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Do you have information about the horse industry in Virginia or Maryland?
Share with the 52,000+ Horse Talk Magazine readers and 280,000+ web site users!
Write to ads@horsetalkmagazine.com or fax us at (540) 548-0514
by June 10th for the July/August 2008 issue!!!
?USA vs. Italy in the America’s Polo Cup
The 2008 Land Rover America’s Polo Cup events will be held Friday, May 9, and Saturday May 10, 2008, at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia. Morven Park is located within a 20-minute drive from the Capital Beltway and 15 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
The Land Rover America’s Cup of Polo is a charitable polo match of grand proportions. Founded by Chairman and U.S. Team Captain Tareq Salahi, the event encompasses live music, fireworks, and exceptional cuisine. Proceeds from the event benefit Journey for the Cure, a nonprofit charitable foundation founded by Michaele Salahi and dedicated to finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple sclerosis, as well as the preservation of Morven Park outside Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia.
The U.S. Polo Team will make a return to Morven Park for the second America’s Polo Cup in May 2008, when they will be matched against Italy’s best polo players. In addition to the polo match, guests can expect a live concert performed by Huey Lewis and the News, an international fashion show featuring Italian and American fashion, and a culinary competition between top chefs highlighting Italian and American cuisine. The 2008 Land Rover America’s Polo Cup captures the spirit, imagination, and diversity of Americans and Italians, extending into a global program of festivities showcasing American and Italian elements, including food, wine, fashion, design, and musical diversity, while celebrating an ongoing friendship of democracy.
The half-time show will feature a demonstration by U.S. Coast Guard Helicopters, a ceremonial divot stomp, and a live musical half-time concert performed by Virginia's famous "No Speed Limit." Demonstrations by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels squadron and Blackwater USA also will wow the crowd.
Tickets are currently available online at www.americaspolocup.com. The advance ticket price is $50. Tickets also will be sold at the gate on the day of the event for $75. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended. All children 12 and under will be admitted free. A variety of sponsorships, hospitality packages, and VIP tickets are now on sale. For details and purchasing information, please visit www.americaspolocup.com.
?Horse Training for First Responders
Emergency personnel often interact with horses for the first time when they are called to the scene of a trailer collision, barn fire, or other crisis situation. In order to better prepare fire, police, and medical professionals for dealing with accidents involving equines, an Emergency Responder Horse Handling Training program was held on Monday, March 17, as a cooperative effort between Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center and the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
Thirteen first responders from throughout Northern Virginia participated in the 4-hour educational event, which was held at the center’s campus in Middleburg. Tutorials on horse behavior, handling, tack, and basic first aid were led by Dr. Jennifer Brown, clinical assistant professor in equine surgery at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, and Dr. Shea Porr, northern district equine extension agent at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
Brown and Porr guided attendees through a verbal analysis of various critical scenarios involving horses. Participants also caught and released horses in stalls and paddocks, tied horses using quick-release knots, and led horses to safe zones.
“We’ve found that emergency personnel often have no experience in rescuing horses,” said Brown. “Trailer accidents and barn fires can be frightening and chaotic situations, but training can provide the knowledge needed to properly manage these incidents.”
According to Porr, the program was established to fulfill a need in Virginia’s equine-dense counties of Loudoun, Prince William, Fauquier, Clarke, Warren, Rappahannock, Culpeper, and Stafford. More than 66 emergency responders have completed the course, which was also offered on two occasions earlier in the year.
“The result is that we now have many local first responders who are better able to handle horses in critical situations,” said Porr. “With the large number of horses in Northern Virginia, this training should be of great benefit to the area’s equine community.”
?2008 PVDA Ride for Life – Opportunities for Everyone
Plans are underway for the 5th annual Potomac Valley Dressage Association Ride for Life ™ (R4L), which will be held June 28-29, 2008, at the Prince Georges County Equestrian Center, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The R4L has two interlaced components. It is a 2-day United States Dressage Foundation-licensed (recognized) dressage show, with classes from Introductory Level (nonrecognized classes) through Grand Prix. The R4L is also a fundraiser for breast cancer research, benefiting the Johns Hopkins Breast Cancer Center (JHBCC). R4L donations to the JHBCC have been $3,307 for 2004; $3,337 for 2005; $30,782 for 2006; and $45,000 for 2007. The goal for 2008 is $70,000!!!
