2012 Championships

Region 15 2012 Championships &

The Markel Firecracker Classic

Much more than JUST ANOTHER horse show!!

Giving away Thousands of $$$$$ in CASH and Merchandise

  • Pre-Show Markel Firecracker Classic
  • New Jackpot Classes
  • New Split by Type Sport Horse Classes
  • New Patrons Package with Ring Side Banner
  • Trainers Draw for Cash Twice Each Session and Double on Saturday
  • Over Fences Division
  • Free Continental Breakfast
  • Large Bazaar & Commercial Exhibit Area
  • Hi-Score Amateur Dressage Ride
  • Be Fuelish with 15 Cash Multiple Draws
  • High Point Amateur Sport Horse (HI/US Combination) Award
  • Completely Revised Schedule
  • Stall Decorating Contest
  • $1,000 Supreme Sport Horse Under Saddle
  • Famous Barn Parties with New Surprises
  • Fireworks on the hill Wednesday Night after the Markel Firecracker Classic

Join the FUN! July 4- 8, 2012

Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, VA | Region 15 Championship Horse Show Page

Region 15 Clubs

Click on any club logo to visit the club website

  • Braha
  • Delmarva
  • Horse Society
  • MAAHA
  • Maryland
  • ODAHA
  • PAHA
  • VAHA
  • VAHA
  • IASA
Helpful Documents

Documents & Forms Available for Download

Greetings all – I hope this report finds all "recovering" from a very blessed Thanksgiving and success if you ventured out on Black Friday.

This report will cover the highlights of the 2011 AHA Convention in Vancouver as well as the Region 15 Caucus Meeting.

If you’re a fan of cold, damp, windy and rainy weather, you loved Vancouver – ok, we did have a couple of clear days when it didn’t rain and we did venture out of the hotel to tour the city. The "steam driven clock" in Gastown (the original part of Vancouver) as well as the views from the observation area – 300 and some feet above the ground - was worth the "cold/breezy" walk.

AHA Board of Directors Meeting

The Board Meeting was very upbeat and the staff reports showed an improvement overall since our last Board Meeting. The finances of AHA have continued to improve over the past year due to 3 of the 4 National Shows coming in over budget; only Youth Nationals missed their target. We have no Class A tickets in the IT/computer conversion area and the repairs to the AHA building are not as extensive as originally forecasted. The Canadian National Show Commission was recognized for their outstanding efforts in relocating the show, on very short notice, and coming in over budget as well. The comments from the exhibitors at the Canadian Show were very favorable and all indications are Canadian Nationals has found a "new home" that exceeded expectations. The reports from the other AHA departments were favorable; our staffing situation requires continuing attention. The Board entertained 30 motions with 28 being approved, 1 postponed and 1 defeated. My "highlighted motions" are: (1) the approval of $25,000 be budgeted annually exclusively for use for youth programs and promotion beginning in FY 2012; (2) that $15,000.00 be budgeted annually for use as matching funds for promotion of programs at the local level up to $300.00 per request beginning in FY2013 and (3) that the Sport Horse National Show be held at the Idaho Horse Center in Nampa, Idaho in 2012 and 2014; and, at the Virginia Horse Center In Lexington, Virginia (where it all began in 2002) in 2013 and 2015 and (4) that USEF fees such as Drugs & Medications/IHP (International High Performance) must be identified and listed separately on entry forms or listed in prize lists.

Since the Board only had 15 resolutions to review, that portion of the meeting went rather quickly with the Board recommending approval of 9 and disapproval of 4; the Board was notified that 2 had been withdrawn.

On a personal note, I was elected to the Sport Horse Nationals Show Commission by the Board and appointed Chairman, Competitions Advisory Committee by the AHA President.

AHA 2011 Convention

Region 15 was represented by 14 delegates out of 27 eligible. 267 delegates out of 466 eligible (57%) delegates attended Convention. The cost of the Convention (airfare/hotel/etc) contributed to the lower than normal attendance with the Regions east of the Mississippi being hit the hardest.

