Middleburg Life | November 2016

POSTAL CUSTOMER

Volume 34 Issue 1 | Nov. 2016 | middleburglife.com

Presort Std ECRWSS US Postage Permit #75 Fredericksburg, VA

MIDDLEBURG

LI F E WINDY HILL’S 35th AnniversAry

Fall Races & Loudoun Wine Awards + The Art of Cooking Together

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MT PLEASANT FARM - 292 HITE LN, STRASBURG - Mt. Pleasant, c. 1812. Beautiful Federal manor home of brick crafted on-site. Original heart pine floors, magnificent staircase & beautiful millwork. 5 BR, 5 BA, 8 FP. High ceilings, great flow for entertaining. 107 Ac. Country kitchen w/FP, tenant house, bank barn, spring house. A perfect weekend retreat, year around residence, B&B. 1+ hr to DC. On National Register. $1,200,000

Fully customizable storage spaces adjusted for your storage needs. Only $10/sq foot. 40x36 feet ~ 1440 sq ft, $1500 | 80x60 feet ~ 4800 sq ft, $4000 | 80x66 feet ~ 5280 sq ft, $4400.

Commercial/industrical use. Completely renovated including AC, heat, and bathroom. Great location.

RUNNYMEDE FARM - YATTON RD, ROUND HILL - Historic Runnymede Farm, c. 1777 is totally updated for today's lifestyle. Spacious stone manor house sits on 20 beautiful acres. 4 BR, 2 FB, 3 HB. Interior stone walls, terrace. Gourmet kitchen, separate dining room with FP, tavern room with built-in wetbar, walk out to huge terrace with spa overlooking fields.

Old springhouse, small barn. Entire property fenced. Very commutable, yet feels a world away. $1,170,000

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39207 JOHN MOSBY HWY, ALDIE - Historic home c1803 in the heart of Aldie, beautifully restored interior, private front and back porches, stunning swimming pool with exceptional outdoor entertainment center, gazebo and hot tub, exquisite professionally landscaped gardens all beautifully manicured, brick walkways, extensive patios, fencing. Detached art studio and 2 car garage. Must see! $1,025,000

BERRY HILL FARM - LEITH LN, MIDDLEBURG - Lovely Berry Hill (c.1815), expanded in 1988 and renovated in 2015, boasts thoughtful changes that meet modern expectations but retain all the home's historic charm. The 10-acre Middleburg hunt country gem features a spring-fed pond, two large paddocks, 2-stall stable, and scenic grounds with exquisite landscaping. Inside, spacious bright rooms are warmed by several fireplaces and large windows. Video tour at YourCountryHome.net/BerryHill $899,900

9572 BRIAR LN, DELAPLANE - A gem of a custom built stucco house on 11 private acres between Upperville and Rectortown. High ceilings with large windows for natural light. Three bedrooms with three and one half baths. Extensive trim work, decorative finishes and designer fixtures throughout. Architecturally designed with vaulted ceiling in living room with fireplace. Mint condition with many recent upgrades. $915,000

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40276 IRON LIEGE CT, LEESBURG - Unrivaled value in this 7000+s/f stone-front home at end of quiet cul-de-sac in beautiful Beacon Hill. Great location, tucked away & backing to acres of grassy community open space. Craftmark-built 5BR home features multiple FPs & 2 bright sunrooms to let in daylight & view. Established luxury community; commuter's dream, just off Greenway. Ken Culbert Elementary School. Google "Youtube Kim Hurst Presents" for video tour. $869,000

11529 PUTNAMS MILL RD, HUME - Ramey House Farm, c.1858. Authentic country property exudes charm & historic character. Gracious center hall foyer with gorgeous staircase.

Serious cooks Aga gas range. 2-Stall barn, fenced. In ground pool. Great ride out. Old Dominion Hunt territory. 17 acres.

Perfect weekend getaway or full time residence. Beautiful lightly traveled country road. 1 hr to DC. $630,000

3469 OAK HILL RD, DELAPLANE - Well designed center hall colonial, beautifully maintained and landscaped. Large rooms, gourmet kitchen with granite counters, separate dining room. Great room with raised hearth fireplace with French doors. Separate office/library off the living room. 4 BR, 2 1/2 baths. Standing seam metal roof, copper roof on stoop. Orchard, equip barn. Addl 13 acres can be purchased; ask Lister for details. $550,000

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MIDDLEBURG

LI F E Nov. 2016 middleburglife.com

PUBLISHER Greenhill Media LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brian Yost COPY EDITOR Eryn Gable CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Trevor Baratko, Heidi Baumstark, Kerry Dale, Morgan Hensley, Dulcy Hooper, Richard Hooper, Chelsea Rose Moore,Tom Northrup, Lauren Smith, Summer Stanley, Marcia Woolman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Callie Broaddus, Eryn Gable, Doug Gehlsen, Tony Gibson, Crowell Hadden, Missy Janes, Douglas Lees, Karen Monroe Deborah Morrow, Julie Napear DESIGNED BY: Elisa Hernandez & Focal Point Creative LLC PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok ADVERTISE IN MIDDLEBURG LIFE 114 W. Washington St. P.O. Box 1770 Middleburg, VA 20118 434.242.2295 | info@middleburglife.com All editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. All unsolicited manuscripts and photos must be accompanied by return postage; the publisher assumes no responsibility. Middleburg Life reserves the right to reject any advertising. Distributed in Aldie, Alexandria, Ashburn, Boyce, Charlottesville, Delaplane, Dulles, Front Royal, Haymarket, Leesburg, Manassas, Marshall, Middleburg, Millwood, Paris, The Plains, Rectortown, Upperville, Warrenton, Washington, D.C., and Winchester.

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FIND US ON Instagram @middleburglife Twitter @middleburglife Facebook.com/middleburglife ON THE COVER Bob Dale (left) of the Windy Hill Foundation and Kim Hart of the Windy Hill Development Co. Photo by Eryn Gable.

ON THIS PAGE Willie McCarthy takes All the Way Jose to the finish line at the Virginia Fall Races, winning the Nelson C. Noland trophy. Photo by Eryn Gable.

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ON THE HUNT... for the perfect dress

By Summer Stanley

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sn’t it so true? Women are always searching for the perfect dress — that one dress made to fit the occasion — over and over again. I’ve found myself on this exhausting hunt too many times to count, and I usually compromise with something that never feels quite like “me” or what I had in mind.

Loudoun photographer and artist Rebekah Murray has felt the same shopping frustrations and realized the perfect dress shouldn’t be so hard to find. She decided to change that for herself and so many others by venturing out into the world of fashion. Encouraged by her parents, Murray designed the Virginia Dare Dress Co. as a line of graceful and versatile dresses to bring simplistic beauty into our everyday lives and adventures.

The conservative and classy designs are meant to make customers feel both feminine and confident, providing a dependable and wearable option in contrast to the oversaturated market of “too-contemporary, shapeless and skimpy dresses we find today,” Murray explained.

There’s an obvious old-fashioned feel

to the brand that gets its name from the first Englishwoman born in the Americas in the late 1500s. Virginia Dare’s life carried a spirit of optimism, as she is now considered a symbol of bravery, courage and innocence — all the inspiring qualities Murray wishes to build into her company, as a resident of the colonial history-rich Commonwealth of Virginia.

In September, Murray launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund her dream of producing the first line of dresses, which will be available in February.

Within one month, she raised just under $45,000 — three-quarters of the way toward her goal of $60,000. In the coming weeks, she plans to relaunch the campaign to collect the additional pledges needed for production and fulfillment of customer pre-orders.

A few years ago, when she began her journey of launching a new business, Murray said it was quite a humbling learning process. Her grandfather, a fur designer in New York City, helped her get started by providing invaluable connections and introductions to his contacts in the garment district. Taking advice along the way, she educated herself in design, pattern mak-

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ing, fabric sourcing and production.

She leaned on social media with a focus group of friends and supporters to help her get to the root of what women want. Exploring shopping habits and expressing how they feel about what they’re looking for, this group has been instrumental in marketing by word-of-mouth. They have also gone above and beyond by volunteering to contact media outlets on behalf of the brand.

In appreciation, Murray said she has worked hard to strengthen her relationship with that group to make the collective dream of her small and personable company a reality.

Friends of the company even received surprise launch boxes in the mail this fall, and with attention to all the details Murray carefully curated contents for a special “kindred experience.”

Following the boxes was an invitation to the Virginia Dare Dress Co. launch party in October, held at Leesburg’s historic Birkby House. Murray plans to periodically host similar experience events for friends to enjoy an intimate gathering of kindred spirits, while trying on the styles in a lovely setting.

The first collection was inspired

by Murray’s travels to the U.K., both personal and for her work as a wedding photographer. While in England, Scotland and Ireland, she found herself wanting to wear more

dresses, whether it was sitting in a cafe or looking out the window of a passenger train, embracing the elegance of times gone by as if playing a character in a book.

“Choosing to do things that feel beautiful to you can elevate your life,” said Murray. “What we wear directly affects our experiences.”

Perhaps dressing up proves the magic of the Secret Garden notion that positive thinking can make anything seem possible — much in the same way that a bouquet of freshly cut flowers in a room, or a croissant and coffee morning with a friend can have mood-lifting effects on the most ordinary day.

With British-sounding names, the three dresses that make up the signature collection each reflect different personalities and different sides of Murray herself. “Emma” is a planner, but up for anything in a no-fuss stretch knit with elbow sleeves, pockets and scoop neck — this classic silhouette in a flattering teal green is ready to dress up or down.

“Camilla” is a romantic, with a floral toile pattern, sweet peplum ruffle on the sleeves and ties at the back. “After all, who we want to be as a little girl is who we always want to be,” said Murray.

“Samantha” is a dreamer, a free spirit in a navy rayon-silk wrap dress and full skirt made

for twirling! Dresses range from $150-$195.

A second collection might be unveiled as early as next spring, focusing on summer fabrics like chiffon and linen. Murray is considering expanding into dresses fit for all the unique stages of a woman’s life: formal wear, bridal, maternity and even preteen styles that aren’t too mature for our young girls.

She dreams of a retail space one day, envisioning a shop attached to a tea room or bakery, and loves the idea of including menswear for the gentlemen who would date her customers.

As for Murray’s photographer-turned-fashion-designer life, at the end of the day it’s that natural flow of artistic expression driving the same love of creativity through each channel. “I’m tied to a certain dream of beauty,” she said. “I see it in my mind and want it to be real. I love being able to work to bring that dream to life.” ML To view the Virginia Dare Dress Co. trailer, get updates and make a pledge on Kickstarter, visit virginiadaredresses.com.

Left: The “Samantha” dress. Above: The “Emma” dress. Photos courtesy of Virginia Dare Dress Co.

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Fabbioli Cellars wins big at Loudoun Wine Awards

By Brian Yost

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abbioli Cellars was the big winner at the second annual Loudoun Wine Awards held Oct. 14 in Leesburg, walking away with four awards, including Winemaker of the Year for Doug Fabbioli and the Chairman’s Grand Award for their 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve, the best wine out of more than 100 entrants.

The award ceremony took place in grand style at the Lansdowne Resort and Spa in Leesburg and was kicked off with a reception that included a chance to sample the Loudoun wines that received silver or gold in the competition. From there, guests moved into the ballroom for dinner and the awards ceremony.

Loudoun County has the largest concentration of wineries in Virginia and is also the region of fastest expansion, with more new wineries opening annually than any other part of the state. The region is also unique in its prominence as perhaps the most important wine-producing county in the state.

With that as a backdrop, the Loudoun Wineries Association assembled to honor some of the key players and best wines, with a panel of wine experts narrowing the field to just 11 of the county’s top wines.

The award recipients represent only a small fraction of the excellence that is demonstrated in Loudoun’s wine community. As such, it is appropriate to recognize the Loudoun Wineries Association chaired by Todd Henkle of The Vineyards and Winery at Lost Creek and the other board

WINE AWARDS BY CATEGORY:

members. Given the level of leadership and cooperation, we can look forward to another year of quality in Loudoun County wine. ML From left to right: Quentin Garcia, Bonnie Archer, Bill Hatch (Bonnie’s husband), Aimee Henkle, Doug Fabbioli, Todd Henkle. Photos courtesy of Loudoun Winery Association.

Best Hybrid White

2015 Vidal Blanc, Cana Vineyards and Winery

Best Hybrid Red

2014 Chambourcin, North Gate Vineyards

Best Vinifera White

2015 Rkatsiteli, Cana Vineyards and Winery

Best Vinifera Red (tie)

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Zephaniah Vineyards 2014 Merlot, North Gate Vineyards

Best Chardonnay

2014 Chardonnay, 868 Estate Vineyards

Best Viognier

2015 Viognier, Sunset Hills Vineyard

Best Cabernet Franc

2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve, Fabbioli Cellars

Best Petit Verdot

2014 Petit Verdot, Doukenie Winery

Best Bordeaux Blend (tie)

2013 Tre Sorelle, Fabbioli Cellars 2014 Philosophy, Greenhill Winery and Vineyards

Winemaker of the Year

Doug Fabbioli, Co-founder and Winemaker, Fabbioli Cellars

Winegrower of the Year

Quintin Garcia, Vineyard Manager, Sunset Hills Vineyard

Wine Ambassador of the Year

Bonnie Archer

GRAND AWARDS:

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13 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDLEBURG, VA 20117 (540) 687-5858

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Small Animal Clinic Open House Photos by Crowell Hadden

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On Oct. 28, Piedmont Equine’s Small Animal Clinic held an open house that included clinic tours, speakers, vendors and activities for all in attendance. Middleburg Life’s Crowell Hadden was on hand to take photographs.

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Photos: 1. Meg Belcher, Katherine Collins, Caroline Hogan and Debbie May. 2. Juliet Graham. 3. Staff members Gretchen Verheggen, Joannie Thompson, Renee Nolan, Sally Pennington, Susan Brown, Autumn Smith and Pamela Thayer. 4. Sally Pennington with Taittinger. 5. Brian Stewart and Alli Marconi.

