Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Horse given as a good deed
Lexie Micio,13, of Chandler won a purebred Arabian horse named Boot from a Mesa breeder.
Jennifer D'Ottavio
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 7, 2008 12:00 AM
A Chandler teen won an Arabian horse from a Mesa horse-breeding couple when they decided to "pay forward" their good fortune after receiving a new car.Duane and Hertha Chellevold, who have been breeding Arabians for 30 years, decided to sponsor a contest for young people after a relative gave them a new Chrysler minivan. The windfall made them decide to pass along the good deed. Lexie Micio, 13, won the 7-month-old purebred Arabian chestnut colt named Boot in early June.
Lexie has been riding for seven years and intends to ride and show Boot in English dressage. Lexie said she inherited her love of Arabians from her mom, who grew up in Saudi Arabia."I can't believe we won, he is a gorgeous animal." said Marisa Micio, Lexie's mother. "I was in tears the whole day. This is something my daughter and I can do together."
Lexie entered the contest after she saw it advertised in The Arizona Republic classifieds. In order to enter, applicants had to submit a paragraph explaining why they wanted an Arabian and how they would care for it.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
StellarOne Horse and Hound Wine Festival
Johnson's Orchards Farm
2122 Sheep Creek Road
Bedford, VA 24523
Enjoy wine from nine of Virginia’s finest wineries while listening to good music and visiting art, craft and food vendors. Virginia’s most unique wine festival has numerous events throughout the day with horses and dogs as the primary attractions such as the Parade of Horses, agility dogs and muskrat racing. Families will enjoy this festival because it appeals to both young and old. The event takes place on the spacious and gracious grounds of Johnson’s Orchards with spectacular Blue Ridge mountain views.
Part of the proceeds will go to Commonwealth Search and Rescue and the Bedford Humane Society.
July 12, 2008
11am-6pm.
Tasters:Advanced Tickets: $10
General Admission: $15
Children & Dogs: $5
Children under 2:
FREEInfo: 540-586-3707
http://www.bedfordwine.com/
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Texan steers steed to win
Tracy Fenney captures the Grand Prix of Roanoke in her first visit.By Ray Cox, Roanoke Times
Gas prices as high as the Texas sky may not seem so expensive next year. The highway miles from the Lone Star State to the Star City may seem to be a bit shorter.
Tracy Fenney, finally persuaded along with her husband Mike McCormick to make the long haul from Flower Mound, Texas, to the Roanoke Valley Horse Show at the Salem Civic Center, found her first visit to these faraway parts to be a profitable one.
Fenney and her mount S&L Willie survived a four-horse jumpoff, 25 other first-round contestants and a hair-raising Linda Allen-designed course to capture the $50,000 Grand Prix of Roanoke on Saturday night.
She's already had a nice week, the previous highlight being a runner-up finish aboard MTM Centano in Thursday's $7,500 Open Stake.
"Now I really like it here," she said. "We're putting this on our calendar. It was fabulous. The crowd, we don't get that too often. It's just awesome."
A large gallery came to see one of the largest fields -- 26 horses -- in the 24-year history of this event. For most of the competitors, it wasn't a jolly evening in the saddle. Fences went down all over the course in the opening round.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Vale Gives Crowd Big Thrill At Roanoke Valley Horse Show
On the last ride of the Open Jump Stake event, the noted rider comes through with a winner.By Ray Cox, Roanoke Times
Should you be in first place in a big money open jumper class at the Roanoke Valley Horse Show one night and there are contestants yet to leap, you have to hope one of them isn't Aaron Vale.
Atop Electric, the last of 20 horses to appear in the $7,500 Open Jumper Stake Thursday night at the Salem Civic Center, Vale assumed the role of heartbreaker yet again.
With the very fast MTM Centano and rider Tracy Fenney already through two fault-free tours and the owner of a time to beat of 24.944 seconds, Vale had his objective squarely in front of him.
Problem was he didn't have all that much faith in his horse.
"He's a young horse, only 8, I don't even know his breed," Vale said. "I bought him last fall in England. He jumps well; he does not turn too well. I didn't think I had much of a chance to catch Tracy."
Nothing like knowing the competition. Vale and Fenney have been competing against each other since they were children in Texas.
"Thirty years," Fenney said.
Vale opened up the throttle, courting disaster all the way through his first round. All the fences remained in place when he raced across the finish line.
-more-
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Healing Strides takes needed step
By CHARLES BOOTHEFranklin News-Post
As the temperature soared above 90 degrees on Monday, riders, parents, staff and guests at Healing Strides of Virginia in Boones Mill could find relief from the hot sun under a new roof.
A covered equine arena was recently completed, and officials were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, held in shade the large facility provides.
"This (the arena) is a godsend," said Lynda Gray, president of the board of directors of Healing Strides, a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic programs using horses. "Without this, we would be stifled this time of year."
Services at Healing Strides include therapeutic riding lessons, equine assisted psychotherapy and equine assisted learning, all for both children and adults.
The organization was started in 1991 and moved to its new location on Naff Road in 2002.
