The Hylton Maiden 3 & Over Western Pleasure class will return for a fourth year to the Virginia Classic Show held April 10-13 in Lexington, Virginia with an impressive $50,000 added purse. This year the economy was such that Cecilia Hylton of Gainesville, Virginia was able to contribute significantly to the class. The class, which will be presented on Saturday, April 12, pays $25,000 to the winner and then $25,000 down through the placings. Entry fees of $1,500 are due on March 15 and late entries are accepted from March 16- April 11 with an additional $500 payment.

“I am willing to do what I can because I have gotten so much from the Quarter Horse world that I feel somewhat obligated to give back,” Hylton says.

Originally the class was held during the Reichert Celebration but in an effort to bring interest back to the East Coast and to her home state, Hylton moved the class to the Virginia Classic in 2010.

“Some of the best horses are on the East Coast and there aren’t many big events,” Hylton says. “The class has been received really well and a lot of trainers and owners hold horses back so they can qualify for it.”

In fact, the idea of the class being a maiden event for 3-year-old and older horses was in an effort to discourage trainers from pushing 2-year-old horses too early, and Hylton hopes the large purse will encourage trainers to wait on their young horses.

“I have seen so many good horses go to the pen as 2-year-olds that are never seen again,” Hylton says. “I can’t twist anyone’s arm but I hoped to set an example with this class.”

Hylton has been pleased with the turnout for the class and has seen it increase in numbers through the years. She believes the location of the event at the largest show in Virginia and being held early in the year has added to the traditional success of the class.

“I always enjoy this class and there have been a lot of trainers interested,” Hylton says. “I also think winning or placing high in this class has helped horses get on a roll for the rest of the year.”

The Virginia Classic also features the Harris Leather’s Versatility Horse Challenge. In this exciting event a team, made up of one horse and one rider complete in three special classes: Challenge Trail, Challenge Western Riding, and Challenge Western Pleasure. The entry fee is $500 and the winner will receive a Harris show saddle! The highest placing non-pro will receive $1,000. The remaining entry fees are then jackpotted and paid using the NSBA payout schedule.

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

The show manager for this year’s Virginia Classic is Patrick Kayser, who also managers the Lucky 7 Show in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The finishing touches are being put on the show schedule but if you have questions about this year’s event, to reserve stalls or for vendor information you can contact Kayser at (615) 962-3655.

The show bill can be found here.

Camper reservations can be made at the Virginia Horse Center website:
http://www.horsecenter.org/Facility-Info/Campgrounds.aspx

Entry form for the Hylton Maiden are available by clicking here

Additional information will be made available at www.myvqha.com