The Year in Review
from the desk of Katherine Truitt
If you are reading this Annual Report, then you have invested in the Virginia Horse
Center Foundation. Be it with resources, corporate sponsorship, gifts-in-kind, events, or even
your time, you own a stake in this organization. We want to be fully accountable to our stake
holders for the simple but imperative reason that you need to be so confident about your
investment that you continue to support this facility and its programs for years to come. That is
the foundation of stewardship – the great responsibility that the Board of Directors was fully
tasked with since 2007 when our organization formally cut ties with the state and its support.
Five years later in 2011 and 2012, and in our 25th year of operation, we have gone back to basics
to re-evaluate our services, our facilities, and our mission to take our stewardship to the next
level.
The first two years of my tenure at the Foundation were spent restructuring operations. My
third year has been dedicated to reimagining the VHCF’s fundraising and services program to
increase our value in the lives of our participants, this community, and Virginia’s equine industry.
The first step to accomplishing this was to hire a new Development Department in 2011, and, as you
will read later, add two new staff members this month to build on that momentum. This team has
implemented strategic fundraising, increased communications, built out educational and social
opportunities, started re-branding efforts, and elevated the experience for our exhibitors – making the
2011-2012 fiscal year a boom in programs in this organization’s history. Our new website provided
both a facelift and an invaluable resource for visitors, donors, and participants. Donor numbers are up
as are corporate sponsorships. New and exciting partnerships have been formed with the Farm
Bureau, the Jockey Club, the National Sporting Library, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary
Medicine, and many more are in the works. We have also launched a women’s volunteer group
called the VHCF Equestriennes who are dedicated to producing events that will raise awareness and
attendance on our behalf. I am proud of programmatic and marketing improvements we have
achieved this year, and hope that you too have noticed our progress.
With respect to the facility, great strides have been made in customer service, in our owned
and operated events, and all around the physical grounds. Our new Stable Office team has done a
superb job in providing timely, helpful, and polite service to all of our competitors and visitors. Each
of our show series, to include Polar Bear, House Mountain, Lexington Spring Premiere & Encore,
Thoroughbred Celebration, Dressage with a View, and Lexington National, is constantly being
refined with the help of our great show managers. The Wiley Arena underwent a massive
transformation with the spring installation of a new drainage system to maintain the integrity of the
footing. Stalls in six barns were re-leveled and maintenance projects on all of the facility’s roads
were completed in April and July. The first phase of the new lighting system went in on the
Anderson Coliseum’s concourse and the campaign for the ninety-nine overhead fixtures is over sixty
percent complete. We also had the great pleasure of dedicating the Northern Arena and the VADA
Show Office in honor of their support last October.
These are just the broad strokes and the definable projects. The true success comes in the
memories made, the lessons learned, the merits celebrated, and the relationships deepened that
happen every week at the Virginia Horse Center Foundation. As stakeholders, many of you
invested because of these less measurable but no less important factors. I hope that this annual
review of our accomplishments in concert with your own reasons and experiences will put in
ever-higher relief how truly valuable this place is to so many. In closing, I would just sincerely
thank each and every one of you for your support – yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Onward!
2012 Annual Report
Donors
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald J. Acuff, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Nate L. Adams
Mr. & Mrs. Nate Adams, II
Joyce Ainsworth
Akindale Rehabilitation & Land Conservation Fund
Joan W. Alberti
Teresa Aldred
American Saddlebred Horse Association
Brent & Brooke Anderson
Prudence Anderson
Becky L. Andrews
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. William C. Anthony
Mr. & Mrs. Terry Arnett
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ashcom
Jill Ashley
Sharnette Atkinson
Peggy Augustus
Mary P. Bailey
Karin M. Banks
Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Barber III
Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Bays
Katrina Becker
Wes & Paget Bennett
Carolyn Beverly
Jeanne Binder
Mr. & Mrs. Donald R. Black
Louis H. Blair
The Honorable & Mrs. Robert S. Bloxom
Blue Ridge Equine Clinic, Inc.
William E. Bobbitt, Jr.
Judy A. Bonin
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bonin
Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Bopp, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Brennan
Mr. & Mrs. John Briddle
Kay Marano Briggs
Donna Barton Brothers
Caren C. Brouse
Mr. & Mrs. James F. Brown
Heidi Bruecker
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Bryant
Mr. & Mrs. Frank H. Buhler
Sarah Kelly Burns
Ted & Elsa Burrowes
Mr. and Mrs. John Cabell
S. Mason & Elizabeth C. Carbaugh
Vicky Castegren
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Chapman
Mary Jane Ciraco
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Clark
Melinda A. Cohen
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Conatser
Katherine Constable
Cottage Farm Inc.
County of Rockbridge
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Covington, Jr.
Dr. & Mrs. Reynolds L. Cowles, Jr.
