The excitement is mounting now that three trainers have been chosen for the East Coast Trainer Challenge to be held at the third annual Virginia Equine Extravaganza, Oct. 27-29, at the Richmond Raceway Complex in Richmond. New to this year’s Extravaganza is a three-day colt starting competition featuring three top Virginia trainers. Randy Abernathy, Tommy Garland, and Charles Pellham have been selected for the inaugural event.

The three trainers were selected based on their reputation and skill and because they are Virginians. “We wanted this year’s challenge to represent the incredibly talented pool of Virginia trainers,” said Vicki O’Hara, Extravaganza president. When the expo opens Oct. 27, these three trainers will begin a three-day process to prepare a young, unstarted horse for saddle and rider. Working with their horse for one hour each day, each trainer will have the opportunity to demonstrate their unique skills and techniques in colt starting as they share the experience with their audience.

As part of the general admission to the expo, attendees are invited to watch each day as the trainers progress with their individual horses in this demonstration of natural horsemanship. The event will culminate on Sunday, Oct. 29, when a panel of training experts will judge the trainers on their efforts in preparing their horse to be ridden.

“The Challenge is both a competition and demonstration of the patience and skill required,” O’Hara explained. “This event will offer fascinating insight for those who have never seen what the colt starting process entails. It will be more comprehensive than a single demonstration, offering a greater appreciation for the unique techniques of each trainer. Ultimately, the challenge is about education and bringing to our audience an appreciation of the subtleties of gentling a young horse using natural horsemanship techniques