Middleburg Life | July 2021

Volume 38 Issue 7 | July 2021 | middleburglife.com

MIDDLEBURG

LI F E Three Bands You Need to See This Summer and Where

VIRGINIANS HEADING TO THE Summer Olympics

The Perfect Luxury Weekend Getaway

Crossing the Line RosseR BRotheRs with the

POSTAL CUSTOMER PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE ECRWSS PAID FREDERICKSBURG, VA PERMIT NO. 75 EDOM

MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE

ATOKA

PROPERTIES

S I M P LY B E T T E R .

33846 FOXLEASE LN | UPPERVILLE

35487 SNAKE HILL RD | MIDDLEBURG

$9,500,000 | Foxlease Farm on 160+/- glorious acres in Upperville's Hunt Country.

Transformed into a one-of-a-kind equestrian facility: 2 horse barns (12 & 17 stalls), 3 run-in sheds, machine shed, hay barn, riding ring, multiple fenced paddocks, 2 silos with rolling hills. Beautiful stone center building added to the existing 19th-century home.

$5,500,000 | Mortgage Hall is situated in the heart of hunt country minutes from historic Middleburg. The 121-acre estate boasts a Georgian Mansion, built 1850, that currently operates as a destination event venue and horse farm. With scenic views of the countryside & Bull Run Mountains the “manor house” is the perfect venue or family home.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

NEW PRICE

21167 TRAPPE RD | UPPERVILLE $3,750,000 | Stunning manor home with 4 BD, 3 bathrooms, & 3 half bathrooms w/ a beautiful lake view on 166 lush acres. This light-filled home features exposed beams, exquisite HW floors, updated bathrooms, custom cabinetry, & countertops. Large kitchen island, numerous living spaces, & back porch make this home an entertainer's delight.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

7453 OPAL RD | WARRENTON $2,000,000 | This property has everything the serious amateur, professional, or investor is looking for.

Located in Warrenton with easy access to DC, this property boasts a custom built 4-bedroom main house with attached 3-car garage, 15-stall center-aisle barn attached to indoor arena, viewing room, hay storage, shavings storage, jump storage, 2 wash stalls, 3 tack up areas, feed room, and tack room.

Shannon Casey 540.222.2119

675 LIME MARL LN | BERRYVILLE

11131 BOLTON LN | BEALETON

$1,300,000 | This historic pre-Civil War home is beautifully situated on 20 acres in Clarke County. Tax records date the home to 1815, making it one of the oldest existing properties in the county. The house & old stone quarters built for farm help sit on a hill overlooking pasture, a pond, and Chapel Run creek. The main house was renovated in 1997 & many original details were retained. The property has several outbuildings, is fenced for horses, and has a 4-stall barn w/ wash stall & tackroom.

$1,300,000 | Idyllic equestrian estate in the heart of Virginia’s horse country. From the stately brick home to the custom barn, you’ll find that all your living, entertaining and equestrian needs are in one place. The extraordinary home is a blend of traditional and modern luxury with Wolf appliances in the pristine kitchen, heated floors, extensive moldings and built-ins throughout.

Anne McIntosh 703.509.4499

Rocky Westfall 540.219.2633

Maria Eldredge 540.454.3829

S I M P LY B E T T E R . | M I D D L E B U R G R E A L E S TAT E . C O M OFFICE LOCATIONS IN MIDDLEBURG, MARSHALL, PURCELLVILLE, LEESBURG, ASHBURN, AND CHARLES TOWN CORPORATE: 10 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDELBURG, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 | LICENSED IN VA + WV (WV BROKER JOSH BEALL)

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CUSTOM HOMES HOME RESTORATION CUSTOM BARNS ESTATE PLANNING RIDING & POLO ARENAS

At Aisling, we specialize in custom home and barn construction, remodeling, and restoration in the Fairfax, Middleburg, Aldie, Atoka, Loudoun, Bull Run, Upperville, Dulles, and Vienna areas.

aislingbuilding.com | 36582 Leith Lane, Middleburg, VA 20117 justin@aislingbuilding.com | 703.389.3144 J U LY 2 0 2 1

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MIDDLEBURG

LI F E JULY 2021 middleburglife.com

PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Gray | editor@middleburglife.com COPY EDITOR: Chelsea Rose Moore ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Christian Bentley | christian@middleburglife.com ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Rebekah Greenhill | info@middleburglife.com Vicky Mashaw | vmashaw@middleburglife.com Jennifer Richards | jennifer@middleburglife.com Andrea Ryder | andrea@middleburglife.com ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR: Joanne Maisano DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR: Laticia Headings DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok ON THE COVER For this year’s polo issue, we met with Kareem and Daymar Rosser. As kids living in the inner city, they defied the odds through an unlikely sport. Photos by Pablo Raya. Photos were taken at Rutledge Farm (circa 1740), located in Middleburg, Virginia. Rutledge Farm is currently listed for sale. Read their story on page 16.