Even though the delegation was smaller than usual, enthusiasm was not lacking. Again the presentations by the AHA President and staff were very upbeat. Dr Heard, the keynote speaker, gave an outstanding presentation focusing on how all breeds needed to work together if we are to survive the problems presented to the horse industry in today’s environment. There were 15 resolutions for the Convention to consider; of those 15, 5 were withdrawn. Of the remaining 10, 9 were approved (6 with modifications) and 1 disapproved. Again, my "highlighted resolutions" are:
(1) approval of the redefinition of age limit for youth from 18 to 19 years of age as of December 1 of the previous calendar year;
(2) approval of the annual convention to be held in Denver after the 2013 convention (2012 convention will be held in Denver, 2013 in Lexington, KY);
(3) approval of ginger testing;
(4) approval of refund of 9-90 fee for a vet-out horse.

Congratulations are in order to Donnie Bullock (Judge) and Marty Kleiner (Show Manager) on their election to the Commissioner’s Review Panel. Mary Ward and Marty Kleiner were recognized as the Region 15 Volunteer Award winners for 2011.

Important dates to mark on your calendars:
Youth Nationals – July 22-29, 2012 - Albuquerque, NM
Canadian Nationals – August 20-25, 2012 - Brandon, Manitoba
Sport Horse Nationals – September 19-23, 2012 - Nampa, Id
US Nationals – October 19-27, 2012 - Tulsa, Ok

REGION 15 CAUCUS

Region 15 had 15 members at the Caucus meeting on Nov 18, 2011. Those present were Gary Hooghkirk (Dir), Mary Ellena Ward (VAHA), Cricket Stoncius (PAHA), Marie Taylor (VAHA), Janet Beehler (ODAHA), Donnie Bullock (VAHA), Ed Peterson (ODAHA), Marty Kleiner (PAHA), Christine Ryan (AHSNJ), Sarah Baldridge (IASA), Debbie Reid (PAHA), Jan Birk (VAHA), Veronica Re (VAHA), Robin Lohnes (VAHA) and Dave Murphy (IASA).

The primary discussion at Caucus centered on insurance for Region 15 events in 2012. Region 15 had received, from Markel, an insurance offer of $6700 for 2012 events. This was approximately $1800.00 less than last year’s insurance cost. Our budget for 2012 contained $3500.00 for insurance based on "austere" funding. At the previous Region 15 meeting, it was determined that the clubs would have to "contribute" the difference between budgeted and actual cost. This became a "grave" concern for many of the clubs. At the Caucus, Donnie Bullock made a motion, seconded by Marty Kleiner, to "take $3200.00 from savings for 2012 insurance. Clubs should expect nothing in 2013. Additionally, the $3200.00 will be taken (off the top) from the 2012 show profit. A committee will be formed to evaluate ways to share cost with the clubs in 2013 and beyond". The motion was passed.

Gary Hooghkirk discussed his intention of instituting a new procedure for dissemination of Region 15 meeting minutes. This procedure will be effective with the first Region 15 meeting in 2012.

There was no discussion at Caucus concerning the Resolutions being presented to the Convention.

Region 15 is happy to announce that 4 judges officiating at the Firecracker/Region 15 Show –July 4-8, 2012 at the Lexington Horse Center, Lexington, VA were selected to judge National Shows in 2012. They are Scott Brumfield (Firecracker), Bruce Bates (Region 15), Diana Cappellanti (Region 15) and Steven Lieblang (Region 15).

The Region 15 meeting dates for 2012:
March 4, 2012 - Frederick, MD
August 19, 2012 Frederick, MD
October 15, 2012 Frederick, MD

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a great 2012.

     

 

