, Zangersheide, Gelding)

Andrew McConnon, originally from Acton, Massachusetts, has been committed to the sport of eventing since moving to the Southern Pines area in 2004 to work for and train with Marc Donavan. He has had an expansive career training and competing horses within the United States, initially basing his own business out of Bobby Costello’s farm. In 2016 he had the experience of a lifetime, moving to England to work and study under William Fox Pitt at Wood Lane Stables. Those two years of learning from the world’s # 1 rider at all the FEI 5* competitions in Europe were transformative for Andrew. 

In 2022 Andrew and Jeanne Shigo's Ferrie's Cello were part of Land Rover U.S. Eventings' gold medal winning team at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup in Canada. They have since been named to several US Eventing Developing Rider's teams. McConnon Eventing is based in Vass, North Carolina where Andrew is establishing a team of horses and owners and is actively importing horses for sale. 

Andrew had the following to say about his relationship with Jeanne Shigo:

“Jeanne has owned for me for about 5 years, and we have 4 of her horses in training at the moment. She grew up riding through the 2-star long format level with Bruce and she has always had a passion for horses and competing as a young adult. As for many people, work and family life took her away from riding for a bit, but now she’s fallen in love with the sport again in the form of ownership.  

“She’s a terrific owner because she wants her horses to be successful no matter what their level or talent. She also really trusts me and allows me to make the best decisions in terms of training at home and competitively. She trusts in the way I produce the horses, and that is very special!”

~ Andrew McConnon

Horse: Arden Casino (2016, Bay, Warmblood/TB, Gelding) - Cash

Horse: Vintage Chanel (2017, Brown, Warmblood/TB, Mare) - Coco

Horse: Arden Juju (2015, Blood Bay, Thoroughbred, Stallion)

Pictured: Sharon White and Anita Antenucci

Sharon White is an international CCI5* three-day eventing rider, trainer and Level 4 USEA ICP Certified Instructor based at Last Frontier Farm in Summit Point, West Virginia. Her expansive career includes multiple trips to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, and overseas to Lühmuhlen (France), Les Etoiles de Pau (France), Boekelo (Netherlands) and Hartpury (United Kingdom). She has represented the United States in FEI Eventing Nations Cup competitions, was a reserve rider for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and has been named to multiple USEF Eventing High Performance Training lists.

Sharon appreciated the opportunity to shine a light on owner, breeder and friend Anita Antenucci. On behalf of the team working with the horses at Arden Farm, Sharon had the following to say:

“Anita has a beautiful farm in Upperville, Virginia named Arden. She has always produced for eventing and I’ve been riding for her for 25+ years. Our relationship began when she sent me a horse many years ago to sell, and she still owns him. Lucky for me, I did a terrible job selling him!  

“Kim and I will be riding her oldest home breds this weekend at the VHC. Her breeding model is to pair her TB mares with different sport horse stallions to produce for eventing. She breeds only a few a year and keeps it manageable. She’s very intelligent about what she’s doing and all the mares foal at Arden. 

“Anita is also very dedicated to US breeding. All her horses do the USEA young event horse program, in support of US eventing. Melissa Baumann, who works at Arden, starts the young horses at home and continues their education by introducing them to competition. Anita, who competed through Prelim, is an active rider herself. She foxhunts with Piedmont and is looking forward to getting back into competition once her busy work schedule allows.

“I love that Anita makes it’s a group effort with all of us, which includes Nina Fout, Kristin Bachman, Tim Bourke, Ivan Espada, Melissa, Kim and myself. It’s very symbiotic! I’m so grateful to know Anita and to have her in my life. She’s an inspiration to me with how hard she works, and how dedicated she is to her horses.”  

~ Sharon White

With hundreds of entries in the Beginner Novice to the CCI3-S divisions, Capital Square acknowledges that there is a vast number of owners coming to the Virginia Horse Center this weekend to cheer on professional and amateur riders alike. Capital Square salutes all of the owners who support the sport of eventing and wishes all competitors a safe and rewarding weekend at VHC Eventing!

Friday Festivities: Don't miss the Friday Meet & Greet with Marina Sciocchetti and Bobby Stevenson on Friday, May 26th in the Stave Mill Pavilion 3:30-5:30, presented by The Southern Inn.

Saturday Night Competitor Party: The well-loved Brian Ross Bonfire is BACK! 

Back by popular demand, the bonfire will take place Saturday night, May 27th. All competitors are invited to this fun social event on top of the hill.

Virginia Horse Center Eventing, presented by Capital Square, benefits The Virginia Horse Center Foundation.

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides a world-class facility hosting regional, national, and international equestrian events. The Virginia Horse Center Foundation envisions a unique, bucolic landmark to honor and celebrate the timeless, special bond between mankind and the horse through safe, fair and spirited equestrian competition.