United States Eventing Association

Putting the Bow on a Great Weekend at VHC Eventing

Lexington, Va.—Nov. 10—Whether competing on a U25 team or riding in a senior division, an exciting weekend of sport was had by all at VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square. With over 450 riders flocking to the historic venue, all three phases ran concurrently with both sides of the cross country course in use and multiple rings in session. This weekend’s winners rose above the fray to take home well-earned blue ribbons.

Having won the CCI2*-S at VHC Eventing in May, Sharon White and Arden Augustus, owned by Anita Antenucci, bookended their season with nearly identical wins, however this weekend marked “Gus's” first long-format event. 2024 also marked the pair’s first full season at the FEI level. Entering the show jumping phase on a score of 30.2, one rail was not enough to knock the pair out of the lead.

“I was really pleased with him,” White said. “I had the rail and thought I’d lost it, but he was jumping well and it was just that I needed to help him a bit more– and not have another one.”

White is well-known for producing her own horses from the ground up, and Gus is no different. The five-star eventer planned her season with an eye to Gus’s future and chose to enter the CCI2*-L at the Virginia Horse Center to help build the 6-year-old gelding’s base of fitness. “My whole year has been just about letting his body mature and letting him get stronger. And I debated whether he needed to do the two long or not. But then the hills of Virginia are so intense– I think it's a really useful base for a horse. So that's why he was here in Virginia, specifically for the hills, which, again, you're always looking to put a good, solid base, or foundation of fitness on an event horse.”

Local to Summit Point, West Virginia, White travels to the Virginia Horse Center relatively often. She believes that competing at the venue is educational for horses and riders. “The horses have to learn about competing on terrain. Riders have to learn about competing on terrain. So I was here to give my horses an education on that, because everywhere else the hills are easier, right?” White said, laughing. “The Virginia Horse Center Foundation is just doing such a good job. I really appreciate anyone who puts on events and does their best.”

While the Virginia Horse Center is a popular stomping ground for upper level riders, this weekend also proved to be a big event for a large contingent of youth competitors. Area II coordinator Chris Donovan organized the U25 Team Challenge, sponsored by Hyperion Stud. Consisting of a total of 21 competitors, there were three teams in the CCI2*-L and two teams in the CCI1*-L, with two riders competing in the CCI3*-S division. Each winning team received the Hyperion Stud U25 Team Award.

The winning CCI2*-L team with a total score of 128.2, consisted of Katherine Maroko & Redfield Champion, Riley Zgrebnak & Cooley Criminal Mind, Megan Hopkins & Altaskin Jack, and Megan Loughnane & Lynton.

In the CCI1*-L division, with a score of 123.60, the winning team consisted of Ruth Rosendaul & Bonhunt Bertie, Mandolin Whitten & Bossanova, Jaelyn Corner and Loughnatousa Yours, and Lea-Claude Pelletier & Golden Nugget.

The CCI3*-S U25 winner was Audrey Ogan and Always Cooley, with a score of 65.7. The pair came in fifth in the division overall.

Area II coordinator Chris Donovan has a long history of involvement with the U25 program and is no stranger to organizing events at the Virginia Horse Center. “I firmly believe they are the future of the sport, whether they go on to be on a team, like at the Pan-American Games or something, or whether they become future trainers,” Donovan said. “Helping develop and build that camaraderie between them is so important, which is why we give U25 riders teams and encourage them to get to know each other and build a network to support them.”

Donovan believes that the U25 riders can learn a lot from competing at the Virginia Horse Center specifically because of the local community of riders. “We have a lot of the upper level riders who are here, and these kids have an opportunity to go on to become grooms or working students for those riders. They can make those connections while they're here,” Donovan said.

The National divisions also wrapped up the weekend today, with the last rider crossing the finish line on cross country with perfect timing, as a cold drizzle had just started to come down over the Blue Ridge Mountains.

In the only Intermediate division, Olympian Phillip Dutton and Leonie Padgett’s Cooley Starship won with a score of 29.4.

Ryan Wood took home the blue in the Open Preliminary A division with his own Woodstock Indy on a score of 35.5. In Open Preliminary B, Dana Cooke and the FE Mississippi Syndicate LLC’s FE Mississippi came in first with a score of 50.4. Preliminary Rider was won by Devon Sutherland with her own Mega Bucks on a score of 52.6.

Kathleen Fitzgerald won Modified Rider aboard Michael Fitzgerald’s Spotted Chap, with a score of 31.3. Open Modified A crowned Alex Reed and Susan Southard’s Kayan winner with a score of 30.5. Meanwhile, Kirsten Schuitema and her own McCovey Cove claimed the blue ribbon with a score of 35.0 in the Open Modified B division.

There were a total of five Training divisions this weekend at VHC Eventing. A score of 40.6 gave Liana Anson and her own Biscuit Snatcher the win in the Junior Training Rider division. Erin Murphy and Haslemere Jacamo, owned by Rae Stone, laid down the lowest score of the weekend, a 20.6, to take home the blue ribbon in the Open Training division. Training Rider A was won by Kaleigh Barkaszi and her own Golightly with a score of 36.6. Meanwhile, Jaelyn Comer claimed the win with Uvera Z in the Training Rider B division with a score of 32.1. Finally, the last Training division, Training Horse, Abigail McGowan and her own Mystic Serenade achieved the winning score of 32.1.

In Junior Novice Rider, Madeline Riley and Alexandra Tatham’s Bobbie Burns won with a score of 29.4. With a score of 26.4, Hannah Brandt took home a blue ribbon with her horse, Fernhill Emerald, in the Novice Horse division. The blue ribbon in the Open Novice division was claimed by Marilyn Payne and her mare, Rock Me Mama, with a score of 30 even. Amanda Brady took home the title of Senior Novice Rider champion with Dante’s Haven LLC’s Cooley For Keeps with a score of 28.6.

Hannah Taylor and her mare Rippa won the Beginner Novice Horse division with a score of 32.4. With a score of 30, Madeleine Betzer and Domenica Kujawa’s Kenny (Nicas Last Laugh), brought home the blue in Junior Beginner Novice Rider. In Open Beginner Novice, Kylie Stangle and Janina Parmelee’s Redfield Mikke claimed the blue ribbon with a score of 25.6. Finally, it’s deja vu in the Senior Beginner Novice Rider division– Gina Keller and her gelding Snack Attack repeat their May performance to win again.

Last but certainly not least, Linda Jimenez won the Starter division with Ingrid Patel’s Cheeky Girl on a score of 27.

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers who made this weekend possible. Without the hard work of volunteers at every possible turn, competitors would not have been able to enjoy a great weekend of eventing.