ON THIS PAGE Upperville Colt & Horse Show 2021. Read more about this year’s Upperville Colt & Horse Show on MiddleburgLife.com. Photo by Jennifer Gray.

CONTRIBUTORS Heidi Baumstark, Victoria Peace, Kaitlin Hill, Chelsea Moore, Sarah Hickner, Shayda Windle and Sophia Kedzierski WHAT TO WATCH Now on Middleburglife.com IGTV series, watch The Middleburg Life: FROM FINANCIAL RUIN TO ADMIRED ARTIST. One Man’s Journey of Becoming an International Artist While Tending Bar. ADVERTISE IN MIDDLEBURG LIFE Greenhill Media, LLC P.O. Box 328 | Middleburg VA 20118-0328 540.687.5950 | 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, Delaplane, Dulles, Front Royal, Gainesville, Haymarket, Leesburg, Manassas, Marshall, Middleburg, Millwood, Paris, Purcellville, The Plains, Rectortown, Reston, Tysons, Upperville, Warrenton, Washington, D.C., and Winchester.

FIND US ON: Instagram @middleburglife Twitter @middleburglife Facebook.com/middleburglife LOOKING FOR MORE?

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GET ADDITIONAL CONTENT ONLINE!

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LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

I

f I could describe summer ‘21 to future generations, I would tell them it was the summer that life happened again. I like to think it will go down in history as the “summer of reunions.” After being forced apart due to the pandemic, the feeling of joyfulness was fleeting for most of the year. But now, as we begin seeing relatives and friends and getting back to the things we love doing, this thrill radiates through the air. It’s electric and we want more of it.

I find myself asking: How will we be different after such a life-altering year? What changes will we make for the better? Or will we revert back to our old ways?

After giving birth (on Mother’s Day) to a beautiful little boy named Asher James, I have been through significant changes myself. We have gone from a family of three to a family of four, and transitioning while we both work demanding jobs has been no easy feat. My husband and I may be sleep-deprived, but we are powering through and hoping to attain some sort of balance in life again.

Middleburg Life is also going through necessary changes. Changes that will allow us to keep up with a world that continues to push back at print media. For starters, to remain competitive, we will continue increasing our reach to benefit our advertisers. This will be achieved by covering topics across more of the region that embody the “hunt country” lifestyle.

In print, you will see these changes reflected through our new logo, “Middleburg Life & Hunt Country.” You will continue to see stories that focus on the lives of people who live in or near Middleburg and who represent this unique lifestyle that connects us. Finally,

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in August, the magazine will be upgraded to

loyal advertisers for your continued support

a higher quality full gloss print with a slightly

as we ride forward in an endlessly changing

modified size.

world.

As we grow, we will continue our efforts to reach a larger audience through even more online stories and through a broader distribution that places the magazine in the hands of more people in similar equestrian communities up and down the coast.

A heartfelt thank you to our readers and

Jennifer Gray Editor in Chief

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THREE BANDS YOU NEED TO SEE THIS SUMMER AND WHERE

“Music is the joy. We have our gears going in different areas, and we come together and are in the community. It’s great to come out of the cloister and be in the world again.”

— Jamie Potter

Written by Chelsea Moore

A

s live music makes its return, music lovers flock to local shows with excitement and maybe a little caution.

Live music ushers the return of community and many of our favorite things — dancing under the stars, supporting local breweries and wineries, and turning strangers into friends at live shows. Catch these three local bands across the Northern Virginia area this summer. Trust us when we say: You won’t want to miss this.

THE CROOKED ANGELS Husband and wife duo Amy and Jamie Potter started playing in different bands but

decided to combine their musical talents and form The Crooked Angels six years ago. The band’s name is a nod to Emylou Harris and the late Gram Parsons, who created a band called The Fallen Angels.

“It was a cool 70s traditional country with some psychedelic elements,” Jamie said. “[The name ‘The Crooked Angels’ is] not a sinister thing, but I think everybody has real humanity that is good and bad, and we can explore that through music.”

Amy sings and plays guitar, and Jamie plays guitar and the keyboard. While they primarily play local shows, they have performed as far south as Charleston, South Carolina. Their genre spans country, bluegrass, and Americana.

The Crooked Angels - Indian Summer. Photo by Alyona Vogelmann.

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“Music is a universal language,” Jamie said. “Beyond political and religious affiliations, it’s something that cuts across all demographics. You play to your strengths. [It’s] communication without some grand fundamental message. This is what I’m feeling and enjoying, and maybe you connect with that, maybe you don’t.”

Outside of the band, the two have unique and exciting careers. Jamie writes novels for young adults, with newly published “Thomas Creeper and the Gloomsbury Secret” through Regal House Publishing. He was recently interviewed on Good Morning America and ABC News. Amy is a master healer and practices reiki.