In addition to the daytime show, on Saturday, June 28, the R4L will have a Gala Dinner and Dancing Horse Challenge. This special evening is perfect for individuals and families from both the equestrian and the general communities. Held in the spacious competition hall/indoor arena, it will feature live musical entertainment, dressage exhibitions by top professionals, a musical freestyle challenge between dressage and Western reiners showcasing their partnership between horse and rider, and various entertaining exhibitions, including the World Equestrian Games Gold Medal vaulter. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the Dancing Horse Challenge, and donations are suggested. Tickets for the Gala Dinner that evening will be available, and fabulous Silent Auction items will be displayed for bidding.
How can you help and participate? There are opportunities for sponsorships at many levels, collection of donations by riders (who compete for High Pledge Awards and qualify for the Rider Raffle), donation of clinics and items for a Silent Auction and a Rider Raffle, and indoor and outdoor space for vendors. Nonriders may compete in the “Phantom Horse Class” by bringing in donations similarly to riders. You can also place advertisements or tributes in the Show Program. And of course, you can be a volunteer for the show and the benefit; there are volunteer opportunities before, during, and after the show. More information is available on the R4L Web site: www.pvdarideforlife.org.
?2007 VAQHA Special Award Winner
The following Virginia Quarter Horse Association (VQHYA) members were recognized at the March 8, 2008, awards banquet for special awards. VQHYA Rookie of the Year went to Deirdre Kane. The Bobbie Chafin Youth Sportsmanship Award was awarded to Megan Formeck. The Ginney Leath Award and the Ugly Halter Award were presented to Martha Formeck. The Amateur Sportsmanship Award went to Charles Beverage Gore, and the Champion Trailer was presented to Andrew Goves. For more information and a schedule of events for the 2008 VQHA season, go to www.vaquarterhorse.com
?Introduction to Driving Clinic—June 14, 2008
If you've ever been to a driving show or demonstration or would just like to try something a little different from other equine disciplines, this clinic is for you! Feathers Farm Clydesdales in Casanova, Virginia, is holding a hands-on clinic on Saturday, June 14, starting at 10 a.m., during which participants will learn about driving basics, including how to harness and hitch one of the farm's magnificent Clydesdale mares. Space is limited to 10 attendees, and the fee is $75 per person. Up to four people may, for an additional $25.00 each, have an individual half-hour lesson driving one of the Clydesdales after the clinic. Pre-registration is required. For questions or to obtain a registration form, please call Penny Crittenden at 540-788-9552 (please leave a voicemail if no one answers) or e-mail FeathersFarm@starpower.net. Please feel free to visit the Web site at www.FeathersFarm.com.
?Colonial Downs Kicks Off Another Season
Colonial Downs racetrack will be open on Saturday, May 3 for simulcast wagering on the $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby, held at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, is America ’s greatest horse race and is the first leg of the Triple Crown. Known as “the greatest 2 minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby is seen by millions of fans worldwide who bet hundreds of millions of dollars on the event.
Colonial Downs will open at 10:30 a.m. The first race at Churchill is slated for 11 a.m., and the Kentucky Derby itself will begin around 6 p.m. General admission is just $2. Reserved table seats in the Jockey Club are $15, a fee that includes admission, a Churchill Downs program, and a souvenir Kentucky Derby glass. Call (804) 966-7223, ext. 1032, for reservations.
Colonial Downs racetrack will also be open for the final two legs of the Triple Crown, the May 17 Preakness Stakes and the June 7 Belmont Stakes. Derby Day will also feature the Eastern Alpaca Derby Fest at Colonial Downs racetrack from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The 2008 Colonial Downs thoroughbred season starts right after the Triple Crown on Monday, June 9. The 45-day season runs through August 6, generally on a Friday through Tuesday schedule. Post time is 5 p.m. on weekdays and 12:55 p.m. on weekends. The $600,000 Colonial Turf Cup on June 21 and the $750,000 Virginia Derby on July 19 highlight the season.
