December 2022

Spring Breakout: 6 judges, special events
March 22-26 in Lexington, Va.

Stall reservations open on December 20. Click here to make reservations, download showbill, and sponsorship form.
Highlights: Virginia Maiden/Futurity, with added money from  $2,500 to $30,000. Plus 3 & Over Maiden Working Western Rail $12,500 added and Non Pro Working Western Rail $5,000 added PLUS Ranch derby: jackpotted
VA-bred classes offer payouts through 6th place! 

Get your reservations in for the Mardi Gras themed banquet party, silent auction, and the Basket Challenge (winner gets a free stall at the Breakout). Early reservations (made and paid by December 28) to be entered in an early bird drawing for a gift basket full of giftcards, gift certificates, and much more. Thanks for Pam Troutman for putting this together!

Call the Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center in Williamsburg for hotel reservations ($75/room + tax). 757-220-2250 (say you are attending the VQHA banquet).
Fill out the banquet reservation form here. 

Friday evening: Social with food followed by board meeting.

Year-end points updated
All 2022 points are on the VQHA website. Watch for a letter from the  Awards Committee describing your projected awards.  If you have questions or  disputes, contact the committee by Dec 31 (contact info is in the letter). It is exciting to see the number of award winners we have this year! Renew your membership (indicate if you are an amateur) and nominate your horse to be eligible for 2023 awards.

Strong entries for 2022 VQHA shows
Quarter horse showing in VA is strong and growing. The Spring Breakout had more than 800 entries, with good numbers that included 29 in one ranch class.
The Virginia National Stock Horse Show and Jack O Lantern featured very strong novice day entries.
For instance, The Jack O Lantern novice day had 285 total entries, with 10 or more in ranch riding, rookie ranch riding, all-breed ranch rail, w/t western pleasure, and w/t horsemanship. 
The split combined day total entries were 483, with 10 or more entries in am perf halter, am ranch rail, L1 am ranch riding, and several walk/trot classes (trail, western pleasure, and horsemanship). You can check the AQHA website for entry numbers on shows nationwide for the past several years.

Open, amateur, youth opportunities in the rookie division at VQHA shows

2023 VQHA Horseback Riding Program
Take advantage of  this program to earn awards for the hours you have ridden or ground-exercised either your American Quarter Horse or other breed horse.  This is a unique opportunity to earn awards outside of traditional competitions and is available to VQHA, VAQHA and VQHYA members.  If you are not a member, you only need to join VQHA and the Horseback Riding Program. Click for more information.

2023 Virginia Horse Council Membership Drive
 The Virginia Horse Council provides important support for VQHA. Please show your appreciation and support them! Join by December 31 and  get $5 off all memberships (*excluding Premium & Life memberships).  The first 100 2023  memberships also receive a coupon good for 1 free bag of Nutrena horse feed as well as  a coupon good for either 1 free bag of Blue Seal/Sentinel Feeds (*while supplies last) or a $5 off coupon for a bag of Blue Seal/Sentinel Feeds.