Please feel free to discuss issues in todays Arabian horse community of Region 15

Thanks for being a group of professional horseman

Well, I am excited for the regional championship show which is always fun, and Marty has done a good job listening to the exhibitors wishes to make the show even better. I know he's been catching a lot of grief over not changing his show dates to not coincide with region 14, but I will state again, from a region 15ers standpoint, this really wasn't a viable option!

I have my first outing with my mare next weekend at the little show in Wakefield. My baby is 3 months old and I am riding 10X better than I thought I would be. I am excited to get back out in the ring again!

Welcome... I have actually spoke on the phone with Marty, and found his direction is about the Arabian Horse and his Region!! Top Shelf guy!! I think when you have the best interest of your region at heart you can only win !! Congrats Marty for your professionalism !!! I can only hope we will have others follow his lead in the Arabian community as a true leader!!

The BOD meeting is May 18th.. Please support Marty, we have listed the Ethics directors emails in the Ethics topic..

Since I have to miss the OHAHA show in Columbus this weekend, I am very much looking forward to showing in Harlansburg this summer.

There are not enough Arabian shows in my area

I am from the West coast and plan on attending the Region 15 show in July to watch my horse show. I am wondering if anyone has suggestions on where to stay and which is the closest major airport to Lexington, VA. Also any sites that are a must see while in the area, besides the horse show of course!

Thank you in advance!

Roanoke is the nearest airport. Tons of chain hotels with in a mile or so of the showgrounds. Howard Johnson's is the host hotel but to be honest, we had rooms there for the recent VAHA sport horse show and it was dirty! Moved to the Holiday Inn Express which is our usual hotel-didn't have rooms when I had called but some had opened up. Best Western, comfort, Sleep Inn, Country Inns, Hampton are all close by. Lexington is famous as the home of VMI which has a good museum on the grounds. Robert E Lee taught there after the Civil War and Stonewall Jackson had a home in Lexington. Natural Bridge is just a bit down the interstate and interesting.

Thank you Spike. I appreciate your help! I was just about to book a room at Howard Johnson's too, but I'll take your advice. I can sleep in the barn for foal watch, but no dirty hotel rooms please.
One other question. since I am sightseeing some, is the drive from Richmond to Lexington bad? I know the time frame is 2+ hours or so, but I can save over $450 on airfare flying there as opposed to Roanoke.

Thanks again!
Scott

Interstate all the way from Richmond! 64 west I have never flown into Richmond so I am not familiar with the location of the airport in relation to I64 but once you get on it keep going until you see signs for the Horse Center! Look us up once you get there-Stone Hollow Sport Horses!

S2H, you will LOVE the VA Horse Center! Where are you coming in from? I'm a west coast (Seattle area, then Sacramento) transplant. The horse center is just an amazing facility. I will miss showing there when we eventually move to ??? (where the US Air Force wants us!)

Hotels-wise, none of them are very far away. The closest are Best Western at Hunt Ridge, Sleep Inn (this one is nice, quite new.) The next closest would be the Wingate, Holiday Inn Express, Country Inn and Suites, and Comfort Inn. I always stay at either the Comfort Inn or Sleep Inn. They offer great military rates.

The Richmond airport is on the east side of town, so you'll have to factor in 15 minutes or so further. But the drive on 64 from there should be relatively easy. Honestly, Dulles is 2.5 to 3 hours BUT you don't want to start your drive after 3pm or you'll hit horrible traffic on I-66 westbound. IF you fly into Dulles, watch your speed on I-81 as there are usually several speed traps. The drive down 81 is pretty, by east coast standards! It takes you straight down the Shenandoah Valley.

Thank you Spike and Gogetter. I really appreciate this, it has helped me quite a bit. I have the Region 15 show link, but hearing actual feedback is much more helpful. I'll try to look both of you up during my visit. My colt shows Thursday evening in the yearling sweeps class, so most likely leaving sometime Friday afterwards. I am from the Seattle area and show in Region 5. The facility looks great from the pictures I've seen.

Best regards,
Scott