Lexington, VA – February 2, 2015 – In a major announcement from the American Quarter Horse Association, the Virginia Horse Center (VHC) has officially been awarded the bid for the 2015 AQHA Nutrena East Level 1 (Novice) Championships.
The AQHA East Level 1 Championships will make the move from Murfreesboro, Tennessee to Lexington, Virginia for the 2015 edition of the show, to be held September 30 – October 4.
With 1,562 total entries in the championship in 2013 and 2,726 entries in 2014, the 2015 horse show is estimated to involved between 700 to 1,000 horses and several thousand people, representing substantial new revenue for the Horse Center.
“We are thrilled to announce that, after months of discussion and negotiations, the Novice Championship is coming to the Virginia Horse Center in 2015,” said John Nicholson, consultant to the Virginia Horse Center. “Without question, adding prestigious events like the Novice Championship to the Horse Center’s calendar strongly indicates that it’s not only surviving, it’s thriving. This is the latest in a series of positive developments that are elevating the Virginia Horse Center. Going forward, our goal is to bring more quality equestrian events, like this one, to the Horse Center.”
The Horse Center and the AQHA have agreed to a one-year contract with a two-year option to return. The contract will not only bring in more than $100,000 in additional revenue for the VHC in 2015, it will have a substantial positive economic impact on Lexington, Virginia and Rockbridge County. VHC treasure and board member Tom Clarke estimated that the AQHA Level 1 Championships will have an estimated $375,000 direct community impact in 2015.
The qualifying period for the 2015 AQHA Nutrena East Level 1 Championships is July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, with the championship including Amateur, Select, 14-18, 13-&-Under, Rookie Youth and Rookie Amateur divisions. Learn more about the 2015 AQHA Nutrena East Level 1 Championships online here: www.aqha.com/novicechampionships.
About the Virginia Horse Center
The Virginia Horse Center is situated on a 573-acre site with eight barns to accommodate 750 horses in permanent stabling. Indoor stabling can be increased to 1,200 horses with the use of temporary stalls. The Virginia Horse Center hosts 19 show rings, including two large arenas and a five-mile Olympic cross-country course. Four of the Virginia Horse Center barns are winterized with close access to the 4,000 seat indoor coliseum. The Virginia Horse Center is recognized for the excellent footing of its show rings and the durable construction of the concrete stalls. The Virginia Horse Center also offers camping facilities and on-site food and beverage services.
