Winners of the 2009 Virginia Horse Council / State Fair of Virginia art contest are:

• Meredith Persinger from Raphine - 1st Place in the 8-13 age category
  
  
• Rachel Wright from Disputanta - 1st Place in the 14-18 age category
  
  
• Read Brown from Richmond - 1st Place in the 5-7 age category
  
  

Each of the first place winners received $50 and an invitation to attend a special luncheon to be held at the 2010 Virginia Horse Council Legislative Trail Ride. First, second, third, and honorable mention ribbons were also awarded.

• Link: Mustang Color Book Page from National Geographic

• Link: Learn about the different breeds of horses around the world

• National Geographic: Horses and humans have an ancient relationship. Asian nomads probably domesticated the first horses some 4,000 years ago, and the animals remained essential to many human societies until the advent of the engine. Horses still hold a place of honor in many cultures, often linked to heroic exploits in war.

There is only one species of domestic horse, but around 400 different breeds that specialize in everything from pulling wagons to racing.