By Kay Swisher
HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Virginia Walking Horse Association held a spring colt preview March 20 at the Rockingham County fairgrounds. With the large attendance of walking horse enthusiasts, it is obvious everyone is ready for the horse show season to begin.
Steve Hankins Stables of Tazewell, Va., loaded up early to drive up to the Shenandoah Valley with a trailer full of horses. Bobby Moss Stables of Gordonsville also arrived with their new horses for the 2004 show season. Cook Stables traveled over the mountains from Mt. Sterling, Ky., to be able to present some of his show string. Bill Reel Stables of Broadway brought his young stock for the crowds’ approval.
Craig Evans informed the crowd about the new Operating Plan and took questions afterwards. As a fund-raiser a 50/50 and silent auction was held during the day.
The colt preview was a great start for the Virginia Walking Horse Association. They will have a state wide point system, an end of the year banquet and sponsor a Youth Council. Anyone interested in joining the association may contact Bill Reel at 540-896-1400 or Mel Belcher at 804-932-9176.
The walking horse youth are very energetic about forming a youth council in Virginia. The council is open to both showing and nonshowing youths. The mission is to allow youth the opportunity to be more involved at the local shows. The adult advisers, Dan Funkhouser, Lori Moss and Donna Skelly, started the organizing of the council with a large group of young people. The group elected Heather Moss, president; Chad Funkhouser, vice president; Lindsey Hess and Crystal Deputy co-secretaries; John Meade, treasurer; and Matt Kastner and Cassie Harrison co-reporters. The council voted to have jackets and t-shirts made so they can be easily recognized at the shows. The following meeting dates were set, Shenandoah Valley Horseman’s show at Broadway show grounds, May 21-22; Virginia Celebration at Lexington, June 11-12, Tri-State Walking Horse Association at Rockingham Valley Fairgrounds, July 2-3. Several fund-raisers are being planned including a dance at the Tri- State show and assisting at the Virginia Celebration with the 50/50 raffle. For a fun get-together they are planning a pizza party at the Virginia Celebration.
Chad Funkhouser gave an presentation on the TWHBEA Youth Council and how the Virginia group could coordinate with TWHBEA. Any young people that would like to join the council may contact Dan Funkhouser at 540-828-3274, Lori Moss at 540-832-9022, Donna Skelly at 540-896-5092 or come to the next meeting at the SVHA show in Broadway, May 21-22.