Mount Gordon Farm

Salem Hill

Old Fox Den Farm

128 acres and immaculate 3 level, 13,000+ sq ft stone & shingle main house • 5 BR • 8 FP • Exceptional finishes on every floor • Caterer’s kitchen • Elevator • Spa • Separate guest cottage • Pool • Farm manager residence • 3 additional tenant houses • 12 stall center-aisle stable • Pond • Extraordinary land w/incomparable views extending beyond the Blue Ridge Mts • Orange County Hunt Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

Prime Fauquier location, well protected • 6 bedrooms • 4 full and 2 half baths • 3 fireplaces • Great views • Pool with large flagstone terrace • Large county kitchen • 4-car detached garage with apartment/ office • 9-stall barn • Covered arena • Outdoor ring • 4 stall shed row barn • 51 fenced acres Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Restored 3 bedroom 1830’s farmhouse on 65 acres • Multiple porches & fireplaces, lots of charm • Lovely pool, shared pond, 4 stall barn, workshop • Expansive mountain views, rolling open pasture & fully fenced elevated land • Gorgeous setting in the protected valley between Middleburg and The Plains • Conservation easement permits 2 more homes to complete the compound Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

Custom-built stone & stucco home • 4+ bedrooms include 1st floor master • Gourmet kitchen • Home office with T-1 line & VIP security system & home automation • 4 stone patios • Perennial gardens & large mature trees • 3-car garage • Gated entrance, pristine grounds, pond, barn • 24 acres Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905 Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

Greystone

Willow Way Farm

Westwind Farm

The Hague-Hough House

Middleburg, Virginia $1,625,000

Circa 1807 • 33 acres ideally located between Middleburg & The Plains • Rare quarried stone exterior, 10-foot ceilings • Period mantels, original wood floors, two-story front porch • 3 BR/3 BA, each a private suite • Historic stone barn includes one BR/BA apt, heated tack room, 6 stalls • Carriage barn • 3 paddocks, large turnout field, run-in sheds, auto waterers • Whole farm generator • Pond • Orange County Hunt Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

Middleburg, Virginia $1,575,000

Waterford, Virginia $1,495,000

Prime Middleburg location • House completely redone in 2004 • Hill top setting with panoramic mountain views • 3 BR • 3.5 BA • Main level master suite • Pine floors • Beautiful millwork • 3 FP • Attached 2-car garage • Beautiful windows • Gracious room sizes • 4-stall barn • Riding ring • In-ground pool • Lovely gardens • 31.05 acres recorded in 3 parcels Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Classic Middleburg colonial, completely redone in 2009 • 5 BR • 4 full BA, 2 half BA • 2 FP • Gourmet kitchen • Top of the line finishes throughout • 2-car attached garage • Beautifully landscaped • Sweeping unobstructed mountain views • 21.08 gently rolling acres • Fenced & cross fenced • Great barn, multiple run in sheds & riding/jumping paddocks

Hill top setting in historic village of Waterford • circa 1745 brick and stone home on 17.20 acres • 6 BR, 5 BA & 7 FP • Beautiful woodwork throughout • High ceilings • Meticulous renovation • Improvements include barn w/ apartment • Garage space for 6 vehicles • In-ground pool •Large pool house •Stone outbuildings • Lovely gardens.

Echo Hill

6428 Main Street

Janney Street

The Plains, Virginia $1,350,000

The Plains, Virginia $1,025,000

Stone English country home in top location between Middleburg & The Plains on 13 acres • 4 BR home with new kitchen & main level master suite • Hardwood floors, built-in book cases, fireplaces & bright open family room • Bluestone terrace overlooks new pool & entertaining area • Separate guest cottage/ pool house & garage • Whole-house generator Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

Palmer’s Mill

The Plains, Virginia $11,750,000

The Plains, Virginia $1,700,000

Bluemont, Virginia $749,000 Circa 1860 Virginia Farmhouse • House updated & enlarged in 2004 • 3 to 4 bedrooms • 2 1/2 baths • Hardwood floors • 3 fireplaces • Exposed beams & gourmet kitchen • 10 acres • Fenced & cross fenced • 2 stall barn with tack & hay storage • Spring house & smoke house • Protected with mountain views • Piedmont Hunt Territory Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905 Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

Marshall, Virginia $2,300,000

The Plains, Virginia $1,985,000

Paul MacMahon

Middleburg, Virginia $1,800,000

(703) 609-1905 Paul MacMahon

(703) 609-1905

Chipmunk

Waterford, Virginia $996,000

Upperville, Virginia $899,000

Gorgeous country home • Historic village • Panoramic views • 3 acres • Beautifully landscaped grounds with terraced herb garden and pool • 3 BR, 2 full + 2 half baths • Master bedroom w/gas FP on main level • Large dining room w/built-in china cabinets • 2 BR upstairs w/shared BA • Lower level family room w/wood-burning FP • Wet bar & french doors to pool area • Recently renovated Joseph Keusch (540) 454-0591

Custom built Quaker reproduction in Historic Waterford • Brick and frame home • Beautiful woodwork • Wood floors • High ceilings • Grand rooms • 4 bedrooms • 3 1/2 baths • 4 fireplaces • 2 separate lots • 3 car garage.

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Prime location • Piedmont Hunt • 10 acres • 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 fireplace stucco residence • Open floor plan • Treed setting with mature landscaping • Center courtyard off living area • Separate studio with half bath can serve as guest room or studio • Large 3 bay garage • 2 stalls for horses & 5 paddocks • Great views Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Dover Road

Patrick Street

Republican Street

Middleburg, Virginia $500,000

Paris, Virginia $360,000

Upperville, Virginia $375,000

Brick home on 3 acres • Minutes from Middleburg • Sold in «AS IS» condition • 4 bedrooms • 2 1/2 baths • 2 fireplaces Charming stucco bungalow on a quiet lane • Hardwood • 2 stall barn • Shed • Pool in need of repair • Rear brick floors • Flagstone patio • Updated kitchen and baths • terrace • Little bit of work but great value Home office and first floor master Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905 with sitting room • Large fenced back yard • Very well cared for turn-key home and a great value

info@sheridanmacmahon.com www.sheridanmacmahon.com

Cadore

Helen MacMahon

Totally renovated brick home in Village of Paris with 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths • 2 fireplaces • Carport • Unfinished basement • Lovely views!

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

(540) 454-1930

110 East Washington Street • P.O. Box 1380 Middleburg, Virginia 20118 (540) 687-5588 N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 6

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FOXCROFT, FROGGER AND STEM:

How classic arcade games spur interest in programming

By Brian Yost

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arrived at Middleburg’s Foxcroft School one evening in early October to find Maria Evans and 10 of her high school students presiding over a group of 50 middle school girls from several of the region’s private schools. As part of a program designed to get these young women excited about STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), Evans was teaching them to code their own versions of Frogger.

Do you remember the old Frogger arcade game? If so, you may recall that it challenges players to successfully maneuver a frog across a busy highway without getting run over.

Can a 35-year-old video game help orient young, 21st-century women toward STEM fields? Evans, the STEM Department chairwoman at the all-girls Foxcroft School, thinks it can.

While numbers continue to improve, women are far outnumbered by men in all STEM fields. The National Girls Collaborative Project reports that women represent between 18 and 20 percent of students studying engineering. In the field of software engineering, it is closer to 16 percent.

Evans, who spent her early career in the aerospace industry, explained that she is “always looking for the hook to get the girls excited.” She went on to point out that the “focus at Foxcroft is to motivate and inspire girls in particular. I have not been involved in an event designed for both boys and girls,” she told me. On the other hand, Evans went on to say, “the program is geared at reaching both genders.”

Of course, much modern educational research points toward the advantages of teaching in a single-gender environment. With regard to young women, Evans explained, “it removes the social pressure for them to stay within their gender-specific typical roles and courses. It also gives them the opportunity to explore fields that they have no knowledge of without the fear of failing in front of boys.”

This process can be empowering. Evans pointed out, “there is no fear of failure in a single-gender classroom. The girls tend to be very supportive of each other, which lifts them to a completely different level of

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effort and opens so many doors for safe exploration.”

As a result, Foxcroft sees just over 33 percent of its graduates go on to major in STEM topics, which is well above the national average.

According to Evans, “the Frogger software-coding curriculum, which was developed at the University of Colorado, is more about computer thinking.”

She went on to point out that the single most important takeaway for these young girls is “perseverance.”

Of course, that is a pretty important lesson that has applications in any setting and it was a theme echoed by others in attendance. Middleburg’s Pia Scharfenberg, a junior at Foxcroft who studied computer programming last year and was one of the “Frogger helpers,” pointed out that the most important lesson for her was “problem-solving and just continuing to try until something works.”

Eighth-grader Hanna Joseph of Temple Baptist School in Herndon, who started programming in the sixth grade, told me that what she found most valuable was “thinking through problems.”

The participating Foxcroft students also came away with an important lesson in mentoring. Evans was particularly proud of her girls who acted as the “experts” in the room. They thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the middle school girls and did an excellent job coaching them through their hurdles.

Without any coaching on her part, Evans went on to say, “they chose to sit with the middle school girls during dinner and it was really fun to hear their conversations. This interaction was one of the things that many responses focused on. The younger girls were inspired to see these teenage girls with so much knowledge and compassion for sharing it.”

In the end, Evans felt the event was a complete success. “We have had enormous positive feedback with many asking when the next workshop will be,” she pointed out. “We are considering adding another event in the spring to teach the girls how to create PacMan.” The utility of 1980s video games, it seems, is timeless and this modern application appears to pay big dividends. ML Foxcroft School: 22407 Foxhound Ln., Middleburg, VA 20117; 540-687-5555; foxcroft.org.

Left: Senior Fabiana Byles, another AP computer science student, answers questions and gently guides a girl down the right programming path. Above: Maria Evans, chairwoman of Foxcroft School’s STEM Department, gets the group of 30+ eager middle school girls started on their coding adventure.

Photos courtesy of Foxcroft

Indoor Riding Arenas Old World Skill & Craftsmanship

Quality isn’t a goal; it’s a way of life.

At B&D Builders, we are committed to excellence in everything we do; from expert engineering to the choice of quality building materials. With an eye for building design and a careful attention to detail, our craftsmen seek to bring you an equine facility that functions well and looks great for many years to come. You can depend on B&D Builders for professional planning, scheduling and management of your project.

Request a quote at 717.687.0292 or by visiting our website.

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THE 62nd RUNNING OF THE VIRGINIA FALL RACES Photos by Focal Point Creative

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Attendees witnessed the nation’s top steeplechase horses and riders as they raced over timber, brush and turf courses in last month’s Virginia Fall Races. Set amongst the shade of 100-year-old oak trees, Glenwood Park offers one of the best views in steeplechasing.

Racing highlights included the running of the feature race of the day, the $40,000 National Sporting Library & Museum timber classic. Along with a full card of racing, spectators were encouraged to come early to get a taste of foxhunting with the finals of the Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter

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Championships (see page 47).

Photos: 1. Jeff Murphy and Canyon Road took fourth place in the National Sporting Library & Museum Cup. 2. Charles C. Fenwick Jr.’s Doc Cebu, ridden by Willie McCarthy, won the Daniel C. Sands Cup. 3. Sean McDermott came in second in the National Steeplechase Association’s maiden hurdle.

4. Mark Beecher (right) on Rodriguez (Ire) beat out Jody Petty on Surf Classic to win the James P. McCormick Memorial. 5. The final stretch of the training flat race.

Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait (American, 1819-1905) Duck Shooting: a Good Shot, 1851 (detail), oil on canvas, 34 x 44 inches

Isidore Jules Bonheur (French, 1827-1901), Charging Bull “Taureau Chargeant” and Standing Bull “Taureau Debout”, each bronze; dark brown patina, 13 ½ x 23 ¼ inches

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THE HISTORY of Fox Chase Farm

By Shane Patrick

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n a county where subdivisions have dotted the bucolic landscape, the region continues to hold on to its most notable resident … the horse. This part of Loudoun County will always be horse country. Even General Robert E. Lee’s famous horse Traveller is from the area.

Many people drive Route 50 and pass by the landmark equestrian facility Fox Chase Farm and its recognizable 1.2-acre outdoor arena on their way to work or when they visit this area on the weekends, without realizing the history it represents and what its equine residents have contributed to the sport.

Historical records indicate the farm dates back to 1876 and has always been a haven for horses. In 1965, a young man from Brooklyn, New York, arrived in Middleburg and fell in love with the property. The young horseman, Benny O’Meara (brother of presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ wife, Jane O’Meara Sanders), who formed The Colony Corp., became an icon in the horse world.

From his start as a groom and blacksmith to legendary horse dealer, show rider and trainer, O’Meara’s meteoric equestrian career was tragically cut short when at 27 years old, the refurbished World War II fighter plane he was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff from the Leesburg airport. In his brief but illustrious career, O’Meara successfully trained horses including Jacks or Better and Untouchable, the horse that famed equestri-

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an Kathy Kusner brought to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and three years later rode in the Ladies’ European Championship.

Bill Steinkraus, the United States Equestrian Team’s chairman emeritus, said of O’Meara, “I don’t think I ever saw anyone develop faster than he did, both as a rider and as a person, or in more original ways.” O’Meara was posthumously inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1989.

O’Meara died without a will or insurance, leaving his family to step in to run the farm until November 1975, when a group of investors joined them to create the Virginia Stallion Station. Redskins football stars Billy

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Kilmer and Pat Fischer, Leesburg-born trainer Stanley T. Greene and Lucien Laurin, best known as Secretariat’s trainer, were among the new owners.

The 60 horses residing at the farm included the stallions Beau Marker, Issue and the corporation’s first purchase, Spanish Riddle, famous for sporting a leather brace and artificial hoof on his right foreleg after losing his foot in a racing mishap. After his death, the celebrated stallion was buried on the property.