March 30 - April 1
WCAHA - HERITAGE AHA SPRING CONCURRENT B SHOW

CLEMSON, SC
NANCY BAKER
124 EVE CT
FOREST CITY, NC 28043
(828)817-0359

April 6 - 8
NCAHA/ODAHA ALL ARABIAN REGIONAL B CONCURRENT

RALEIGH, NC
SUSAN J WAGONER
PO BOX 778
BROOKLINE, NH 03033
(603)320-9837

April 20 - 22
OHAHA SPRINGTIME B CONCURRENT

SPRINGFIELD, OH
JEAN HEDGER
181 W WHIPP RD
DAYTON, OH 45459
(937)434-6114

April 20 - 22
SPRING ARABIAN CLASSIC A CONCURRENT

LEXINGTON, VA
SHERRI L RE
112 ROCKFISH RD
WAYNESBORO, VA 22980
(281)513-5745

May 18
NJ HAHA HUNTER SHOW

ALLENTOWN, NJ
JOAN MITCH
5455 HEIDELBERG HTS RD
GERMANSVILLE, PA 18053
(610)914-7008

May 19 - 20
NJ HAHA A CONCURRENT

ALLENTOWN, NJ
JOAN MITCH
5455 HEIDELBERG HTS RD
GERMANSVILLE, PA 18053
(610)914-7008

May 19 - 20
NJ HAHA B CONCURRENT

ALLENTOWN, NJ
JOAN MITCH
5455 HEIDELBERG HTS RD
GERMANSVILLE, PA 18053
(610)914-7008

June 2 - 3
NC PAHA A CONCURRENT

HUGHESVILLE, PA
PATRICIA B MCQUISTON
34 MILLVIEW PARK LN
FORKSVILLE, PA 18616
(570)924-4836

June 2- 3
NC PAHA B CONCURRENT

HUGHESVILLE, PA
PATRICIA B MCQUISTON
34 MILLVIEW PARK LN
FORKSVILLE, PA 18616
(570)924-4836

June 14 - 15
SHENANDOAH VALLEY CLASSIC A CONCURRENT

LEXINGTON, VA
SHERRI L RE
112 ROCKFISH RD
WAYNESBORO, VA 22980
(281)513-5745

June 14 - 15
SHENANDOAH VALLEY CLASSIC B CONCURRENT

LEXINGTON, VA
SHERRI L RE
112 ROCKFISH RD
WAYNESBORO, VA 22980
(281)513-5745

June 15
NJ HAHA CLASSIC HUNTER SHOW

ALLENTOWN, NJ
JOAN MITCH
5455 HEIDELBERG HTS RD
GERMANSVILLE, PA 18053
(610)914-7008

June 16 - 17
NJ HAHA CLASSIC A CONCURRENT

ALLENTOWN, NJ
JOAN MITCH
5455 HEIDELBERG HTS RD
GERMANSVILLE, PA 18053
(610)914-7008

June 16 - 17
NJ HAHA CLASSIC B CONCURRENT

ALLENTOWN, NJ
JOAN MITCH
5455 HEIDELBERG HTS RD
GERMANSVILLE, PA 18053
(610)914-7008

June 16 - 17
SHENANDOAH VALLEY CHAMP A CONCURRENT

LEXINGTON, VA
SHERRI L RE
112 ROCKFISH RD
WAYNESBORO, VA 22980
(281)513-5745

June 16 - 17
SHENANDOAH VALLEY CHAMP B CONCURRENT

LEXINGTON, VA
SHERRI L RE
112 ROCKFISH RD
WAYNESBORO, VA 22980
(281)513-5745

July 4
MARKEL FIRECRACKER CLASSIC

LEXINGTON, VA
MARILYN NORTON
22009 E 19TH RD
NOKOMIS, IL 62075
(217)563-2487

July 5 - 8
REGION 15 CHAMPIONSHIP

LEXINGTON, VA
MARILYN NORTON
22009 E 19TH RD
NOKOMIS, IL 62075
(217)563-2487

August 2 - 3
EASTERN ARAB HORSE SHOW

LEXINGTON, VA
SUSAN J WAGONER
PO BOX 778
BROOKLINE, NH 03033
(603)320-9837

August 4 - 5
EAST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP

LEXINGTON, VA
SUSAN J WAGONER
PO BOX 778
BROOKLINE, NH 03033
(603)320-9837

 

Alexandria Desiderio Earns 2010 AHA Youth Amateur of the Year Title

Aurora, CO (February 18, 2011) - Earning 522.5 points might come naturally for the 2010 Youth Amateur of the Year Alexandria Desiderio, from Chester, New Jersey. "It kinda happened by accident-I didn't go out of my way-I just show so much now, it's crazy," says Desiderio. But you can't really say Desiderio's points came easily; unless 30-plus hours a week in the saddle sounds easy.

Desiderio came by her 522.5 points with the help of three horses at 13 shows, including Youth Nationals and Sport Horse Nationals. Simply Irrisistible+ (Apple Hill Ahrah x Stardancer), TL Foolin Around+// (JA Baheem Sharaab x Irish), and Oration (Dormane x Ortie) were her primary mounts with Simply Irrisistible as her favorite "because she's mine," admits Desiderio. With the support that comes along with parents and a brother who are trainers, the only girl of four children says she didn't feel much pressure throughout the 2010 show season. "I didn't have any pressure, it just came along," says Desiderio.

