The Virginia Festival of Champions |
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For Immediate Release: May 10, 2021
A Wynning Advantage, LLC
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The Festival of Champions Wraps Up |
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After two consecutive successful weeks, the Virginia Festival of Champions wrapped up Sunday, May 9th. The two weeks of shows to benefit the Virginia Horse Center were tremendous and attracted approximately 1,500 horses and riders over the Lexington Spring Premiere and the Lexington Spring Encore.
World-class course designers Steve Stephens and Ken Krome designed the jumper events Week 1 and 2, respectively, in the Dee Dee arena to the exhibitors' delight. Both leading horsemen agreed that the Virginia Horse Center is a premier facility.
The footing in the Dee Dee arena was excellent and both designers agreed that it was wonderful to be able to use the arena for both the lower and upper level jumpers. "All levels of riders, from the training level to the Grand Prix level have the opportunity to ride on the Attwood footing in the Dee Dee Arena. It's really a great thing for Virginia to have such a great facility and such great footing," said Stephens.
"The Virginia Horse Center is a beautiful place to be. Any place you go, the vantage point of the mountains is just wonderful. The ring is open and friendly and you're able to give the young horses and the Grand Prix horses a nice course," commented Krome.
Exhibitors like Kama Godek of Fairfax. Virginia, winner of the $25,000 George R Ohrstrom, Jr. Grand Prix, remembered showing at the Virginia Horse Center as a child in Pony Club and she is now winning Grand Prix at the same facility.
Allen Rheinheimer, Virginia Festival of Champions Show Manager commented, "I was here in 1983 when there was only the Wiley arena and the Coliseum. To see how the Horse Center has grown in improvements is tremendous. The Virginia Horse Center's onsite staff really makes you feel welcome and the town of Lexington has so much to offer after you're done horse showing for the day. It's a world-class facility."
Photo credits: Teresa Ramsey
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Special Awards Lexington Spring Encore |
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The Virginia Horse Center embodies the spirit of the Virginia equestrian community.
Each week of the Virginia Festival of Champions, Perpetual Trophies are awarded, continuing Virginia's equestrian heritage and tradition.
Congratulations to all!
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Winn Alden
Best Hunter Pro Rider 3'6" and Over
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Brooke Kemper
The Kartousch Perpetual Trophy Leading Jumper Rider
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Marylisa Leffler and Basalt, owned by Heather Bamford
The Laura Pickett Perpetual Trophy, presented by Rolling Acres
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Genuine, owned by Peg Seals, ridden by Winn Alden
The Robert M Reel Perpetual Trophy, presented by the Kenneth Wheeler Family
Grand Conformation Hunter Champion
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Superlative, owned by Grace Owens and ridden by Chris Wynne
The Winbrooke Farm Perpetual Trophy, presented by Brooks Cushman in memory of Edwin S. Crooks
Grand Green Hunter Champion
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Kama Godek and Continuity
The George R Ohrstrom Jr Grand Prix Perpetual Trophy
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Sincere,
owned and ridden by Neyfa Bryant
The Mattingly Perpetual Trophy Grand Adult Hunter Champion
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Special Awards from Lexington Spring Premiere |
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Payton Kite and McCool
Recipient of the Saralisa Trophy Best Child Pony Type
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Jan Bitzberger and Maximo
Recipient of the Victory Road Trophy, presented by Tracey Weinberg and the Weinberg Brokerage Group
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Griffin, owned by the Barracks, ridden by Lydia Jordan
Grand Champion Children's Hunter Horse
Recipient of the Iris McNeil Trophy, presented by the Virginia Horse Center
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Superlative, owned by Grace Owens was awarded:
- The Arthur Reynolds Perpetual Trophy, presented by the Virginia Horse Center Grand Conformation Hunter
- The Harry Lee Winkle Trophy, presented by the Virginia Horse Center Groom for the Grand Conformation Hunter Champion [Grace Owens]