In mid-May 1985, the farm was purchased by newspaper visionary Allan H. Neuharth, founder of USA Today, and the Virginia Stal-

lion Station became Paper Chase Farms. It was during Neuharth’s ownership that the farm’s focus changed from a strictly horse-centric barn to an instructional facility for equestrians.

In 2000, the Neuharth family sold the farm to area business owners and horse enthusiasts Timothy and Eileen Hanley, who renamed it Fox Chase Farm. Their eldest daughter, Maureen, became director of operations. Hanley, a former NPR producer, recognized that the most successful direction for the facility would be to stage events, such as horse shows, clinics and charity events.

In 2009, she offered Fox Chase as the first farm in Virginia to sponsor a Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure, generating a then-record-breaking $130,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Soon after, Hanley instituted a division at her horse shows called The Benefit Hunter Division, with proceeds going to many local charities.

Major renovations are always happening at the farm, but it has a solid base. “What Benny O’Meara built was a Cadillac of a barn,” says Hanley. “The indoor arena is over 50 years old, and we’ve only had to replace the roof and hip rafters once.”

Farm upgrades over the past few MIDD LIFE NEW SIZE AD - Nov 2016_Layout 1 years have included new footing,

custom-made jumps and the recent installation of a state-of-the-art watering system. Currently, a new barn is being built where Benny O’Meara housed his aircraft.

“Running Fox Chase Farm is a labor of love,” says Hanley. “It’s a unique space in a great location — it’s got a famed equine history with individuals who’ve all made significant contributions to both the farm and Virginia horse country. My goal is to make Fox Chase accessible; not only to equestrians, but also to non-horse people who want to enjoy a signature facility, watch worldclass athletes compete or take a special tour to experience the area’s remarkable equestrian history.

“I’m grateful to continue the legacy of the farm and all of its previous owners. Fifty years ago, Benny O’Meara built this state-of-the art facility. We honor his memory and look forward to moving forward for many more years to come.” ML Fox C ha s e Far m : 2 3 3 2 3 Fox Chase Farm Ln., Middleburg, VA 20117; 540-687-5255; foxchasefarm.net or email contact@foxchasefarm.net.

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Top left: Francesca Burby and When I Think of You. Bottom left: Ashley DeWoolfson and On Watch. All photos 10/17/16 1:43 PM Page 1 courtesy of Fox Chase Farm.

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We have all the fixings for an unforgettable Thanksgiving celebration. Join us in our Middleburg Ballroom from noon–5:30pm for a Thanksgiving buffet with carving stations, chilled seafood and mimosa bar, or at Harrimans from noon– 8:30pm for a Virginia Piedmont twist on traditional holiday favorites. Bring the family—and your appetite.

Prices and menus available on our website.

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“HALLOWEEN WARS” AND JASON REAVES:

Salamander Resort chef featured on Food Network show

By Morgan Hensley

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erhaps you’ve seen pastry chef Jason Reaves strolling around Salamander Resort & Spa dressed as Superman this time of year or even attended one of his culinary workshops. Maybe you’ve watched this season of Food Network’s “Halloween Wars,” a series dedicated to taking “trick or treat” to the nth degree. If you’ve tuned in, well, then you’ve seen Jason.

“Halloween Wars” pits six teams of three — each consisting of a pumpkin carver, candy maker and cake decorator — against one another in an elimination-style contest to see which team can create the most

horrifying, devilishly delicious concoction for a grand prize of $50,000.

Jonathan Bennett, “Mean Girls” heartthrob and “Dancing with the Stars” fan favorite, hosts the sixth season. The panel of judges boasts a mixture of culinary virtuosos and celebrities, such as horror legend Sid Haig, “scream queen” Carlson Young and spooktacular seductress Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

Candy artist Teresa Argeris and pumpkin carver Lenny Calvin join Reaves to form the “Crypt Cookers.” Each of the five episodes per season feature two competitions with different themes. The Crypt Cookers started the season off by Chef | Page 18

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~ HAGUE-HOUGH HOUSE ~ AN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY HILLTOP HOME THE PROPERTY IS SET ON 17-PLUS ACRES OVERLOOKING HISTORIC WATERFORD

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or nearly three centuries HagueHough House has occupied its majestic hilltop setting overlooking the historic village of Waterford. With views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this partially fenced, 17.2-acre property contains extensive hardscaping, lovely gardens, stone retaining walls and terracing.

The main residence, built circa 1745, is an extraordinary, two-story brick and stone house that has been expertly preserved with beautiful woodwork and high ceilings throughout. With stunning views from every window, the interior of the home contains six bedrooms, five full baths and seven fireplaces. The rooms have been renovated with modern conveniences, but in such an unobtrusive manner that the home’s historic character is fully preserved.

The wide entry hall opens to two

FACTS FOR BUYERS ADDRESS: 40120 Bond Street, Waterford, Virginia LISTED AT: $1,495,000 by Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905 of Sheridan MacMahon, Ltd.

parlors containing the original corner fireplaces found in traditional Quaker homes and a spacious dining room features the original cupboards and over-mantel paneling.

A large, cozy breakfast room with stone fireplace and exposed-beam ceiling abuts a modern kitchen with more-thanample cabinet space, gas range and a lot of natural light offered from opposing windows.

The property includes a functioning,

nineteenth-century barn with a wellapportioned, modern apartment. Among the other amenities are a six-vehicle garage, in-ground (20x50) pool, large pool house and several stone outbuildings.

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character and picturesque surroundings.

This article was prepared by Middleburg Life on behalf of the client.

For information on the home, contact the listing agent.

For information on having a house reviewed, contact Middleburg Life at (434) 242-2295.

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Chef | From page 16 baking, carving and cooking a “Selfie from Hell.”

“We made a pumpkin coming to life, with vicious teeth,” Reaves said.

“Then there was this arm reaching from inside snapping a selfie.”

In the following round, the team mixed in a dash of political parody into their masterful interpretation of the theme “Witches and Warlocks.”

A warlock half-transformed into the GOP’s elephant mascot faced off against a hybrid of a witch and a Democratic donkey.

The end result was fun, frightening and, perhaps most impressively, bipartisan. If it’s true that horror reflects society’s deepest fears, what does that say about social media and this year’s presidential election?

Reaves’ and his Crypt Cookers’ designs, equal parts “tongue in cheek” and “hang to the edge of your seat,” helped the team make it through the first round. Aside from his culinary prowess, Reaves offered his team another advantage: This was his fourth Food Network appearance. On “Sugar Dome,” he baked and pieced together a cake shaped like an amusement park.

“Cakes that don’t look like cakes are kind of my specialty,” he said. “You name it, I’ve made it.”

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However, his most important Food Network moment was his first appearance, which was on “Lego Cakes” in 2011. He was crowned champion after a grueling eighthour competition.

Immediately after his coronation, he proposed to Nicole, his longtime girlfriend. In 2013, the couple was the first to walk down the aisle at Salamander, an appropriate honor given Reaves’ long history with the resort.

Reaves, a Purcellville native, loved baking and cooking from an early age, so much so, he said, that he struggles to pinpoint a time when his hobby turned professional. He graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, in 2004, an achievement that helped him land a job as a chef on Norwegian Cruise Line.

During that time, his mother included newspaper clippings about the Salamander Resort, then under construction, with her letters to him. He decided to leave Hawaii and return to Loudoun County at the end of 2005.

“I started at Market Salamander, working there until the resort opened,” Reaves said. As part of the opening team, he was instrumental in writing the menus and choosing the staff. During that time, he made his Food Network debut and

marriage proposal.

Reaves’ familiarity with the network’s contests was a definite contribution to his team’s success, as neither of his teammates had yet experienced the thrill and challenge of a televised cooking competition. “Having been on the channel a few times definitely calmed my nerves,” he said. “Going on is still nerve-wracking, and I still get the jitters, but once the competition starts, adrenaline takes over and I forget the camera is even there.”

The period of deliberation, when the judges sample, discuss and rank the contestants’ creations, is no less anxious even after a few network appearances. “We let out a big sigh of

relief after we passed the first round,” Reaves says.

Since then, the Crypt Cookers have baked, sculpted, carved, and decorated all sorts of horror tropes: a severed, snakeless Medusa head; a motel guest blissfully unaware of the terrifying creature lurking beside her; an evil chef with some “special” ingredients; and a vampire-rabbit-rat hybrid that earned top accolades from the judges, with Don Mancini — creator of the demonic doll Chucky — saying, “It’s really demented … threatening.”

“That was a little gory,” Reaves admitted, “but it was edible gore, and

leads at Harrimans Cooking Studio.

In November, he’ll share his knowledge of pies and tarts with attendees.

Then, in December, Reaves will guide a workshop on gingerbread and cookie decorating. Guests can be certain that they won’t leave empty-handed.

Until then, don’t worry if you see a creepy clown schlepping a gorgeous wedding cake around Salamander.

Chances are that’s Jason. ML

that makes it better. It’s a family show, after all.”

Reaves may be slightly desensitized as well, having made creepy cakes off-screen long before his “Halloween Wars” appearance. A few years ago, he designed a cake for a Leesburg family that was shaped like a bat pinned to a cutting board with a butcher’s cleaver.

“I even made it so you could make the wings flap with a remote control,” Reaves said. “That really freaked people out.”

As the Halloween season comes to a close, Reaves is revving up for two seasonal, hands-on workshops he

Previous pages: Jason Reaves at Salamander Resort (photos courtesy of Salamander Resort). Above (left to right): Reaves’ team and the judges for “Halloween Wars” (photos courtesy of the Food Network).

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25% off PeJay Creations Light refreshments Warrenton Jewelers, 524 Fletcher Dr., Warrenton, Va. 20186 • 540-341-8840

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Afternoon tea at Oatlands Historic House and Gardens — select dates through December Take a horseback ride through the countryside or try yoga in the barn at Salamander Resort & Spa 1

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November To-Do List

Soar through the trees for a bird’s eye view of Middleburg at Empower Adventures Sip cider and sample apple brandy at Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery

A special feature provided by Visit Loudoun

Explore Loudoun’s wine country with a stop at one of numerous Middleburg-based wineries featuring stunning views along with Virginia vino Delve into Loudoun’s rich horse and hunt country at the National Sporting Library & Museum 3

Warm up with a cup of Virginia peanut soup at the Red Fox Inn and Tavern Wander the historic streets of Middleburg and stop in an array of eclectic boutiques Embark on a guided grapes to glass tour at Greenhill Winery & Vineyards to learn about winemaking Try your hand in the kitchen at one of Salamander Resort & Spa’s culinary classes Get a taste of life on the farm at Great Country Farms, where you can pick your own pumpkins and other products, visit the country store and interact with the farm animals

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Enjoy homemade pies and free smells at Little Apple Pastry Shop, a small bakery in Aldie run by a mother-daughter duo Photos: 1. Stone Tower Winery. 2. Oatlands Plantation (photo by Jim Hanna).

3. Golf course and Potomac River at Lansdowne Resort and Spa. 4. Salamander Resort & Spa. 5. Breaux Vineyards. 6. Sunset Hills Vineyard.

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Photos provided by Visit Loudoun

Rock crystal and pearl necklace with pearl drop earrings. All in hand-hammered 19k gold.

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10/24/16 3:27 PM

WINDY HILL CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF HELPING LOCAL

By Heidi Baumstark

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ne woman couldn’t take it.

The poor quality housing.

The lack of plumbing. The

unacceptable living conditions. So she took action.

Her name? English-born Rene Llewellyn, who came to Middleburg as a young war bride.

Until the early 1980s, a dirt path on the western edge of the village of Middleburg was overlooked, forgotten by most.

This dirt path was Windy Hill Road.

The housing there was in rough shape with 12 families who lived there sharing six outhouses and two hand spigots to pump the town’s water, which had to be carried home in buckets. That’s when Rene Llewellyn entered the scene.

As a local citizen witnessing these conditions, Llewellyn was compelled to say, “This is not acceptable. Not anywhere, but especially not in my adopted country.”

Her disgust of the conditions motivated her to raise $1 million locally. With the help of the Loudoun County Housing Office, she received a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant to renovate the mix of ramshackle houses. And in 1981 that was the beginning of the Windy Hill Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization with a noble mission: to provide safe, decent and affordable housing to low and lower-income families in Loudoun, Fauquier and Clarke counties, and to encourage self-improvement and self-sufficiency among tenant residents.

Today, the Windy Hill Foundation has created 67 attractive and affordable housing units in Middleburg: 11 single-family detached homes on Windy Hill Road known as the “Cottages,” 16 units at Llewellyn Village Apartments located at the end of Windy Hill Road, 14 units on Virginia Lane, 20 apartments at Levis Hill House for the elderly and six units at Barton Place, a historic stone structure gifted to Windy Hill in the mid-1990s by Al Barton, the foundation’s second president.

But it doesn’t stop there.

In 2012, Windy Hill expanded to 18 units in The Plains with the completion of Piedmont Lane, which consists of 16 units in five different buildings, and The Rectory with two units.

In Marshall, 30 affordable townhomes are slated to be built. The foundation contracts with TM Associates Management Inc., a separate property management company that oversees all the properties, many of which are certified as “green” buildings through EarthCraft Virginia.

Eddie Wright of Middleburg was an early board member from the foundation’s inception.

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“We used to meet in Rene’s home on Chinn Lane. She was quite a lady; a real go-getter,” said Wright, a former vice president of Middleburg Bank with a 42-year banking career.

He added, “The area was run down with dilapidated housing. Now you drive into Middleburg in any direction and it looks nice. Middleburg is unique; it takes care of its people. This has been possible through gifts, influence and

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caring about the community.”

In 2005, the Windy Hill Development Co. was formed. Kim Hart is the manager of the company, which partners with other businesses to jump-start affordable housing projects.

Hart also led the foundation for years; but on Oct. 1, Bob Dale — a board member for 25 years — accepted the foundation’s position as executive director.

