VQHA Queen Courtney Sturgill on the cover of the January 2012 Virginia Horse Journal

Our own VQHA Queen and 2011 All-American Quarter Horse Congress Queen is on the cover of the January 2012 edition.
We think it’s the best cover ever.

Here’s a link to the magazine online: http://virginiahorse.epubxpress.com/

The Virginia QH Association is so proud to announce that our 2010 and 2011 VQHA Queen, Courtney Sturgill, took top honors this year at the 2011 QH Congress in Columbus, Ohio. Congress is the largest horse show in the United States and this year averaged over 18,000 entries. The Queen’s competition is always a fabulous part of this show. Each state can send a queen to compete for the All-American QH Congress Queen. The competition consist of a written test which is 40% of the score, and an oral interview which is 40% of the score, and a horsemanship class scored by three AQHA Judges consisting of 20% of the final score. Courtney was riding Rockin Raisinette, aka Gretchen, and owned by Cydney Benes and Tammy Benes, owner of All That Show Clothing. Courtney placed first in the oral interview, second in the written test, and third in horsemanship. There is a fashion show and autograph signing. And, a wonderful fund raiser in support of breast cancer awareness which contributes greatly toward the nutrition benefits necessary for recovery in such patients.  The girls work hard at this fund raiser to support this worthy program and have managed to reach a higher goal each year with this year being $100,000.

Courtney is 21 years old and a senior at Florida Southern College.  She has a double major in Communications and Psychology with a 3.98 scholastic average.  Her parents, Elizabeth Wills and Jeff Sturgill reside in Wise, Virginia.

Courtney sang the National Anthem at the All-American QH Congress at opening ceremonies for two consecutive years. She was 2009 Congress Champion in Youth Performance Geldings and Top 5 in the NYATT Showmanship. She is former VQHYA Secretary, Sportsmanship Award recipient from BRQHYA and chosen to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference in New York and Washington D.C.

She is the recipient of the AQHA Journalism Scholarship, Dean’s List Student all semesters at Florida Southern College. She is Recruitment Vice President, PR Chair, and Scholarship Chair of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.

Courtney was a former Miss Virginia Teen and she went on to receive third runner-up at Miss Teen United States in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In 2010 Courtney was employed by Good Ride Life Inc., a retail company dedicated to helping people in the equine industry to remember that “Life is a Ride, Make it a Good One.”  The company is the proud sponsors of the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas and was named “best new vendor” of the year in 2009. Courtney does advertising and marketing work as well as model for Good Ride.

VQHA Congratulates Courtney for all that she has done and we are so proud to have her as the Virginia Quarter Horse Queen and representing Virginia throughout the coming year as the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Queen. Look for Courtney at her next stop at the Gold and Gulf Coast Show in Florida and the Dixie Nationals. And, be sure not to miss her at our Virginia Classic in April of 2012. And, follow her on to the Southern Belle, the Tom Powers and the AQHYA World Show.

Courtney Sturgill was crowned the 2011 All-American Quarter Horse Congress Queen last night. It was the culmination of a lot of hard work by Courtney and this was just reward. Congratulations Courtney. Everyone here at the Virginia Quarter Horse Association is proud. Safe travels back home with all that loot!

Since the second year of the All American Quarter Horse Congress, an accomplished horsewoman has represented the Congress and in turn, the Quarter Horse industry. Candidates for Congress Queen must represent a state, regional or provincial Quarter Horse association and have the signature of their association’s president or vice president on their contest application.

The Grant Proposal submitted to the Virginia Horse Industry Board for the VQHA Queen Project was approved for funding. The program will receive $1,200 for one year. VQHA and the and the Queen Program would like to say, “THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION! The 2011 Queen is Courtney Sturgill.

Virginia Horse Industry Board

Please congratulate Courtney Sturgill. She’ll be representing VQHA again this year at shows and the 2011 Quarter Horse Congress. At the 2010 Congress, Courtney was second-runner up placing 1st in the Oral Interview and 4th on the AQHA Rule Book test. Please show your support.

1st Place – Oral Interview

4th Place – AQHA Rulebook Test

Congratulations to Courtney!

DID YOU SEE THAT HUGE CLOUD OF DUST?
WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, THAT WAS COMING FROM OUR 2010 VQHA QUEEN, COURTNEY STURGILL

This has been one busy summer for our VQHA Queen, Courtney Sturgill. Courtney first kicked off her “Summer Run” in Raleigh, N.C. at the Tarheel Triple Clasic, where she won the Reserve All-Around.  She then traveled to Marke Harrel’s Show in Du Quoin, Illinois for a week. After taking a week off, it was on the road to show in Harriman Tennessee where she accumulate a total of 84 points in two (2) days with her horse, Bearly Zippin.  ”Bear” and Courtney also won the circuit awards in five (5) events, including the Amateur Horsemanship.  Courtney and Bear will continue preparing to compete in the horsemanship at the Congress, as they make their next stop at the Reichert Celebration in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Courtney recently had a photo shoot with “Good Ride” and Hannah Casper of Ocala, Florida.  Courtney will be featured in the company’s upcoming ads to be used at the Congress and has also accepted a job in retail/marketing for Good Ride.  Be sure to stop by and visit Courtney at the Hannah’s and Good Ride Booth at all the major shows!

