by Jessica Schroeder, USTA Outreach & Membership Enrichment Coordinator

Columbus, OH — The first show in the Hudson Valley Horse Show Series that had a specific Standardbred division was held on Sunday (Feb. 24) at Whisperwind Farm in Warwick, N.Y.

Three Standardbreds were shown in all four classes: Lancelot (ridden by Olivia Kimelman), Lemon Pepper (Jen Lowery) and Slip N Slide A (Denelle Stratton).

Stratton also showed Slip N Slide A to ribbons in open classes, including Baby Green Hunter Over Fences (2′) and Baby Green Hunter.

The next show in the series will be held at Old Field Farm in Goshen, N.Y., on Sunday (March 17). Sponsored by Blue Chip Farms, the Standardbred division has four classes (numbers 70-73 on the show bill): 2 Gait Hunter, 2 Gait Pleasure, 2 Gait Ground Poles and 18” Cross Rails. Schooling for the show starts at 7:30 a.m. with the show itself beginning at 8 a.m. A $5 discount on pre-entries will be given to entries received by March 14.

The following shows will also have the Standardbred division:

April 7 – Whisperwind Farm
May 19 – The Stables at MiraBella (Florida, NY)
June 9 – Crystal Water Farm (Warwick, NY)
June 23 – Whisperwind Farm
July 21 – Black Ridge Farm (Middletown, NY)
August 18 – Old Field Farm
September 29 – Stables at MiraBella

For more information about the Hudson Valley Horse Show series, visit their website. There will be a year-end award and an invitational show held on Oct. 20 for anyone who participates in two or more shows. To connect with riders who are already planning on going to the shows, visit the New York Standardbreds Facebook page.

Since 1996, the Standardbred Equine Program has worked with off-the-track Standardbreds and their owners to educate the general public about the many disciplines at which Standardbreds excel once they are retired from racing. For more information about the SEP at the USTA, visit lifeafterracing.ustrotting.com or send e-mail inquiries to sep@ustrotting.com.