OLD DOMINION HORSE SHOW VOTED #1 SHOW FOR
ZONE 3 BY USHJA MEMBERS FOR 2009!!!!

June 28, 2011

Dear Exhibitors and Friends of the Old Dominion Horse Show

It is with great regret that I am posting this message that we have had to cancel our Old Dominion Horse Show for 2011.

In our first year we had about 160 horses. We were voted the USHJA Member’s Choice Horse Show of the year. Our second year we had 265 horses. As of today we have lost five large barns that I am aware of and received entries of fewer than 100 horses total.

Last year we were the victims of the hottest week ever on record in Virginia with temperatures over 100 degrees each day. We supplied the exhibitors with an air conditioned lounge, unlimited free iced bottled water, iced cool wipes at each gate, open swimming pool on the grounds with showers and dressing rooms, and every other thing we could think about to make everyone more comfortable. Two barns are not coming because they said it simply was too hot. I couldn’t make that go away. Even with that situation, I am surprised that we lost the numbers that we did.

We lost two other barns because with only two rings we cannot run any jumpers and fulfill all the hunter division requirements, and offer the unrecognized divisions that really fund the show. Another is headed to Young Rider’s.

We also lost three major sponsors through no fault but the economy. With this perfect storm I feel that our entries will be very low, and we cannot support a USEF AA rated show with that attendance. This show costs a lot to produce as we rent the facility and have to put up tent stalls, and bring in just about every other amenity to run a show.

This show was originally conceived as a benefit for Danny and Ron’s Rescue Dogs. If we lose that much money on the show, we can’t possibly make our donation to the rescue. I hope that you will consider making a personal donation to them, go to www.dannyandronsrescue.com for details in sending.

It is our plan to regroup for next year, reformat our schedule and offerings and produce a show that will work better for all. I hope that when we have finalized our plans you will once again wish to be part of our event. I truly apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation is causing you.

Many of our exhibitors and employees are very disappointed, as are we. I hope that we can come back in 2012 and with a bigger and better show that still maintains the quality that we have thus far been able to provide. I hope that you will want to be onboard with us as we build for the future.

Ellen Shevella 434 242 8937 theodhs@gmail.com