July 2023

VQHA's 2023 Most Valuable Professional
The votes are in.
This year's MVP for the State of Virginia is Beth Gouthro. With her husband, Matt (VQHA's 2022 MVP), she operates BMG Show Horses. The Gouthros specialize in training, showing and coaching riders in western pleasure, hunter under saddle, all around classes and ranch horse events. Their program has produced World Champions, Congress Champions, AQHA Honor Roll High Point Horses and many futurity winners. They have an individualized approach to each horse and rider keeping the integrity of the horse and the goals of the owner in mind.
In 2022, Beth and Matt donated their time to conduct a ranch riding clinic to benefit VQHA. Beth also serves as a youth advisor.
The members of the Professional Horsemen Association will select the national AQHA MVP from among the state winners. We wish Beth the best of luck in the next phase of the voting.

Fall trail ride at Bandy Station Battlefield
VQHA is joining the Virginia Horse Council, Culpeper Battlefield Tours, and American Battlefield Trust to host a trail ride on October 28 at the Brandy Station Battlefield. 

Media release form for VQHA youth
VQHA is committed to recognizing the success of our youth and to ensuring that material published online protects their wellbeing. 
To that end, we have created a new release form for parents who approve the use of their child's name and photograph in media and show coverage by VQHA. We ask parents to download, review, and sign the form if they want their child's photograph included in the youth newsletter and other VQHA materials. Please access the form here.  

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.