Dale remembers Llewellyn well. “She got a few of her wealthier friends together to give to this effort. She was definitely a very spirited woman. Very classy with a lot of ‘presence;’ she was very calm, articulate and passionate.

When she talked about it, you could feel it.”

Going farther than most programs of its kind, Windy Hill offers its 140-plus residents a range of family services to ensure sustain-

for our residents.”

The community room at Llewellyn Village Apartments is where many of these programs are held, such as after-school programs offering students a safe place to socialize and participate in activities like independent reading, group reading, educational games, arts and crafts, supervised computer use and trips to the Middleburg Library. Then there are chil-

able, ongoing success, including better health care, education services and offering positive, motivating life experiences that encourage self-improvement and self-sufficiency among its residents — the second half of the foundation’s mission.

When it comes to these programs, Dale said, “That’s where my focus will be: continuing to offer the family services programs

dren’s summer programs and healthy child programs. Then there is the “Study Buddy” program offering one-to-one tutoring for students in grades 1-5 with adult volunteers at Banneker Elementary School.

Levis Hill House, a two-acre site next to Windy Hill Road, opened in 2008 as Loudoun’s first, certified “green” apartment building and the first in the county to win an Energy Star award from the Environmental

Protection Agency and HUD. Programs are held there for seniors including health-care screenings, bingo, arts and crafts, and fellowship meals such as “Friday Feasts,” run by a team of volunteers who bring a home-cooked meal every other Friday.

Two full-time employees are needed to manage the planning and delivery of these programs. Claire Louis serves as director of programs and has been working for the Windy Hill Foundation since 2008 as the first resident services manager. Thomas Garnett serves as the family programs manager.

Noreen Belle, a resident at Llewellyn Village Apartments for four years, said her two children are involved in these programs.

“Last Valentine’s Day, they had a dinner for everyone. To help parents, they offer free baby-sitting during events like ladies nights and movie nights. It’s nice to have these activities right here at the property,” Belle said.

Threasa Thompson is a Levis Hill House resident who has lived there for about three years. But she’s a local who remembers the “old” Windy Hill and the rough shape it was in. “I was living in the area before it was fixed up. It used to have outdoor toilets and we didn’t have [running] water yet. I remember that. But it was still nice to live close to town.”

Now at Levis Hill House, Thompson enjoys the many activities offered. “I help the older residents who can’t drive. They give me a list and I go to the grocery store for them,” she said. “And Claire and Thomas help us a lot.” She also remembers the days before Levis Hill House and Llewellyn Village Apartments were built and when old houses occupied the space.

Judy Washburn, one of the original board members since 1982, noted: “With the housing on Route 50, The Plains development and the 30 townhomes about to be built in Marshall, the word is finally getting out, and hopefully the programs we provide will become better known. I don’t think there is a lot of affordable housing that provides services to improve the residents’ quality of life, as well as just putting a roof over their heads.”

The Nov. 18 “Epic ‘80s Gala” at Salamander Resort & Spa will celebrate the foundation’s 35th anniversary. This is their most important fundraising event since “money raised at the gala goes directly to fund our family services programs,” Dale added.

Because of Llewellyn’s vision, the area has been transformed. And the transformation continues to spread.

Because of one woman’s inability to look the other way, many have paved new paths to improve their lives. And that’s worth celebrating. ML Windy Hill Foundation: 2 W. Washington St., Middleburg, VA 20117; 540-687-3997; windyhillfoundation.org.

Previous page: Bob Dale (left) of the Windy Hill Foundation and Kim Hart of the Windy Hill Development Co. (photo by Focal Point Creative). Left (clockwise from top): Historical photo of Windy Hill Road (photo courtesy of the Windy Hill Foundation); Barton Place (photo by Eryn Gable); and Virginia Lane (photo by Eryn Gable).

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4500 ACRES in 55 PARCELS zoned RA. Approximately 10 miles southeast of Charlottesville in Albemarle County. Frontage on Martins King Road, Buck Island Road and Rolling Road. Potential for development and easements. $42,100,000

Culpeper ~ 1,559 Acres - 14 parcels with 5 dwellings, commercial grain storrage bins & Silos & Multiple farm improvements. Located in the Northeastern quadrant of Orange County with approx. 3.65 miles of Rapidan River frontage, land fronts on Horse Shoe Road. & Windsor Rd. Tax Credit potential. $18,800,000

Grand Residence: Beautifully constructed in 1997 using cypress siding and a standing seam roof this stately home offers 13 bedrooms, 9 full baths, 3 one half baths, 6 fireplaces, and much more. 1,322 Acres in 7 parcels; offers tremendous privacy being bordered by over 3 miles of James River frontage to the North and East, and the James River National Wildlife Refuge to the Southwest. Tax credit potential. $12,200,000

rallywood

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World class equestrian facility comprised of 115 Acres in the OCH Territory. The U shaped complex encompasses an 80’ x 180’ lighted indoor riding arena connected by a breezeway to the 12 stall center-aisle barn and extraordinary living and entertaining quarters overlooking the outdoor ring. Additional structures include tenant houses and large heated equipment barn. $4,750,000

Extraordinary estate on over 180 acres; Ideal for horses; 7 Bedrooms; New Gourmet State of the Art Kitchen & Baths; Gorgeous full wall windows, overlooking 10 acre lake; 10 stall stable, Paddocks with run-in sheds, Pool and poolhouse with fireplace, spa and new tennis courts. $3,950,000

c.1823, with a stunning tree lined entrance, offers one of the grand manor homes in the famed horse country of Upperville. Recently renovated, the home offers wonderful indoor and outdoor living areas. Porches, gardens, barns, paddocks, riding arena, pond, pool and magnificent views from the Bull Run to Blue Ridge Mountains. $3,700,000

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Steeped in history, the 98 acre estate of Ashleigh features an elegant Greek Revival manor house, c.1840, 2 bedroom pool/guest house adjacent to heated pool. 2 bedroom tenant home, 10 stall barn with 1 bedroom apt. and manager's office, additional 4 stall & 3 stall barn. Paddocks, pond, & magnificent gardens. 42 acres of this property are in managed Forestry Land Use. Excellent access to I-66. $2,500,000

Absolutely exquisite 4 Bedroom, 4 Bath Colonial on 25 acres offering privacy & seclusion in a picture booksetting.

The 3 level main residence includes 4 fireplaces, pine floors, Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room, study & a fabulous gourmet kitchen, all in pristine condition.The manicured grounds incl. a charming 2 Bedroom Guest house, free form pool, great 4 stall barn,5 paddocks, lg equip.building, blue stone arena. $2,225,000

18+ acres of mostly open and rolling land with the home sited perfectly with vast views from both front and back overlooking the pond, gardens and front fields. Cathedral ceilings, Master on the main floor, huge library/living room, private guest rooms, apartment on lower level w/own kitchen/entrance, sprawling deck w/awning. Perfect location ~ OCH territory ~ VOF conservation easement. $1,795,000

white hall

hopewell road

land

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POTTS MILL ROAD - with frontage on Little River, Open Space Easement, rolling fields with mature hardwood forest, Orange County Hunt Territory, great ride out, very private, within 5 miles of the village of Middleburg, views in all directions.

316.85 acres $5,800,000 179.1 acres $3,222,000 137.74 acres $2,534,500 NAKED MOUNTAIN - Delaplane, 276 acres of land on Naked Mountain. A true hunter's paradise! Mostly wooded, very private. Nice elevation, from 670 to 1,400.

Kettle Run stream runs through, great opportunity for tax credits. $1,159,410

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The stately mansion is sited on 8½ acres within the town limits of The Plains, VA. The size of the home and its room sizes lends itself beautifully for hosting large events. The foyer measures 48’ x 11’. The zoning allows for potential division rights or potential tax credits. Convenient to Exit 31 of I-66. $1,200,000

82.99 acres with access from either The Plains Road or Hopewell Road. Nice elevation and several options for house sites. 15 Acres cleared with amazing view potential. Includes a certification letter for a 5 Bedroom septic system. Property is in Easement and cannot be further subdivided. $1,150,000

BEARS DEN - 151.61 acres in 3 parcels. (50.49, 50.48 and 50.64) Can be sold individually as well (50+ acre parcels) One largely wooded parcel, other two parcels share a pond and have wonderful views. Great location off of Leeds Manor Rd. and only minutes from Warrenton. $454,000 & $353,000

www.thomas-talbot.com Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warranted nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

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The beautifully groomed 321+ acres of this thoroughbred horse breeding & training farm rests at the edge of Middleburg. The gently rolling land is traversed with paved lanes to access the stately manor home, tenant homes, Confederate Hall, the barns and 6 furlong training track. The Georgian Style Training Barn is stunning and includes 28 stalls and a 1/8 mile indoor training track, with excellent $10,450,000 access to the fenced paddocks and fields.

Prestigious location and Beautiful 881+ acres of farmland. A Grand Manor House c. 1857, 4 cottages and barns including a 16 stall barn. Located at the confluence of the Robinson and Rapidan Rivers. Most of the land is open crop land with ponds and mountain views. 5 parcels. Tax Credit potential. $9,200,000

Magnificent horse property in the midst of the serene countryside. From the picturesque Young Road two driveways access the 107 acres of Hidden Trail Farm. The first leads to one of the finest indoor arenas surrounded by exquisite ride out. The second is the graceful, park-like drive, which parallels a creek and then gently curves up to the elegant manor home. $6,500,000

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Middleburg~A graceful & charming 5 bedroom French Country home is set amongst nearly 40 serene acres enhanced by majestic trees, rolling lawns and fenced paddocks. This wonderful horse property also includes a 7 stall center-aisle barn with office, additional 4 stall barn with apartment, indoor arena, and tremendous ride out potential. Located in the OCH Territory. $3,500,000

Magnificent 155 Acre Atoka Road Estate with gated entry opening into the private drive lined with mature trees. The charming historic manor home, c. 1827 backs to expansive views of fields and ponds. 4 tenant homes, 3 barns, indoor and outdoor riding arenas. Gently rolling pasture land with fenced paddocks and fields. Property is in a VOF conservation easement. $3,250,000

726.66 acres in 14 parcels, all of which are 50 acres or larger. Accessed from Hume Road and from Black Rock Ford. Great elevation, views, open land,woods and frontage on the Rappahannock River. Mixed game for hunting.

Great opportunity for tax credits. $2,979,306

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The 176 Acre Estate of Norwood is approx. 1 mile east of Berryvile. An allee of mature Maple trees line the long driveway of the manor house, c. 1819, listed in the National Register as, “One of Clarke County’s most elegant, intact examples of the Federal style of architecture.” The brick home offers 11’ ceiling height, original flooring, moldings, gracious entertaining rooms, 3 bedrooms and 3+ baths. $1,700,000

The lovely 22.8 Acre Ridgeview Farm offers a private, 4 bedroom residence sited on a knoll, with spacious rooms and views into the trees that border Little River. Located in prime Orange County Hunt territory the horse facilities include a 6 stall barn with tack room and wash stall, machine shed, run in shed and 4 beautiful board fenced paddocks, fields and round pen. VOF Easement. $1,350,000

Beautiful 4 bedroom, 5 bath home on over 50 acres with incredible views in all directions. Perfect for horse enthusiasts or great for enjoying country living. Elegant living spaces perfect for parties. Fencing, convertible barn, water features, lush gardens, covered porches and decks for outdoor entertaining and much more. Old Dominion Hunt Territory. $1,299,000

land

ValleyView

paxson road

Executive, 10 acre mountaintop retreat, perfectly sited with a southern exposure to enjoy the panoramic views from sunrise over the Bull Run Mountains to sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Exquisite finishes and 10’ ceiling height. Two spacious master suites with two additional en suite bedrooms. Pool, paddocks and perennial gardens. $1,225,000

Stunning and private 65.03 acres just south of Purcellville. Gorgeous pasture and wildlife habitat.

Ideal setting for a countryside estate, equestrian farm or working farm. Quiet and peaceful with rock walls, running stream, electric, well, 5 Bedroom septic permit, Open Space Conservation Easement. $684,999

MAIDSTONE ROAD - of Land, half pasture, half wooded with Goose Creek Frontage. Mountain and Pastural Views with pond and multiple house sites with elevation and perfect location with easy access to I-66. Piedmont Hunt Territory.

50.14 Acres $802,170 MARKHAM- 76+/- Acres off of Sage Road 1 with Great Mountain views and Pond. 3 Bedroom, 1 ⁄2 Bath home could be main home or guest home. Fencing, privacy and more. Please no drive throughs. $699,000 O’BANNON ROAD - 153+ mostly wooded acres in a great location. Build your dream home with fantastic views or a cabin for weekend get-aways. Property is in 2 parcels. $615,520

ThoMAs AnD TAlBoT ReAl esTATe (540) 687-6500

Middleburg, Virginia 20118

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2014 Greenhill “Philosophy” Virginia

Gold, 2016 Loudoun Wine Awards Help us celebrate the Grand Opening of our new Tasting & Barrel Rooms with the release of “Philosophy.”

Stay tuned to Facebook.com/GreenhillWineryVineyards for the announcement! Date & time TBA.

Open Daily, Noon ‘til Sunset 23595 Winery Lane Middleburg, Virginia 20117 info@greenhillvineyards.com 540.687.6968 26

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Middleburg welcomes California rider:

Valerie Ashker crosses the USA on her Thoroughbred

By Susan Salk

A

60-year-old woman riding her off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) across the United States to raise awareness of the vitality and worth of ex-racehorses is due to trot into Middleburg later this month, concluding her odyssey on a high note in horse country.

Valerie Ashker, the mother of four-star eventer Laine Ashker, has often said her daughter’s stellar career has been “made on the backs of Thoroughbreds.” And the cross-country trek into the unrelenting glare of the eastern sunrises, dogged by setbacks, injury and obstacles, is the least she can do to thank the noble breed for putting her and her daughter on the horse-sport map.

