Equestrian news Archives

Annual Blessing of the Hounds – A Don’t Miss Event

A favorite Keswick tradition is the annual Blessing of the Hounds at Grace Episcopal Church. The lovely historic stone church is the backdrop for the outdoor service which is attended by the members of the Keswick Hunt in full hunting attire mounted on their horses and surrounded by the pack of foxhounds. The traditional service includes blessings for horse, hound and rider as well as prayers in thanks for the harvest bounty. After the service you can walk across the road and watch the beginning of the foxhunt.

The service begins at 10:30 and the public is welcome.

Grace Episcopal Church
Gordonsville Road
Cismont, Virginia

Cismont and Keswick Virginia are located a short drive outside of Charlottesville, Virginia to the east. The service has been held annually on Thanksgiving Day since 1929. Come out to Grace Church tomorrow and become part of the tradition.

Dreaming of Owning a Small Farm Business?

If you are considering purchasing a Central Virginia small farm as a business or are considering a new commercial venture for your existing Charlottesville farm, you may be interested in a forum where you can receive some advice and information to aid in your decision. Many people who own small horse farms in Albemarle County are looking for an additional source of revenue, to help support their "horse habit". Exploring the Small Farm Dream – Is Starting an Agricultural Business Right For YOU is a four session seminar designed to help you review your dreams of a small farm business and to help you determine the steps that you need to take to make it happen.

The format will include exercises, discussion and interviews with experts. The sessions are perfect for perople exploring a new career, novice farmers, and more experienced farmers who are considering a move into a new niche.

The course will consis of four Thursday evening sessions starting on November 6 and running through December 6. It will be held at the Airlie Center in Warrenton, VA. For information contact Pablo Elliot at pelliott@airlie.org or call 540 347-1300 ext 3163.

Read an article on the seminar from the Fauquier Times.

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Contact

Pam Dent

, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161, pam@JumpintoGreenerPastures.com, to list your property for sale or to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Troy, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.

To view all of the Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia Homes for Sale click here and click on the mls search button.

For more information on Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia issues, events and real estate visit my other blog at Charlottesville Horse Farms and Country Homes.

Farming Is Alive And Well In Fluvanna

Barn Are you considering relocating to a Central Virginia horse farm? Fluvanna County might be a good choice for a locality to search. Although we have seen a lot of growth in the county, Fluvanna still has an active agricultural community and rural lifestyle. According to The Central Virginian farming contributes over $6.2 million to the area economy per year.

Of the over 250 farms in Fluvanna County the largest number raise beef cattle. Corn, Soybean, wheat and hay production are also important products grown on area farms. Another agricultural industry is forestry, with hardwoods comprising the largest segment. Of course, lets not forget the Fluvanna horse farms. There are many farms in Fluvanna County that are perfect for horses and are located close to fox hunting and horse shows.

It is important to keep the balance between growth and the rural and agricultural heritage of Fluvanna County. There are local groups that are working to protect the county farms via conservation easements and Agricultural Districts.

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Contact

Pam Dent

To view all of the Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia Homes for Sale click here and click on the mls search button.

For more information on Charlottesville and Central Virginia and the local real estate market visit my other blog at Charlottesville Real Estate Talk.

Let’s Go Racing

Are you looking for something fun to do on a perfect fall day? Attending an exciting steeplechase race meet is the perfect choice!

The Montpelier Races held on November 1 will offer the opportunity to see some of the best steeplechase horses in the country. This is an exciting event with both flat and jump racing. The setting couldn't be more beautiful, watching the magnificent thoroughbred horses race against the backdrop of the historic Montpelier estate, home of James Madison.

The races are a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a fall day in the scenic Virginia countryside. Bring a tailgate and enjoy spending time with friends and family.

Post time for the first race is 12:30 pm. For information call 540 672-0027 or visit the Montpelier website.

Montpelier is located outside of Orange, Virginia inthe Central Virginia horse country and an easy drive from Charlottesville.

Contact

Pam Dent

To view all of the Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia Homes for Sale click here and click on the mls search button.

Visit my website Jump into Greener Pastures or read my blogs Charlottesville Real Estate Talk and Charlottesville Horse Farms and Country Homes.