Bands | Page 7

Where To Catch The Crooked Angels This Summer: Live Music at Lost Barrel Brewing Fri., July 9, 5-8 p.m.

36138 John Mosby Hwy, Middleburg, Va. Join Lost Barrel Brewing in Middleburg every Friday for live music from 5-8 p.m.

Happy hour is from 4 - 6 p.m.

Live Music at Dirt Farm Brewing Fri., July 16, 4-7 p.m.

18701 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont, Va. Meet us at Dirt Farm Brewing for beer and music.

Live Music at Slater Run Vineyard Fri., July 23, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

1500 Crenshaw Rd, Upperville, Va. Join us at Slater Run Vineyard for wine and music.

Live Music at Slater Run Vineyard Fri., Aug. 27, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

1500 Crenshaw Rd, Upperville, Va. Join us at Slater Run Vineyard for wine and music.

Learn more about The Crooked Angels and find details on upcoming shows by visiting facebook. com/thecrookedangels.

Where To Catch The Short Hill Mountain Boys This Summer: Low Country Boil On The Mountain Sat., July 17 from 5-8 p.m.

South Mountain Creamery 8305 Bolivar Rd, Middletown, Md. Bring your friends and family and kick back to the sounds of Short Hill Mountain Boys, who will strum into the night with a blend of bluegrass, old-time, Cajun, classic country, and folk music. Tickets available at southmountaincreamery.com.

Bands | From page 6 “Music is the joy,” Jamie said. “We have our gears going in different areas, and we come together and are in the community. It’s great to come out of the cloister and be in the world again.”

SHORT HILL MOUNTAIN BOYS What began as a two-person fiddle and guitar duo has turned into the 5-person Short Hill Mountain Boys. The founders of the band live in Lovettsville and named the group after the Short Hill Mountain. Primarily a cover band, the group plays throwback covers people haven’t heard before.

“Most of our stuff has not been on pop charts ever,” John Bestwick, the band’s co-founder, said. “It’s fresh, new material that

people will hear. It’s all fun music. It has a definite bluegrass background and roots. It’s got country, swing, jazz, folk, soul, and motown music.”

The band is composed of John Bestwick, who plays guitar and is lead singer; Joe Hammett, who plays guitar, mandolin, and does vocals; Evan Bell, who plays bass; Erik Burnham, who plays the mandolin, harmonica, and does vocals; and Ben Walters on fiddle and vocals.

“We just love playing music together,” Bestwick said. “That’s the tie that binds us.

That’s what I love most: the camaraderie and musicianship with some of my best friends.”

The band members all have full-time jobs, but the band is their creative outlet. “Music is Bands | Page 8

Above: Short Hill Mountain Boys. Photo by James Montgomery, Seven Bends Media. Below: Scythian playing live. Photo by Derek Baker.

Live Music by Short Hill Mountain Boys at Flying Ace Farm Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Ln, Lovettsville, Va. Sun., July 18 from 2 - 5 p.m.

Join us for live music by Short Hill Mountain Boys.

Bluegrass on the Half Shell Sat., Aug. 21 Henway Hard Cider, 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont, Va. Join us at Henway Hard Cider for a full day of local bluegrass bands that will have you flatfooting in no time! Tickets required.

Find the Short Hill Mountain Boys on Facebook, where they share upcoming shows.

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Where To Catch Scythian This Summer: Music at Arrowbrook Centre Park Sat., July 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Arrowbrook Centre Park, 2351 Field Point Rd., Herndon, Va. Gather with your friends, family, and neighbors to dance till the sun goes down and picnic under the stars as you enjoy this free show.

Appaloosa Music Festival Fri., Aug. 13-15 at 3 p.m.

Skyline Ranch Resort, 751 Mountain Rd., Front Royal, Va. Appaloosa will be a joyful weekend that will show the world that live music is not dead. We suggest getting your tickets early.

Learn more about Scythian by visiting scythianmusic.com, and get more details on the Appaloosa Mu sic Festival by v i siting appaloosafestival.com.

Bands | From page 7 a passion of ours, and we are always going to do this,” Bestwick said.

SCYTHIAN Scythian was founded over a decade ago when brothers Alexander and Danylo Fedoryka began singing in Old Town Alexandria as street performers. Since their humble beginnings, they have grown into a successful folk-rock band, performing across Ireland and the United States.

Alexander and Danylo are first-generation sons of Ukrainian immigrants. Scythian, named after Ukrainian nomads, has four band members: Alexander Fedoryka, who plays the fiddle, mandolin, bass, and does vocals; Danylo Fedoryka, who plays rhythm guitar, accordion, and does vocals; Johnny Rees on drums; and Ethan Dean who plays electric and upright bass and does vocals.

Their music spans the Americana, bluegrass, country, folk, and world genres, finding its sweet spot in folk-rock.

During COVID, the band live-streamed Scythian Group. Photo by Brendan McLean.

