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The Virginia Horse Center & the

Commonwealth: A Model for

Public-Private Partnership Success

By Kristin C. Waters Wise

state and regional economies.

The Commonwealth has historically supported the Virginia Horse Center’s debt service on the debt incurred to build the facility through annual appropriations. In return, the Horse Center annually generates $3.4 million in direct tax revenues, $1.9 million to the Commonwealth and $1.5 million to local governments.

As one of the Commonwealth’s oldest and most successful public-private partnerships, both private and public dollars, as well as the Virginia Horse Center’s operating revenues, have enabled the Horse Center’s development into one of the nation’s premier equestrian facilities. The Virginia Horse Center today has land and improvements in Rockbridge

The author is the equestrian special coverage editor for the Virginia Horse Center. She wishes to think Lethia Hammond, the public relations director for the Virginia Horse Center for her help with this article.

For centuries, the history and tradition of the Commonwealth of Virginia has been entwined with that of the horse. With an equine industry valued at $1.46 billion, the Commonwealth ranks as the fifth largest equine state in the United States with over 170,000 horses, ponies, and mules in Virginia. The Virginia Horse Center in Lexington has been the industry’s crowning jewel for over 18 years.

Known throughout the country and internationally, the world class Virginia Horse Center serves as a venue for more than 80 events a year including horse shows, clinics, rodeos, workshops, the annual Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia Fall Show, the annual State 4-H Horse and Pony Show, and United States Pony Club activities, as well as community events such as the Rockbridge County Fair, the Midnight Rockbridge New Year’s Eve Celebration, receptions, dinners, concerts, fundraisers and other functions. Events attended by approximately 400,000 visitors annually take place at the Horse Center 280 days a year, both promoting the Commonwealth’s horse industry and acting as a catalyst for economic development in local,

The picturesque Virginia Horse Center in Lexington has breathtaking views and pristine grounds, a 4,000 seat coliseum, eight barns to accomodate 1,200 horses, 14 show rings, including two large indoor arenas, cross country and combined carriage driving courses, two museums, a gift shop, a campground, a restaurant and more.