A new regional event for horse lovers will be held March 27-29 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.
The Virginia Horse Festival will have something for experienced horse owners and riders, new horse owners, hobbyists, dog lovers and those with a taste for Western wear, boots and jewelry. The three-day event includes clinics, demonstrations, an Extreme Mustang Makeover competition, the statewide 4-H EquiSmartz competition and dog agility demonstrations.
“Everything from show prep to basic vet care will be covered in our clinics and demos,” said Glenn Martin, the festival’s program manager. “This event will be both educational and entertaining for longtime members of Virginia’s horse community, as well as for those who are fans of horses or thinking about becoming horse owners.”
The Virginia Horse Festival grew out of the former Virginia Equine Extravaganza. “We are taking established events and pulling them together as part of one big festival,” said Julie Williamson, a member of the festival’s planning committee. “People won’t have to pick which event to attend; they can attend everything in the same weekend.”
The festival will kick off with the Mustang Makeover, a wild horse training event sponsored by the Mustang Heritage Foundation. Youth and adult participants were assigned wild mustangs in November 2014 and have been training them for competition. At the horse festival, the trainers will compete in classes such as handling and conditioning, leading, riding obstacles and freestyle. The Mustang Makeover finals will be held Saturday night.
The EquiSmartz competition tests 4-H participants’ knowledge of horses and ponies. District competitions are held throughout the year and will culminate with the state-level contest at the festival.
“This is the first time the EquiSmartz competition has been part of a festival or event, and we are thrilled to bring attention to the program,” Williamson said.
Throughout the weekend, there also will be a variety of clinics and classes offered. Additionally, The Meadow’s annual Secretariat birthday celebration will be part of the festival. The 1973 Triple Crown champion was born on the property on March 30, 1970. Birthday celebration highlights include meet-and-greets with special guests, recognition of local Secretariat descendants, tram tours of the property, Secretariat merchandise and an open house for the Museum of the Virginia Horse in Meadow Hall.
The Central Virginia Agility Club will provide dog agility demonstrations as well. All seminars, clinics, demonstrations and nightly entertainment are free to observe with a paid admission.
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