Point chasing doesn't have to become an obsession when one is entered in over 120 classes across 13 shows for the year. A handful of those classes were at Youth Nationals in Albuquerque, N.M. and Sport Horse Nationals in Nampa, Id. Desiderio earned three championships as well as three reserve championships and a Top Ten at Youth Nationals. At Sport Horse Nationals, Desiderio took home a whopping six championships and two Top Tens. Competing exclusively in the hunter discipline (with a very rare in-hand or dressage class added to the mix), Desiderio dominated hunt seat equitation, working hunter, hunter hack, sport horse under saddle and over obstacle classes throughout her region and at the national level in 2010.

"The friends, the feeling of [riding and winning], the people I get to hang out with," is what keeps Desiderio motivated. For 2011, Desiderio will be pleasantly surprised again if she wins Youth Amateur of the Year again. "I don't know if I will really strive for it. I won't go out of my way to win it but it would be nice," she says. When asked if there are as many shows on the 2011 calendar as there were last year, Desiderio says, "I might even do more!" At only 15, Desiderio clearly has a bright horse show future ahead of her.

Desiderio adds, "I would have to thank my mom, dad and brother...they're really helpful."

The AHA Youth Amateur of the Year title is awarded to the youth who earns the most points from January 1- December 31 of each year. Desiderio will receive a $1,500 scholarship, a Montana Silversmith Belt buckle, a screen printed briefcase and recognition in Modern Arabian Horse.

*The top ten point-earners in the youth amateur category were:

1. Alexandria Desiderio Chester, NJ 522.5
2. Hillary Boothe Lompoc, CA 397.5
3. Olivia Pakula Scottsdale, AZ 344
4. Hannah Noelle Bell Encinitas, CA 292
5. Isobelle Ehret Wetaskwin, AB 291
6. Holly Schnader Reinolds, PA 287.5
7. Emily Howser Louisville, KY 280
8. Quincy Hernandez Louisville, KY 276
9. Sarah Esqueda Whittier, CA 259.5
10. Katie Pelphrey Louisville, KY 251

 

Region 15 Member News

Floyd

Holly Schnader 14 of Reinholds, PA, and her Arabian/Freisian gelding Darkcyde of the Moon++++// reached amazing goals this year with the help of her trainer Chrystal Coffelt-Wood of Grey Goose training. Holly and "Floyd" were awarded the 2010 USDF All Breed Award for Training Level Champion / Junior Rider award for Arabian/Half Arabian. Also the 2010 National Champion USEF Horse of the Year Award for Half Arabian Training Level Dressage. Holly is in #6 place for the Arabian Horse Association's High Point Amateur Achievement Youth for the 2010 year, as well as "Floyd" in the #7 slot for High Point Horse for 2010. Holly and Floyd spent most of the year showing in Dressage with a median score of 70% in her Dressage Scores. Holly and Floyd also show in Sporthorse in Hand, Sporthorse Under Saddle and Showmanship classes. A very special thank you to Rebecca Guilbault-Triplett of Pondview Equestrian Centre for allowing us to pay for Darkcyde of the Moon++++// over this past year to make the dream a reality for Holly. Holly is a Freshman at Garden Spot High School in New Holland PA. Along with her equestrian activities, she plays Junior Varsity Basketball, Varsity Volleyball, and still maintains a 4.5 grade average with her honors academics in school. Holly also plays drums and is very active in the Garden Spot Marching Band. Holly and "Floyd" will be very active again this year on the show circuit with tougher competition, as she moves into the 14-17 age bracket. Holly's goal this year, is to become more connected with her riding skills so her and Floyd become even more of a team together. Look for Holly and Darkcyde of the Moon++++// at the Arabian Sport Horse Nationals in Kentucky this year! Wish them well in their hopes for a National Championship! Special thanks to all the folx in the Pennsylvania Arabian Horse Association for having such a great youth program for kids to learn and get involved in. Also thanks to the Eastern Amateur Arabian Horse Show Circuit for getting it all started for many kids to bridge the gap from Amateur to Rated shows. And of course, thanks to Holly's parents Matt and Robin Schnader for all of their support to help "The Dream", and the quest to become Champions.