Fall in Virginia Can Be a Time For New Beginnings

As we make our way through October the 2008 horseshow season is winding down. In November horsemen will enjoy a few weekends of down time before the 2009 season starts at the beginning of December. This is often a season to say goodby to the good mount that has safely carried you through several years of showing. Ponies are sadly out grown or a rider is ready to move on to a more challenging partner allowing them to progress to the next level. This break between seasons becomes the perfect time to go horseshopping.

Charlottesville, Virginia and Albemarle County are located in the heart of the Central Virginia horse country. Due to the large number of stables in the area, Albemarle horse country becomes a popular horse shopping destination. In addition fall is the optimum time to come to Virginia and shop for the perfect Charlottesville horse farm; plus you can enjoy the spectacular fall foliage at the same time. Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa and Orange Counties all have a selection of beautiful horse farms on the market for your inspection.

Shadowfax LLC at the Glenmore Equestrian Center is has three more horseshow weekends left on its 2008 show schedule. The Shadowfax horses and riders under the instruction of Baily Dent have enjoyed a most successful horseshow season. If you would like to have your horse nearby, but do not wish to have your own farm, it makes sense to consider a move to Glenmore or one of the other area equestrian communities.

Come to Charlottesville in the fall to enjoy the spectacular scenery and search for your next horse or the perfect Albemarle County horse property.

Contact

Pam Dent

To view all of the Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia Homes for Sale click here and click on the mls search button.

Visit my website Jump into Greener Pastures or read my blogs Charlottesville Real Estate Talk and Charlottesville Horse Farms and Country Homes.

Keswick Hunt Takes Reserve Championship at Warrenton Show

The Keswick Hunt Club captured the reserve championship at hunt night at the annual Warrenton Horse Show. This competitive event sees teams competing from amny of the Virginia and Maryland hunts. The competition went down to the wire with the Warrenton Hunt finally edging Keswick out for the championship. To be elegible to compete the horses were required to have hunted last year. Keswick was well represented fielding 22 horses and ponies for this years event. In addition Keswick master Sandy Rives was awarded the individual reserve champion.

Keswick and Sandy already have their sights on winning the championship next year.

Read the September issuse of Keswick Life magazine for an article with full details of the Keswick participation in this event.

Considering buying or selling that perfect Keswick horse farm or country home? As a former professional in the horse business with extensive local knowledge, I am the perfect person to help you.

Search all of the Keswick homes on the market.

Are You Looking For a Family Activity? Don’t Miss The Foxfield Races

Sunday, September 28 is Family Day at the Foxfield Races. The fall steeplechase meet at the Foxfield Steeplechase course is always focused on families. There is the same exciting steeplechase racing as you find at the spring race, but the spectator activities are focused on families.

In addition to the thrill of watching the beautiful thoroughbred horses race over jumps, there are additional activities of interest to the entire family. These include the Jack Russell Terrier Races, a walk of the race course, pony rides, sky divers, the Albemarle Pipe & Drum Corps, and a parade of the Farmington Beagles. Don't miss the Foxden Children's Activities Tent.

The beneficiary of the Foxfield Fall Races is Kid Pan Alley.

Tickets and parking are only sold in advance. For information or to buy tickets call 434 293-9501 or go to the Foxfield website.

The Foxfield Race Course is located on Garth Road just a few miles west of Charlottesville, Virginia. While you are in town for the races, take the opportunity to tour the scenic Virginia countryside. If you are interested in finding the perfect Albemarle horse farm or Charlottesville country home, I would love to show you what is currently available.

Click here to perform your own search of Central Virginia homes.

Albemarle Horse Farms and Country Life – Virginia Fall Steeplechase Season

To me the first cool fall days signal the start of the Virginia fall steeplechase season. There are races within a short drive of Charlottesville, Virginia and Albemarle County almost every weekend in the fall.

