VIRGINIA HORSE COUNCIL HOLDS 2005 LEGISLATIVE TRAIL RIDE AT VIRGINIA HORSE CENTER
Submitted by: The Virginia Horse Council
Phone: 888-467-7382
Email Address: kharold(at)virginiahorsecouncil.org
Date Added: 7/28/2005
The Virginia Horse Council hosted members of the Virginia Legislature
at the annual VHC Legislative Trail Ride held at the Virginia Horse Center in
Lexington, Virginia on May 20 to 22 . Hosting the trail ride at the Virginia nd rginia Horse
Center provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the Virginia Horse Industry
and the outstanding facilities that the Center offers. The Horse Center was a beehive
of activity, for the weekend, with events that included the Virginia International
CCI, The Virginia Horse Trials and the Roanoke Area Junior Livestock Show.
David Lamb of Orange provided the majority of the horses used for the
ride. The legislators and their families took full advantage of the numerous rides
that went out on Saturday and Sunday. Bobby Goodwin and Harry Baldwin,
members of the Virginia Draft Horse and Mule Association, along with VHC
member Sue Hecht and former VHC President Del Dyer, provided cart, carriage
and wagon rides. There were many smiling faces to be seen, whether riding
horseback or enjoying a carriage ride.
In addition, the Virginia Horse Center Staff, including John Scott and
Lethia Hammond, offered the legislators and their family’s tours of the facility and
were able to see first hand the coliseum, arenas, barns, cross country courses,
campsites, and the ample parking areas that the Horse Center offers.
A talent showcase took place on Friday evening after dinner. Many of the
legislators and their family members, along with other guests, entertained with
singing, dancing and joke telling. Dean Trimble also provided music for the
evening.
The Virginia Poultry Federation provided chicken for the Friday evening
meal and the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association provided the steaks for the Saturday
evening Trail Ride Supper. The Virginia Agribusiness Council provided beverages
for the weekend.
After the Trail Ride Supper on Saturday evening, David and Karen
O’Connor, members of the United States Equestrian Team, spoke to the group. The
O’Connors emphasized the importance of the Virginia Horse Center for athletes,
such as themselves and their teammates, that this world-class equestrian facility
provides. The Center offers an opportunity for them to compete and train at levels
that help prepare them, as well as their horses, for international events. Karen
O’Connor also stressed the importance of fostering the youth equestrian enthusiasts
through this facility, as they are the future of the horse industry in Virginia.
The VHC Youth Awards, along with the VHC Youth Art Contest First Place
Awards, were presented on Saturday evening. Several State 4-H Horse Judging
team members and adult leaders were present to accept awards. They were
recognized for their outstanding achievements, dedication and the time they have
devoted to preparing and competing at their various events. Also present were some of the first place art contest winners and their families. The art
entries were judged by artist Willa Frayser who donated one of
her limited edition prints for the first place winners. All art
entries were displayed. (Please check the VHC Youth page on
the VHC website - www.virginiahorsecouncil.org - to view
photos of the art entries.)
It was an educational and entertaining weekend for the
VHC members, guests, legislators and their families and a great
opportunity to see firsthand the financial impact that the Virginia
horse industry has on the state’s economy. For more information
on the Virginia Horse Council visit the website listed above or
call the toll free number 1-888-HORSEVA.
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