Annual Fun & Pleasure Show

    It was a hot but rewarding day for the brave souls who came out to show and support the mounted squad, with temperatures soaring over 90°.

    One of the unique things about this show is being able to meet and ride with (and against) the mounted police officers and their equine partners.  Besides our own Mounted Unit, we had officers from the U.S. Park Police (from D.C.) and Fredericksburg.  It was a training opportunity for them to get ready for the National Mounted Police Competition in September.

    The day started at 9 a.m. sharp, with the National Anthem being played while our Mounted Unit presented the flag.  Sgt. Eric Bardon with his partner Roadrunner presented the flag and was flanked by Officer Rich Fecht on Reo (a new addition to the equine force), Officer Rob Lehr on Tyco (a new horse who had not passed muster and will be returning to his owner), and Officer Freddy Mason riding June’s Lightning.

 In the middle of the day we had the Parade of Officers.  This display included the officers from the U.S. Park Police:

Officer David G. Schlosser on Sassy Hound

Officer Ron Markland on Custer

And Officer Mariea Clowers on Chance

The Fredericksburg Mounted Police were represented by Officer Jim Shelhorse on Chester.
Pictures from the Parade of Officers

    The challenging obstacle course class was attempted by ­­­22 entrants.  The course was designed and created by the Richmond Mounted Squad.  Some examples of obstacles included:  shooting silly string at a target, riding over plywood and onto a tarp covered with plastic bottles, riding through a “wall” of plastic noodles, and pushing a large ball several feet. Surprisingly though, the hardest obstacle was to get the horse to walk into and stand inside a “box” created with lime!! (something about those white lines)  The course was judged by retired mounted squad officer Robert Armstrong which many of you will remember from previous years helping in the show.  The results of this class were:  1^st place went to Anne Brooks; 2^nd place to Elaine Reed; 3^rd place to Officer Ron Markland (U.S. Park Police) on Custer; 4^th place to Teresa Gregory; 5^th place to Ashley Durr; 6^th place to Melissa Saunders.  Congratulations to these brave souls and their obedient mounts!

    Eric Bardon on Roadrunner proved that not only can the Mounted Police Horses work on the streets capturing felons but they also do well in the speed classes.  Not only is Roady a great police horse, he also does barrel racing and the keyhole class!  Although he may not have won the classes, he made a great showing (I think Eric’s daughter and her retired police mount beat them in each class – but don’t tell anyone!!).

    The police equitation class was won by Officer Mariea Clower from the U.S. Park Police on her equine partner Chance.

The Division Winners Were:

MAIDEN HUNT SEAT –       Champion – Caitlin Murphy on One New Secret

                                                Reserve champion -  Ashley Durr on Destinata

JR/YOUTH HUNTER –          Champion – Amy Bruce on Mystical Pebbles

                                                Reserve Champion was a tie between –

                                                           Brett Burnett on Zanzabarbarian AND

                                                            Ashley Durr on Destinata

SMALL FRY –                        Champion – Jennifer Markey on Sunnydays

ADULT HUNTER –                Champion – Irene Temple on Le Beau Cadeau

                                                Reserve Champion – Ashley McLeod on Black Bars Magician

ENGLISH/HUNTER PLEASURE –Champion – Dora Winn on Solo Wheel’s

                                                Reserve Champion – Irene Temple on Le Beau Cadeau

GAITED/WALKING PLEASURE –Champion – Carolyn Vajala on Crimson Tide

                                                Reserve Champion – Marla Caldwell on Colbart

ARABIAN PLEASURE –       Champion – Theresa Burton on Cappuccino Sky

                                                Reserve Champion – Elaine Neal on Mick

WESTERN PLEASURE –       Champion – Sherry Lipscomb on Movin Mambo

                                                Reserve Champion – Amanda Prine on Boz My Broker

SPEED CLASSES -                Champion – Ellis Giles on Doc-Man

                                                Reserve Champion – Amy Basley on Jack Daniels

Funds raised at this show will be used to send the Richmond Mounted Squad to the National Police Competition to be held September 22-24 in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Individuals and businesses that helped support us this year are:

            Energy Heals-Healing Touch for Animals® DEBORAH WOOTEN

            Michelle Beck – Division Sponsor

            Farnum Products – Division Sponsor

            Prestia Insurance Company

            Leslie Taylor, D.D.S., P.C.

            Colonial Farm Credit (Mechanicsville)

            Woodside Equine Clinic

            Timeless Tack Exchange

            Rusty Stirrup Riding Club

            Diana Cappellanti – Capstone Farm

            In Memory of  GOLDIE, a RMP Horse-GOLD MEDAL

            Cindy Pryor – GOLD MEDAL

            Tall Cedars Farm – GOLD MEDAL

            Sue & Bill Ramsey in Memory - Oreo C. Mullins

            David Oates, Farrier – Division Sponsor

            Barbara Howell – Hometown Realty

            Green Bay Morgans

            Dream Homes & Patty Michalak

            Virginia Truck & Trailer – GOLD MEDAL

            Jay McFarland – L & M Auto Glass

            Sue & Bill Ramsey Memory-Souvenir’s Sundance

            Gore Trailers – GOLD MEDAL

            Allyn Linas – GOLD MEDAL

            Mahogany Manor Farm - Cathy Davis

            Champion Saddlery – Gold MEDAL

            Memory of SHAWN PRUITT – Gold Medal

            Rusty Stirrup Riding Club

            Grand Champion Trailers - Cathette Plumer –Gold Medal

            Spencer Neale & Virginia Farm Bureau – Division Sponsor

            Linda Chance

            Tom Newton, D.V.M. – Gold Medal

            Saddlery Trade Associates

            Gerry & Sandra Reid

            Southern States – West Broad St.

Thanks also to the Rising Stars 4-H Club for providing the concession stand (and Henrico Fire Dept-Station 5 for the ice), the State Fair of Virginia for the use of their jumps AND to Richard Prince for his help with the Speed Division.

Pairs Class Winners:  Sgt. Eric Bardon on Roadrunner and his daughter, Samantha Bardon, on Falcon on Fire.