Courtney recently began blogging for the Equine Chronicle starting in June.  Throughout her travels to various shows, Courtney will be blogging about her experiences while showing and all the exciting new turns her life may take.  Be sure to follow her as she will be frequently updating for the Equine Chronicle at www.equinechronicle.com.

I think our Queen needs BIG CONGRATS from all for her fine work this summer.

QUEEN APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR 2011!

An application was received from  Kathryn Johannes who is 18 years old.  She is the daughter of William and Linda Johoannes of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Also, an application was received from our 2010 VQHA Queen, Courtney Sturgill, who is 20 years old.  She is the daughter of Elizabeth Wills and Jeffry Sturgill of Wise, Virginia.

The Queens’ horsemanship competition will take place during the VQHA Futurity on Saturday evening, September 11, during the Barbecue in the coliseum. Please plan to come and watch our girls compete and cheer them on for this big event! It is always so exciting to take part in this first event for our candidates for the 2011 VQHA Queen. Hope to see you there!!

Also, prior to the evening classes,  a basket will be auctioned to benefit the VQHA Queens’ Program. This basket is designed in a hanging western planter that includes the ground stake for hanging. It contains white zinfandel and chardonnay wines with a beautiful hand painted wine glass, snacks, and cocktail napkins, and a beautiful kitchen towel with embroidery. Please come and bid as we truly need your support for this program.

QUEEN’S 50/50 STIMULUS RAFFLE
ONLY 20 TICKETS TO BE SOLD – $50 EACH
DON’T MISS OUT!

If all tickets are sold, there will be one $500 winner.
The winning ticket will be drawn on Saturday evening after the Queen’s Horsemanship competition. You do not have to be present to win. Please contact one of the following to  make a purchase:

2010 VQHA Queen, Courtney Sturgill
(276)328-3022
2011 VQHA Queens’ Candidate – Kathryn Johannes
(540)752-7401
VQHA Queen Mother – Diana Wolfrey
(540)582-2589

CONGRESS DRAWS NEAR
Keep checking this site for all of the exciting upcoming activities!

SOUTHERN STATES SHOWDOWN SHOW – Lexington, Va.

Courtney was busy finalizing sales for the Summer Raffle and encouraging bids for the silent auction on the great “Going Green” tote filled with all sorts of wonderful picnic goodies.

The winners for the summer raffle are Susan Campbell from Thornsburg, Virginia; and Mary Stickley from Wise, Virginia. And, the winner of the silent auction is Susan Campbell. We want to say a big “THANK YOU” to all who support these fundraisers for our Queen.

OLD DOMINION SHOW – Herndon, Va. – June 27

A mock pleasure class will be held during the lunch break to benefit our 2010 VQHA Queen, Courtney Sturgill. The English and Western will be combined.

Please ride and support your Queen. Your participation will be greatly appreciated. We need your help!

Happy Trails
Diana Wolfrey

As you know the NWF has been a loyal queen sponsor for the past several years. Ranger Rick has made special guest appearances at our Futurities and brought many gifts to share with our association. At this time, they could use some help from us. As we all know the offshore oil leak is creating mass devastation to much of our precious  natural resources and wildlife. Please go to www.nwf.org/oilspill and view the continuously updated information concerning this tragedy. Also, anyone desiring to support this effort can text, wildlife to 20222, to donate 10 dollars.

Please consider supporting NWF in this large scale effort. The VQHA Queens’ Program has been enriched by NWF’s acknowledgement of our “Going Green With the VQHA Queen” campaign and has influenced proactivity in other associations and states. We have been recognized by AQHA, at Congress, and by our latest sponsor, the Virginia Horse Industry Board  for our actions.

Therefore, let’s keep up the good work and continue to support our environment for the future of our families, our wonderful horses and other livestock, all wildlife and natural resources. Thank you so much and,
Happy Trails
Diana Wolfrey

With the help of members, a list of the VQHA Queens is being proudly displayed as history to this site. As you view our past queens, please note that some years and names are missing and our earliest year was 1973.

If anyone can provide additional information for this list, please let me know. At the close of this year, I plan to establish a perpetual trophy listing all queens and this will be given to the incoming Queen for her to enjoy during her reigning year; and she will pass it on with the name listed of the next lady to take the crown.

Your help is appreciated with this task to maintain a history for the enjoyment of our association.