“When I ride into Middleburg, what I want people to see, more than

anything, are two ambitious, bright, athletic and happy looking horses,” said Ashker of the two OTTBs making the journey. “My ambition since Laine has made it to the upper echelons to compete against the best riders in the country is to show that we’ve done it all on the back of an offtrack Thoroughbred.”

With that in mind, Ashker and riding partner Peter Friedman set out from California May 9: Ashker riding 7-year-old bay gelding Primitivo, and Friedman mounted on 17-year-old gelding Solar Express.

Noting that both horses earned their chops on the racetracks before coming into her barn, Ashker said they were strong and bright throughout the trip.

And that’s saying something, she said, noting that Solar broke Rider | Page 31

Book us for your next event!

Hunt Ball, Wedding, Riding Clinic or Horse Show, etc.

FoxChaseFarm.net

Call us for more information and to schedule a tour: 540-687-5255 N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 6

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MIDDLEBURG P

roducers Sheila Johnson, Bo Derek, Mark Sennet and David Greenhill proudly announce the start of pre-production for the historical feature film “W.A.S.P.,” which will for the first time tell the amazing story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (W.A.S.P.) of World War II. With a screenplay written by award-winning writer B. Garida and based on the book “Santiago Rhythm and Blues” by Lt. Col. Andra Higgs, the film follows aviation pioneers Jacqueline Cochran and Nancy Love as they formed the first group of women pilots who f lew for the United States military.

“History is made when stories of greatness are shared.

But for too long, history has been just that: HIS story. These women aviators did incredible things for both our country and the world. I can’t wait to share their amazing experience with a new generation,” stated Sheila C. Johnson, executive producer, CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts and co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET).

W.A.S.P. will celebrate the heroics of these amazing women during World War II and honor their struggles for recognition in the following years, including obtaining veteran status in 1977, the 2009 awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to the group for exemplary service, and the passage of the 2016 law conferring the pilots’ right to burial with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Thirty-eight of those brave pilots sacrificed their lives in the service of their country between the years 1942 and 1945.

“These patriotic women overcame great obstacles and prejudice in pursuit of their dream to fly for their country,” commented Bo Derek.

“As a former Time-Life pho-

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tojournalist, I love uncovering heroic stories. As a producer, I take great pride in sharing the amazing accomplishments of these women,” said Mark Sennet. “The story of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots was lost and forgotten for decades, but more than 1,000 courageous women flew for the W.A.S.P., logging more than 60 million miles in every single aircraft in the Army Air Corps’ arsenal during World War II,” continued Sennet.

“General Hap Arnold is widely regarded as the father of the United States Air Force. I respectfully submit that Jackie Cochran is therefore the ‘mother of the Air Force.’ Her W.A.S.P. unit was the first to wear the Air Force blue uniform. The distinctive achievements Jackie and her 1,078 W.A.S.P. logged on behalf of our nation is nothing short of exceptionally extraordinary,” said Lt. Col. Andra Higgs of the

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United States Air Force.

William Hasselberger, Craig Sheftell, and Aleco Bravo-Greenberg round out the team who will produce the film. ML

Top (left to right): Brian Gary, Lt. Col. Andra Higgs and Aleco Bravo-Greenberg.

Bottom: Mark Sennet.

FILM FESTIVAL

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1

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2 On Oct. 24, the Middleburg Film Festival announced the 2016 Audience Award winners, concluding the third annual four-day festival. This year’s Audience Award for Best Narrative went to “Lion,” Garth Davis’ feature film directorial debut. This year’s Audience Award for Best Documentary went to “The Eagle Huntress” from first-time feature filmmaker Otto Bell. With 28 films from 17 countries, the festival featured Oscar contenders, critically acclaimed foreign language films and compelling documentaries.

1. Actress Emma Stone and director Damien Chazelle at the Middleburg Film Festival’s Saturday night screening of “La La Land” — one of this year’s “Oscar Buzz” films. 2. John Horn (KPCC’s “The Frame”) hosts a conversation with producer Ged Doherty and former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder at the Middleburg Film Festival screening of “Loving.” 3. (Left to right) Producer Angie Fielder, actress Priyanka Bose, MFF founder Sheila C. Johnson and film subject Saroo Brierley at the Middleburg Film Festival’s opening night screening of “Lion.” 4. Actress Priyanka Bose and MFF Founder Sheila C. Johnson before the festival’s opening night screening of “Lion.” 5. The Washington Post’s chief film critic Ann Hornaday moderating a conversation with director Otto Bell, film subject Aisholpan Nurgaiv and her father Nurgaiv Rys following the screening of “The Eagle Huntress.”

Photos by Joy Asico

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WE DIDN’T LEARN HOW TO CARE FOR HORSES IN CUBICLES.

DOUGLAS LEAVITT

(at age 8) Virginia Territory Manager Equine Specialist Nutrena

y l i m a f r u o n i Horses run

© 2016 Cargill Inc. All rights reserved.

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Rider | From page 27 his leg on the racetrack as a 3-yearold, but went on to become her personal eventer before taking on this challenge.

“Solar was my event horse for 13 years. We rode everywhere on the East Coast, and with Laine as well.

And he went to Florida for torturous lessons with Buck Davidson,” Ashker said.

“Looking at him and his buxom, quarter horse-type body, nobody would ever guess he had a right, condylar fracture of his cannon bone as a 3-year-old. Many people wouldn’t take a horse who broke his leg on the track, but Solar proves that what you see on a piece of X-ray film cannot foretell the future. He turned out to be one of my best horses.”

And the youngster on the trip, Primitivo, has been equally amazing, she said. “This horse has been freakishly good about how well he’s handled this trip,” she said. “If I gave him two or three weeks off, he could probably turn around, head west, and do it all over again!”

Noting that both horses rode in bitless bridles and wore glue-on shoes, Ashker said the pair tackled the hardest part of the journey first.

Because they traveled west to east, the animals hiked up the Sierras in

7,000-foot altitudes and conquered 13 summits in Nevada early into the trip.

“The summits ranged from 6,300 feet to 7,990 feet,” she said, adding, “The Rockies were the mama of them all!”

Traveling roughly 20 miles a day, horses and riders rose in the early morning hours to eat and break down makeshift paddocks.

The horses walked, trotted and occasionally cantered along the shoulder of roadways, while a driver accompanied them with a large trailer outfitted for both horse and human.

Staying mainly along the Interstate 50 corridor, Ashker and her team weathered some challenges: she broke ribs after she was kicked and broke her clavicle when she fell in Utah. And during a routine X-ray of the broken bones, a white mass, ultimately proving to be benign, was

discovered on Ashker’s lungs.

The emotionally packed journey was buoyed by fans who turned out along the way, showing support, sometimes riding along, other times offering a site to make camp.

“When I look back on this journey, what I’ll remember most is the beauty of this country and the kind-

ness of its people,” Ashker said. “This has been an epic journey.” ML Susan Salk is the creator of Off-Track Thoroughbreds, a blog dedicated to telling the success stories of off-track Thoroughbreds who have transitioned into other careers or retirement. Read more of her writing at offtrackthoroughbreds.com.

Spring Glade, Middleburg, VA.

Middleburg Prime Retail Space 1600 +/- SQ. Feet. Ideal for a small café with outside seating. Will consider short or long term leases for high-end trunk shows, estate sales, art shows or other promotional exhibits.

FOR LEASE

Middleburg Apartment Rental Spacious 865 SQ. FT. 1 Bedroom.

Hardwood floors. Crown &Chair Molding.

Stone Gas Fireplace. Tiled bath w/Bidet.

Parking. Washer/Dryer use. $1700.

1500 SQ. FEET • PRIME RETAIL SPACE MAIN STREET, MIDDLEBURG VA

Very special and private 78.89 +/- acre estate located minutes from the village of Middleburg. Elegant French styled country residence reached by meandering drive through park-like grounds. 1st floor master wing, with sitting room, office, his/her baths & dressing rooms with custom built-in dressers.

Additional 3 BR, 3 + BA, 5 fireplaces and a series French doors leading to lovely stone-walled flagstone patios, veranda, gardens and swimming pool. Charming 3 BR, 2 BA guest house w/fireplace & garage w/apartment. Nestled in the heart of Middleburg Hunt country. Affords the utmost in privacy and magnificent lake & mountain views. $3,500,000

EUTER’

R

I N C O R P O R AT E D

MIDDLEBURG, VA

EST. 1965

S

WASHINGTON, DC

Middleburg Office Rental Main Street, 2nd floor, 2 rooms, 543 +/- SQ. Feet, full bath, Parking. $1200 Land: Watson Rd/ Leesburg: Two contiguous lots, 3.31 & 4.15 +/- acres.

Wells installed. No HOA. $275,000 per lot.

Will consider short For more information or longcall term lease. please Jock Reuter For more information at 540-687-5511 please call Jock Reuter www.Reutersinc.com at 540-687-5511

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Baking bread and breaking bread: The art of cooking together

By Chelsea Rose Moore | Photos by Focal Point Creative

I

’ve talked with many people who are intimidated by the prospect of baking bread at

home. For those who have never done it, visions of a daylong process filled with special techniques and hours of kneading come to mind.

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As a self-taught baker, I have found that bread making is one of the most rewarding mediums. For those who doubt, it is possible — and with a bit of practice, simple — to make artisan bread at home.

James Beard wrote, “Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.” I would amend this to say: good bread made at home is supremely satisfying.

Bread making itself is a form of meditation. It teaches us patience. Bread takes time

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— to knead, to rise, to bake.

In a world of instant gratification, bread requires us to slow down and wait. We can pour a cup of tea, call a friend, finish washing the dishes, or turn on Frank Sinatra and dance with our partner. And while we are waiting, we are treated to a delicious aroma and the tantalizing expectation of what is to come.

Bread making reminds us to plan ahead: My husband and I make most of our bread from scratch, from pizza dough to tortillas

to sweet breads and whole grain loaves. If we’re planning on bread with dinner, we’ll often start a day before. On slow weekends, we make bread in advance, as it can be frozen and pulled out at a moment’s notice (never fear, last minute dinner party!).

I love the way homemade bread adds elegance to the humblest of dinners — light a candle, pour some wine, slice freshly baked bread and watch as your leftovers start to look more appealing.

Bread making provides us with thought-

ful gifts for family and friends. My husband and I decided our holiday gifts this year will be our favorite baked items. Even better: Make it more festive by inviting friends into your kitchen and baking your favorite loaf together.

Don’t want to gift friends with bread for the holidays? Try homemade cinnamon rolls or a seeded whole grain loaf as a host or hostess gift.

Perhaps, most importantly, bread making gives us a love of others and a love of community. Food brings us together, fosters com-

munity and nurtures friendships. Human interaction is centered around food and drink, and many of my closest friendships began over a meal.

Breaking bread with family, friends and neighbors is an art we should all learn to practice more often. ML Left: Homemade bread by Chelsea Rose Moore.

Above (clockwise from top left): Dutch apple crumb pie from Nalls Farm Market; Greenhill wines complement a meal; Homemade bread completes the table. Food styling by Chelsea Rose Moore.

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MR. POPCORN MAN

By Brian Yost

E

veryone loves popcorn.

Well … nearly everyone loves popcorn of some sort and Popcorn Monkey on Middleburg’s West Federal Street offers popcorn of nearly every type and flavor. I recently dropped by the new store to see what I could learn about this positive addition to the town’s business district.

Popcorn Monkey is really a success story. As an entrepreneur, Tone Moore is a repeat offender. In earlier incarnations, Moore said, he “was a personal trainer, serviced salt-water tanks and sold custom hydraulics.”

That was all before arriving in Middleburg and opening his current

business. When asked how he ended up in Northern Virginia in the popcorn business, Moore responded, “If you think about what we do in good and bad times, we eat. I always had a love for [popcorn] at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. There was just something about it, with my face up against that machine. It was just kind of magical.”

He continued by pointing out, “I wanted something that was fun.”

As for the decision to move to Middleburg, Tone and his wife, Mickey, were exploring the local area with an eye toward relocating from their

NATIONAL SPORTING

home in northern Ohio. Describing the drive along The Plains Road, Moore called it “breathtaking.”

“It was fall,” he went on to say, “and I almost drove off the road. It was unreal.”

Later, as he and his wife began walking around Middleburg, he went on to say, “Everyone we met on the street said hello. I felt embraced here.”

Then, after vending popcorn at his first Christmas in Middleburg parade, Moore sold $1,000 worth of

LIBRARY & MUSEUM

in Art

THE CHRONICLE of the HORSE

On view August 26, 2016 - March 26, 2017 The exhibiTion feaTures painTings and

sculpTure ThaT highlighT The rich varieTy and depTh of The classic, iconic, and conTemporary american, briTish, and conTinenTal arT feaTured prominenTly on The fronT covers of The acclaimed weekly equesTrian magazine, The ChroniCle of The horse, for almosT 70 years.

102 The Plains Road | Middleburg, VA | 540.687.6542 | NationalSporting.org Above: The Chronicle of the Horse, Vol. 9, No. 20: January 18 1946. Front cover. © The Chronicle of the Horse, Inc. Top: George Stubbs (English, 1724–1806), Shark with his Trainer Price, dated 1775, (detail), oil on canvas, 40 1/8 x 50 1/8 inches, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Paul Mellon Collection Photo: Katherine Wetzel © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Lower Right: Richard Barrett Davis (British, 1782–1854) George Mountford, Huntsman to the Quorn, and W. Derry, Whipper-In, at John O’Gaunt’s Gorse, near Melton Mowbray, 1836, oil on canvas, 28 ½ x 35 ¾ inches, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection Bottom: Jean Eleanor Bowman (American, 1917 - 1994) Mongo on the Turf at Laurel Racetrack, Maryland with Charles Burr Up, 1964, oil on canvas, 29 x 36 inches, National Sporting Library & Museum, Gift of Jacqueline B. Mars, 2012 © John H. Pentecost

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popcorn and ran out of product. “The rest,” he said, “was history.”

