THAT’S A WRAP!
CONGRATULATIONS
LEXINGTON SPRING ENCORE
CHAMPIONS
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The Lexington Spring Encore wrapped up Sunday after a full week of competition, special events and southern hospitality.
Congratulations to all riders and owners and thank you to everyone who supported the shows and the Virginia Horse Center’s Virginia Festival of Champions.
The Lexington Spring Premiere and the Lexington Spring Encore wrap up two of the three weeks of shows, and the final installment will be the Lexington National, August 7-11, 2024.
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Grand Adult Hunter Champion
The Mattingly Perpetual Trophy
presented by the Virginia Horse Center
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Gold Digger, owned and ridden by Kathleen Carofino.
Photo credit: Teresa Ramsay
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Hi Nitro, owned by Margaret Frank and ridden by Gene Frank
Photo credit: KMK Photos
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Congratulations to Gene Frank, Lexington Spring Encore Leading Amateur Jumper Rider. Frank commented, “I’m very excited for my daughter. Hi Nitro is her horse; I’ve just been riding him since she is in school at George Washington University. She will take over again when we head to Upperville.”
“Everything about our operation, and hobby, is based on family,” said Frank. “My wife, daughter and I all do this together. I show, my daughter shows and we all foxhunt.”
Frank also competed in the Lexington Spring Premiere. “I love these horse shows,” he said. “The Virginia Horse Center is a wonderful place. I have been coming here for several years. Joe Fargis helps out my daughter and he loves this place, and so do we. We come as much as we can each year. We are 100% supportive of the Virginia Horse Center and that’s why we’re here.”
Frank continued, “The stall mats are great and it’s so nice to be in a barn that is so close to the rings. The footing is great, the people are great, and the jumps are nice. It’s just an all-around wonderful place.”
“I mean, I love the big shows like Wellington. And there’s a place for Michigan and there’s a place for Tryon, but these shows need to be preserved. Places like this need to survive,” he said.
“The Virginia Horse Center is convenient, close to home, it’s easy to be here, we know all these people and it’s a tight community. It’s the way some horse shows need to be. It's a big facility, but it’s really compact. To be able to ride on the cross country course is invaluable. And, after the show, if we have time, my wife and I like to walk our dogs down the trail to the river. It's really a wonderful place.”
| Best Child Rider on a Pony | |
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Centreville, owned by Samantha Preston and ridden by Jessica Gulden
Photo credit: KMK Photos
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Gulden rode three ponies at the Lexington Spring Encore and won on all of them. According to Gulden, “I showed two larges, and a medium green. Ann Hormel owns Veritas and we were Champion in the Large Ponies and Centreville, who is owned by Samantha Preston, was Reserve. Then Centreville was Champion in the Large Greens and Cherrybrook Diana, owned by Leslie Stuber, was champion in the Medium Greens.”
Gulden is trained by Sarah Tyndall and Chris Wynne. While she has ridden for about twelve years, she has been under Tyndall and Wynne’s tutelage for the past three years.
“The ponies are great. I’ve always loved the ponies,” said Gulden.
According to Gulden, who resides in Williamsburg, she goes to riding lessons in Virginia Beach when she is not showing, maybe once or twice a month. “Two of the ponies are not at Breckenridge, so I don’t ride them much unless it’s at a show.”
“It was a very fun horse show, and I had lots of fun riding all of the ponies and the horses,” she said.
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Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter
Champion
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Final Four, owned and ridden by Caroline Booker
Photo credit: Teresa Ramsay
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Congratulations to Cierra Case for winning the Leading Jr. Jumper Award.
Cierra Case is a junior at Foxcroft. “I’m very excited,” she said. “Jenny [Generosa MK] is mine and is very special and a great jumper.” More than two years ago, Case leased Jenny, and showed her in Florida before purchasing her. Case commented, “My goal is to go as far as we possibly can. She’s done the 1.35 m and maybe the 1.40 m so we’ll just see how it goes.”
According to Case, “Foxcroft had 12 horses here this week and 11 last week. We’ve had a lot.” Originally an event rider, and from Boulder, Colorado, one of the decisions to attend Foxcroft was the appeal of the beautiful rolling hills and lush, soft, grass. “We keep our horses with us at Foxcroft, and it’s great to be able to go down to the barn and see them or take a lesson. I’ve made such great friendships at school, we go to horseshows together, the team is great, and we are so close.”
Foxcroft’s Kate Worsham is her trainer. “She’s been my coach since freshman year. She’s awesome and I’ve learned so much from her,” she added. “It’s really fun.