Saturday September 13 – Thornton Hill Hounds Point to Point
Thornton Hill Farm, Sperryville, VA 540 987-8346

Sunday September 14 – Colonial Downs
New Kent, VA 804 966-7223

Saturday, September 20 – Blue Ridge Fall Races
Woodley Farm, Berryville, VA, 540 722-6403 540 539-1577

Sunday, September 28 - Foxfield Fall Races
Charlottesville, Virginia 434 293-9501

Saturday, October 4 – Virginia Fall Races
Glenwood Park, Middleburg, VA 540 687-5662

Sunday October 5 – Virginia Fall Races
Glenwood Park, Middleburg, VA 540 687-5662

Saturday October 11- Morven Park Steeplechase
Leesburg, VA 703 777-2414

Saturday, October 18 – International Gold Cup Races
Great Meadows Race Course, The Plains, VA 540 347-2612

Sunday October 26 – Steeplechase at Oak Ridge
Lovingston, VA 540 272-0757

Saturday, November 1 – Montpelier Hunt Races
Montpelier Station, VA 540 672-0027

Sample the Virginia lifestyle. A day at the races offers the excitement of horse racing, the beauty of the fall countryside, and a fun activity to enjoy with family and friends.

If you are looking for a Charlottesville home or a Central Virginia horse farm, come and enjoy fall in Virginia. While you are here, I would be glad to meet with you and discuss how I can help you find the perfect home.

Search all of the Charlottesville homes currently on the market. Horse racing

Batten Down the Hatches – Glenmore Braces for Hannah

The horses at Shadowfax LLC at the Glenmore Equestrian Center in Keswick, Virginia are all snug in their stalls as we wait to see which way tropical storm Hannah will go. Early today the storm was predicted to head up the coast and Albemarle County was forecast to get a total of about an inch of rain. However things have changed, the storm is tracking further west, and as of 6:00 p.m. the forecast was for 4-7 inches of rain with maybe 3 inches in a hour. Needless to say we made sure that all of the horses stayed in their stalls for the night.

Luckily the Glenmore Equestrian Center is on publick water. This is very important because if the storm knocks out the power there is still water for the horses. Most farms are farther out in the country and are on a well. Wells need power for the pump; so if the power is out for several days there is no way to pump the water. One of the things that I used to do whenever a bad storm was forecast was to fill up every spare bucket, tub and water trough so that there would be a supply of water for the horses. That works okay if you don’t have a very large barn, but since Shadowfax has 26 stalls it would be hard to store enough water to tide the horses over for very long.

The horses at Glenmore are safely tucked in for the night with plenty of water, a supply of feed and bedding, and since Baily who owns the business lives in the barn appartment, there is always someone on site to make sure that all is well.

The Glenmore Equestrian Center which is run by Shadowfax LLC is a full care facility offering boarding, training, instruction and horse sales. It adjoins the Glenmore Community located in Keswick Virginia just east of Charlottesville, Virginia.

If you are looking for an equestrian community which offers elegant Charlottesville homes and all the amenities of a gated, golf development, I would love to show you Glenmore.

Or perform your own search of all of the Glenmore and Albemarle County homes on the market.

Enjoy the Trails at Glenmore

The extensive system of walking and riding trails is a key feature that sets the Glenmore neighborhood appart. Glenmore is a gated community located in the beautiful Keswick countryside just east of Charlottesville, Virginia. The neighborhood has the usual amenities of country club, golf course, pool, tennis and fitness center. However, it is the dedication to providing numerous opportunities to enjoy the countryside outside of the residential areas, but still inside the gates that sets this community appart.

Glenmore currently has 8.5 miles of trails, which is slated to grow to almost 13 miles by 2012. These trails are enjoyed by walkers, joggers, photographers, birdwatchers and equestrians from the adjoining Glenmore Equestrian Center, managed by Shadowfax LLC. Maintaining the trails has been a tru community effort with more that 50 volunteers participating in the upkeep of the existing trails and the opening of new areas.

It is very special to have so much access to nature, yet be a few minutes away from Charlottesville. Please contact me if you would like a tour of Glenmore, to see how you could experience the Glenmore Lifestyle.

Click here to search all the homes for sale in Glenmore and the Charlottesville area.

Annual Blessing of the Hounds – A Don’t Miss Event

Dreaming of Owning a Small Farm Business?

Farming Is Alive And Well In Fluvanna

Let’s Go Racing

Fall in Virginia Can Be a Time For New Beginnings

Keswick Hunt Takes Reserve Championship at Warrenton Show

Are You Looking For a Family Activity? Don’t Miss The Foxfield Races

Albemarle Horse Farms and Country Life – Virginia Fall Steeplechase Season

Batten Down the Hatches – Glenmore Braces for Hannah

Enjoy the Trails at Glenmore

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