Following its official opening in Middleburg in 2013, Popcorn Monkey staffed a kiosk at FedEx Field, where they sell popcorn at Redskins games, and began supplying Mercedes-Benz of Chantilly with snack bags. Its products can now also be found at the newly opened Gentle Harvest store in Marshall. “We were looking at opening in Leesburg,” Moore explained, “but Middleburg is

- POPCORN MONKEY Open Wednesday-Friday and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; 101 W. Federal St., Middleburg, VA 20117; 540-687-6539; popcornmonkeyllc.com.

the home base.”

The business quickly outgrew the original basement space on East Federal Street and moved to its current location on the corner of Pendleton and West Federal in October.

Like many Middleburg businesses, Popcorn Monkey is a family enterprise. “My sister is working a booth at the Aldie duck race,” Moore pointed out, and “my daughter designed the logo.”

As we talked, his wife, Mickey, was managing the counter downstairs as a constant stream of customers flowed in and out of the building. The business is obviously popular.

“Anyone can buy stuff online,” Moore was quick to point out, “but the experience of coming in, tasting and coming back for refills is what people want.” More than once when Moore was trying to leave the shop at the end of a busy day, customers would continue to assail him

calling, “Mr. Popcorn Man, Mr. Popcorn Man.” The business is clearly filling a popular niche. After all …

Everyone loves popcorn. ML

Left: Tone and Mickey Moore outside their new store (photo by Eryn Gable).

Above left: Inside Popcorn Monkey’s new store (photo by Brian Yost). Above right: Popcorn of nearly every flavor (photo by Eryn Gable).

At Highland, a Pre-K to Grade 12 independent day school in Warrenton, we know that every child is unique. Our students get the tools and opportunities they need to discover themselves and the world around them in an academically challenging yet supportive and engaging environment.

If you are looking for new challenges

and opportunities, find yourself at Highland School. Please contact Donna Tomlinson at 540-878-2740 to explore our campus, meet our students and educators, and find out what sets Highland – and Highland students – apart.

AT HIGHLAND SCHOOL, YOU CAN BE PART OF A TIGHT KNIT GROUP

LEARN MORE AT OUR OPEN HOUSE Join us for our next Open House on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 1:30pm.

To register, please call Donna Tomlinson at 540-878-2740 or sign up online today at highlandschool.org/openhouse

OF

Sign up for our Open House today at

Highland was voted ‘Best Independent School in Northern Virginia’ four years in a row by Virginia Living Magazine! open.house.half.middleburg.life.november.2016.indd 1

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highlandschool.org/openhouse •

w w w. m i d d l e b u r g l i f e . c o m10/31/16

10:35 AM 35

T

Orange County Team Chase Photos by Joanne Maisano

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Photos: 1. Best Hunt Team: River Hills Foxhounds (PA) Tiffany Catledge, Lana Polito, Colin Reynolds and Cameron Rouse. (not in order) 2. Team K Squared has Kathleen O’Keefe and Kathleen Lyons. 3. Team Bay Relations is Karen Nutt. They were all riding Cleveland Bays that were all related. 4. Here are two of the 3 riders in Piedmont PJ’s and Haley. They won Closest to Ideal Time. Riders on that team include Hayley Alcock, Chiara Pejacsevich and Tatiana Pejacsevich.

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4

he annual Orange County Hounds Team Chase is modeled after the traditional English Team Chase and has evolved into a friendly foxhunting competition designed for riders of all levels over jumps that are commonly found in the hunt field. On Sunday, Oct. 30 — an unseasonably warm and sunny day — horses and riders galloped across rolling fields, jumping coops, stone walls and logs while the spectators on the hill cheered on their favorite teams.

Nearly 100 riders participated, including 20 juniors, in the Hilltopper Pairs Division or on teams of four in the First Flight Division.

Seventeen pairs of horses and riders competed in the Hilltopper Division over a course of 12 jumps.

The winner of the Hilltopper Pairs Best Turned Out was the K Squared Team from Casanova Hunt with Kathleen O’Keefe on Roucouler and Kathleen Lyons on Prince of Diamonds. The overall Best Hilltopper Pair over fences was from the Loudoun Fairfax Hunt with Carlee Cox on Shy Girl and Ellie Hastings on Meadow Jubilation.

The First Flight Teams are comprised of three to four riders covering approximately 3 miles at a hunting pace over a course of 18 jumps.

Eighteen teams competed for Best Hunt Team and the Ideal Time award.

The winners of the First Flight Best Turned Out were an impeccably appointed team from Middleburg Hunt with George Kuk wearing a scarlet coat and his three stunning teammates in elegant sidesaddle attire: Devon Zebrovious, Bernadette Boland and Maureen Britell.

Traveling all the way from Pennsylvania, the River Hills Foxhounds team was the victor in the First Flight Best Hunt Team with Tiffany Catledge on Kilkelly All’s Well, Lana Polito on Midas, Collin Reynolds on Good Fortune and Cameron Rouse on Rummy.

A crowd favorite and winners of the Ideal Time Award hailed from Piedmont Fox Hounds and was an all-junior team with the experienced Haley Alcock on Encounter the Judge leading the way, and sisters Tatiana Pejacsevich on Soup of the Day and Chiara Pejacsevich on Wyklyns First Knight following close behind at a gallop.

The final two events of the day were the First Flight Junior Championship and the First Flight Adult Championship. The 2015 Junior Champion was Andrew Looney on Captain Jack. The First Flight Adult Champion and winner of the beautiful Alfred Hunt Perpetual Challenge Trophy was Angie Cooney on Here Comes the Judge with the MOC Beagles. ML

TO Y IT

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Terra Alpha pioneers investing WITH THE ENVIRONMENT IN MIND Story and photo by Callie Broaddus

M

iddleburg is home to some of the country’s most successful innovators and business leaders. Among them ranks a tennis-playing, number-crunching world traveler named Timothy P. Dunn.

Dunn has lived near Middleburg with his wife, Ellen Stofan — currently NASA’s chief scientist — for 16 years. The couple raised three children on a farm just outside of Middleburg, and they have each dedicated great amounts of time and treasure to preserve the beautiful countryside and town they call home.

You might recognize Dunn’s name from the boards of various local organizations such as Highland School, which all three of his children attended, the Virginia chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Piedmont Environmental Council or maybe even from the College of William and Mary’s Board of Visitors. But in the world of finance, he is known as a world-class investor and founder of Middleburg-based Terra Alpha Investments LLC. Dunn came from a traditional financial background as senior vice president at Capital Research Global Investors, which manages over $1 trillion in investment funds. He was lead analyst and fund manager of some of the company’s largest and most successful mutual funds. However, in the late 2000s, Dunn became concerned that Capital Research and large investment companies were not accounting for environmental factors that could pose longterm risks to investors and should have an impact on their strategies.

In hopes of making an impact, he left Capital Research in 2009 and dedicated the next five years to working with several environmental nonprofits.

“As I was doing that work, it became clear to me that we really need capital markets — the investment world — to be part of the conversation,” said Dunn, “so I started thinking about how I could combine the two.”

Dunn founded Terra Alpha in December 2014, and his ideas are already making waves in the investment world. “We very quickly established ourselves as actually being legitimately part of the conversation; we know what we’re doing.”

Dunn noted that this quarter, Terra Alpha will present work at three global conferences, and one of their reports on measuring water efficiency will soon be published as a chapter in a prestigious sustainable-investment textbook.

So, what’s the big deal?

Terra Alpha’s investment approach takes into account an extra set of data to create a measurement that Dunn and his team call “environmental productivity.”

Environmental productivity is quite simple.

Companies efficiently using natural resources, compared to their industry peers, will have greater long-term returns. The measurement accounts for the company’s carbon efficiency, water efficiency and material efficiency.

Regarding companies in Terra Alpha’s global equity fund, “The amount of carbon they use is 90

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percent less than the market they compare to,” said Dunn. “These aren’t just new economy companies that don’t otherwise use [fossil fuels]. We have industrial companies and utilities and car manufacturers and so on; these are traditional businesses that are significantly more efficient, which is the whole point.”

Even though the return on investment in

invest accordingly. The company dedicates time and resources to advocate for greater transparency among companies to divulge environmental risks and opportunities. They have made strides to demonstrate to money managers that environmental productivity is an opportunity to improve returns and drive capital markets toward an economy more in line with our natural systems.

efficiency is well understood, many companies have been slow to implement such practices.

“These are multiyear benefits. And too often, shareholders are asking for quarterly improvements,” explained Dunn, adding that investors need to spur the conversation.

“It is in our interest as investors because we’re investing for retirement, for our children’s education, for the next generation. … Most of us, as investors and asset owners, are thinking longer term.

And we’re operating longer term. But the people we currently trust to manage our money are often rewarded and are focused on quarterly outcomes rather than annual outcomes.”

Terra Alpha has collected vast amounts of data from companies, big environmental nonprofits, academics and a growing group of environmental data entities. “It’s amazing how few traditional investment firms actually know about the information we’re using,” said Dunn.

“There are a lot of people who are starting to look at their portfolios and their investments based on environmental factors, but there are very few who are actually using the information to create portfolios. … We have the luxury of having started two years ago, when the tools were increasingly available. And if you’re starting from scratch, you design how you invest very differently.”

But Terra Alpha doesn’t just absorb data and

“Not just for future generations,” said Dunn, “but so our own generation in future years can continue to prosper and thrive in a way that we’re accustomed to. Because we can choose to just ignore the evidence that we need to shift or we can do it.”

Dunn and his co-workers at Terra Alpha find inspiration in housing their work so close to home.

“Given what we do, I think being out in a place that’s so beautiful and so natural is really powerful. When you go out and take a walk through the woods around The Hill School campus, it kind of reminds you of the importance of the natural systems,” Dunn said.

“I think most of the team would say the best part of the drive out is going up The Plains Road, and they’re surrounded by the kind of things we’re all fighting to preserve — the natural beauty and systems we rely on.”

Dunn said he and his employees already feel like they’re starting to make a difference. “It’s the ultimate win-win, because the winners are truly all of us.” ML Terra Alpha Investments: 119 The Plains Rd., S t e . 2 5 0 , M i d d l e b u r g , VA 2 0 1 1 7 ; 5 4 0 - 2 5 2 - 5 2 8 9 ; te r raalphainv estme nt s . com ; info@terraalphainvestments.com.

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Above: Timothy P. Dunn, founder of Terra Alpha Investments LLC.

Sidesaddle: Not just for the ladies

By Trevor Baratko

R

ussell Shifflett and Andrew Camp’s love story is both New Age and a throwback — progressive with a nod to history.

At the Marshall farm where the two live and care for their horses, they revel in the quiet, rural life.

Except, despite the calm, country backdrop, their lives aren’t all that quiet. For most of the year, Shifflett is traveling across the country to horse shows to strike partnerships, meet clients and bolster Shifflett Sport Horse, the family business that brokers sport horse sales and offers an array of boarding and training options.

“We buy the horse, and we see this raw material. Once it’s here, the horse tells us what it wants to do,” Shifflett said. “Instead of us trying to make 150 horses into show hunters, you can tell, ‘Oh, he wants to be dressage.’ I don’t push a horse to do the job that I bought it for. I let the horse tell me.”

But there’s one element of the operation that’s expressly unique — both Camp and Shifflett are skilled in sidesaddle, a style typically tied to women riders.

“To my knowledge, I’m the only guy — well, we’re the only two — really riding aside in the States,” said Camp, who plans to compete in an upcoming sidesaddle race.

“There’s a pair of brothers that are doing it in Spain, and there’s a gentleman we know doing it in Ireland.”

The notion that sidesaddle is exclusively for women is off-base, the couple explains.

Men have always been involved in sidesaddle, but it was quite literally behind closed doors.

“Growing up, in our barn, the men always got the sidesaddle horses ready and quiet for my mother and grandmother,” Shifflett, 32, said. “For many years, the doors were closed for men in sidesaddle.”

“It’s the untold story,” Camp chimed in.

“Men have always been riding aside. I’m really interested in the historical aspect, that whole secretive thing of: Men have always been doing this, but no one kind of knew about it.”

Shifflett and Camp are unabashedly working to shift the gender-specific mindset associated with sidesaddle. They host a clinic in the spring and are quick to educate men and women alike on the style’s appeal.

The 29-year-old Camp explained that men can actually be judged stricter in sidesaddle because they aren’t wearing the aprons required of female riders. Without an apron, observers can see the inner-workings of sidesaddle pose and posture. An apron can cover up flaws.

“People are much more critical because they can see every bit of what I’m do-

ing,” he said. “It all makes me a better rider.

It’s very nuanced.”

The form has seen resurgence in recent years, thanks in no small part to “Downton Abbey,” the popular PBS series that regularly features the discipline.

“The best thing for sidesaddle was really ‘Downton Abbey,’” said Shifflett, a Middleburg-area native.

Camp, a Georgia transplant, said he’s always been intrigued by equine culture, but he never had the access or opportunity to ride growing up. Through Shifflett, he got that chance.

The two met in 2013 after Camp moved to the region to work at RdV Vineyards in Delaplane.

“I had an assistant from Georgia that Andrew was talking to,” Shifflett recalled. “She brought him to the barn, and we just hit it off.”

As the relationship evolved and Camp learned more about the horse scene, he expressed an interest in sidesaddle. Shifflett urged him to give it a go.

“It really turned an eye when I put Andrew on sidesaddle,” said Shifflett. “People at horse shows would see him. People would just stop at the ring and they would be like, ‘Is that a dude?’” ML Shifflett Sport Horse: 540-550-5673 or 703896-0108.

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A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO

Horse Yoga

By Angela Nuñez

H

orse yoga deepens the relationship with your horse, invigorates your regular yoga practice and challenges you in myriad ways. Priorities to keep in mind when practicing horse yoga are safety and the horse’s comfort. Remember that horse yoga is meant to be fun for both the yogi and the horse.

