DILLON KEEN PHOTOGRAPHY |
OLD AND NEW “ All of the traditional equestrian activities in the area are thriving ,” says Cricket Bedford , a real estate professional who grew up in Middleburg and rides with the Piedmont Fox Hounds , as did her late father , Erskine Bedford , a beloved joint master of PFH . “ The hunt fields are a wonderful mix of old and new people . We ’ ve lost some great leaders like Paul Mellon and Theo Randolph ,” she says , “ but new folks are stepping into their shoes . Shelby Bonnie , Mrs . Randolph ’ s grandson , has taken over her farm and is a joint master of Piedmont . He ’ s a great example of the next generation carrying on . State senator Jill Vogel and her family own part of the former Mellon estate and host the Piedmont Fox Hounds ’ Thanksgiving Day meet , a tradition held by the Mellons for decades .”
Under the management of some sage elders and new blood , equestrian events like the Upperville Colt & Horse Show are going gangbusters , and steeplechase races at Middleburg and Great Meadow attract large crowds , according to Bedford . Polo has expanded in the area , with the addition of many new polo fields and opportunities for new enthusiasts to learn the sport . The area is home to many devotees of three-day eventing , a sport combining dressage , crosscountry and show jumping .
The eventing community includes former Olympians Karen and David O ’ Connor , who now train other riders ; candy heiress Jacqueline Mars , who is a major supporter of the sport and owns top competition horses ;
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UPPERVILLE COLT & HORSE SHOW ( show jumping , Upperville ) JUNE 5-11 , 2023
GREAT MEADOW International ( eventing ) AUGUST 24-27 , 2023
NSLM POLO CLASSIC PRESENTED BY MARS EQUESTRIAN ( Great Meadow ) SEPT . 10 , 2023
VIRGINIA FALL RACES ( steeplechasing , Glenwood Park , Middleburg ) OCTOBER , 2023 ( TBD )
INTERNATIONAL GOLD CUP ( steeplechasing , Great Meadow ) OCTOBER , 2023 ( TBD )
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SALAMANDER 2023 I 51 |