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shows every two weeks to a cumulative audience of over 600,000. To support the band, fans bought t-shirts and sent them money over Venmo. But now, as live music returns, they are eager for fans to come out in person.

For the first time since 2019, they are hosting Appaloosa, their annual music festival, on August 13-15 in Front Royal. The festival has hosted Grammy-award-winning artists and was voted the best music festival in D.C. “The festival is super family-friendly, but still hip,” Danylo said. “We want people to come out, and we want people to believe in music again, and believe in community,” Danylo said.

Tickets vary in pricing, from general admission to VIP tickets that include luxury chalets for glamping at the festival. This year’s festival will be smaller than previous years, but with 15-20 artists performing, attendees are still in for a treat.

“We are keeping it very affordable because a lot of people don’t feel comfortable because of COVID,” Danylo said. “It’s going to be one of the most reasonably priced festivals

out there.”

With ample outdoor space, the festival is the perfect way for people to “dip their toes in the water and get back into social environments” while still being socially distant, Danylo said.

“It’s not a guarantee that live music is going to come back unless people take risks,” he said. “If you ever get in a car accident, you have to get in the car as soon as possible, or it reaffirms that you’re scared. With music, we have to throw these festivals, or otherwise, people are going to get comfortable in their fear.”

He pointed out that before COVID, live music was at an all-time low. He credits the slowness with the ease of Netflix, which provides entertainment without needing to leave the house. But he believes live music is going to come back stronger.

“The type of appreciation people are going to have for live music is going to be a throwback, like the 60s again,” he said. “It’s an electric vibe. It’s kind of my suspicion that this will be our best year.” ML

Washington St. | P.O. |Box 1380 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.com Washington St. |110PE..O. Box 1380 Middleburg, VA 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmaho

ALL’S WELL FARM

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Prime Fauquier County location on the Atoka Road | 88.34 acres with bold Blue Ridge views | Neoclassical brick home with slate roof completely updated & expanded | 5 BR, 5 full, 2 half baths, 5 fireplaces, gourmet kitchen | 10 stall barn with attached indoor arena | Pool, pool house, tenant house | Beautiful gardens | Superb condition

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| y

RUTLEDGE FARM

ROUTE 50 WEST VINEYARDS

Premier Middleburg estate | Main house of stone and frame construction circa 1740 w/addition in 1820. 6 BR, 3 1/2 BA, 5 FP, high ceilings, moldings & detailed woodwork throughout | Equestrian facilities are unmatched | 113 lush acres. 5 barns totaling 35 stalls | 19 paddocks | Derby field | 218 x 80 indoor arena | 250 x 150 all-weather outdoor arena | 80’ lunging arena | Polo field (or 2 grand prix fields) | 4 board, double fencing & automated nelson waterers | Other improvements include 3 BR, 2 1/2 BA guest house | Farm office attached to 3 BR house | Machine shed | Carriage house w/apartment | Stone spring house/office | 3 BR apartment | Pond with gazebo

Existing farm winery established in 2015 | 38.47 acres recorded in two parcels | Hilltop setting with magnificent views | 2,500 sq ft wine tasting room, main level consists of tasting room, seating areas, kitchen, restrooms | 2nd story more seating areas & bathroom | Club House of 5,100 sq ft contemporary style, wine tasting bar, seating areas, bathrooms, large deck, terrace & pool | 40 x 60 Butler building, large parking area | Unique opportunity

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

SPRING GLADE

SALEM HILL

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA $7,800,000

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Paul MacMahon French Country703.609.1905 home, with renovations in 1999 $7,000,000 Well protected Fauquier location$4,500,000 | 6 bedrooms | Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 & 2017 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA, 5 FP, hardwood 4 full and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great views Sandra Bravo Greenberg 202.308.3813 floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop | Pool with large flagstone terrace | Large county stetting overlooking pond, lake & mountains | Imkitchen | 4-car detached garage with apartment/ provements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest office | 9-stall barn | Covered arena | Outdoor house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | ring | 4 stall shed row barn | 51 fenced acres Kitchen allowance to be provided | 79.89 acres

$3,690,000

$3,900,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 MacFARM Mahon 540.454.1930 helen HALFWAY THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

Privacy and 107 acres between Middleburg and The Plains | Residential enclave of great character within a rich array of natural resources | Classic Virginia stone and stucco c. 1820 | 4 bedrooms, antique floors and rich pine paneling Two guest houses, stone cottage, farm managers house, 2 stables, machine shed and work shop| Extensive Little River frontage and 2 ponds | Tremendous views.