Kara Cox
Dr. & Mrs. Mark X. Coyne
Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Craighill
Brian S. Crockett
Roberta H. Croll
Dr. & Mrs. Donald B. Cromer
Carrie L. Camp & Thomas M. Crowder
Diana Cummings
Mary Virginia Currie
Brooks Cushman
Dr. & Dr. Charles Daniel
Robin Dannels
Staige DeBenedetti
Marian O. DeHart
Gretchen DeLong
Jeffrey Scott & Dianne DeMay
Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Buddy Derrick, Jr.
Diana Dodge
Elizabeth C. Donald
Edwin & Louise Dooley
Mr. & Mrs. Rick Drake
Patsy S. Dubay
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Duhring
Gardy Bloemers & Nick Duke
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Durbin, Jr.
Ms. Lynlee Dutton
Del Dyer
Ella Eavers
Jennifer L. Eccles
Virginia G. Edwards
Tami Ely
Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell Ettinger
Marynell Eyles
Joe Fargis
Rebecca Fass
Sally Feltner
Margaret R. Fiester
Dr. William D. Fishback
Dr. Daniel V. Flynn
The Carrie S. Camp Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Jerre L. Frankhauser
Pamela French
Christina Fritz
Kay D. Frye
Shimuzu Furumara
Henley F. Gabeau
Rebecca Galbraith
Kim C. Gall
Dr. & Mrs. David L. Gardner
J. Barry David & Joan Garibaldi
Jane Garland
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Gianakouros
Nancy Ginaven
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Ginther
Gus Gustinez & Trina L. Gomez
Charlene Good
Gordon Reistrup, Colliers Creek Show Stable
Bob & Anne Grachus
Susan P. Tice & Charles A. Grossman
Wiley J. Grosvenor
Mr. & Mrs. Pearce S. Grove
Helen K. Groves
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Guanciale
Dana Guarino-Murphey
Mary M. Millhiser & Philip Halsey
Sally Hamlin
Dr. & Mrs. Albin B. Hammond
Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Hanson
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Haughey
The Honorable Todd P. Haymore
Alan Hecht
Anne F. Henderson
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Hess
Wendy Higginson
Liz Hansen Hinds
Phyllis Hockman
Mr. & Mrs. John M. Hodgkin
Mr. & Mrs. David E. Hodgson
Cynthia S. Holbrook
Hollins University
Amanda Hood
Hillary Thompson Horn
Justine P. Hryczanuik
Sabrina Hundley
Hunter & Anneliesa King, Rosehill Farm
Freda Hylton
Margaux Lander & Susan Icove
Mr. & Mrs. Michael P. Jackson
Owen Jaeger
Amanda Currie Jones
Cynthia Ann Jones
Mr. & Mrs. D. Michael Jones
Mr. Clarke C. Jones
Phyllis Jones
Sandra M. Ruiz & Peggy Jones
Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Joyce
Chris Kelly and Cindy Judson
Barbara W. Kahle
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Kalasky
Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Keadle
Brooke Kemper
Michael J. Knight
Kelly LaPar
Lauren Peterson Fellows
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Lemon
Louisa Lenehan
Anne J. Lesko
Mr. & Mrs. Smith S. Lilly
Barbara J. Lindley
Kaija P. Lindskog
Cynthia Lipsitz
Alan & Jessi Lohman
Thomas D. Lynch
Patricia Lyons
Mr. & Mrs. Torquil MacCorkle, Jr.
Jacqueline B. Mars
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald V. Marshall, Sr.
Maryland Jockey Club
Mr. & Mrs. James H. Mathenia
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Matthews
James G. McMillan, IV
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. McVeigh
Anna McWane
G. Otis Mead
John D. Meade, III
Tim & KC Meadows
Mr. & Mrs. W. G. Melton, Jr.
Ann De Michele
Anne G. Miller
Carol L. Miller
Pam Milliron
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Minnick
Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Moran
Mr. & Mrs. John C. Morris
Richlyn Morton
Winkie Motley
Mr. & Mrs. William S. Moyer
Mr. & Mrs. Grigg Mullen
Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Napolitano, II
New York Racing Association
Christopher Nolen
Dr. Stephen O’Grady
Denise M. O’Hara
Alison O’Shanick
Mr. & Mrs. Ernest M. Oare
Dr. Timothy R. Ober
Hannah J. Ong
Elaine R. Paulson
Parker Pearson
Mr. & Mrs. George L. Penny, IV
Nancy Peterson
Mr. & Mrs. Dwight C. Phelps
Dr. & Mrs. Charles F. Phillips, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. R. G. Porter, III
Ragged Mountain Equine Services
Anita F. Ramos
Randolph College
Sarah Redifer
Carol S. Reedy
Gail E. Rezendes-Dell
Karen Waldron & Shawn Ricci
Roanoke Valley Horsemen’s Association
Debbie Rodriguez
Dr. & Mrs. Carl Rogge
Sally Rosenberg
Jessamy Rouson
Suzanne M. Rowdon
Erica A. Rozek
Sallee Horse Vans Inc.
