William David Lamb

On May 20, Virginia lost one of its premier horsemen. William David Lamb departed this life at his home Oakland Heights Farm.

Lamb grew up in rural Craig County Virginia and rode his pony to school. He often told the story of organizing a trail ride for his senior class - a foreshadowing of his life to come.

Lamb began his public equine career by working for North Wales Quarter Horses in Northern Virginia. Here he developed his love of the cutting horse sport. In the 1970s, he managed a farm for Jim Lewis, in Albemarle County, which ran 500 head of cattle. Managing that farm garnered Lamb the 1973 Farmer of the Year award for Albemarle County. During his time there he trained and showed cutting horses, as well as western pleasure horses. Lamb has garnered numerous Jim Reno trophies to attest to his success in the sport of cutting.

In 1979, Lamb acquired Oakland Heights Farm in Gordonsville, VA, and he and wife Sally, began pursuing their dream of building a horse operation. He began green breaking young and troubled horses. He green broke horses for notables in the horse world such as Rodney Jenkins and Jimmie Lee. In the 1980s, he exported horses to South America to be used for military and ranch work. Lamb began to specialize in ranch horses and trail riding horses for the east coast market. Lamb bought, trained, and sold quiet trail horses (many imported from states such as Oklahoma) to the east coast market. Lamb became the "go to" man if you were looking for a quality trail horse.

Oakland Heights became a center of education for future members of the equine industry. Both David and Sally were local 4-H leaders for more than 25 years, traveling up and down the East Coast to competitions. Oakland Heights is also the site of an annual "Cowboy Camp." The camp exposes the youth to horse knowledge, history, and the cowboy way of life. In addition, Oakland Heights has always maintained a robust lesson program, teaching horsemanship skills to youth and adults alike.

In the mid '80s, Oakland Heights began offering trail rides to the public. Lamb loved his job as trail boss, leading the rides, and meeting people from all walks of life. Riders not only experienced the joy of riding a horse, but got a history lesson, were educated about rural lifestyles and agriculture in general. Lamb also dispensed wisdom, Will Rogers style with a Southern twist. Riders came back time and again just for the experience of riding with Lamb.

Lamb was a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Virginia Quarter Horse Association. In 2022, he was inducted into the VQHA Board of Directors Hall of Fame. He held life memberships in the National Cutting Horse Association and the East Coast Cutting Horse Association and the New Castle Historical Society. Lamb was instrumental in the founding of the Virginia Horse Council and was a member for more than 40 years. One of Lamb's legacies will be his work with Virginia legislators to ensure that equine interests are promoted, protected, and preserved. Lamb was involved in legislative initiatives including the creation and updating of Virginia's equine liability law, the creation of the Virginia Horse Center, establishing the definition of a legal fence in Virginia, agritourism laws and the founding of the Virginia Horse Industry Board. Lamb assisted in producing the council's annual legislative trail ride, which gives Virginia Legislators the opportunity to bring their families, enjoy a weekend in the country and educate themselves about the Virginia Horse Industry. In addition to furnishing horses, for the ride, Oakland Heights has also hosted the rides on numerous occasions. Lamb also furnished horses for a Congressional trail ride, hosted by AQHA. He provided horses and participated in several inaugural parades at the national level and in 2022 carried the American Flag in the Virginia Inaugural Parade.

Lamb was very proud of the fact that Oakland Heights, under his son's supervision, raises rodeo bulls and hosts a rodeo from May to September of each year.

Lamb's life was touched by movie stars, politicians and even an astronaut, yet the proximity of fame neither awed him nor changed his perceptions of life. He was the epitome of the expression "What you see is what you get ." He was a man of integrity, strong opinions, and an abiding passion for horses. If you spent any time riding with him you know he could be tough but fair and many say he engendered such loyalty that you never wanted to disappoint Lamb. Lamb was a traditionalist who believed in the values of loving your God, your family, and your country in that order. He was a Southern gentleman, with the manners and respect that are expected from a Virginian. He believed in the value of hard work and that none of us is "owed a living" and his success was based on that philosophy. Lamb espoused the Western lifestyle and dressed for it every day in his trademark hat, boots and jeans and mounted on an American Quarter Horse. He believed not only in working hard but also in taking pride in your work and the life that you were creating.

Lamb was a loving, caring person who was not above pulling off the occasional practical joke or teasing a tenderfoot. Lamb was proud of the fact that he was of Native American ancestry, was unabashed patriotic and served his country in the Army Reserves. He never met a piece of carrot cake or pecan pie that he did not love. He told everyone that his favorite time of year to ride, on the mountain, was when the fall leaves showered down with their myriad of colors. When you left the farm, he always told you to come back - "We ride every day." At the root of it all, Lamb was a horseman.

Lamb is survived by his son Matthew Lamb, brother Jerry Lamb, sister Catherine Ponton (Dickie) and nephew, Richie Pontoon. Lamb was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Sally G. Lamb, and his parents Elbert and Hazel Lamb. A celebration of life will be held at Oakland Heights Farm, Gordonsville, on September 10 at 3 p.m. followed by a potluck supper. Attendees are requested to bring a side dish or dessert and the beverage of their choice. Memorial contributions may be made to Four Horseshoes Youth Foundation, 17110 James Madison Highway, Gordonsville, VA 22942