- The Daniel P Lenehan Trophy, presented by the Virginia Horse Center Grand Hunter Champion, ridden by Chris Wynne
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The Anne E Mish Trophy, presented by the Virginia Horse Center to the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion: Harbormaster, owned and ridden by Cary Braun
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The Pleasant Grove Manor Perpetual Trophy, presented by Sparky, Kat and Lizzie Roberts to the Large Pony Hunter Champion: Good Reason owned and ridden by Caitlyn Hill
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The Coat of Arms Perpetual Trophy, presented by the Barracks to the Grand Junior Hunter Champion: Vigo De Cento, owned and ridden by Hugh Turner
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The Dubliner Trophy, presented by the Price Family, to the winner of the Rockbridge Grand Prix: Quantum Trost 3 owned and ridden by Abby Grabowski
- Best Adult Amateur Hunter Rider: Brooke Cole
- Best Hunter Pro Rider 3’6” and Above: Chris Wynne
- Best Hunter Pro Rider Below 3’6”: Maria Shannon
- Best Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider: Morgan Bland
- Best Children's Hunter Rider: Elise Marie Standing
- Best Child Rider on a Pony: Caroline Gilmer
- Best Child Rider on a Junior Hunter: Katie Triantos
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The Virginia Festival of Champions extends their sincerest thanks to the sponsors who support the shows! |
• The Heisley Family Foundation
• Caves Farm
• EquiJet
• The Virginia Horse Foundation
• Lohman Stables
• Breckenridge Manor
• The Bishop Family
• Jason Berry Stables
• Elizabeth Mason Horsely PLCC
• The Pittsburgh Foundation
• The Shuler Family
• Memory’s Hill Stable
• Smallwood Farm
• The Magner Family
• Kilmurry Farm
• Carem Stables and the Booker
Family
• Freedom Farm
• Cavallo Farm
• Hidden Fox LLC and Lisa Woodward
• Karen Zambrano Clifton
• Firsthand Equine LLC
• The Kaplan Family
• The Martin Family
• Cedar Creek Farm
• Jan Bitzberger and In a Mist Farm
• Rolling Acres Farm
• The Rogers Family of Jupiter Florida
• Pam Baker LLC
• The Simons-Callagy Family
• The Adler Family
• Linmorland Farm
• Central Virginia Insurance Agency
• Wayne Eubank
• The Simons-Callagy Family
• The Kaufman Family
• Sweet Briar College
• Event Medical Standby and Harold D. Chrimes Jr.
• The Wheeler Family
• Gardy Bloemers and Stave Mill Farm
• EMO Stables and Betty and Ernie Oare
• Little Fish Designs, LLC
• The Barracks
• Quiet Haven Farm and Rachel Howell
• The Vaughters Family
• Triangle Farms and Glenn & Joan Petty
• The Lowham Ruzzo Family
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The Lexington National is the final installment of the Virginia Festival of Champions to benefit the Virginia Horse Center and is scheduled to take place August 11-15, 2021. Highlights include the USHJA National Hunter Derby Regional Finals and the Virginia Horse Show Association/EMO Medal Finals Festival.
The Virginia Hunter Championships take place take place August 10th.
The schedule and prize list will be online soon!
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About the Virginia Festival of Champions |
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The 2021 Virginia Festival of Champions kicked off on April 28 for two consecutive weeks of top show jumping action. The Lexington Spring Premiere and the Lexington Spring Encore are events owned by the Virginia Horse Center Foundation and are benefit events for the Foundation.
The third installment of the Virginia Festival of Champions takes place August 11-15. If you would like to sign up for the emailed version of the August prize list, let us know!
If you would like to donate now, please Text VAHORSE to 833-614-1922 Thank you!
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Become a sponsor of the Virginia Horse Center! Support the sport and the magnificent facility.
Please click here to view the Virginia Horse Center Sponsor Guide. If you're interested in supporting the barn renovations or the efforts to improve the footing, please contact Jennifer Donovan.
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About the Virginia Horse Center Foundation |
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The Virginia Horse Center Foundation 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.
If you would like to donate now, please text VAHORSE to 833-614-1922
Thank you!
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Thank you to our Sponsors! |
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Official Lodging Sponsors |
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