100TH ANNIVERSARY HORSE FAIR

100 Years with the GVBA

GENESEE VALLEY BREEDER'S ASSOCIATION

100th ANNUAL HORSE FAIR

Published Originally in The Livingston Times

Author: Dr. Jacqueline Szczupakowski

            Every single week of the year, a horse show is put on somewhere in the world. Large or small, glamorous or a schooling show, it sometimes seems that they begin to blend together. For all the endless options out there, a select few horse shows rise above the rest in quality, class, and location. It’s those competitions that are coveted, anticipated for months in advance, and have been honed to perfection throughout the many years of their tenure. On August 22 and 23, the Avon Driving Park hosted the Genesee Valley Breeder’s Association 100th Anniversary Horse Fair, making it one of the oldest horse shows in the country.

            This horse show has been held in many locations throughout the past 100 years, but to honor the most historic and memorable setting, the organization decided to bring the show back to Avon’s hallowed grounds for it’s grandest celebration.  In keeping with tradition, the show boasted the region’s finest young horses, over 70 competitors and was judged by R rated judge, Bob Crawford of Massachusetts.  It was an idyllic weekend in the Genesee Valley, with gorgeous weather and even more sensational horses. The show began with the broodmares and foals at foot with the Champion being Phantom Lady, owned by John Vanderzell of Leroy NY, and Reserve Champion Amalfi Drive, owned by Mary Honora McCormack. It was an exceedingly exciting weekend for Mary McCormack who not only performed well in the mare division but who’s boyfriend proposed to her, with horse in hand, when she received her ribbon. And of course, She said Yes!  The show resumed with the Foal Division with Champion, Easy Enough owned by John Vanderzell of Leroy, NY and Reserve Champion, Unnamed 2015 filly owned by Tim Tompkins of Medina NY. Next were the Yearlings, with Champion In Your Dreams NHF owned by Margaret Neider of Fabius, NY and Reserve Champion, Easy As Pi owned by John Vanderazell of Leroy NY. The 2 year old division followed with Champion BPM Tree to Farm owned by Kathleen Zimmer of Camilus NY, and Reserve Champion Devereaux NHF owned by Margaret  Neider of Fabius, NY. The 3 year old division had Champion Good Times owned by Hasty Hills Farm located in Java NY and Reserve, Somewhat owned by Kathleen Krazinski from Horseheads, NY.  The last division to go were the four year olds and up with Champion Reminiscing owned by Kathleen Zimmer of Camillus NY and Reserve Made of Honor owned by Hasty Hills out of Java, NY. Last came the two most anticipated events of the day, the Grand Champion Thoroughbred which was awarded to Somewhat Sinful a Thoroughbred Palomino Gelding by Cloud ten out of Demigoddess owned by Kathleen Krazinski from Horseheads, NY. Reserve was awarded to Phantom Lady, a thoroughbred dark bay mare by Thriller out of Lady Sahara, owned by John Vanderzell of Leroy NY. And last but not least was Fair Grand Champion, which was awarded to Good Times a thoroughbred/warmblood cross, bay mare by Westporte out of A Sovereign Friend owned by Hasty Hills Farm of Java NY. Reserve Grand Champion awarded to Somewhat Sinful, a thoroughbred Palomino Gelding by Cloud Ten out of Demigoddess, owned by Kathleen Krazinski from Horseheads, NY. Honorable Mention was awarded to BPM Tree to Farm, a ½ Welsh, Black, mare by Glannaunt Broadway out of Royal Fame, owned by Kathleen Zimmer located in Camilus NY.

                 The remainder of the day was spent in the Jumper ring with many horses competing over fences from thoroughbred’s beginning their second careers to seasoned jumpers performing in a derby competition.  The day finished with competitors and members of the Genesee Valley Breeder’s Association meeting at the Big Tree Inn in Geneseo to unwind with delicious food and nostalgic conversations about past shows and the rich history of the organization. It was told that many years ago, breeding stallions would show at the fair and the owners would hand walk them to the Avon Driving Park, several miles from their farms to compete.   

                Sunday morning began with horses warming up for the hunter divisions amid a thick layer of fog. Very quickly, the sun began to shine and the day’s competitions began with many young thoroughbred hunters and beginner riders. It was very tough competition and the horses and riders all performed spectacularly. The highlight of the day was the Hunter Derby, where riders show their horses over a traditional hunter course and a handy course, designed to emphasize the rider’s prowess and the horse’s skill. The winner of the derby was Jaime Bates of Hasty Hills Farm riding Wilson, owned by Debi Maloney of Honeoye Falls, NY. Bakalia and Sarah Markowitz were our Champion Jr/Amateur Hunter, as well as second place and highest placing non-pro in our GVBA Hunter Derby. 

               Throughout the entire weekend, renowned photographer Megan Stapley was available to capture all the excitement and provide amazing keepsakes for our competitors. If you would like to view the proofs or order images from the show, please see meganstapleyphotography.com. In addition, for more results from the show, please visit GVBreeders.com. Congratulations to all of the competitors and their beautiful horses and a special thank you to the Avon Driving Park for hosting such a historic and memorable weekend. The 100th year of the Genesee Valley Breeder’s Show was surely a show to remember.