$3,975,000 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

20 Riv 4 fu Gun and | pad

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 DEERFIELD

LIGHTRIDGE FARM

Stately brick manor house c.1844 | 4 bedrooms, lovely kitchen, multiple porches, beautiful pine floors, 7 fireplaces, original mantels, large windows and detailed millwork throughout | Great natural light in every room | Additional outbuildings include the c. 1810 log cabin used as the pool house & a converted barn now serves as a guest house with movie theatre | 2 ponds, miles of trails, 178 acres | Separate workshop and 5 car garage

20+/- acres in fast growing Loudoun location | Currently zoned TR3UBF | Willowsford, South Riding, Stone Ridge, minutes away | New county high school under construction next to property | Currently improved by 2 residences, 2 ponds | Northstar Blvd around corner

UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA

ALDIE, VIRGINIA

$3,462,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

$3,900,000 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

GAME CREEK

HALCYON HILL

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

A remarkable property located within a private 17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village LONG BRANCH 109 THE PLAINS ROAD 35090 SNAKE HILL ROAD enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco of Rectortown | Convenient to both Routes 50 THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA manor main | private 7 office building in& 66 | | Newly renovated | and Private setting with Gorgeous 71 house acre parcel inwith a wonderful locationlevel master suiteVery Middleburg Newly remodeled expanded home on over half an acre | 3 BR, 2 BA, between Middleburg and The Plains | Rolling Located on The Plains Road directly across from the all new bathrooms | Kitchen totally refitted and expanded to create a additional BRand |2 ponds 5 stone FP | Beautiful Sporting gardens, magnificent mountain | 4room bedrooms, land with stone walls | Enchanting Library | Charming office - 3 levels with lower combinationviews kitchen & living space | Newly refinished hardwood property | Property is in conservation level used for over flow and break room/kitchen | floors, 2 newfireplaces windows, new HVAC for high-efficiency terraces, salt water pool, cabana, carriage house & 4 full bath, 1 half bath, | system Heated easement and may not be divided further Surprisingly large parking lot behind the building climate control | Living room has wood burning FP stable with 2$1,950,000 paddocks | Lovely finishes throughout guest | painted offers what many other buildings are lackingpool in town |& spa | 2 bedroom & large picture window |house Basement is freshly Building has many potential uses with C-3 Zoning with walk out and interior access | Over-sized 2 car & sweeping lawn to private trails to Goose Creek | $589,000 Large shed & 2-car garage Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930 garage sets just to the rear | Owner/agent 31 acres | Private, elegant & convenient $519,000 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

$2,650,000 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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$2,475,000 Lynn Wiley 540.454.1527

Trowbridge Littleton 540.272.2032

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 helen MacM J Uahon L Y 2 0 2540.454.1930 1 • middleburglife.com

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MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE

ATOKA

PROPERTIES

S I M P LY B E T T E R .

7453 OPAL RD | WARRENTON $2,000,000 | Welcome to the dream equestrian estate. This property has everything the serious amateur, professional, or investor is looking for. Located in Warrenton Virginia in the heart of horse country, with access to D.C. This property boasts a custom built 4 bedroom main house, with attached35487 3 carSNAKE garage, 15RDstall center aisle barn, attached to indoor arena, viewing room, hay storage, shav33846 FOXLEASE LN | UPPERVILLE HILL | MIDDLEBURG ings storage, jump storage, washglorious stalls, acres 3 tack areas, feed The main barn is solar powered so no electrical bills! The guest house is a gorgeous single level $9,500,000 | Foxlease Farm on 2 160+/in up Upperville's Hunt room, Country.tack room, bathroom/laundry room. $5,500,000 | Mortgage Hall is situated in the heart of hunt country minutes from historic ranch homeinto with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, pond, 3 17 stall barn.

The guest barnMansion, have abuilt private the Indoor and main barn have Transformed a one-of-a-kind equestrian facility: 2lilly horse barnsand (12 & stalls), 3 Each home has it’s own septic/well/generator.

Middleburg. The 121-acre estate house boasts a and Georgian 1850, driveway, that currently arun-in driveway a parking forriding horse and the main 2house has a paved driveway with a 3 caroperates garage.asThis property event is currently income with views two tenants.

However their lease can be sheds, with machine shed, haylot barn, ring,trailers, multiple fenced paddocks, silos with a destination venue and horse producing farm. With scenic of the rolling hills. Beautiful stone center building added to the existing 19th-century home. countryside & Bull Run Mountains the “manor house” is the perfect venue or family home. terminated with 60 days notice.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

NEW PRICE

21167 TRAPPE RD | UPPERVILLE $3,750,000 | Stunning manor home with 4 BD, 3 bathrooms, & 3 half bathrooms w/ a beautiful lake view on 166 lush acres. This light-filled home features exposed beams, exquisite HW floors, updated bathrooms, custom cabinetry, & countertops. Large kitchen island, numerous living spaces, & back porch make this home an entertainer's delight.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

7453 OPAL RD | WARRENTON $2,000,000 | This property has everything the serious amateur, professional, or investor is looking for.

Located in Warrenton with easy access to DC, this property boasts a custom built 4-bedroom main house with attached 3-car garage, 15-stall center-aisle barn attached to indoor arena, viewing room, hay storage, shavings storage, jump storage, 2 wash stalls, 3 tack up areas, feed room, and tack room.

