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Horses and People brief items
Heads up new seriesWe're looking for help with a new series of feature stories concentrating on the region's rich tapestry of veteran horsemen.
An interested reader said yesterday that he "never knew all those interesting facts" about a recently deceased foxhunter until he read the man's obituary. "That's a shame," the reader went on. "To only find out about the rich history of a person after they're gone."
To that end, we've conceptualized a series of articles about some of the area's sportsmen and women. Readers with ideas are invited to contact the Horse Sports desk with suggestions.
We're looking for variety in the wide world of horse and field sports — veterans from foxhunters to saddle seat, from dog breeders to saddlemakers will be featured. The only "rule" is that the person or people be local to Virginia's horse country. Otherwise the field is wide open.
Please E-mail bparker@timespapers.com or call (540) 347-4222.
Book smarts for horse operations
A seminar entitled "record keeping for horse operations" will be taught at Lord Fairfax College in Middletown from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 21. Registration of $15 covers all course materials, lunch and refreshments. Call (540) 635-4549 to sign up.
See historic Fredericksburg by horseback
An urban trail ride through downtown Fredericksburg is being planned for Nov. 15. Coffee will be served before the two-hour walking-only ride, with snacks provided afterwards. Details are at (540) 372-1086 or log onto www.fredericksburgva.gov.
Last call combined test
The last in the series of the Old Dominion Hounds Pony Club schooling shows is set Sunday, Nov. 16 at Windsor Lodge Farm in Flint Hill.
Divisions include dressage test of choice, a conventional combined test (dressage plus show jumping) plus a jumper derby combined test (dressage, show jumping including a few cross-country fences.) Call for details: (540) 636-2344.
Windsor Lodge will also hold a Brian Ross clinic Nov. 22-23. The dressage and eventing judge, technical delegate and clinician will teach flatwork, gymnastic jumping, cross-country and a fix-a-test dressage portion.
Call (540) 636-2344 to sign up.
Trailblazers to meet
The Trailblazers Trail Club will meet Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Denny’s Restaurant in Warrenton. The dinner-meeting will be a club business meeting. Call (540) 341-4992 for more information.
The Trailblazers and the Fauquier Equestrian Forum are co-sponsoring a trail workday on Saturday, Nov. 8 starting at 9 a.m. Members and friends will work on the trails at Whitney State Forest in Warrenton. Call (540) 349-1412 for details.
Blackthorne event supports hounds, hunting
Area outdoor enthusiasts are invited to a Nov. 7 fundraiser at the Blackthorne Inn near Upperville to support legislative work in Richmond to protect open space and hunting in Virginia. The Dublin City Ramblers will play, with an open bar and cocktail buffet plus silent auction.
Proceeds will go directly to defending the existing "hunting with hounds" laws, including the "right to retrieve" law currently under scrutiny by a wildlife department panel.
Details are available online at www.Blackhorne-Inn.com or call (540) 592-3848 for reservations.
Free lecture
The Smithsonian's Conservation Research Center in Front Royal has a lecture at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 on saving the world's coral reefs. For more, visit online at www.NationalZoo.si.edu or call (540) 635-6540.
New trails assembled for riders, hikers
Riding trails through privately owned property in northern Fauquier County were unveiled last week when the Orlean Snipe Club held its third annual community ride, hike and picnic at Southwood Farm.
Despite the threat of inclement weather, riders and hikers explored miles of contiguous trails that have been assembled after several dozen property owners granted permission for public access.
The event provided an opportunity for area landowners to learn about designating specific revocable passage corridors for riders. A large aerial map was displayed so that attendees could learn about the trail system, which runs through private properties between Orlean and the Free State area of Marshall.
For more information about the trail system, and to sign up for E-mail updates, call (540) 364-1919.
Congressional Cavalry to ride
The American Horse Council continues to expand its grassroots Congressional Cavalry program. With a new Congress to take office in January, officials of the equestrian lobby urge riders, landowners and horse lovers to get involved.
"The horse community is very diverse and has agricultural, sporting, gaming, entertainment and recreation components," explained AHC president Jay Hickey. "Some national issues affect the entire community and some just a particular segment or discipline. However, it is true that taken as a whole the horse community is a much larger and more powerful constituency than any one of its individual parts. When the horse community speaks with one voice, its diversity is a strength, not a weakness and it is a force to be reckoned with. All segments of the community enjoy the benefits this bring in federal legislation and regulation that keep opportunities open to expand our businesses and enjoy our horses."
The Congressional Cavalry is comprised of individuals who contact federal elected officials when national issues that impact the horse community arise. Cavalry members are placed on an e-mail or fax list so they can be contacted and activated quickly. When action is needed, the AHC provides each cavalry member with whatever is necessary to lobby their elected officials, including background information, talking points and sample letters.
AHC’s goal is to have Cavalry from all segments of the horse industry and in every Congressional district to guarantee the horse community is heard in Washington.
To sign up, log onto wwwHorseCouncil.org or call (202) 296-4031.
Kelly to teach at Moonraker
Biomechanics expert and riding instructor Colleen Kelly will teach a clinic at Moonraker in Catlett Nov. 10-12. Kelly can work with riders from beginners trying to learn the sitting trot to advanced perfecting their canter pirouette. Log onto www.colleenkelly.net for details.
Talkin' turkey at Frying Pan Park
The annual Pre-Turkey Show at Frying Pan Park in Herndon is set Nov. 21-23. For details on the quarter horse show, call (703) 437-9101.
Hofstetter to teach
Hunter-jumper trainer Scott Hofstetter will teach a clinic Dec. 6-7 at Fox Chase Farm in Middleburg. Log on for more details: www.FoxChaseFarm.net.
Frying Pan shows posted
Frying Pan Park in Herndon will host hunter and jumper shows through the winter. Hunter show dates are Dec. 14, Jan. 17, Feb. 7, March 28 and April 25. Jumpers are Nov. 16, Dec. 6, Jan. 11, Feb. 8 and March 15. Details are at (703) 437-9101 or log onto wwwFairfaxCounty.gov/parks/fpp.
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