Article written by Sally Fox and reprinted with permission

94th Annual Genesee Valley Breeders Association Horse Fair

Last Sunday’s weather cooperated by providing ideal conditions, with showers skirting the area, but not impacting the show. Though this year’s GVBA Horse Fair was condensed into one day, the number and quality of entries in the breeding classes remained top notch. Show organizers decided to concentrate their efforts on the core and foundation of the association’s mission to aid and encourage the breeding of quality horses of size, substance and athleticism for hunting and racing. All entries in the breeding classes were foaled in New York and at least half thoroughbred, except for broodmares. The slimmed down schedule had only three classes under saddle for young hunters and those suitable to become hunters.

Current chairman of the U.S. Equestrian Hunter Breeding Committee and U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) Zone 2 Vice Chairman Ray Francis returned for the first time in several years to serve as judge. Mr. Francis, with over 40 years’ experience in the horse industry, operates Offington Stables in Bedminster, PA, is a recognized USEF judge and was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame in 2001.

Broodmare Champion: Wynn Farms’ Missy's Giove, 13 year old thoroughbred by Scarlet Ibis out of Roman Numeral, owned by Laura Donahue of Lima, NY; Reserve: Good Time Rose, l4 year old thoroughbred by Carnivalay out of Roseville, owned by Eric Myer of Geneseo.

Foal Champion: Sugarbrook Farm’s Secret Agent Man, 4 month old thoroughbred cross colt by Coconut Grove out of Starborn Stella owned by Evan Gerhardt from East Aurora; Reserve: Unnamed 5month old colt by Stonerider out of Good Time Rose owned by Eric Myer of Geneseo

Yearling Champion: thoroughbred filly Big Hottie by Roaring Fever out of Bigger Ability, owned by Deb Cornell of The Polka-Dot Farm in Scottsville (Big Hottie was last year’s Reserve Champion Foal and her dam, Bigger Ability, was Champion Broodmare.) Reserve: Wynn Farms’ The King, a thoroughbred cross gelding by Rocky Creek’s Wende Adonis out of Missy's Giove

Two Year Old Champion: chestnut gelding Bentley, a thoroughbred/Hanovarian cross by Benvolio out of Lady Riva owned by Karin Holmes of Hemlock; Reserve: thoroughbred gelding Pizzaria by Slice of Reality out of Ackybacky, owned by Marc Woltag and shown by Foggy Bottom Farms, Geneseo
Champion Genesee Valley Bred Sport Horse: Bentley; Reserve: Big Hottie
Champion Thoroughbred: Big Hottie; Reserve: Missy's Giove

Show Grand Champion: Bentley;
Reserve Champion: Secret Agent Man
Highly Commended: Big Hottie

Pictures from the 2009 GVBA Horse Fair, taken by Cindy Isenberg, can be seen on her website: www.csihorsepics.zenfolio.com