Pivots, square-ups and brisk trots dominated the morning as Showmanship then Halter exhibitors got the competition started at this year’s Virginia Classic Quarter Horse Show Circuit in Lexington, Virginia.

Western Riding, Ranch Pleasure, Reining, Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle followed in the Coliseum and adjacent overhang while the picturesque Wiley Arena, framed by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, featured Working Hunter, Equitation Over Fences, Jumping and Hunter Hack competition.

Show Manager Patrick Kayser says the total number of initial stall rentals was over 600 and although the actual number may have ended up being about 10 percent lower, entries have been strong all day and he’s looking forward to seeing what tomorrow brings with the Western Pleasure classes. Kayser’s firm, Peak Equine Productions, also manages the Lucky 7 Classic Quarter Horse Show Circuit in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Deborah Engelgau traveled from West Palm Beach, Florida to show her horse, Too Sleepy To Dream, at the Virginia Classic.

“This is my sixth visit and I think it is a very good show,” she says. “The facility is fabulous. I wish there was something like this in Florida.”

Today’s schedule is repeated on Saturday.

Tomorrow’s action gets under way with Pleasure Driving, Horsemanship and Western Pleasure in the Coliseum while Trail will run starting at 8 a.m. in the East Arena. Tomorrow’s schedule is repeated on Sunday.

Classes are sanctioned by the AQHA and NSBA with added money in the 3-Year-Old Open and Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle classes as well as in the 3-Year-Old Open and Non-Pro Western Pleasure.

The Harris Versatility Challenge will be featured throughout the show with exhibitors competing in a Challenge Western Riding on Thursday, a Challenge Trail on Friday and a Challenge Western Pleasure on Saturday. The entry fee is $500. The winner of the Harris Challenge takes home a Harris saddle and the highest placing Limited rider collects $1,000.

On Saturday night maiden Western Pleasure horses 3-years-old and over will compete for a top prize of $25,000 thanks to a $50,000 donation from Cecilia Hylton, of Gainesville, Virginia. The remaining $25,000 will be divided among the remaining placings in the Hylton Maiden Western Pleasure. Late entries are being accepted up until 5 p.m. on Friday for the original $1,500 entry fee plus a $500 late fee.

Link to showbill: http://myvqha.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014_VA_Classic_show-bill.pdf

Link to patterns: http://myvqha.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2014_VQHA_Classic_Patterns.pdf

Link to entry forms: http://myvqha.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Master_Entry_Sheet_VAClassic.pdf

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