Shannon Casey 540.222.2119

11131 BOLTON LANE | BEALETON $1,300,000 | Pine Brook is proudly offered for sale for the first time. Welcome home to this idyllic equestrian estate in the heart of Virginia’s horse country. From the stately brick home to the custom barn you will find that all your living, entertaining and equestrian needs are in one place. The extraordinary home is an inviting blend of traditional and modern luxury with Wofle appliances in the pristine kitchen, heated floors, extensive moldings and built-ins throughout. An inground pool just off the flagstone patio and surrounded by lawn takes advantage of a private setting under mature trees. The barn, positioned down a separate driveway, has 6 stalls, stall walk outs, a center aisle, tackroom, feed room and wash rack. There are board fenced paddocks with coops in the fence lines, run in sheds, and trail access. Enjoy the privacy of country living and the convenience of being within an hour of DC and Dulles airport. pool is in as-is condition invisible fence roof replaced 2019 water filtration system replaced 2021 barn electrical in the barn replaced, roofing, siding in 8 years ago new run in roof 6 years house renovation 2010; kitchen bathrooms, built ins, heat system and ducting dual zone, crawl space encapsulated, maintenance agreement with HVAC crop metcalf, dodson pest control. septic pumped 2 years ago.

SHANNON CASEY

SHANNON CASEY

REALTOR® | Licensed in VA

REALTOR® | Licensed in VA

C 540.222.2119 | O 540.687.6321 x 212 shannon@atokaproperties.com

C 540.222.2119 | O 540.687.6321 x 212

675 LIME MARL LN | BERRYVILLE

10 E Washington St (PO Box 485)

11131 BOLTON LN | BEALETON

$1,300,000 | This historic pre-Civil War home is beautifully situated on acres in Clarke County. Tax records date the home Middleburg, VA 20 20117 shannon@atokaproperties.com to 1815, making it one of the oldest existing properties in the county. The house & old stone quarters built for farm help sit MIDDLEBURGREALESTATE.COM on a hill overlooking pasture, a pond, and Chapel Run creek.

The main house was renovated in 1997 & many original details were retained. The property has several outbuildings, is fenced for horses, and has a 4-stall barn w/ wash stall & tackroom.

$1,300,000 | Idyllic equestrian estate in the heart of Virginia’s horse country. From the stately brick home to the custom barn, you’ll find that all your living, entertaining and equestrian needs are in one place. The extraordinary home is a blend Wolf R E ofAtraditional L E S and T Amodern T E luxury with PR O appliances P E R T IinE the S pristine kitchen, heated floors, extensive moldings and built-ins throughout.

Anne McIntosh 703.509.4499

Rocky Westfall 540.219.2633

10 E Washington St (PO Box 485) Middleburg, VA 20117

Maria Eldredge 540.454.3829

MIDDLEBURG

S I M P LY B E T T E R . | M IMIDDLEBURGREALESTATE.COM D D L E B U R G R E A L E S TAT E . C O M

S I M P LY B E T T E R .

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ATOKA

D o es the Word “Inf l ati on” Ma ke You Ner vous?

How much has inflation been in the news?

A recent CNBC survey noted that inflation worries are now investor’s biggest worry, topping pandemic worries for the first time in 15 months. Adding to that, Google Trends show that searches for the word ‘inflation’ have never been higher going back to 2004 (the furthest back their data goes), again suggesting that higher inflation shouldn’t be a surprise.

Why is inflation higher?

Record stimulus, a big economic recovery, major supply chain issues, a surprisingly tight labor market, and negative CPI this time a year ago (so the baseline is quite low) are all reasons inflation has soared lately. We think the jump in inflation is transitory, and inflation will come back to trend by mid-2022. Many of the big picture things that have kept a lid on inflation for more than a decade are still in place. Things like technological innovation, globalization, the Amazon effect, increased productivity and efficiency, automation, and high debt (which puts downward pressure on inflation) are all still firmly in play and should help keep inflation in check later this year and beyond.

What does the market think?

Odds are nearly everyone realized inflation is higher as the Google Trends data showed. In case you don’t like to Google things, just go get gas or head to the grocery store, you’ll see higher prices. But the market has a funny way of looking ahead and pricing things in well before most people understand why. There very well could be a major peak in inflation fears but the market may already be starting to move on from this worry.

Think about it, if the market was truly worried about inflation, would rates really drop in the face of that scary CPI data? Probably not.

What does the Fed think?

At its June meeting, the Federal Reserve confirmed what many of us have suspected for some time: prices are rising. In fact, prices are climbing faster than many expected. In response, the Fed raised its inflation expectation to 3.4%, up from its March projection of 2.4%, effectively raising its inflation expectation by 42%. The Fed also indicated that two interest rate hikes in 2023 were likely, despite signals last march that rates would remain unchanged until 2024. Fed Chair Jerome Powell also said at the June meeting that he believes that inflation will be transitory. But as evidenced by the recent changes, the Fed remains ready to update its outlook as economic data continues to accumulate.

