During the off-season, with the help of a few professional horsemen and women, the Mid Atlantic Morgan Horse Show Committee revamped the show’s class schedule. In doing so, many classes were added, so this year, the show now starts at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23.

Added classes include a saddle class in all of the Youth divisions: classic, English pleasure, hunter, park, and Western. There is now a Saddle Seat Equitation qualifier for the 13 & under and 14-17 age groups. Also added were junior exhibitor qualifiers and championships in park saddle and harness. (In the past, these were combined with the amateur exhibitors.)

After the prize list was printed, three additional championships were added: Walk/Trot Hunter Pleasure, Walk/Trot Saddle Seat Pleasure, and Walk/Trot Western Pleasure. These were added to Saturday’s session of classes. The changes can be viewed on www.horseshowcentral.com.

Ladies Championships have been added in the English, hunter, and Western pleasure divisions. This year, the Ladies Western Pleasure Championship is designated as the Pink Ribbon class, and the winner will receive a certificate for a custom-made Western jacket from Marsha Shepherd of Marsha DeArriaga.

A hunter in-hand class was added for sport horses.

This award-winning event will be held at the state-of-the-art Virginia Horse Center on the outskirts of the charming town of Lexington, VA. The town and surrounding area offers much to do and see for the non-horse loving members of the family.

Cathy Altomare, Mid Atlantic’s Youth Director, announced a change in this year’s youth raffle prizes. Every exhibitor, 21 and under, will have their name put into a hat as will every youth who participates in the Youth of the Year Contest. Also, any youth who donates at least two hours of his or her time to benefit the show will get his or her name put into the hat. There will be daily drawings for these door prizes, Door prizes include, but are not limited to, gift certificates, equine magazine subscriptions, iTunes gift cards, food concession coupons, and more. For further information, contact Cathy Altomare, Mid Atlantic Youth Director at [email protected].

Back by popular demand will be the nightly Chuck-A-Duck contests, the Mid-A Golfer’s Challenge, the Wine and Cheese Party, the Broadmoor Ice Cream Social, and an expanded Exhibitors’ Party.

For more information on the 54th annual Mid-Atlantic Morgan Horse Show, held June 23-26, go to www.horseshowcentral.com. Entries close on May 24. Contact Show Secretary Linda Burke with questions, (607) 739-6169, [email protected]; or Show Manager Kent Moeller, (804) 363-3085.