54th Annual Hunt Country Stable Tour

The annual Hunt Country Stable Tour is an opportunity to see firsthand some of the most beautiful and extraordinary properties in Virginia's horse country.

Sponsored annually by Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, Virginia, the self-driven tour is from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 25 and 26.  The Middleburg Training Track is open Saturday only from 7 - 10 a.m.

Featured Stops On The 2013 Tour

• Ardarra Farm: The Piedmont Coaching Club will provide a demonstration from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday only. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be an exhibit of traditional hunting attire and appointments.

• Banbury Cross Farm: On Saturday there will be green horses worked within the outside ring, polo ponies schooling, and polo games at the Banbury Cross Farm Polo Fields.  On Sunday, there will be riders schooling Foxhunters and polo games at the Banbury Cross Farm Polo Fields.

• Heronwood Farm: Heronwood boards horses and is home to a colorful herd of over 30 Huacaya Alpacas originating from Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Heronwood’s Yearling barn, open to the public only for this special event, was featured in the book “Ultimate Horse Barns” by Randy Lefflngwell.

• Hickory House Farm: There will be show jumping demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.

• Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE): Foal handling and treadmill demonstrations will occur at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day.

• Middleburg Training Track: Saturday only from 7 - 10 a.m. The earlier, the better -- horses exercise before 9 a.m.!

• National Sporting Library & Museum Fair:  On Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. the NSLM will host a Book Fair offering book signings and scheduled brief lectures by four authors:

11 a.m. Rita Mae Brown — New York Times Bestselling author, Fox Tracks (2012).  12 p.m. Charles de Kunffy — Renowned dressage author, USDF judge and clinician, A Rider’s Survival from Tyranny (2012). 1 p.m. Dorothy Ours — John H. Daniels Fellow, Battleship: A Daring Heiress, A Teenage Jockey, and America’s Horse (2013).  2 p.m. Jan Neuharth — Popular Middleburg author, The Kill: A Hunt Country Suspense Novel (2010).

• Peace & Plenty at Bollingbrook: Bollingbrook is a 400 acre working horse and cattle farm and a haven to many rescued animals.

• Rock Hill Farm: When Rock Hill Farm came on the market in 2008, it was badly in need of renovation.  Vas and Linda Devan, both avid horsepersons and foxhunters, decided to purchase the property and undertake the project.  Now it is on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.  Feel free to explore the property, treat the friendly horses to carrots, and picnic by the pool or pond pavilions.

• Salem Stable: Re-enactors for both the Confederate and Federal Troops will demonstrate camp life during the Civil War at Salem Stable.

• Trappe Hill Farm: There will be mares and foals on view. Horse manager Wayne VanSant will swim horses in the pond at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m. Petting opportunities include veteran horses and neighbor Amanda Raphaelson’s mother goat and three kids.

• Virginia International Polo Club: Sunday only at 4 p.m., weather and field conditions permitting.

• Windsor Farm: There will be  jumping demonstrations of young horses at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, weather permitting.

Ticket prices for the tour are $30; children 12 and under are free. Tickets are available at Trinity Episcopal Church or any of the featured stops.

Lunch, catered by Back Street Catering, is available for purchase at Trinity Church.  In addition, a Country Fair at Trinity Church market will be located on the grounds of the church.  The fair features horse-themed arts and crafts, ice cream, treats for dogs and cats and more.  Tickets are not required for the fair.

View previous Calvin's Corner articles.

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