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This Weekend in Virginia Horse Country (July 10–12, 2026)

The Virginia Horse Center is the busy place this weekend — three shows overlap on the same grounds — but there's plenty happening elsewhere if Lexington isn't in your plans.

Weekend Highlights

Virginia Horse Center Summer Classic wraps up its five-day run Sunday at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. It's multi-discipline, so there's something in the ring for just about everyone — a good pick if you want variety in one trip.

Dressage at Lexington starts Friday and runs through Monday, also at the Virginia Horse Center. Four days of tests across the levels, and one of the Valley's marquee dressage weekends of the summer.

Shenandoah Valley Dressage Summer Show runs Saturday and Sunday on the same grounds — yes, that makes it a full-on dressage weekend in Lexington. If you're driving over, you'll get two shows for one trip.

Goochland Open Horse Show is Saturday at the Goochland County Fairgrounds in Central Virginia. One day, open format, low-key — a nice option if a schooling-show atmosphere is more your speed than a destination weekend.

Summer polo continues at two venues: the Great Meadow Summer Polo Series at Great Meadow in The Plains and the Richmond Polo Club Summer Season at Richmond Polo Club. Both series run through late summer, and a polo match makes an easy, spectator-friendly evening out.

Looking Ahead

July 17–19Virginia Highlands Horse Trail Ride, Abingdon. Three days on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail in Southwest Virginia.

July 23–26Virginia Commonwealth Games Equestrian Competition, Virginia Horse Center, Lexington.

July 24–26Virginia Walking Horse Celebration, Virginia Horse Center.

July 25New River Valley Horse Show, Blacksburg Community Arena.

July 25–26American Connemara Pony Society Region 3 Show, Virginia Horse Center.

July 26–28East Coast Western Dressage Championships close out the month, also in Lexington.

As always, check each event's page for entry details and exact times before you load the trailer — schedules can shift. Safe travels and good rides.