In Lexington Kentucky, National Horse Show hopes to reclaim electric glamorous past

By Janet Patton - jpatton1@herald-leader.com

(W.C. Steinkraus, captain of the American Equestrian team, and his mount cleared a barrier during the National Horse Show in New York's Madison Square Garden in 1956. RH-Associated Press)

When Jean Roché heard that the National Horse Show was coming to the Kentucky Horse Park this week, she was transported back to 1967 and a moment so electric she has never forgotten it.
She lives in Lexington now, but back then, she was in New York, riding at a local stable. One night, she went to Madison Square Garden to see the famous riders take on the biggest jumps in the most glamorous of settings.
And "the National" did not disappoint; Roché saw a piece of history that November night.
"I saw Bill Steinkraus do that 7-foot 3-inch wall," she said. "It was phenomenal to see him come around on that gray horse. ... We all rode with him, whether we wanted to or not. We were all lifting him."
Perennial U.S. Equestrian Team member Steinkraus — riding the great Percheron-Thoroughbred cross Bold Minstrel in the international puissance class — set an international record in show jumping and tied the National Horse Show record set just the night before by Russell Steward on Dear Brutus. The record would stand until 1973.

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/10/30/1940724/in-lexington-national-horse-show.html#ixzz1cJFKfmVb

Great News! RVHR Is Now Open Again!

We have great news! After three and a half months of dealing with the outbreak of strangles and the loss of Cisco, it is finally over. We have received the test results for all 50 horses, and they are all negative. Everyone is ready to be placed into new homes. Each horse that did not come down with the infection has been vaccinated for strangles, and everyone is now up-to-date with current shots and Coggins.

It is now time to get back to the business of finding homes for these wonderful animals in our care. We are ready to schedule visits with potential caregivers.

Please spread the word that we are now again fully open and look forward to seeing all visitors and volunteers.

I hope to see you soon!

Patricia L. Muncy
CEO/President
Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue, Inc.

Note from Christina Lee at Horseva: This has been an incredibly rough time for the Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue. If you get a chance, check out their wish list by clicking here. It might be as simple as a donation of feed, hey or a monetary donation. These folks do an invaluable service to our horse community so we need to help them out. To make a donation to the R.V.H.R. click here.  If you would like to sponsor a horse click here. Happy Trails! Christina

Equine Extravaganza November 4-6 The Meadow Event Park - Doswell VA

This year's Equine Extavaganza has been moved to Novermber 4-6 and will be held at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell VA.

For full details on the 2011 Equine Extravaganza click here.
To join Equine Extravaganza on Facebook click here.