About Us

The Virginia Equine Alliance is a non-profit, 501 (c) 6 organization which is comprised of the Virginia Harness Horse Association, the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, the Virginia Gold Cup Association, and the Virginia Thoroughbred Association. The purpose of the Virginia Equine Alliance is to sustain, promote, and expand the horse breeding and horse racing industries in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Alliance seeks to establish and support new and multiple venues for horse racing in the Commonwealth and to advocate and support legislation, regulations, and rules beneficial to the breeders and owners and trainers of horses (“horsemen”) in the state. The Alliance represents the interests of horsemen at meetings of the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Agriculture, the Virginia Racing Commission, racing associations, breeder’s organizations, horsemen’s organizations, and other like groups. The Alliance is committed to increasing public awareness of the economic and environmental importance to the Commonwealth of the horse breeding and horse racing industries.

Thoroughbred and harness meets run by charitable organizations can now acquire a license for up to a 14-day meet (that includes pari-mutuel wagering) without a referendum. The VEA has a contract to host 14 days of pari-mutuel harness racing this fall at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds in Woodstock, Virginia. Associated charities will be given the opportunity to raise funds through their participation on race days. For example, the Fauquier SPCA partnered with the VEA and raised over $15,000 through tailgating space and admission ticket sales at the September, 2015 Virginia Downs flat racing event at Great Meadow.

VEA Board members present a check to Mary Tarr of the Fauquier SPCA from funds raised through 2015's Virginia Downs event at Great Meadow — VEA Board members present a check to Mary Tarr of the Fauquier SPCA from funds raised through 2015’s Virginia Downs event at Great Meadow

Funding for the VEA comes directly from four Advance Deposit Wagering partners — TVG, XPressBet, TwinSpires and NYRABets. Funding also comes from Historical Horse Racing (HHR) gaming terminals that are based at six Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums — in Richmond, Hampton, Vinton, New Kent, Collinsville and Dumfries. Funding also comes from Off Track Betting Centers (OTB) in Henrico (Breakers Sports Grille) and Chesapeake (Buckets Bar & Grill). By state statute, a set percentage of every dollar wagered goes toward the purse account and the breeders fund of each specific breed (thoroughbred or standardbred), the VEA, Virginia Racing Commission, Virginia Horse Center, Virginia Horse Industry Board, Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center and localities throughout the state. The VEA’s annual budget is subject to approval of the Virginia Racing Commission.

If you are interested in advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this website or with the Virginia Equine Alliance, please email Darrell Wood at drrllwd@hotmail.com

Board of Directors:

Dr. William H. Allison
– Virginia Gold Cup Association
Amy Moore
– Virginia Thoroughbred Association
Dr. Scott Woogen
– Virginia Harness Horse Association
David Ross
– Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association

Officers:

Deborah Easter – President

Dr. William H. Allison – Treasurer

Contact

Staff:

Jeb Hannum, Executive Director office: (540) 347-4313 Mbl: (484) 238-6290 jeb.hannum@virginiaequinealliance.com	Darrell Wood, Communications Director Mbl: (804) 338-4632 drrllwd@hotmail.com
John Dale Thomas, Course Director Office: (540) 347-4313 Mbl: (804) 201-6709	Virginia Equine Alliance 38 Garrett Street Warrenton, VA 20186 Telephone: (540) 347- 4313 Fax: (434) 979–2439