Case continued, “I love this facility. I wish they had more shows so we could come here more often.”
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Best Rider on a Jr. Hunter
and
Grand Jr. Hunter Champion
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Spectacular, owned and ridden by Sarah Entzian
Photo credit: KMK Photos
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Melissa Marshall riding M2 Equestrian's Creative
Photo credit: Teresa Ramsay
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Sugarbrook Love Letter, owned by Robin Greenwood, and ridden by Beverly Allen
Photo credit: KMK Photos
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Exceptional, owned by Kristie Parciak, and ridden by Mila Lieberman
Photo credit: KMK Photos
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Leading Hunter Rider
Professional Divisions
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My Cloud Nine, owned by Kisma Equestrian, LLC and ridden by Katie Cooper
Photo credit: Teresa Ramsay
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Children's Pony
Grand Champion
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Enchanted Knight, owned and ridden by Claire Whitmore
Photo credit: KMK Photos
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Leading Hunter Rider
[Lower Height Divisions]
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Charming Boy, owned and ridden by Brittany Schutt
Photo credit: KMK Photos
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Best Rider on a Children's Hunter: Alexandra Koscelnik
Best Adult Amateur Rider: Katie Meagher
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Grand Green Hunter Champion
The Winbrooke Farm Perpetual Trophy, presented by Brooks Cushman in memory of Edwin S. Crooks
Chime, owned by Marylisa Leffler, LLC and ridden by Marylisa Leffler
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Grand Hunter Champion
Galloping Way Perpetual Trophy in honor of Mrs. Haywood Nelms
Chime, owned by Marylisa Leffler, LLC and ridden by Marylisa Leffler
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Rockbridge Grand Prix
The George R. Ohrstom Jr. Perpetual Trophy
Marylisa Leffler and Rolling Acres’ ZaZa Z
Leading Jumper Rider
The Kartousch Perpetual Trophy
Marylisa Leffler
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THANK YOU FOR A GREAT WEEK! | |
First and Goal and Jessica Gulden | |
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Smiling faces at the Lexington Spring Encore | | |
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The leadline winner checking out her prize. | |
The kids loved the special Kids Zone. They just can't get enough of jumping! | | |
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Generosa MK and Cierra Case | |
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THANK YOU
FOR SHOWING WITH US
AT THE LEXINGTON
SPRING ENCORE
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU
AUGUST 7-11, 2024
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OFFICIAL LODGING PARTNER
OF THE VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS
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Offering pet-friendly lodging, as well as an onsite restaurant and bar, The Natural Bridge Historic Hotel & Conference Center is offering all competitors a discounted lodging rate. Click here for your discounted rate.
This historic hotel has been updated and overlooks the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and is located across the street from the famous Natural Bridge. The entire family will love the amenities this classic hotel offers, about a 15-minute drive from the Virginia Horse Center.
They offer select adjoining suites as well as rooms with terraces. Their management is top notch and prides itself on offering customer service second to none.
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Delight in historic charm from the cozy ambiance in the lobby to delicious dining in the Colonial Dining Room and Red Fox Tavern.
You’ll find the modern conveniences you depend on, like free high-speed Wi-Fi and parking, a business center, laundry facilities, and event space. Work out in the gym, enjoy scenic hiking trails, and unwind in the garden featuring a fire pit.
Each non-smoking guest room offers a flat-screen HDTV, mini-refrigerator, coffee maker, ironing amenities, hair dryer, and bath products. You can also bring your pet along for an additional fee.
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After a long horse show day, stop in at the Natural Bridge Historic Hotel & Conference Center's Red Fox Tavern.
You’ll feel like you’re in a country manor at this welcoming spot, boasting an outdoor patio with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Watch the latest sports game while you sip a signature cocktail, wine flight from a nearby winery, or local craft beer and nibble on small plates, steak, and more. Enjoy this hunt themed tavern, open daily from 5:30 to 10:00 pm.
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The Natural Bridge Historic Hotel & Conference Center offers both an onsite restaurant and tavern. Both are open daily.
The Colonial Dining Room features dark wood and period lighting which set an inviting scene in this on-site restaurant. Start your day with a hearty Southern-style breakfast and enjoy sandwiches, seafood dishes, pasta, and more at dinner.
Daily Hours:
Breakfast: 7–10 a.m.
Dinner: 5:30–9 p.m.
Sunday Brunch: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
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THANK YOU SPONSORS
OF THE VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS
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THANK YOU SPONSORS
OF THE VIRGINIA HORSE CENTER FOUNDATION
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ABOUT THE VIRGINIA HORSE CENTER FOUNDATION | |
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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.
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