Lexington, KY—The Deep Run Horse Show, a historic Virginia equestrian event, is the third American horse show to be honored with the United States Equestrian Federation’s designation as a USEF Heritage Competition. Deep Run has now received the highest honor that can be given to a Federation horse show.

The designation of a USEF Heritage Competition is reserved for those competitions that have been in existence for a quarter century or more, promoted and grown equestrian sport, and made a contribution to the community outside the gates of the horse show by achieving, maintaining and promoting the equestrian ideals of sportsmanship and competition.

Carrying the highest rating by the United States Equestrian Federation, and the Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina Horse Shows Associations for almost a century, the Deep Run Horse Show began in the 1920s. The show relocated from its original home in Richmond, VA, to its current Manakin-Sabot location in Goochland County in 1948 where a collection of famous horses and exhibitors competed in its grass ring and over two outside courses. The 1960s saw the creation of the Bryan Trophy Equitation class whose first winner was Rodney Jenkins, who went on to win two Silver Pan American Games medals in his career and a place in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. Other riders to have won the prized title include legend Joe Fargis. Additionally, Deep Run was one of the first sites of the Federation’s historic Pony Finals in 1969. Today, the “AA” show has upgraded facilities including all-weather footing and a sprinkler system in its two rings, and four new permanent barns with stall mats, replacing four of the original barns. It was recognized again in 2006 and most recently in 2008 as the Virginia Horse Show Association’s Horse Show of the Year.

Throughout its history, the show has been chaired and organized by volunteers whose goal has been to maintain and upgrade the facility in order to continue the tradition of hosting outstanding horse shows. Deep Run is fortunate to enjoy continuing support from the local community and many sponsors, contributors, volunteers and friends.

"Everyone in the Deep Run community is delighted to achieve USEF Heritage designation. It is an honor to be among this select group of horse shows,” said Deep Run Chairman Betsy Tompkins. “We work hard to preserve tradition and to evolve with the demands for quality in the sport. We owe everything we are today to our volunteers—past and present. It's a pleasure to receive this award on their behalf, and we thank the USEF for this recognition."

“The Deep Run Horse Show is deeply rooted in Virginia’s horse show world,” said USEF Chief Executive Officer John Long. “It has been a staple on the U.S. horse show calendar and represents everything the USEF looks for when designating a Heritage Competition.”

The specific requirements of a Heritage Competition can be found in the USEF Rule Book, GR301.6 or at www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2009/GeneralRules/Chapter%203.pdf.

Interested competitions may apply for Heritage Competition designation by completing the form available at www.usef.org/documents/competitions/2009/HeritageApplication.pdf.

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