So, what’s an investor to do?

It’s important to remember that inflation is just one of the factors considered when creating a portfolio. If inflation trends higher than expected for some time, adjustments may need to occur. Additionally, there are clear signs that higher inflation is priced into the market. Yes, we’ll get higher inflation, but it won’t be a surprise anymore. More importantly, make sure you control what you can control. David Booth, Co-Founder of Dimensional Advisor Fund said it best in a recent interview, “I think part of planning is not only your investment portfolio, but what to do if you experience unexpected events of any kind. We’re kind of back to where we start our usual conversation: “Control what you can control.”

You can’t control markets. What you can do is prepare yourself for what you’ll do in case bad events happen. Inflation is just one of many risk factors long-term investors need to be prepared for.”

Tom Wiseman

Lucy Zimmerman

SPONSORED CONTENT

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AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE BRINGS BUS TOUR TO MIDDLEBURG Written by Shayda Windle

“This tour is very different because our performances are self-contained. Our dancers will perform on a custom-built stage that folds out of an 18-wheeler, complete with lighting and all the equipment needed for a show…” — Kyle Pickles

Indestructible Light. Photo by Todd Rosenberg Photography.

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A

s the world reopens this summer, the town of Middleburg is brimming with excitement to host live events once again in person. America’s National Ballet Company is stopping through Hunt Country on July 19 for their first-ever “ABT Across America” bus tour. Like all performing arts groups, last year the dance company had to find new ways to continue with rehearsals and performances, despite the challenges ahead. They continued much of their performances online and in “ballet bubbles,” a quarantined space where dancers could continue performing while following COVID protocols.

Joseph Markey, a dancer who’s been with ABT since December 2019, says after the pandemic hit, the company took residence at PS21, a performance space based out of in Chatham, New York in order to continue working. During the short time he’s been with the company, half of it was spent in quarantine. After 16 months of “ballet bubbles,” he’s excited to finally perform in-person through the bus tour, which he says, pays homage to ABT’s roots and is an “opportunity to bring inspiration back across the country after going through this dark time together.”

As soon as things began to look brighter this spring, Kyle Pickles, the associate general manager of American Ballet Theatre, says they began to look at new ways to make the dancers accessible to the public. They wanted to ensure the path they chose was “safe and

comfortable for everyone.” Through a number of brainstorming sessions and a little creativity, the “ABT Across America” bus tour was born. Pickles calls the tour something “reminiscent of the rock and roll playbooks,” which is ironically just how ABT started during its humble beginnings in the ‘40s and ‘50s. Back then, the company would travel coast to coast on a bus and perform live on stage at various venues.

“This tour is very different because our performances are self-contained,” Pickles says. “Our dancers will perform on a custom-built stage that folds out of an 18-wheeler, complete with lighting and all the equipment needed for a show. They’ll have an opportunity to rehearse on the mobile stage before performing while following all local precautions for COVID-19 safety. This year we had to pivot and find ways to make ourselves accessible in ways that were comfortable for everyone involved. The bus tour was reimagined out of the pandemic.”

Instead of hopping on a plane to Chicago, the group of 20 ABT dancers and 28 support crew will travel across 14 states, for a total of 3,100 miles, performing outdoors for socially distanced audiences. The ABT Across America tour kicks off on Thursday, July 1 in Lincoln, Nebraska. From there, the buses will make their way east through cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, and St. Louis, before stopping in Middleburg. There will be two 50-minute shows at Salamander Resort on

July 19, the first at 5 p.m. and the second taking place at 8 p.m.

Each show will be performed without an intermission. Guests can expect to see a mix of inspirational performances, beginning with La Follia Variations, a joyful, colorful performance that’s a celebration of the carefree and unconfined nature of dance. The group will also perform scenes from Don Quixote or Swan Lake, a sultry dance from Tony Bennett’s “Let Me Sing Forevermore,” and finish the show up with Indestructible Light, a piece created during the quarantine

by African-American choreographer Darrell Grand Moutrie. The finale is a joyous symbol of the resilience of the arts despite unprecedented circumstances of this past year.

“We’re honored and excited to be one of just eight stops on this incredible tour,” Sheila Johnson, the Founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, says. “I am always looking for ways to integrate the arts into the programming we offer at Salamander Resort & Spa, and believe these performances will provide a truly one-of-a-kind experience for our guests.” ML Tickets include a suggested donation amount of $10, $25, and $50 with the option for an open-ended donation. All proceeds will go to the Middleburg Community Center’s Art Program. To purchase individual tickets or overnight packages at Salamander Resort & Spa, please visit salamanderresort.com/ abt-across-america or call 844-303-2723.

Left: Indestructible Light. Photo by Todd Rosenberg Photography. Right: Grand Lawn, Salamander Resort & Spa.