Practicing this form of yoga can be a relaxing experience for both of you, as the movements provide a massage for your horse and trigger a relaxation response. If your horse shows any signs of pain or discomfort during your practice, be sure to stop whatever movement is causing the pain so that the practice is a positive experience.

The equipment needed to practice horse yoga includes a helmet, bareback pad, and rope halter and/or neck rope.

When first getting started, you may ask

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a friend to hold your horse until he gets used to the new, strange movements and learns that his only job is to stand still and enjoy the massage.

Horse yoga feels quite different to a horse than any other riding sport, so be patient as he learns how to be a yoga partner. Playing with your horse on the ground, grooming him and simply hanging out with him in his paddock or stall are all great ways to build a relationship so that he knows he is more than just a recreational object. It is important to bear in mind that your horse must first be your friend if you want to build real trust in your relationship.

If you are not accustomed to riding bareback, go for a few bareback rides before attempting horse yoga. This will improve your balance and get you accustomed to the feel of bareback riding.

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When you first begin practicing yoga with your horse, start with seated poses, focusing on stretching and strengthening your neck, shoulders, arms and back. Maintain slow, deep breathing as you practice, which will help both you and your horse remain calm. Once you become comfortable with seated poses, you can then progress to all fours, then standing and standing balance poses, and, finally, arm balances.

Take your time with your horse

yoga practice. Just as with riding or more traditional forms of yoga, improvement takes time and practice.

Remember to breathe, be able to laugh at yourself, and have fun! ML Angela Nuñez is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance and has received 200 hours of training. She teaches Hatha yoga, power yoga, Vinyasa, slow flow yoga and, of course, horse yoga.

Find out more at horseyogagirl.com or email horseyogagirl@gmail.com.

Inaugural Event for the appletoncampbell.com

Middleburg Music Fest International Sunday, November 13 at 3:00 pm MMFI’s inaugural event will feature a piano recital with Russian artists Nikita Fitenko and Katerina Zaitseva.

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From racehorse to riding horse The final leg of Christopher Riddle’s journey

By Mark Deane

W

e come to the final chapter in the life and adventures of Christopher Riddle, Virginia-bred Thoroughbred. Preparing this final article, I reflected that Christopher Riddle has taken us on quite a journey.

In 2002, an article that followed a Thoroughbred foal from birth through its racing career inspired me to start my own series of articles on a similar theme. At the time, working for the Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) as the Virginia Breeders Fund field director, I thought a series chronicling a Thoroughbred from the very beginning — planning the breeding — and following the horse through his racing career would be a wonderful way to promote Virginia’s Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry and to introduce the Thorough-

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bred, the sport and its contributions to our state to a wider audience.

With that goal in mind, I collaborated with my colleague Heather Stanley, who was serving as the VTA’s director of administration. We planned a short series of articles, starting with the stallion selection for the mare to be bred, Princess Riddle, and sketched out our outline: a few articles through raising the foal; breaking and training the youngster; and a grand finale, a trip to the winner’s circle for our triumphant Virginia-bred racehorse.

However, as any horseman knows, life with horses rarely takes such a straight and easy road.

The road for our “short series” would stretch over 14 years, taking many twists and turns along the way.

After we launched our first articles in the series, covering the pedigree research and details involved in planning the breeding of Christopher Riddle, we

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faced an 11-month wait for our Thoroughbred to be foaled. Those months provided an opportunity to introduce our readers to Virginia’s long tradition of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, including the opening of our state’s fledgling racetrack, Colonial Downs.

When at long last Christopher Riddle was foaled, the little bay colt gave us our first twist in the road. His appearance was far from that of a majestic Thoroughbred colt, destined for the winner’s circle. Born with a leg ailment known as “windswept,” Christopher’s crooked legs did not look as if they would carry him across his paddock, let alone across the finish line.

Christopher proved to be a colt beset with problems as he grew, including a penchant for injuring himself in the pasture, incidences that very easily could have ended his racing career before he even had a saddle on his back. Our articles in the series during these injury-prone months often focused on introducing our readers to our local veterinarians, describing their work, and Christopher’s rehabilitation.

Eventually, Christopher did make it to the races and, under the guidance of renowned trainer Scott Lake, finished second by only a neck in his second race. We looked forward with excitement to his next race, hoping it would bring Christopher Riddle to the winner’s circle and our series to a triumphant close. Then came the news: Christopher had suffered a career-ending injury.

Instead of triumph in the winner’s circle, our

next article covered more veterinary procedures to repair Christopher’s injury and his rehabilitation.

Our series ended with Christopher’s retraining as a riding horse under the care of local horseman Tim Daly and Christopher’s sale to a new owner.

At the time, all the bumps along the road of Christopher Riddle’s life story were frustrating to us and what seemed to be the final chapter in Christopher’s story was a crushing disappointment. We had envisioned, a little too idealistically, a “dream story” of the raising and training of a Thoroughbred champion, each success building on the last. We had hoped that the series would provide inspiration as well as insight into the world of the Thoroughbred.

Fourteen years later, in hindsight, I think the story we hoped to write was a fairy tale. The story Christopher actually gave us is a realistic one, filled with the ups and downs, small triumphs and heartbreaks that every Thoroughbred and all horse lovers face. When I decided several months ago to revisit Christopher’s story and began to research his life after he left my care, I also discovered how many people whose lives this one Thoroughbred touched in one way or the other and the impact that he had on them.

Happily, Christopher Riddle’s story does have a fairy tale ending. Barbara Wells of Glen Allen, Virginia, is Christopher’s current and undoubtedly final owner. When I initially made contact with Barbara by phone, she was delighted to hear about the early life of “Trey,” as she calls Christopher, and she emphasized how wonderfully behaved he is as

her riding horse.

Knowing Christopher’s often-quirky personality, I had to see for myself and Barbara kindly invited me to visit them. Having not seen Christopher since he was a 3-year-old, I welcomed the opportunity.

When I arrived at the farm, a delightful and very energetic lady, 80+ years young, greeted me. Barbara was thrilled for me to be reunited with Christopher. “I am just in love with this horse and I really believe he loves me,” Barbara said. “I could feel it the first time we made eye contact.”

Seeing Christopher — no longer an excitable 3-year-old, but a mature, content, wise horse — and watching how he and Barbara interacted, I believe her words: After all these years, after so many adventures and owners, Christopher seems to have found the perfect partner in Barbara.

As Christopher nuzzled against me, I was deeply moved, emotionally. Christopher reminded me of the times that my father, who died in the spring, and I had worked with Christopher; it almost felt that my father was touching my hand again, through Christopher. I felt uplifted, being in the presence of my old Thoroughbred friend again.

Barbara and I chatted while she tacked Christopher up to go for their afternoon ride. I watched as the pair rode off across the beautiful Virginia countryside into the sunset and thought, “No one could write a better ending to the story of a Virginia-bred Thoroughbred.” Farewell, my friend, Christopher Riddle. ML

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THE PURSUIT Do take OFyou ALPHA

Charitable Giving Personally?

ORGANIC FARE WITH FLAIR:

Trotters Perk brings new life to bistro cuisine The term “alpha” has a lengthy Investopedia definition. In short, “alpha” is the excess return over anIfinvestment’s benchmark index you take charitable giving personally, you should let us know.

Consider setting return.

Investors aim for “alpha”. up a donor advised our local Therefore, almostfund all with investment Community Foundation for Loudoun advisors feel that they get paid to and Northern Fauquier Counties. As an chase “alpha”. investment manager working directly with the Community Foundation, we

Few investors havein the consider them a tool our necessary toolbox for combination of ability, capital donors who want to staytime, actively and personally involved and control overin grantmaking. an investment awards are issued to charities in to Grant create “alpha”. Regardless of the name of your fund (or anonymously, experience, have if you prefer). most Gifts of investors cash, appreciated these goals in mind: ability stock, real estate, or other assets to canlive be donated the Community Foundation on theirtoportfolio’s income, saving into your fund. It’s a simple, powerful, for a child’s education or their own and highly personal approach to giving. retirement and making sure their And, because the Community investments are first-rate.

Foundation is a public charity, gifts made into a donor advised fund benefit from

Most investors share the challenge maximum tax advantages.

As for the varied annual taxthe filings with the IRS of capturing “return” of and the State. . . not your worry.

Community capital markets, asThe opposed to Foundation files one, single document generating their own “alpha.” with each entity representing your fund Problem is, most investors never and all the funds under its stewardship.

On thethe investment assets are capture market’sside, entire return. pooleddon’t for get greater diversification, They the investment’s full yet accounted for separately, making return, rather the investor’s return. creation of a fund with even modest What’s the difference? assets (the Community Foundation

By Dulcy B. Hooper Photos courtesy of Trotters Perk

A

mong the first things shared

by Chef Ti (pronounced simply “T”) Ang is that she is a very private person. She is, in her words, a philanthropist first and an executive chef next.

Trotters Perk Bistro opened in August 2015 and the reviews since, both word-of-mouth and scattered throughout any number of online sites, offer glowing comments on the atmosphere, the staff and Ang’s creative menu — including the exceptional desserts that one reviewer described as “more like an addiction.”

“Food just dances in your mouth,” wrote one out-of-town customer. “We could tell the owner/chef poured her heart into everything she made.”

The menu at Trotters Perk is

MIDDLEBURG CONCERT SERIES

requires a minimum gift of $10,000 to

Carl a writer the start aRichards, personal fund) easyquoted from thein start. financial rags, calls thisalso difference Donor advised funds help to createbehavior family gap.” traditions lasting for “the Unfortunately, generations. Including your children and emotions can prohibit sound grandchildren in the joy of giving teaches investment decisions valuable lessons about and life.investors Family buy and sell theywork shouldn’t. members of allwhen ages can with the Community Foundation’s professional grantmaking staff to target both local and national issues you care about most.

Here’s another advantage: A yearend gift made to the Community Foundation is a completed charitable gift, ensuring your tax benefits for that year. Meanwhile, grantmaking decisions can be easilyI’ve deferred the next For years beenuntil advocating year or beyond. And, you can put the that investors stop trying to catch Community Foundation staff to work “alpha”.

I encourage investors to researching charitable issues and rest assuredinlegal and best settle and due rely diligence on an empirical practices arenot in place. approach, based on speculation, Personal, flexible, family involvement, but on the irrefutable science of local staff, local investment—all tied capital markets.

Investing to your vision. It’s a great way toinstaya involved and use your resources to make globally diversified, tax and cost a difference in a community you love. efficient portfolio will prevail.

limited, by choice, with everything made on the premises using fresh, local, organic ingredients. “I’ve even put a lot of effort into the water system,” said Ang. “I’m very ‘green’ and eco-friendly and care about the environment.”

Ang has been doing catering for 25 years and, with her husband, has lived in Virginia for the last 12 years. Along the way, she has had “a few bakeries in the area, bricks and mortar.”

“The food I serve is not affected by artificial enhancers — hormones, antibiotics, artificial flavors or colors and pesticides.” Ang’s fish tacos with “habanero heat” get rave reviews, as do the “Sonoran style dawgs with avocado aioli spici hawt.” (Among Ang’s whimsical charms: She has her own creative way when it comes to spelling.)

“I make this killer salad dressing,” she said. “I promise you: It is the best you will ever taste in your life.” Ang is in talks with a number of gourmet retailers to carry her Chef Ti Series Italian Vinaigrette, as well as her “addictive” chocolate decadence drenched with potato chips.

Ang’s love of food goes back to her childhood. “I learned to prepare food and make pastries from my grandmother,” she said. “Nana Lucia taught us how to prepare for everything from a small gathering to a large affair — how to set the table and how you were to greet your elders. I owe so much to her.”

She credits her grandmother as the inspiration behind one of Trotter Perk’s most popular items: the “killer” gorilla cheese sandwich. “When we were growing up, Nana Lucia would

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Post Concert Reception by

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do a little dance when she made those for us. And I’ve mastered it,” Ang said.

Ang also credits her grandmother with teaching her about philanthropy and the importance of giving back to others. “She really instilled the qualities that I needed in life,” said Ang. “I recall her sponsoring young children,” says Ang, “and telling us that these are our brothers and sisters and that we must help those that needed it the most.” Ang’s beloved Nana Lucia died in 2012, “107 years young.”

Through Trotters Perk Bistro, however, Ang pays respect to that same commitment to giving back that she learned from her grandmother. “We have been involved

with various organizations,” said Ang. “Animals, children, the homeless and the LGBT community.

We’re involved with Seven Loaves, the Lion’s Club, Middleburg Humane and WAAAG [Washington Area Animal Adoption Group].”

Trotters Perk has also been involved in raising funds for the Gingersnap Girls Equine Rescue. Ang has also rescued Merilee, an American paint who, she says, looks just like Trotters Perk’s logo of a Gypsy vanner, her favorite horse. And to keep Merilee company, Ang also rescued a miniature pony, Red Shiloh.

Ang made the decision to open Trotters Perk in Middleburg after having attended the Middleburg

Christmas parade for several years and staying at Salamander Resort & Spa for holiday vacations and weekend getaways. “My love of Middleburg is enormous,” she said.

Ang said that she is so grateful for the support of our customers.

“I love the food that we prepare at Trotters Perk,” said Ang. “And I love the warm family feeling people receive when they join us for a late breakfast or lunch or for Sunday brunch — everyone loves my Belgian waffles.” ML Trotters Perk Bistro: Open Wednesday-Friday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m-5:30 p.m.; 16 E. Washington St., Middleburg, VA 20117; 540-687-3606.

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Nova Jobs

Phone: 703-771-8831 www.insidenova.com

The Salvation Army is now accepting applications for full time and part time

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for the months of November and December.

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Northern Virginia Media Services is looking for a graphic artist to design news and feature pages for the Quantico Sentry newspaper.

The position requires knowledge of and experience in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and basic news layout techniques. The graphic artist will work in the public affairs office at Marine Corps Base Quantico three days (Monday-Wednesday) every other week, for a total of 16 to 20 hours. Applicants must pass background checks necessary to work on base, but clearance is not required.