Michelle Holling-Brooks, Healing Strides program director, pointed to the large fans on the ceiling that provided a constant breeze to help cool the riders and horses.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Lightning strikes horse barn near Neersville
By Jana WagonerSource: Loudoun County Fire-Rescue
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 2008
During the storm that passed through Loudoun June 10, lightning struck a barn near Neersville, catching it on fire and causing $300,000 worth of damage, Loudoun County Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Mary Maguire said.
The fire happened around 4:15 p.m. at the barn at 36502 Kidwell Road. Fire-rescue units arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the 100-foot-by-60-foot horse barn, Maguire said.
Sixteen horses and several workers were in or around the barn when the fire started. All were able to escape by the time fire units arrived, Maguire said.
It took about three hours to fully control the fire, as it had spread quickly throughout the roof area, involving most of the structure. Fire crews were able to prevent the fire from spreading to a neighboring barn, Maguire said.
There were no injuries reported during the incident.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Three Salem kids qualify for Virginia 4-H State Championship Horse & Pony Show
Miranda Adkins This past Saturday, May 31, three Salem 4-H Riders competed in the 4-H Northwest District Qualifying show held at the Equestrian Center at Green Hill Park.
Hannah Whitt, 14, left, won third in the Intermediate Hunter Rider Walk-Trot class, and sixth in the Intermediate Hunter Rider Walk-Trot-Canter class. Corey Hayes, 15, center, won second in the Model Hunter Horse Class. Participation in at least one class is required to qualify for the State 4-H show at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington September 18-21.
The two, along with Lynsey Wyatt, 11, right, are members of the Salem 4-H Riders. The club meets once a week at Hopetree Family Services in Salem to provide riding lessons to Hopetree’s youth. Wanda Hayes and Shara Wyatt are the organizational leaders for the club.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Stone Bridge Farm Kicks Off Summer Horse Show Series
Krista Hodgkins, from Roanoke, and Well Spent. The pair, who board and show with Stone Bridge, were Reserve Champion in the Off-the-Track Thoroughbred Hunter Division
Last weekend’s show was also the debut of a new hunter division exclusively for thoroughbreds that were previously raced, or trained as racehorses. Stone Bridge Trainer, Chris Kelly, said, “We want to give owners a chance to introduce their ex-racehorses to the show ring, and give them an inviting situation to show these horses.” Stone Bridge Farm currently has several former racehorses in training as show hunters.
The next shows in the Farm’s Summer Horse Show Series will be held on June 14-15, August 23-24, September 20, and November 1-2.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Virginia Tech Police and the FAA are looking for a helicopter pilot who swooped over a horse pasture; hurting one of the animals.
By Ashley Roberts
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: May 23, 2008
Virginia Tech Police and the FAA are looking for a helicopter pilot who swooped over a horse pasture; hurting one of the animals. 
It happened Thursday, May 22nd around 1:30 p.m. Dr. Trevor Ferguson says he and some students were in the horse field caring for the animals when they spotted a low flying helicopter. “It looked like they were maybe potentially trying to land out there. “It {helicopter} came close to the ground and came up to what was about level with the power lines out there and progressed towards us along the power line and there were probably about 20 horses near a fence line.”
Ferguson says all the horses scattered throughout the field, except for one named Hope. She ran into a fence post, which caused quite a few cuts and bruises.
Luckily, doctors were able to provide immediate care. “We’re very fortunate we had veterinarians on site doing other routine clinical business,” says University Spokesman Jeffrey Douglas. “We were able to get to that horse really quick.” With daily medical care, like applying bandages and cleaning wounds, Ferguson expects Hope to recover from her injuries in 2-3 weeks.
In the meantime, investigators are trying to find out who caused them in the first place. “Right now, we simply have no idea what could have happened here,” says Douglas. What kind of helicopter it was or who was at the helm?” Police tell 10 on your side the incident doesn’t appear to be intentional, but are still investigating until they know for sure what happened. If you have any information about the incident, you’re asked to call Virginia Tech Police at 540-231-6411.
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: May 23, 2008
Virginia Tech Police and the FAA are looking for a helicopter pilot who swooped over a horse pasture; hurting one of the animals.
It happened Thursday, May 22nd around 1:30 p.m. Dr. Trevor Ferguson says he and some students were in the horse field caring for the animals when they spotted a low flying helicopter. “It looked like they were maybe potentially trying to land out there. “It {helicopter} came close to the ground and came up to what was about level with the power lines out there and progressed towards us along the power line and there were probably about 20 horses near a fence line.”Ferguson says all the horses scattered throughout the field, except for one named Hope. She ran into a fence post, which caused quite a few cuts and bruises.
Luckily, doctors were able to provide immediate care. “We’re very fortunate we had veterinarians on site doing other routine clinical business,” says University Spokesman Jeffrey Douglas. “We were able to get to that horse really quick.” With daily medical care, like applying bandages and cleaning wounds, Ferguson expects Hope to recover from her injuries in 2-3 weeks.
