You know far more about this than I do, but I suspect part of the challenge is them juggling not only the USEF calendar drama, but multiple disciplines with their own rules and requirements on top of many non-horse related events. They have a lot more plates spinning than most venues.
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This is similar scenario to equiventures and FL horse park, correct? Holling/Gray started equiventures running competitions at the horse park, sold equiventures to the trayfords. Trayfords ran shows for a few years and then sold to the horse park, who now run their own events and hire an organizer. But, in this case the sale $$ didnât agree with all parties?
Stumbled upon a change.org link. âVHT does not deny that Shenandoah Horse Trials should be given an opportunity, we are just asking as priority date holders to be granted a change of venue, and asking that Shenandoah Horse Trials not be allowed to run on the same weekend as VHT.â
Iâm equidistant from Virginia Horse Center and Tryon, I may actually be closer to Tryon, but LOVE competing at VHC and donât feel the same way about Tryon. Iâll choose VHC every time, regardless of if theyâre on separate dates or not.
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I had this weird feeling attending TerraNova a week after Fair Hill (just a spectator at both). While it was a beautiful facility and I would certainly love to keep my horse there, it had none of the charm or character of even a MUCH smaller event like Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy. I understand part of that is growing pains and they donât have their own identity as a facility yet, but it really didnât feel that âspecialâ watching the 4* thereâŠabsolutely nothing to do with the riders, or even how the event was run, but the atmosphere was just kind of meh, and I think it was especially poignant after having spent all of the previous weekend at such a hallowed place. I would be really sad if that is the only track for the future of this sport.
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Any idea when the federation will make a decision on dates?
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Considering weâve heard nothing more, I suspect there will be no more Virginia Horse Trials, even at a new venue and I doubt the Virginia Horse Center will not be able to pull it together in the near future, if at all. What a cluster and a sad, sad time in eventing. Greed on VHCâs part has cost them a lot of money and cost the eventing community one of the best run and well loved events in the US. One that was as focused on the âlittle guyâ as the big name rider. Welcome to the future of eventing. I see where one of the co-organizers of VHT is selling one of her best horses to concentrate on high level show jumpingâŠI canât say I blame her considering how she and her husband were treated by the powers that be over this.
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Shenandoah Horse Trials is on the USEA calendar for 5/25-28, pending USEF approval.
I want to thank you for your kind words. Where our situation stands at this time is that we were approved to move May to Tryon but Shenandoah was approved to run the same levels on the same date. Unfortunately that is not sustainable for either venue in my opinion. We are currently in an appeal process and only time will tell what happens. If our appeal is denied we will explore our options. We are hopeful and prayerful for our October venue change application and as of now have not heard about its status. My husband and I have been dealing with a great sense of loss during this whole ordeal. Eventing has been our life for our whole lives.
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Wow so the new organizers at the old
location got the dates?
That is correct. No jumps, no organizing committee. Itâs been a confusing and devastating decision to us. We in no way wish that the horse center wouldnât be allowed to hold events, we just wish that the organization would recognize and support the longstanding commitment we have had to the sport.
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Thatâs awful when the recognition for that event is based off the work and reputation you guys made for it.
Unbelievable really.
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That is not strictly true. The original recognition and reputation of the Virginia Horse Trials was based on the work of Brian and Penny Ross.
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Janet you are very right. The event was started and flourished under the care, love, and dedication that the Rossâ provided when starting the event. We purchased the event with only the best of intentions for both our competitors, the horse center, and the spirit of eventing in Area II.
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Janet, It is my understanding that the Rossâ sold it to Andy Bowles only because he shared their vision and commitment. They wanted to retire but they wanted it to be carried on by a like minded person. Andy and (then Angela when they married), really have grown the event into what it was before this debaucle. So Andy and Angela were carrying on in the tradition of Brian and Penny.
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I hope you carry on with holding it in May at Tryon. I personally donât think VHC will be able to pull things together in time. Then I guess you both go head to head and see which one people choose to support. People can put their money where they think it belongs. There will be many who support VHT. Good luck.
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I wasnât criticizing the Bowles. Just making sure the Rosses got credit for building it in the first place
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Thank you for adding that, I was not aware.
âI hope you carry on with holding it in May at Tryon.â
TIEC already has the second week of May running all of the same levels that VHT did plus 4s? Two weeks later running those same levels?
The proposal was to consolidate the levels a little so that it wouldnât be the same levels offered both weekends. I cannot remember exactly how it was proposed but that was th gist of it.
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