Jerald J. Schaefer
Dr. Gregory Schmidt
Pam Schwotzer
Miranda Scott
Jane M. Seegar
Shadow Fox Farm
Mary Shannon
Mr. & Mrs. John Tucker
Mr. & Mrs. Richard T. Short
Tamara L. Tucker, Esq.
Mr. & Mrs. Preston R. Simmons
Colonel & Mrs. Albert S. Tucker, Jr.
Susan M. Simon
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Van Buskirk
Ann Tierney Smith
Katheryn Vance-Tomblin
Sarah Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Via
Wendy K. Smith
Susannah S. Via
Southwest Dressage Association
Virginia Horse Show Association
Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association
Virginia Thoroughbred Association
Mr. & Mrs. Milton C. Spangler, III
Mr. & Mrs. David Vos
Dr. Shauna Spurlock
Sarah A. Warmack
Steep Forest Farm LLC
Mr. & Mrs. Harry Warner
Caroline A. Stephens
Washington & Lee University Equestrian Team
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Sterba
Ann Wasko
Sterling Suffolk Racecourse LLC
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Watson
Elizabeth C. Stinson
Dr. Owen Weaver
Chris Stix
Christina Welker
Stone Bridge Farm LLC
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth M. Wheeler, Jr.
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Strong
Kenneth M. Wheeler, Sr.
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Susman
Dr. Thomas M. Whelan
Linda Lee Sutton
Hester H. Whitcher
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Svetz
Mr. & Mrs. John White
Dorna B. Taintor
Mr. & Mrs. James H. Whitten
Louise B. Tardy
Dr. Alison Wichman
The Elbert H., Evelyn J. & Karen H. Waldron Charitable Larson Wile
Foundation
Lewis Wiley
The Jockey Club, Thoroughbred Incentive Program
Winticomack Associates, LLC
The Leighton-Oare Foundation
Dr. John Wise
The Murrell Foundation
Jim Witzal
The Olivia Streater Reed & Dwight Compton Reed Fund Deborah A. Work
Elizabeth R. Thomas
Tony Workman
Mr. & Mrs. David C. Thomas
Mr. & Mrs. Neil Wroten, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Swen P. Thompson
Peta Jean Wyllie
Mr. & Mrs. W. McIlwaine Thompson, Jr.
Mary Lou Yates
Three Chimneys Farm
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff York
Travellers Hill Farm
Robert Treharne
Corporate Sponsors
After the Finish Line
Allied Bloodstock Inc.
Applebee’s
Ashford Stud
Augusta Co-Op
Bank of America
Bank of Botetourt
BB&T
BB&T Insurance Services
Best Western – Inn at Hunt Ridge
Betsy sews.
Blacksmiths Shop
Blue Dog Art & Kids University
Blue Ridge Equine
BRC Stables
Brook Ledge, Inc.
Budweiser
Caballo Press of Ann Arbor
Century Link
Champion Shavings Corporation
Community Bank
Cool Spring Organics Market & Cafe
Cornerstone Bank
Country Cookin’
Daily Racing Form
Darley America
Devils Backbone Brewery
Dimock Family Eyecare
Dominion Lodging
Don Tequila’s
Douglas Shiflet Photography
Dover Saddlery
DreamShine Tack
Equiglas, Diane Bird
Equinity Performance
Evergreen Basement Systems
Eye One – August Eye Associates
Farm Bureau Insurance
Farm Credit
Farm Family Insurance
Fasig Tipton Company Inc.
First Bank & Trust Company
Foxden Equine
Ghandi Hotels
GRH Management, LLC
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
Horse Cents, Inc.
Hounds Cry Farm
Internet Innovations Alliance
Johnson Horse Transportation Inc.
Kendall Jackson
L. W. Bristol Classics
Lane’s End Farm
Lewis Gale Hospital
Lucky Dog Pub & Deli
Macado’s
Markel Insurance Company
Marker’s Mark Secretariat Center
MD Barnmasters of Virginia
Micron Bio Systems
MKB Realtors
ModJobs
Motel 6
Mountain View Equine Hospital
Mountain View Greenhouses
Natural Plan Stomach Soother
Nelson and Tucker LLC
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program
Norden Equine
North Shore Designs
Papa John’s
Paramount Sales
Park N Pool Corporation
Perkins Leather
Polar Square Designs
Professional Building Services, Inc.
Quality Buildings
Rockbridge Co-Op
Saddles N’ Stuff
Sayre Enterprises Inc.
Shawn Parker Tack Trunks
Shenandoah Dental Studio
Sirrah LLC
Smartpak
Sore No More
Southern States Co-Operative, Inc.
Spencer Home Center
Spursuader
Staunton Art Supply
Subway & Sweet Frog - Marathon
Suntrust Foundation
The Chronicle of the Horse
The Clothes Horse
The EMO Agency, Inc.
The Greenbrier Resort
Tractor Supply Inc.
Triple Crown Nutrition
Ultimate Side Reins
UPS Store
Volunteers of CANTER, Mid-Atlantic
Wells Fargo
Woody Chevrolet
World Equestrian Brands