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Fence Painting & Installation 703-895-7242 Loudoun Construction LLC

MASONRY

703�327�3059 703�771�1595 SERVICE

www.loudoungaragedoor.com

Cell 571-437-5652

Top Rated on Angie’s List • Licensed & Insured

Expert

SILVER RESTORATION

Silver Brass Copper Pewter Polishing, Plating & Repair

Premium Riding “Stock Ties” (cotton, wool, silk)

Fall Special

Shaped Pique $59

$35

$49

Check out our BLOG

customblissbygrace.com

540-364-4977

8459 West Main St., Marshall, VA 20115

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Email jhwolfhart@yahoo.com

Mention This Ad and Get $25 Off

Tailoring of Riding Apparel $49

Interior • Exterior Painting •Drywall • Plumbing • Electrical •Tree Trimming & Services • Mulching •Landscaping • Land Clearing & much more!

All Major Credit Cards Accepted 540-683-0470 • Licensed & Insured

ROOFING

Call For A Free Estimate

All Work Guaranteed • Free Estimates

RIDING ACCESSORIES

HANDYMAN

Hart’s Quality Plumbing, Inc.

Historic Restorations • Specializing In Custom Patios • Walls • Walkways • Stoops • Small & Large Repairs

Four Fold

SHOWROOM

13 Catoctin Circle SE Leesburg VA 20175

MOTTERN MASONRYDesign

703.496.7491

www.insidenova.com

LANDSCAPING

Handyman S& S Services

PLUMBING

www.motternmasonry.com

Phone: 703-771-8831

Let the experts restore your tarnished, broken silver and brass heirlooms, tea sets, flatware, candelabras, hollowware, tortoise shell combs, trophies, lamps, fireplace tools, … and much more.

Bel-Air House of Silver 22 West Lee St. Warrenton, VA (540)680-2201 (866)657-9318 www.belairhouseofsilver.com

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Please give us a call

703-232-1434

Your Storm Damage Specialist

www.painterroofing.com

Home • Farm • Estate

• Landscape Architechtural Design • Planting & Gardens • Masonry • Outdoor Structures • Water Features/Pools • Horticultural Maintenance • Drainage & Water Management • Outdoor Lighting • Large Caliper Tree Transplanting 540.687.8850

703.327.4050

landscapeassoc@aol.com

LandscapeAssociatesInc.net

TREE SERVICE NORTH’S TREE & LANDSCAPING Complete Tree & Landscape Company Tree Experts For Over 30 Years Family Owned & Operated SPRIN SPECIAG 540-533-8092 L • Mulching • Clean Up • Trimming 25% OFF • Tree Removal• Lot Clearing WITH THIS • Uplift Trees • Deadlimbing AD! • Private Fencing • Pruning • Grading • Retaining/Stone Walls • Grading Driveways Honest & Dependable Serv. • 24 Hr. Emerg. Serv.

Satisfaction Guaranteed Lic./Ins. • Free Estimates • Angie’s List Member • BBB

PUT YOUR BUSINESS IN OUR BUSINESS CARD CORNER Call today & be seen here next month!

703.771.8831

Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship Finals Photos by Middleburg Photo

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4 RESULTS OF THE THEODORA A. RANDOLPH FIELD HUNTER CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS Owner-Rider Division Champion: Cameron Sadler, MFH, Moore County Hounds Reserve: Jennifer Nesbit, Keswick Hunt Third: Devon Zebrovious, Middleburg Hunt Nonowner-Rider Division Champion: Teresa Croce/Karen Martz, Middleburg Hunt Most Suitable Pair: Rachel Wilkowski, Cheshire Fox Hounds Sportsmanship: Glenn Epstein, Piedmont Fox Hounds Best Turned Out Champion: George Kuk, Middleburg Hunt Best Turned Out Reserve: Kathleen O’Keefe, Casanova Hunt

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Photos: 1. Devon Zebrovious, Maureen Britell and George Kuk (Hunt with Best Participation). 2. Karen Nutt of Piedmont Fox Hounds. 3. Teresa Croce of Middleburg Hunt. 4. Kathleen O’Keefe of Casanova Hunt.

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Photo by Focal Point Creative

11/13

Pancake Breakfast at American Legion Post 295 (7–11 a.m.): The breakfast will include pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit, cheese grits, doughnuts, OJ, milk and coffee. Cost: adults $10, children 12 and under $6. Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 2950.

11/17

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Middleburg Community Center (6-8 p.m.): Join the Middleburg Community Center for their 10th annual Thanksgiving dinner! Cost: $20 per family or $5 per person — paid at the door. Please call 540-687-6375 to RSVP by 11/14.

11/18

Epic 80s Gala at Salamander Resort & Spa: Celebrate Windy Hill Foundation’s 35th anniversary at their most important fundraising event this year. All the money from the gala goes directly to their Family Development Committee budget to help pay for their family services programs. These programs allow them to provide a wide range of family services that address the other half of the foundation’s mission: to encourage self-improvement and self-sufficiency among tenant residents. Cocktails start at 6 p.m., dinner starts at 7 p.m. There will be a live auction and dancing all night long to the amazing ‘80s cover band Rubix Kube. Cost: $250 per person. For tickets and more info, please visit windyhillfoundation.org.

11/19

Middleburg Humane Foundation Meet & Greet at Wylie Wagg (noon-3 p.m.): Come meet some cute dogs that are looking for their forever homes.

11/19

Second Annual Wine Country Harvest Ball and Art Sale at Salamander Resort & Spa (6:30-11 p.m.): Join equestrian, art and wine enthusiasts for an elegant evening of dining and dancing to support Phillips’ Building Futures and Family Partners programs.

The Loudoun Arts Council will host a juried art sale and local authors will offer their books

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for sale. Cost: $150 per person. For tickets and more info, please visit phillipsprograms.org or call 703-941-8810.

12/2

Ad m i s s i on O p e n Hou s e at Foxcroft School (8:30 a.m.): Open houses are a wonderful way to experience life at Foxcroft. You will have the opportunity to tour campus, see classes in action, speak with students and faculty, and complete your interview. To register or for more info, please visit foxcroft.org or call 540-687-5555.

12/2-3

Middleburg Garden Club Christmas Greens Sale and Bazaar at Emmanuel Episcopal Church Parish House: Purchase Christmas greens and see the flower show from 2-5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

12/2

Mi d d l eburg C hristmas Tre e Lighting at The Pink Box (5 p.m.): On Friday evening, join us at the foot of our town Christmas tree in the Pink Box Garden for a heartfelt evening program that includes the invocation, caroling, hot chocolate and cider, and, of course, the illumination of the tree!

12/2

Holiday Recital at Salamander Resort & Spa (6:30 p.m.): Join A Place to Be for an inspiring night of courage, music and joy. Free admission, catered food, cash bar, valet for $5.

12/3

Breakfast with Santa and Silent Auction at Middleburg Community Charter School (7:45-10:30 a.m.): This event is the MCCS Parent-Teacher Organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, allowing you, your family, and friends an opportunity for a great time while helping our community school achieve its goals to provide an innovative and creative learning environment for our students. From 8-10:30 a.m., the event includes pictures with Santa, free cookie

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decorating, pickup for pre-ordered bagged lunches, a raffle, silent auction and a buffet-style breakfast in the cafeteria with eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and more. There is also reserved seating in the fireside lounge from 7:45-10:25 a.m., with a deluxe breakfast in a more intimate setting that allows you to skip the buffet lines. Cost: adults — $10 for breakfast, $18 for fireside lounge and $10 for lunch; children under 12 — $5 for breakfast, $9 for fireside lounge and $7 for lunch. To purchase tickets and select your entry time for the breakfast or fireside lounge and to pre-order a bagged lunch, please visit mccspto.my-pto.org.

12/3

Christmas in Middleburg: Join us for a Christmas experience like no other! The day includes Breakfast with Santa, a craft fair at the Midldeburg Community Center (9 a.m.5 p.m.), the Middleburg Garden Club’s Christmas greens sale, hot chocolate at the Middleburg United Methodist Church at 10 a.m., the Middleburg Hunt and Hounds Review at 11 a.m., hayrides from 11:30 a.m.-1:50 p.m., soup and ham biscuit lunch at Middleburg United Methodist Church from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., a Christmas in Middleburg concert at Middleburg United Methodist Church from noon12:45 p.m., the Christmas parade at 2 p.m. and “Spirits of Middleburg” (progressive food, wine tastings, ciders and distilled spirits) from 3-6 p.m.

For more information and to purchase your parking tickets, please visit christmasinmiddleburg.org.

12/4

Christmas Pageant at Foxcroft School (2 p.m.): The pageant is a tradition that was started by Foxcroft founder Charlotte Haxall Noland soon after the school was established in 1914. Each year, Foxcroft’s new students and chorale present the nativity story as a gift to the community using Noland’s script, which includes several characters you won’t find in the Bible along with some animals you will. Live donkeys, goats, bunnies and birds have all made appearances in recent years. Admission is free.

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Base-15 -- Trim to 10.00”Wx14.00”D -- CMYK

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ProPerties in Hunt Country goNE AwAy fARm

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Stunning 4 Bedroom home on 83.47 acres in the heart of Virginia horse country. Breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mtns from nearly every room. The house has been extensively remodeled with attention to every detail. Custom finishes, quality construction and wonderful layout. The home has 7 bathrooms, 4 fireplaces & outdoor kitchen. The land is fenced with mature pastures. 2 barns, 3 bedroom tenant house, guest house, ponds & pool complete the offering. Easy access to 66 & 50 $5,275,000

Quintessential Virginia Farmhouse on 70.25 protected acresin Orange County Hunt territory. Located at the end of private gravel lane off of Rte 626. Convenient location between Halfway and The Plains. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Hardwood flooring throughout. Great flow for entertaining or family living. Eq Improvements include 6 stall stable with apt above, small arena, bank barn, 7 paddocks, run in sheds, tractor building. Great ride out (w/permission) and trails on farm. OLREA $2,750,000

Turnkey horse farm on 35+ acres in 2 parcels off Atoka Road.

Lovely 2-story, brick 3 Bedroom, 3 bath home includes Living Room & Dining Room with fireplaces, Library/Den & Large Sunroom. 1st floor Master Bedroom suite with sitting area, fireplace & luxury bath with his & her dressing rooms. Gourmet Kitchen with highend Appliances & Island. Separate Laundry and Pantry. Swimming pool, 3 car garage with 1 Bedroom apt, 10-stall center aisle Barn with 2 Bedroom apt., 6 fenced paddocks, Run-in, Riding Ring & Equipment Shed. $2,495,000

EAsThAm fARm

10 s. mAdisoN sTREET

23503 mELmoRE PLACE

Emily Ristau (540) 687-7710

Emily Ristau (540) 687-7710

Cricket Bedford (540) 229-3201

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LANd~244+ acres in Huntly. Great views and home sites from several locations! 2 ponds, several streams and springs, elevated land, hardwoods, roughly 60 acres of cleared and fenced pasture in a great location in the small village of Huntly, just west of Flint Hill.

Presently being used as a cattle farm. 2 parcels. Great soils for many agricultural endeavors. Lots of potential!

RP9650386 $1,650,000

Turn-key & inventory in the center of Historic Middleburg. Stunning upscale home items, crystal, unique gifts, cards, custom stationery, gourmet chocolates and much more. Approx. ½ of inventory is offsite and included in sale. Owner willing to help buyer get established. $1,400,000

Barrington hall (540) 454-6601

Rebecca Poston (540) 771-7520

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~25 yEAR EsTABLishEd BusiNEss~

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Fully renovated Colonial ideally located just minutes to Middleburg. 4BRs, 4.5BAs set on 3+ acs w/pond & mature woods. New roof, windows, shutters, 1st Flr. Master Suite w/luxury bath, WI closet & Sitting Rm/Office. Kitchen has new cabinets & granite. Hardwood Floors thru-out, 2 fireplaces. LL Rec. Rm/Family Rm w/new carpet, sep. Laundry Rm & 2-car garage. Large rear deck overlooks gardens & pond. $915,000

Cricket Bedford (540) 229-3201 CARTER hoTEL

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LANd~upperville 1.84 acre parcel with 3 Bedroom septic Certificate on hand. Mostly wooded with fantastic views to the east! Great opportunity to own in a prime location! $299,999

RENTAL~ Charming frame cottage that features 2 Bedrooms/1 full Bath located across from Foxcroft School at Pot House Corner only minutes to Middleburg. Recently renovated with a new country kitchen and bath, large Living Room, 2 bedrooms on the 2nd level all with hardwood floors. Covered front porch and rear private deck. Great hunt box or weekend retreat. Lawn care included in rental price.

Pets on a case by case basis. $2,250/mo

RENTAL~The Plains Village office space in historic Carter Hotel +/- 1,080SF divided in two large rooms. Stone walls, Fireplace, Newly renovated and ready for your business office.Easy access from I-66 and Rte 55. Ample parking on private lot.Half Bath and Kitchenette. Ground maintenance and waste removal included. Wakefield School neighborhood. Walk to Post Office and popular restaurants.

Work where you Live! $1,000/month

Barrington hall (540) 454-6601

Cricket Bedford (540) 229-3201

Rein duPont (540) 454-3355

Please see over 100 of our fine estates and exclusive country properties by visiting www.THOMAS-TALBOT.com Susie Ashcom Cricket Bedford Catherine Bernache John Coles

THOMAS AND TALBOT REAL ESTATE A sTAuNCh AdVoCATE of LANd EAsEmENTs LANd ANd EsTATE AgENTs siNCE 1967 middleburg, Virginia 20118

Rein duPont Cary Embury

(540) 687-6500

Phillip S. Thomas, Sr.

Barrington Hall

Celebrating his 54th year in Real Estate.

Sheryl Heckler Julien Lacaze Anne V. Marstiller Brian McGowan Jim McGowan Mary Ann McGowan Rebecca Poston Emily Ristau

Sydney Hall

Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warranted nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

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