50/ APRIL 2021 THE RIDER


Virginia Trainer Preps Barn Full of Horses for 96th Running of the Virginia Gold Cup


Racing will return on Saturday, May 29


THE PLAINS, Va. April 7, 2021— One of the nation’s oldest and largest steeple- chase events celebrates its 96th anniversary this year on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. Following a challenging spring last year due to the COVID-19 pan- demic, the Virginia Gold Cup (normally held each year on the first Saturday in May) is thrilled to run with limited spectators. With a majority of earlier race meets running this season to help prepare the horses, local Middleburg trainer Julie Gomena with Over Creek Farm is looking for- ward to bringing several to compete at the Virginia Gold Cup. “I have two new


horses this year that I am very excited about,” said Gomena. “Repeat Repeat is a seven-year-old gelding who is one of my favorites. He has only run seven times and has done extremely well every time out. He is a lovely big horse who is a de- light to be around. LeChevalier is a 12 year old gelding that will hopefully run in the Virginia Gold Cup Timber Stakes. He has placed in every timber race I’ve run him in except one.” Gomena began riding


in her home state of Oregon before moving to the east


ena. “I am thrilled they will now have the opportunity to get more miles under their belts at the Virginia Gold Cup.”


The 96th Annual Run-


ning of the Virginia Gold Cup will take place Satur- day, May 29, at Great Meadow in The Plains. The first of seven horse races will be underway at 1 p.m. The Virginia Gold Cup Race, presented by the Vir- ginia Gold Cup Association, is the fifth race and takes place at 4 p.m. Tailgate spaces are available now and are sold on a first come, first serve basis by calling 540-347-2612. Guests will be able to choose from Members Hill ($675) or North or South Rail ($500). Each socially distance space is 12’ x 20’ and allows for a maximum of 10 people per space. Each space includes 10 wristbands, one tailgate car pass and two general ad- mission car passes. For more information


visit vagoldcup.com. The website will be updated as additional information be- comes available. The 2021 Virginia


coast to train with Olympic three-day event rider Bruce Davidson. Gomena settled in Middleburg, Va. in 1985 to further her career in three-day eventing. In that sport, she excelled as a trainer and rider, winning America’s biggest event,


Pennsylvania Horse Show


Continued from Page 41


horse puts on the brakes at the first fence,” said Susie Shirk, PNHS Foundation Exec- utive Director. “What can we do to have these kids have a better experience? The answer was a chance to compete and prac- tice more, as well as getting into the ring before riding in the Medal.” Boyle agrees with that thought


process and is also introducing full divi- sions for the children’s and adult hunter and jumper competitors. Historically, the PNHS featured one year-end final class for each. At the 2021 PNHS, full divisions will be offered for the children’s hunters, adult hunters, children’s jumpers, chil- dren’s hunters and low junior/amateur- owner jumpers, each featuring their own $10,000 classic. “I really couldn’t be more excited


about these new changes, and I’m thrilled to have Pat as part of our team,” continued Shirk. “Particularly as we celebrate this monumental 75th year, we’re looking to honor and continue the tradition of the past 75 years while looking ahead to the next 75 years.” To keep up with the latest news and


announcements from the PNHS, follow the horse show on Facebook and Insta- gram.


niversary edition of the Pennsylvania Na- tional Horse Show,


To learn more about the 75th-an- visit


www.panational.org. For sponsorship op- portunities, including sponsorships of the new divisions, click here for more infor- mation or contact Susie Shirk at susie@panational.org. For media partner- ship inquiries, please contact Emily at


The Rolex Kentucky Three- Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park in 1994 with Treaty. She retired from eventing and moved into steeplechasing, competing as an amateur rider before concentrating on training. Over Creek Farm, located


emily@randolph-pr.com.


About The Pennsylvania Na- tional Horse Show Foundation Established in 1946, the


Pennsylvania National Horse Show hosts the country’s top competitors in one of the largest indoor horse shows. Proceeds from the horse show benefit The Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organiza- tion. Learn more by visiting www.panational.org.


on 285 acres in the heart of horse country, specializes in training steeplechase horses under the guidance of Gom- ena and her husband, Robert Bonnie. “With the spring race


calendar pushed back due to COVID-19, the horses


didn’t have to start training as early as they usually do but now, they are all in fine form, feeling good and on their way to getting racing fit.”


Gomena will also


have plenty of young horses make their racing debut at


Gold Cup. A total of 70 horses from numerous train- ers will come to compete during the seven races scheduled. “Last year I didn’t


allow these less experienced horses to run because of the lack of racing,” said Gom-


Gold Cup Races are pre- sented by Brown Advisory, the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, Virginia Equine Alliance and the Virginia Breeders Fund.


Dressage at Devon Announces Dates for 2021 Show:


September 28 – October 3, 2021


Mark your calendars for one of the top destination dressage and sport horse events in the country


April 2, 2021 (Devon, PA) - Dres- sage at Devon (DAD) will be held September 28 – October 3, 2021, an- nounced Lori Kaminski, President of Dressage at Devon. “Last year’s virtual show was a


success, with competitors and spec- tators alike participating. But we are looking forward to welcoming riders and horses back to the Devon Show Grounds – live and in-person!” said Kaminski. “We have been working closely with our Board of Directors, including Anne Gribbons, Mo Swanson, JJ Tate and George Williams, to build on DAD’s tradi- tions while mov- ing forward to make the show even better.” For sponsor-


ship information,


please visit https://www.dressageat- devon.org/our-sponsors/sponsor- ship-brochure-2021/file. To receive updates all year, sub-


scribe to the DAD Newsletter by vis- iting www.dressageatdevon.org.


About Dressage at Devon Dressage at Devon (www.dres-


sageatdevon.org) has been a premier North American equestrian event since its founding in 1975. It com- bines world-class dressage competi- tion and the world’s largest open breed show with the international Fall Festival show and special activ- ities for the entire family. The six- day event attracts hundreds of riders from around the globe and thou- sands of specta- tors. Dressage at Devon is a 501(c)(3) PA non- profit organiza- tion, benefitting equine education.


The 2021 PNHS will introduce a new, two-ring format. Photos courtesy of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex


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