Virginia Tech Students and Horses Successful at Regional Show!
As part of the Virginia Tech Equine Science Summer Internship program, four undergraduate student interns prepared and presented horses owned and bred by the Virginia Tech Foundation at the Dressage at Lexington Breed Show on July 11, 2008. The show is one of the largest regional breeding shows in the area, with more than 70 entrants from some of the country's top breeding farms. The interns were Rebecca Arnold, a senior Animal and Poultry Sciences student from Martinsville, VA; Kelli Beavers, a senior Animal and Poultry Sciences student from Lebanon, VA; Claire McGill, a senior Animal and Poultry Sciences student from Monroe, CT; and Laura Gladney, a senior Animal Science student from Rutgers University, who is also participating in the internship this summer.
In the weeks leading up to the show, the students received instruction in conformation analysis, biomechanics and proper handling and presentation techniques for sporthorses under the guidance of Associate Professor Rebecca K. Splan and Ms. Kristine Doyle, Manager of Virginia Tech's Smithfield Horse Center. At the show, the girls competed against seasoned professional handlers, with tremendous success!
In the Colts of 2008 class, Kelli Beavers skillfully exhibited the three-month-old Landmark VT to a score of 85.6%, the highest score received by any horse at the entire show, and one of the top three scores given nationwide so far this year! Landmark VT won his class convincingly and went on to be named Reserve Champion Colt and Reserve Champion Young Horse. Landmark VT is sired by Lingh, one of the top dressage stallions in the world, and frozen semen was donated to Virginia Tech's sporthorse breeding program last year by Lingh's owner, Karin Offield. As a result of his success, Landmark VT is now qualified for the Regional Championships at Dressage at Devon in Pennsylvania in September, and will be shown by Virginia Tech students at this very prestigious event!
Senior Rebecca Arnold exhibited Odet II, the mother of Landmark VT, to a win in her broodmare class and handled her expertly in the Championship ring to win Champion Mare and Reserve Champion Mature Horse titles. In the large Yearling Fillies division, Laura Gladney showed the beautiful Bella Sera VT to a second place finish, and went on to secure a Reserve Champion Filly title with the youngster. Finally, Bacarra VT pinned third in the Yearling Fillies class, and handler Claire McGill earned a third place finish in the Amateur Handler division.
In addition to helping prepare horses for show, the summer interns assist with veterinary, reproductive and foaling work, engage in daily feeding and horse management practices, participate in ongoing research projects and develop skills in training young horses. This is the third year the summer internship has been offered through the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences Equine Science program.
