Providing Opportunities for Practice
The Short Circuit Horse Show Association was founded in 1965 by a group of parents who wanted to provide opportunities for riding students to progress from beginner shows to A-rated shows.
“At that time there was nothing in the middle, where riders could grow to compete at the A-rated shows,” said Margaret Bzdak, whose mother Joan spearheaded the start of Short Circuit. The parents decided a series shorter than Florida’s show season — thus the name “Short Circuit” — with venues at different farms in the north-central area of Virginia would give their children more practice.
“It was just kids, at the beginning,” said Bzdak. “I remember it was very family oriented. There were no trainers, just parents. Even the dads were involved. We had one-ring horse shows in the grass.”
The Short Circuit Horse Show Association season now includes some 20 shows in the spring and summer months. Riders, trainers and spectators who are not members of the association are welcome at the shows. However, you must be a member to accrue points. Visit the group’s website for membership information.
The season culminates in a year-end banquet with award presentations and perpetual trophies including high point division and high point trainer.
The Short Circuit Horse Show Association 2014 Show Schedule
Saturday, April 19 – Virginia Pony Breeders Association Benefit (VPBA)
Begins 8:30 a.m. the Warrenton Show Grounds, 60 E. Shirley Ave., Warrenton, Va.
Show Manager: Gegi Winslett, 540-972-1342
Saturday, May 3 – Kelly’s Ford Equestrian Center
Begins 8 a.m. at Kelly’s Ford Equestrian Center, 16589 Edwards Shop Rd., Remington, Va.
Show Manager: Jim Moore, 540-522-1017
Sunday, May 11 – TWA Horse Shows
Begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Warrenton Show Grounds, 60 E. Shirley Ave., Warrenton, Va.
Show Manager: Gegi Winslett, 540-972-1342
Saturday, May 17 – LTD Horseshows
Begins at 9 a.m. at Frederick County Fairgrounds, 155 Fairground Rd., Clear Brook, Va.
Show Manager: Carol Bailey, 540-514-5762
Saturday, May 31 – Blue Ridge Hunt
Begins at 8:30 a.m. at Sandstone Farm, 3805 Millwood Rd., Millwood, Va.
Show Manager: Ann McIntosh, 540-837-2404
Sunday, June 8 – Red Gate Farm
Begins at 8:30 a.m. at Red Gate Farm, 15929 Hampton Rd., Hamilton, Va.
Show Manager: Christine Vitkus, 540-882-3530
Sunday, June 22 – Short Circuit Committee Benefit Show
Begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Warrenton Show Grounds, 60 E. Shirley Ave., Warrenton, Va.
Show Manager: Gegi Winslett, 540-972-1342
Sunday, July 6 – Red Gate Farm
Begins at 8:30 a.m. at Red Gate Farm, 15929 Hampton Rd., Hamilton, Va.
Show Manager: Christine Vitkus, 540-882-3530
Sunday, July 20 – Sandstone Farm
Begins at 8:30 a.m. at Sandstone Farm, 3805 Millwood Rd., Millwood, Va.
Show Manager: Luci Strange, 540-837-1261
Saturday, July 26 – Moriah Farm
Begins at 8 a.m. at Moriah Farm, 8317 Meetze Rd., Warrenton, Va.
Show Manager: Bill Yeager, 301-252-4085
Saturday, August 2 – Moriah Farm
Begins at 8 a.m. at Moriah Farm, 8317 Meetze Rd., Warrenton, Va.
Show Manager: Bill Yeager, 301-252-4085
Sunday, August 10 – Sandstone Farm
Begins at 8:30 a.m. at Sandstone Farm, 3805 Millwood Rd., Millwood, Va.
Show Manager: Luci Strange, 540-837-1261
Saturday, Aug. 16 – TWA Horse Shows
Begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Warrenton Show Grounds, 60 E. Shirley Ave., Warrenton, Va.
Show Manager: Gegi Winslett, 540-972-1342
Saturday, Aug. 23 – Kelly’s Ford Equestrian Center
Begins 8 a.m. at Kelly’s Ford Equestrian Center, 16589 Edwards Shop Rd., Remington, Va.
Show Manager: Jim Moore, 540-522-101
Sunday, Sept. 7 – Red Gate Farm
Begins at 8:30 a.m. at Red Gate Farm, 15929 Hampton Rd., Hamilton, Va.
Show Manager: Christine Vitkus, 540-882-3530
Saturday, Sept. 13 – LTD Horseshows
Begins at 9 a.m. at Frederick County Fairgrounds, 155 Fairground Rd., Clear Brook, Va.
Show Manager: Carol Bailey, 540-514-5762
Sunday, Sept. 28 – TWA Horse Shows
Begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Warrenton Show Grounds, 60 E. Shirley Ave., Warrenton, Va.
Show Manager: Gegi Winslett, 540-972-1342
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