59th Annual Hunt Country Stable Tour
Submitted by: Kathryn Gemmer
Phone: (423) 612-0033
Email Address: gemmerkathryn(at)gmail.com
Date Added: 5/3/2018
59TH HUNT COUNTRY STABLE TOUR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, May 26 and 27. Featuring Equestrian Stables Including the Former Estate of Paul and Rachel Mellon's Oak Spring
Upperville, VA.
The annual Trinity Church Hunt Country Stable Tour in Upperville and Middleburg will once again feature some of the area's finest equestrian properties in a self-guided car tour throughout Memorial Day weekend. For the first time ever open to the public, this year's tour offers the rare opportunity to visit the reconfigured Broodmare Barn by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, and next door, the Yearling and Hunter jumper barns of Paul Mellon on the Oak Spring Estate. In addition, the tour has the famous Belle Grey Farm, Fox View Farm, and Trappe Hill Farm, all in the scenic countryside of Upperville, Virginia. Historic Atoka Farm is also featured, perhaps recently known as the home of Senator John Warner and his wife Elizabeth Taylor. The Middleburg Equestrian Center training track will be on tour after extensive renovations by its new owner Chuck Kuhn. Salamander Equestrian Center, part of the renowned Salamander Middleburg resort will also be open to the public. Fox Chase Farm will offer free viewing of the equestrian workshop by Olympic Medalist Joe Fargis. The Paul Mellon M.A.R.E center will give tours and demonstrations on equine health and care. The Sporting Library and Museum will be showing the Virginia Equestrian Art Exhibit at no charge to Stable Tour guests. Weekend exhibitions will include carriage driving, the Ashland Bassets and Piedmont Foxhounds, side saddle and hunter demonstrations, and the popular horse swims at Trappe Hill Farm. Ticket holders also get free admission to Banbury Cross Polo.
"This special weekend offers visitors an opportunity to drive down winding country lanes amidst spectacular scenery in the heart of the nation's horse capital!" The Piedmont Virginian
Tickets 25.00 Children 10 and under free
35.00 at the gate
https://trinityupperville.org/hunt-country-stable-tour/
Hunt Country History
Life in Hunt Country still revolves around the rhythm of the seasons and the measured hoofbeats of a fine horse. The Trinity Episcopal Hunt Country Tour Memorial Day tradition carries back to the year 1959 as a major part of the Upperville and Middleburg event calendar.
Like the Middleburg Christmas Parade, the Upperville Colt and Horse Show, and the Piedmont Fox Hounds' annual Point to Point, the Hunt Country Stable Tour offers visitors from around the globe a chance to experience the charm of Hunt Country life, as well as the unique opportunity to experience the sight and grandeur of some of the finest equestrian facilities known to the world. For over 58 years, the keepers of thousands of acres of horse country property have graciously opened their grounds and stables to curious tourists, equine enthusiasts, and wide-eyed children all charmed and enthralled by a country life of grace and beauty.
Many guest return year after year, keenly aware that they will not be able to drive through those hallowed gates until the next Memorial Day weekend, which will be the 60th anniversary year. The Hunt Country Stable Tour is centered in the town of Upperville, around the beautiful campus of Trinity Episcopal Church, designed and built by Paul and Rachel Mellon. The town is a historic landmark in Northern Virginia just west of Middleburg, with the unique nature of the tour reflecting the town's commitment to preservation of country life, lands, and traditions surrounding the communities of Upperville and Middleburg.
The goal is to create a community event highlighting the scenic Hunt Country experience, and the enduring relationships developed between farm owners, managers and employees with the community that surrounds them.
The Hunt Country Stable Tour is the primary fund-raiser for Trinity Outreach. Proceeds provide financial support to organizations that enrich the lives of people in need.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Kathryn Gemmer at (570) 592-3343 or email at jane@trinityupperville.org.
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