By Mollie Bailey
–first published in the January 2026 issue of The Equiery
When Kathy Meadows read the description of the Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship she immediately knew who deserved to win. She’d never nominated someone for a major award like this—she’d never felt compelled—but as she learned about the award’s namesake, she knew Victoria Roemer was the perfect candidate.
And the awards committee agreed, inscribing Roemer’s name on the trophy presented at the Washington International Horse Show and awarding her a custom Charles Ancona show coat.
As a U.S. Equestrian Federation steward, Meadows had observed Roemer at horse shows and was always impressed with the 18-year-old’s attitude.
“I read a little bit about Laura, her enthusiasm for life, her good sportsmanship, and Victoria checks all those boxes,” said Meadows. “She is always saying, ‘How can I help?’ not only to her mom and her mother’s clients, but ringside. I have heard her walk up to kids and say, ‘Oh, hey, can I hold your pony for a minute while you do this?’ Or, ‘Do you need a hand while you get on.’ She’s always, always ready to help anyone.”
The Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship honors an up-and-coming horseman who demonstrates enthusiasm, dedication, style and a commitment to excellent horsemanship that Pickett embodied.
Patty Foster of Rolling Acres Show Stables knew Pickett for decades as she rode with her as an amateur. After Pickett turned pro she trained riders at Rolling Acres until her death in 2012. Foster said that Pickett was an accomplished all-around horseman, and she was known for her infectious enthusiasm.
“I’d leave half the barn with her when we’d go to Florida and she’d ride, groom and do it all,” said Foster. “She’d take the kids to shows at Lexington and the Barracks and take them fox hunting. If they didn’t have appropriate attire for fox hunting she’d show up with five jackets and stock ties for them to try on.”
Determined And Patient
Roemer got her start aboard a 10.2-hand pony named Angel who took her from leadline to short stirrup and taught her grittiness along the way, a trait which has served her well. That determination combined with her skill in the saddle and connections forged by her mother, trainer Laura Leroy, meant that over her junior years trainers regularly would recruit her to catch ride their horses and hop on ponies who needed a school.
As a trainer’s daughter she grew used to pairing up with cast-offs and quirky mounts, and she loves the challenge of forming a bond with a tricky horse. Take Walk The Moon, a Thoroughbred hunter with a reputation for being tough but talented. When he came to Roemer he bit, kicked and reared, and his habit of ripping his stall to shreds did, on more than one occasion, lead night check staff to call her worried he was colicking. But Roemer put in the time with him building trust to help soften his antics.
“He and I clicked and we have this crazy, weird connection,” she said. “Figuring out a program that works for him and figuring out his weird quirks and seeing how far he’s come has been incredible.”
In 2024, the two picked up ribbons throughout the mid-Atlantic in the 3’3” junior hunters, ultimately qualifying for the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and finishing as reserve Zone 3 champions in the 3’3” junior hunter 16-17 division.
“[He] taught me a lot about trying different things and not to give up on a good horse, for sure,” she said.
The end of this season Roemer spent time in the children’s hunters with her family’s Blue Point, performing well enough at Zone 3 Finals that she earned the chance to show at the Washington International.
“Just Be Nice To Everyone”
Roemer has been her mom’s right hand at her Fox Creek Farm in Churchville, Maryland. Roemer helps her mom in the barn with chores and on the ground when she’s riding as an extra set of eyes. Roemer drives the tractor and packs for horse shows, and she helps pay her show bills by body clipping, freelance grooming and cleaning tack.
“Dedicating so much time towards riding has opened up so many opportunities and experiences for me that would never have been possible otherwise,” said Roemer. “It’s a lot of hard work and it’s long days, but it’s so worth it to see how far you can go.”
A high school senior who attends school part time in order to accommodate her riding schedule, Roemer is considering taking a gap year before heading off to college. In the meantime she’s hoping to show in the 3’3” amateur-owner ring now that she’s aged out of the juniors.
While winning the Laura Pickett award was a major recognition for Roemer, to those who know her it wasn’t a surprise that she earned the honor. She’s won several junior sportsmanship awards before, including at Colonial Classic, and she won the MHSA Horsemanship Challenge for her age group twice.
“It doesn’t hurt to just to be nice to everyone,” said Roemer. “It really makes everything so much better and leads to a better atmosphere and community, I think.”
Roemer was touched by a compliment that came from Pickett’s daughter, Kori Pickett Hill. Hill worked alongside her mom much like Roemer and Leroy do today.
“Miss Kori told Mom and me that watching us at Washington International Local Day reminded her so much of her mom and her, just the way we work together and how our systems worked,” said Roemer. “It was really sweet.”
Photo: Victoria Roemer on Walk the Moon by Hoof Print Images
