
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 22, 1993                   TAG: 9309220021
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HORSE SHOW WILL BENEFIT THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAMS

The American Saddlebred Horse Association of Virginia Inc. will have more than 500 horses from 21 states competing for $24,000 in cash and prizes Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and 2 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington.

The event, which is the "fastest growing saddle horse show in the country," according to president Dale Sheets of Roanoke, benefits area therapeutic riding programs for the handicapped.

This year, Sheets said ASHAV will distribute $8,000 to four regional programs: Roanoke Valley Therapeutic Riding Program in Roanoke, Copper Crest Riding Therapy Program in Wytheville, A Leg Up Therapeutic Riding Center for the Handicapped in Abingdon and the Shenandoah Center for Therapeutic Riding in Port Republic.

ASHAV, which promotes the breeding, showing and training of the American Saddlebred Horse breed, has supported the therapeutic riding programs for eight years. This year's pledge is double what was given to the programs last year, according to Sheets.

Barbara Petty, president and founder of the Roanoke Valley Therapeutic Riding Program, said the funds have been used primarily to acquire adaptive riding equipment and approved safety helmets.

The ASHAV show opens at the Lexington center Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Friday's sessions begin at noon and 6:30 p.m. Saturday's events start at 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $2; $1 for students, kindergarten through college. Senior citizens will be admitted free on Friday night.

The Virginia Horse Center recently opened its new indoor coliseum, which seats 4,000. The center is on Virginia 39 just west of U.S. 11 north of Lexington. Signs on Interstate 81 mark the way.

by CNB