Horses and People briefs
By Betsy Parker
May is carriage driving monthThe Piedmont Driving Club will host a picnic drive Saturday, May 10 at Weathersfield Farm in Amissville to kick off "Carriage Driving Month."
For more details on the weekend event, or carriage driving in general, log onto PiedmontDrivingClub.8m.com or call president Mary Alice Matheson at (540) 270-6157. Matheson said there will be weekly events throughout May. The idea, she explained, is to introduce new people to driving.
Call for WEG volunteers
The 2010 World Equestrian Games will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. Several thousand volunteers are needed to help run the event, which includes championships in eight different equestrian sports. Help is needed before, during and after the games.
The WEG have never been held outside Europe, nor have all eight international disciplines been held at a single site before. More than 600,000 spectators are expected to attend the 16-day event.
Log on to volunteer: www.feigames2010.org.
Ride series continues
The Old Dominion Hounds will host a trail rides beginning this Saturday, May 10, from Houyhnhmn Farm in Hume. A May 31 ride is at Hunter's Rest in Flint Hill.
Rides start at 10 a.m. and are "walking only," making them a good schooling opportunity for young horses or green riders.
The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 12. Riders are asked to bring a dish to share for a picnic that follows each ride. Directions are at (540) 364-3995.
Nominate a 'Nice Guy'
Acacia Federal is seeking nominations for its annual "Nice Guys Awards." Last year, the 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.
Point-to-Point party date change
The Virginia Point-to-Point Association awards party will be held Sunday June 1 starting at 5 p.m. at Great Meadow in The Plains. The event is free, and it will celebrate the season-end winners in all categories in the point-to-point series. For details, log onto www.CentralEntryOffice.com or call (540) 253-5001.
The party was originally scheduled for June 8, but will now be held June 1.
Abernathy to teach
Horse trainer Randy Abernathy will give a training demonstration at Fox Trot Farm in Opal on June 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. He will teach a clinic June 15-17 at Fox Trot. To reserve space in either event, call (540) 341-4005.
National issues forum
The American Horse Council’s 2008 National Issues Forum will be held June 15-18 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Monday will include various committee meetings and an opening reception, with an awards lunch and congressional reception on Capitol Hill to be held Tuesday.
This year’s forum will focus on how the horse industry and individual members can be involved in the 2008 federal elections.
“With a third of the Senate and all the members of the House up for reelection, there is an opportunity for the horse industry to be involved in that process,” said Jay Hickey, AHC president.
Details are online at www.HorseCouncil.org.