The largest walk-trot/jog all-breed class on the east coast, the Fourth Annual Virginia Quarter Horse
Association (VQHA) Legends Class, takes place on May 17 as part of the Virginia National Stock Horse
Show at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell, VA.
Enter for a chance to win jackpotted payouts ($35 entry fee). Every entry is entered in a drawing for 2
saddles, generously provided by Wenger Leather Works and Miguel Aguilar Custom Saddles. Thank you
to the class sponsors, Shady Lane Farm and the up-and-coming stallion KM One In A Million.
The class offers 3 divisions: Hunter Under Saddle, Ranch Rail, and Western Pleasure. In the preliminary
round, each group of horses competes separately. The top five in each category move on to the finals.
There, the horses in the different disciplines show together, with one horse taking top honors.
The class premiered four years ago with 72 entries. “We were looking for a way to honor Skeeter
Hembry,” says Todd Hulings, organizer of the class. Hembry, who died in 2021, was a long-time horse
trainer, AQHA judge, and breeder of top quarter horses in Virginia. He also owned and operated
Skeeter’s Custom Leather & Tack Shop in Warrenton. “In thinking about Skeeter, we started
remembering all the important horsemen and horsewomen and the horses who contributed to the
Virginia Quarter Horse industry.”
The class planners also decided to open the class up to all breeds. VQHA shows offer a popular slate of
all-breed classes and the club is known for its welcoming atmosphere, providing show opportunities to
newcomers to competition as well as nationally known AQHA professionals. “There is a place for
everyone in VQHA,” says Tim Cohill, Past President of VQHA and Chair of the Show Committee.
This year’s Legends include Frank Carlo, for many years a leading breeder of quality performance horses
in Blackstone, Virginia. Often recognized in AQHA year-end standings as a top breeder of Register of
Merit horses, his stallions included My Leo Mambo, a leading sire of pleasure horses; Smoke 49, one of
the greatest sons of Mr. Gunsmoke; and Bar Flower, a leading sire of AQHA Champions.
Also honored as a Legend is Florine Headley, known throughout Virginia for her eye for great horses and
top show ring performers. She was actively involved in AQHA and VQHA, served as a 4H Leader, and
helped develop the Northern Neck Horse and Pony Club. Says her grandson Tim Cohill, “she knew the
value of horses for the soul.“
VQHA invites nominations for individuals and horses remembered as Legends. For a $100 sponsorship,
your own Legend will be featured on signage and call outs during the show.
For more information , contact Todd Hulings at [email protected] or (804) 712-1612
or Tim Cohill at [email protected] or 804-389-8127.
