Genessee Valley Breeders Association

GVBA Annual Horse Fair Expands Its Horizons

The Genesee Valley Breeders Association celebrated the 96th renewal of its legendary horse fair by making a few changes that it hopes will assure its success well beyond its 100th anniversary in 2015.

Historically, in order to compete, entries had to have at least one thoroughbred parent. That meant that even some half-thoroughbreds were ineligible if both their parents were half-bred thoroughbreds. Well, times have changed in the breeding and show world, although essentially all horses bred for sport owe much to the infusion of thoroughbred blood somewhere back in their history.

Since the show is not recognized by any particular discipline or national organization, there are no breeders seeking to qualify there for breed or championship shows, which made it a good schooling opportunity for getting youngsters out in the world, but didn’t pull in breeders of non-thoroughbreds. This year’s GVBA Horse Fair offered new breeding classes for ponies and non-thoroughbred entries, with a gratifying increase in entries indicating that they are on the right track.

The weather was also kind last Sunday, with the rains holding off until the afternoon classes for hunters under saddle were nearly done. The stars seem to be aligning for a bright future for the GVBA and this venerable local tradition thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of the group’s members, and most especially the show committee of Show Secretary Mira Boyczuk, President Randy Kozlowski, Vice-President Erica Waite, and Treasurer Karen Peterson. Great job!

Results:

Champion Broodmare: Gail Mcguire’s homebred 13-year-old chestnut thoroughbred Wee Highland Star, by Mokhieba out of McGuire’s homebred Path of the Stars (Avon); Reserve: Linda Reading’s 6-year-old gray thoroughbred Chanced, by American Chance out of Biddy Mason (West Falls)
Champion Foal: Eric Myer’s 3-month-old, bay, unnamed thoroughbred filly by Fantasticat, out of Straight Blues (Geneseo); Reserve: Tami Hutchings’ 4-month-old, bay, 1/2 Welsh colt Prowler’s Prestige, by High Hopes Prowler, out of Sugar-n-Spice (Livonia)
Champion Yearling: Kathleen Zimmer’s 1/2 Welsh, bay gelding Reminiscing, by GlanNaut Broadway, out of Encore (Camilus); Reserve: Jon Bates’ Welsh, gray colt High Hopes Titan, by Farnley Triton, out of High Hopes Neon (Honeoye Falls)
Champion Two-Year-Old: Christine Steer’s Dutch Warmblood, chestnut gelding Eschelon K, by Popeye K, out of Mystical Blue (Ionia); Reserve: Hasty Hills Farm’s 1/2 thoroughbred, brown filly Fiona, by Everest, out of A Sovereign Friend (Java Center)
Champion Three-Year-Old: Kelly Waples’ Dutch Warmblood, bay filly Ever Mint To Be, by Everest, out of Mint Condition (Orchard Park); Reserve: Diane Langdon’s Hanoverian Cross, bay filly Cricket (Webster)
Fair Grand Champion: Eschelon K; Reserve: Ever Mint To Be; Highly Commended: Fiona