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The Virginias - Enjoy Horse Facilities,
According to a USDA 2007 census of Agriculture, Virginia horses accounted for about $46.9M dollars of agricultural sales, ranking it 7th in the U.S. these horses sold came from 2,247 farms, indicating an average of $20,862/farm. Although the state ranks 12th in terms of sales, it reportedly houses about 170,000 horses, making it the 5th largest equine state. Virginians spent an average of $3,642 per horse per year.
The leading breeds in Virginia are Quarter horses (49,000) and
thoroughbreds (30,900).
MIDDLEBURG: The Kennedys rented a farm in Middleburg as one of their presidential retreats. Here, Jackie, an accomplished equestrian who rode with the Piedmont Fox Hounds and Orange County hunts, was often photographed with the children riding. Up until her death, Jackie was often seen in the Middleburg area and her daughter, Caroline, sometimes visits. It is one of the few remaining large rural areas that exist so close to a major city. Middleburg calls itself “the nation’s horse and hunt capital” because it is home to so many horses and equestrians. Riding boots, breeches and horse trailers are common sights. This area has been horse country since its beginnings. Virginia’s foxhunting tradition was born in Middleburg around 1748 when Thomas the sixth Lord Fairfax set up the first pack of foxhounds in the English manner of the order of the present-day hunt. Today, there are 10 active hunts in the Hunt Country proper. The members of the hunt clubs usually ride with the hounds three times per week during the season which runs fall through spring. The steeplechase, or racing over fences, is another passionate pursuit, which purportedly got its start in the hunting fields. Hundreds of years ago, a duo of Irish hunting enthusiasts raced cross-country, using church steeples as landmarks, to determine who had the faster foxhunter. Point to point racing is also a popular sport. Its season runs from February through May.
More than a half million horse lovers and admirers travel to
the Virginias each year to enjoy a
Long before
Secretariat won the Triple Crown and the wild ponies in the factual
book, Misty of Chincoteague, became famous, Virginia's horse industry
had already established itself as the birthplace of some of America's
first horse legends and breeds. In fact, Virginia's partnership with
horses began back in 1610 with the arrival of the first horses to the
Virginia colonies.
Great Meadow was founded nearly 25 years ago on a vision of open space preserved for the community’s enjoyment of equestrian and field sports. Great Meadow was also to provide a permanent home for the crown jewel of steeplechase racing, the Virginia Gold Cup. Today, a variety of sports and activities call Great Meadow home, highlighting how important open spaces are to the maintenance of a healthy community.
Annually, Great Meadow hosts dozens of events; the two largest and most recognized being the May and October Gold Cup races. Crowds cheer as horses and riders seem to fly across the greenery in search of fame, fortune and the chance to drink champagne from the famous Gold Cup trophy, but horse racing is not the only way to feel your heart race at Great Meadow.
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