The Lexington Spring Encore got underway today at the Virginia Horse Center for the second installment of the Virginia Festival of Champions.

Highlights in the Wiley Arena included the 3’6/3’9” Green Hunters. Chime, owned by Dorli Burke and ridden by Ashley Foster took home the blue ribbon in two of the over fences and in the under saddle class.

Foster has been riding Chime since the Baby Greens and have been together for a while. Her owner, Dorli Burke shows her in the 3’3” Amateurs. According to Foster, “She’s [Chime] my baby. She has quite the personality and is definitely a winner. When she goes into the ring with her ‘game on’, she’ll just jump out of her skin. There’s no better feeling.”

Foster continued, “Chime is very sweet and loves her people. I feel like Dorli, her groom Anna Clair Smith and I are ‘her people’.”

Foster is here getting ready for the Devon Horse Show where she will be riding Chime in the 3’6” Green Hunters. Foster and Rolling Acres have over twenty horses here this week and according to Foster, “Mary and I will be riding our butts off all week!”

Foster, a professional rider with Rolling Acres, has been riding at the Virginia Horse Center for many years. “I remember riding in the Children’s ponies in the indoor. I’m pretty sure I’ve shown in every division offered here,” she laughed.

Final results had Anne Hormel’s Rion, ridden by Sarah Tyndall placing second, Victorious, owned by Samantha Jurick and ridden by Ashley Holsinger in third place, Joan Alberti’s Brugh’s Mill ridden by Jason Berry in fourth place. Tom Brennan rode Victoria Clarke’s Alto Cinco to a fifth place finish and Avila, owned by EMO Stables and ridden by Maria Shannon finished in sixth.

JP Group’s Jackpower, ridden by Tom Brennan placed seventh and Malibu Ken, owned by Kym K. Smith and ridden by Tiffany Cambria placed eighth.

For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

Jarnac, owned by Joann Cangelosi and ridden by Kylee Buchholz earned a first place ribbon today in the 3’3” Performance Hunter, besting a field of thirteen horse and rider teams.

“I’ve been working for Tom Brennan for a few years and showing as a professional with other horses in different divisions. But this was my first time showing in the Wiley,” said Buchholz. “The jumps are beautiful and Nick [Jarnac] jumped them really well! It was so much fun!”

Buchholz commented, “Nick is kind of a unicorn. He will go and do long-stirrup with his owner and then go and do the bigger jumps with Tom, me or Miranda Scott. Everyone at the barn has ridden Nick and he is just fantastic. I just got lucky to be able to ride him today and I’m thankful to Tom and Joann for giving me that ride. I was so excited that my first ride in the Wiley was so successful and so much fun.”

Placing in second behind Jarnac was Lynn Rice’s Absolutely. Third place was awarded to Chabalouba Sun, owned by Meghan Finlay and ridden by Chiara Parlagreco. Parlagreco also piloted Elizabeth Papez’ Carlido’s to a fourth place finish.

Catherine Barbour’s La Di Da, ridden by Guy Cambria earned a fifth placing and Wyatt, owned by Heather Bamford and ridden by Marylisa Leffler finished in sixth place.

EMO Stables’ Sidenote, ridden by Maria Shannon placed seventh and Cool Color 3, owned by The Colorful Group and ridden by Sulu Rose-Reed, wrapped up the class with an eighth place.

For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

Jumper action got underway today in the Dee Dee Arena when Reed Training and Sales' Addison Reed and Sulu Rose-Reed piloted the top two in today's $1,500 Open Jumper Stake, presented by Schneiders Saddlery, to the winner's circle. Addison Reed won the $1,500 Open Jumper Stake with Reed Training & Sales, LLC’s Doc Di Villigana, and her mother Sulu Rose-Reed placed second with Reed Training & Sales, LLC’s Rich Girl.

With a second-round time allowed of 55 seconds, Addison and Doc Di Villigana posted double clear rounds with a second-round time of 43.009 seconds. Sulu followed in the order with Rich Girl, posting double clear rounds and a second-round time of 43.073 seconds.

Final results had Addison in first, Sulu in second. Brooke Kemper and CM Sporthorses, LLC’s Seaview Demonstration followed in third with their clear second round in a time of 44.479 seconds.

Thaisa Erwin and Michael Smith’s High Star Hero earned a fourth place for their second round time in 57.880 seconds which earned them three time faults. Laura Gaither and Fox View Farm’s Caillou VL finished in fifth place with their four fault second round in a time of 41.696 seconds.

For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

Schneider’s Saddlery is a proud sponsor of Virginia Festival of Champions.

At Schneider’s, their family-owned company has maintained a dedication to value, product quality, innovation, customer service, and a love and commitment to the equestrian industry. Visit them online at sstack.com.

Mark your calendar for the final installment of the Festival of Champions, the Lexington National August 9-13.

The Festival of Champions benefits the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Sponsorship opportunities and vendor applications are available.