The excitement is as brisk as the mountain air in Lexington, Virginia this morning as competitors ready for this year’s $50,000 Hylton Maiden Western Pleasure class, which will be the evening’s featured attraction. Final entries closed at 5 p.m. Friday and show organizers said 22 horses, 3-years-old and older, that have never been shown before, are expected to vie for the top prize of $25,000.

Western Pleasure classes were featured on Friday with eight competing in the 3-Year-Old $250 added Open Western Pleasure. Katy Jo Zuidema rode Sure Is Hot to a win in the class for owner Jessica Olsen who then bested five other riders to win the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure.

>The Green Western Pleasure featured 11 entries while Novice Amateur Western Pleasure attracted 17 competitors. Other Western Pleasure classes included: Amateur Select Western Pleasure: 13; Amateur Western Pleasure, 11; Junior Western Pleasure, 12, Senior Western Pleasure, 15; Youth Western Pleasure 14-18, six.

Dave Archer, of Pilot Point, Texas, rode A Good N Hot Machine to a win in the Bridleless Western Pleasure Class, presented as a Calcutta by the Virginia Amateur Quarter Horse Association. The Virginia Youth Association is holding a massive silent auction where bids are being accepted on everything from a stunning black and white rail shirt to a full page, color ad in InStride Edition. According to Youth Advisor Katey Ralls, bidding will close on the items this evening during the Hylton Maiden Western Pleasure Class. “Stop by to do some spring shopping,” she says, and help the youth of Virginia raise money to compete at the Congress and Youth World Show.”

Showmanship, Halter, Equitation, Ranch Pleasure, Western Riding and over fences classes show today. Exhibitors will be treated to a dinner tonight and then the final section of the Harris Versatility Challenge – the Western Pleasure class – will be scored before a champion is revealed. Action then gets under way in the Hylton Maiden Western Pleasure.

Judges for this year’s Virginia Classic are: Tim Abler, Clint Fullerton, Jennifer Leckey, Curtis Reynolds, Jennifer Thompson and Bruce Walquist.

InStride Edition will post results of the class tonight as soon as the cards are tallied.

Photos by Tyson Howdyshell