Horses and People Briefs
By Betsy Parker
Trailblazers show setThe Trailblazers will host their annual fun show Sunday, May 4 at Grove in Warrenton. Classes begin at 9 a.m. and will include English and western pleasure, gaited, trail, jumping, driving and games.
Food is available on the grounds. For details, go to www.trailblazersonline.org or call (540) 349-1412.
Emergency planning
A series of "farm emergency preparedness" seminars will be held next month in Front Royal. The Virginia Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with local fire and rescue departments and with support from the Frederick County Virginia Equine Network, is hosting a three-part series in May to help area horsemen prepare for a host of equine emergencies.
On May 6 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Valley Farm Credit, the lecture is about preventing barn fires.
The May 13 lecture will discuss horse behavior in emergencies, first aid and "go kits" for evacuation.
The May 20 lecture, at Wagon Wheel Ranch, will be a "how-to" course on barn evacuation and fire extinguisher training.
Lecturers include Reid Folsom, Dr. Jennifer Brown and Gail Miller. Early registration is $10. For details call (540) 635-4549 .
Cinnamon Ridge shows
Cinnamon Ridge Farm in Amissville will host two Battlefield and Virginia Horse Shows Association show series.
A schooling show series (May 3, June 7, July 12, Aug. 16, Sept. 6 and Oct. 11) has "easier courses, more relaxed requirements, lower entry fees and is geared toward the casual and beginning first-time show riders," said owner Kathi Fillmore.
A hunter show series (May 17, June 21, July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 20 and Oct. 25) is "geared toward the competitive rider and trainer, offering great year-end prizes and a fantastic grand-prize trip for high score and reserve trainers," Fillmore said.
Divisions at both series range from leadline through working hunter, with jumper classes offered at the schooling series. Information is online at www.cinnamonridgefarm1.com or call (540) 937-6535.
Tellington Jones clinic this week
Horse behaviorist Linda Tellington-Jones, founder of TTEAM and TTouch will teach a five-day horse training clinic April 30-May 4 in Middleburg at Brookhill Farm. She will give a demonstration Friday, May 2 at Sunny’s Corner Farm at Takaro in Middleburg from 7 to 9 p.m. To register, call (800) 854-8326 or visit www.ttouch.com.
Tack shop's new Web site off and running
The Galloping Grape tack and wine shop recently launched a new Web site — www.gallopinggrape.com. New and used saddles are featured, along with other items in the specialty store located in downtown Warrenton.
Consignment items are being sought for sale. Store owners say that all western and English saddles in good shape, girths, other tack items, books, show clothes and more will be displayed in the shop, plus added to the Web site.
The Galloping Grape hosts free wine tastings every Thursday from 5-7 p.m. Call for details: (540) 428-1002.
Nominate a 'Nice Guy'
Acacia Federal is seeking nominations for its annual "Nice Guys Awards." Last year, the local Phoenix Rising Therapeutic Equestrian Program in Catlett won the prize.
The program encourages people "to make a difference for someone who makes a difference" by nominating a local person or group for volunteering, philanthropy or customer service.
Nominations can be made at NiceGuysAwards.com.
The Nice Guys Awards recognizes people who go above and beyond in D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. Awards are divided into three categories: individual, business and nonprofit. Nominations close July 16.
Winners receive $3,000 for the charity of their choice; six second and third-place winners receive $1,000.
Acacia Federal instituted the Nice Guys Awards in 2005.
DerbyCross moves to Morven
The DerbyCross show jumping and cross-country competition will be held Aug. 16 at Morven Park in Leesburg. Teams of four riders — three three-day eventers plus one show jumper — will compete against the clock for purse money and prizes. Details are online at www.derbycross.com.
Stable Tour approaches
The annual Hunt Country Stable Tour is set May 24-25 around the Middleburg area, with an insider look at stables, training facilities and historic sites in Virginia's storied "horse country."
The self-driven tour runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, with the tour's home base at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville. Tour details are at (540) 592-3711 or log onto www.middleburgonline.com.
Blue Ridge ride series
Blue Ridge Hunt trail rides. continue Sunday, May 4, at Oxbow Farm in Front Royal at 9 a.m. A May 10 ride is from Callander in Berryville at 9 a.m.; May 18 from Mt. Hebron in Berryville at 10 a.m.; and May 24 from The Oaks in Millwood at 9 a.m. The cost is $20 with breakfast to follow each ride. Call (540) 247-1564 for details.
'Supplement' your education
The Piedmont Equine Practice will host a lecture on feed supplements by Dr. C.A. Shea Porr on Wednesday, May 7 at the clinic near Marshall. Dr. Porr is the equine extension agent for the Northern District of the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Refreshments will be served at 6 p.m., with the talk to follow at 6:30 p.m. The event is free. Details are at (540) 364-4950.
Edwards clinic approaches
Dressage trainer Patrice Edwards will teach May 10-12 in the area. Lessons take place at Rose Folly Farm in Markham and Valhalla in Hume. Details are available by calling (540) 364-1710.
Photo fix
In last week's special Virginia Gold Cup section, an after-production error meant that a photo was incorrectly placed. On the photo layout pages entitled "Choose Your Favorite," the center top left photo was the wrong one. That photo, captioned for Straight Gin, appeared at the lower right of the layout. The section editor regrets the error.