Join thousands of your friends at the $1,000,000 Virginia Derby July 19, 2008, at Colonial Downs and celebrate "Derby Day" at the 3rd Annual Trackside Party. Seating is first-come, first-serve. Online advance sale tickets are $27.50 each ($25.00 + $2.50 processing fee), and include Derby Day admission, race program and tipsheet, deluxe barbecue lunch, three beer/wine/soft drink tickets, live music on stage all afternoon, a Colonial Downs tote bag, and a Come Back admission pass. For more information, go to www.colonialdowns.com/.
?The VIPolo Club 2008 Season
The Virginia International Polo Club (VIPolo Club), the only all-inclusive polo facility in the Mid-Atlantic region, will commence the 2008 polo season with a special 10-goal match on Sunday, June 1, at 3 p.m. Located in Upperville, Virginia, the weekly premier matches will take place every Sunday afternoon at 3p.m. from June through September and feature teams from the 8-goal league. Additional 8-goal matches will be played every Wednesday night at 5 p.m., with monthly tournament finals held on the last Sunday of every month. The teams with the best monthly records will be invited to play in the finals.
The VIPolo Club also offers a 0-4-goal league on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Beginning at 4 p.m. on Fridays, teams in the 0-4-goal matches will play a match on the grass field, followed by two levels of arena games starting at 5:30 p.m. Three grass matches will take place Saturday afternoons beginning at 2 p.m., with additional grass matches played on Sunday mornings. Special events, such as demonstrations, charitable matches, clinics, and more, will take place throughout the season.
The VIPolo Club will also host the interclub United States Polo Association (USPA) Virginia Cup and a qualifying match for the USPA Women’s Championship Tournament. Reserved tailgating and boxed seats are available and general spectators are welcome for all matches.
For additional information on any of the services offered by the VIPolo Club, please call 540-592-7474 or visit www.vipoloclub.com.
?Majestic Meadow Offers Show and Parelli Clinic
Majestic Meadow Stables in Stevensburg, Virginia, has an exciting lineup of events this spring. Join them on May 24 for a horse show featuring Showmanship, Hunter, Western, Gaited, and Speed classes. The judge will be Lisa Harris-Childs, and classes are just $5 each. It promises to be a fun day for friends and family.
Kelly Sigler, a two star professional Parelli instructor, will be offering several seminars June 17-22. Course offerings on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons will be "hitting the trails" savvy style. Wednesday afternoon is for the beginner trail rider and will end with a small ride on the farm trails. Thursday afternoon will offer a longer ride for the more advanced that will bring you along the Culpeper Heritage Horse Trail to the famous Civil War site, Salubria. Once there, you will receive a tour of the facility before riding back to Majestic Meadow Stables.
Friday afternoon will offer an advanced course on-line and at liberty playing the seven games and learning more about horse behavior and ground skills.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning Kelly is available for private sessions and level one assessments. Saturday and Sunday morning will begin your journey to Natural Horsemanship and to a higher level of communication and understanding that most people have never thought possible. Saturday and Sunday afternoon will continue your journey onto Level 2, where you will experience a higher level of understanding ground skills, horse behavior, and bridle-less riding. During these sessions, you can discover the secrets of success with your equine partner and understand your "horsenalities". Don't have a horse of your own? Please come by to audit the classes. You never know what you might learn!
For more info and clinic reservations contact Lydia Moyer at PNHmorgans@charter,net. Contact bon@majesticmeadowstables.com to reserve your stall or private paddock space for any of the clinics you wish to attend. Feel free to peruse Kelly Sigler's website to purchase supplies and get to know Kelly, www.kellysigler.com.
To continue your Parelli experience, the farm offers a once a month Playday, for more information go to www.majesticmeadowstables.com or call 540-423-9111.