In the meantime, investigators are trying to find out who caused them in the first place. “Right now, we simply have no idea what could have happened here,” says Douglas. What kind of helicopter it was or who was at the helm?” Police tell 10 on your side the incident doesn’t appear to be intentional, but are still investigating until they know for sure what happened. If you have any information about the incident, you’re asked to call Virginia Tech Police at 540-231-6411.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Is your horse-related business “really” a business? The IRS may not think so
Brian C. Bernhardt
for Virginia Business
The May cover story of Virginia Business explores the growing horse industry in the commonwealth. As the industry has grown over the years, however, it has also attracted the attention of the IRS. As with all businesses, the IRS is not only concerned with whether owners of horse-related businesses are including all of their revenue on their tax returns, but also whether they are truthfully accounting for their expenses. The IRS is also concerned with a deeper, more theoretical issue — whether the horse-related activity is “really” a business or simply a hobby.This theoretical question has very practical consequences: If the horse-related activity is “only” a hobby, then you can only deduct expenses up to the amount of revenue received... -read more-
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Horse performs somersault on race track
This racehorse has certainly beaten the odds - surviving after performing a dramatic somersault on a track in Germany.
Jockey Anna-Katharina Bromann and her mount Schattenlady were racing in an event in Hanover when the horse’s saddle began slipping down its flank.Clearly agitated, the horse crashed into the race course’s safety rails, throwing Bromann from the saddle in the process.
But to the amazement of race-goers, Schattenlady ran back onto the track and threw herself head over heels. Photographers captured the horse's mid-air acrotbatics, before she came crashing down on her back.
Despite the dramatic tumble, both horse and rider were uninjured.
By Megan Levy
Last Updated: 6:14PM BST 14/05/2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Stone Bridge Farm Launches New Hunter Division
Stone Bridge Farm is pleased to announce that its 2008 Horse Show Series will feature a new hunter division exclusively for thoroughbreds that were previously raced, or trained as racehorses. The Off-the-Track Thoroughbred (OTT) Hunter Division will be designed to introduce ex-racehorses to the show ring, and to provide owners and trainers with an inviting venue in which to show these horses. Entries will be limited to tatooed thoroughbreds.
The division will include an under saddle class and two classes over fences of 2'6" in height, and will be judged on performance, manners and way of going. Trotting on the corners will not be penalized. The division will be sponsored by Dr. Suzanne Shalet and Ann Russek of Lexington, Virginia. The horse receiving the highest number of points in the OTT Hunter Division at all five Stone Bridge Farm Horse Shows will receive a high point award and cooler.
The division will include an under saddle class and two classes over fences of 2'6" in height, and will be judged on performance, manners and way of going. Trotting on the corners will not be penalized. The division will be sponsored by Dr. Suzanne Shalet and Ann Russek of Lexington, Virginia. The horse receiving the highest number of points in the OTT Hunter Division at all five Stone Bridge Farm Horse Shows will receive a high point award and cooler.
For information, dates and horse show prize lists, please email Katrina Weinig, at jorglover@aol.com; call Stone Bridge Farm at (540) 291-1000; or visit the Farm's web site at http://www.stonebridgefarm.net/
Friday, May 9, 2008
Time to think about Hay?
It is that time of year again, people are readying their plans to fill their barns, and isn't all this rain wonderful?
Be sure to check our Hay Resource on the forum pages, a great place to list what you're looking for in hay, or what you have to sell.
And, in case you think you know how to load a truck, we can all learn from this picture.
Hay Resource link: http://www.swvhc.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=7
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Welcome Site Sponsors!
The SW Virginia Horse Connection is very pleased to now have online two major site sponsors.
Saddles-N-Stuff: Catering to the first-time horse owner as well as the experienced, multiple horse owner, Saddles-n-Stuff is a complete tack shop offering the personal service and recommendations you can count on. Visit them at http://www.saddlesnstuff.com/.
Stone Bridge Farm: Stone Bridge Farm is one of the premier hunter, jumper and equitation facilities in Central and Southwest Virginia. The Farm offers spacious, modern and well-designed facilities, as well as highly-experienced, professional and caring trainers who have successfully brought along horses and riders to State, Zone and National titles. Visit them at http://www.stonebridgefarm.net/.
Saddles-N-Stuff: Catering to the first-time horse owner as well as the experienced, multiple horse owner, Saddles-n-Stuff is a complete tack shop offering the personal service and recommendations you can count on. Visit them at http://www.saddlesnstuff.com/.
Stone Bridge Farm: Stone Bridge Farm is one of the premier hunter, jumper and equitation facilities in Central and Southwest Virginia. The Farm offers spacious, modern and well-designed facilities, as well as highly-experienced, professional and caring trainers who have successfully brought along horses and riders to State, Zone and National titles. Visit them at http://www.stonebridgefarm.net/.
All of the content on this site is provided free as a service to the local equestrian community, sponsors allow us to pay the bills associated with the running and operation of the site.
Support this site - Visit our Sponsors!!!
Interested in becoming a sponsor and advertising on this site? Go to http://www.swvhc.com/advertising.asp