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Campbell Wealth Supports Virginia United Polo Two years ago, my wife bought me three polo lessons for Christmas. I took the lessons and enjoyed them. So, I bought three more. But it took me getting on the field in an actual game for my competitive spirit to come through. That is when I knew I was hooked. For me, polo was a new possibility I never even considered. And now I am achieving my goals of playing polo and sponsoring a team and realizing my possibilities.

I truly believe life is about challenging yourself to do the things that you are passionate about and that bring you joy.

Sometimes, this may even make you feel a bit uncomfortable.

But that is also what makes it so worth it. This also inspires me in business. We specifically work with people who are ages 55 or better and either in or close to retirement. And I believe our role is to help them truly live their best retirement.

I started Campbell Wealth with a vision to challenge and empower our clients to realize their possibilities. When we help someone with their retirement, it’s not just about getting them a higher return on investment; it’s about getting them a higher return on life.

My goal is not for our clients to remember us for getting them a little extra performance. Of course, I want that, but I also want them to say “Campbell Wealth got us to really enjoy our retirement and our family and our lives. They got us to think outside the box and live outside the box doing all the things we have always wanted to do."

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Take an extraordinary journey near and far... with McEnearney.

Every extraordinary journey takes an experienced and savvy advocate. At McEnearney, we have been guiding our clients home in Hunt Country and beyond for forty years with one key difference: it’s never about us, it’s always about you. Learn more about the McEnearney Difference at www.McEnearney.com.

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“CROSSING THE LINE”

WITH THE ROSSER BROTHERS

Written by Victoria Peace Photographed by Pablo Raya Creative Direction by Jennifer Gray Assisted by Sophia Kedzierski and Maureen Koepke Clothing provided by Ralph Lauren Special thanks to Aleco BravoGreenberg and his wife Sandra for hosting Middleburg Life and our featured guests for this photoshoot at Rutledge Farm (circa 1740) located in Middleburg, Virginia. It is currently listed for sale.

How Two Inner City Kids Defied the Odds Through an Unlikely Sport

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“When you are feeling down, horses can help you come back to life.” — Daymar

“J

ust go for it.”

That was Kareem Rosser’s advice when asked what he would say to young kids considering polo. “Don’t be afraid that it will be intimidating because you feel like you don’t fit in or that it’s only for wealthy and privileged people,” he said. “Get on and ride — you do belong.”

Kareem and his brother Daymar have been rising stars in the polo world ever since winning the National Interscholastic Polo Championship in 2011 for their team Work to Ride. They receive invitations to play all over the globe and have participated in several prestigious matches in Middleburg. Last month, they were featured in the Virginia United Polo League’s “All Pro Polo” match at Great Meadow. In February 2021, Kareem published his inspirational memoir “Crossing the Line,” which is making waves throughout the polo community and beyond. However, they weren’t born into this life.

Growing up in “the bottom,” an inner-city Philadelphia neighborhood plagued with

high crime and poverty rates, Kareem and Daymar lost friends and family members to gun violence early in their lives. Many of their peers were caught in the dangerous world of drug and gang-related activities, which often led to incarceration and sometimes death. Lezlie Hiner, their riding instructor, made the teens promise that if they received the opportunity to leave the bottom, they would “get out and stay out.”

Kareem and Daymar were first introduced to horses when their older brothers David and Jabbar stumbled across Chamounix stables while taking a bike ride. Tucked away in Fairmount Park, just outside of downtown Philadelphia, the stables are home to the 501(c) (3) non-profit Work to Ride. Founded in 1994, Work to Ride aids disadvantaged youth through constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports, and education.

In exchange for helping out around the barn, kids from some of the most impoverished communities in Philadelphia participate in riding lessons free of charge.

The founder of Work to Ride, Lezlie Hiner, grew up around horses but was never a polo player. But when she took a couple of kids to the program to groom at a match that her friends were playing in, it instantly sparked their interest. Using an old soccer field near the stables as a polo field, the Work to Ride polo team was born and gradually evolved into today’s robust program.

While Work to Ride is best known for its polo program, it also offers kids the chance to participate in schooling shows, steeplechase, foxhunting, and gymkhana (speed pattern racing and timed games for riders). Kareem remembers being invited to hunt with the Cheshire Hunt through Lezlie’s connections.

He emphasized that while it is a very different type of riding than polo, a good run in the field can be a refreshing change, because instead of strategizing about how to score a goal, you can focus on holding on and having fun.

When David and Jabbar first started in Rosser | Page 18

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Rosser | From page 17 the Work to Ride program, Kareem and Daymar were too young to participate. However, at ages 8 and 6, they were finally allowed to follow in their brothers’ footsteps and learn to ride. Before joining the older kids on the polo field, Kareem and Daymar had to master basic horsemanship and riding skills. In his book, Kareem offers several amusing stories about the quirky and spirited horses and ponies that made them into the riders they are today. One such horse was “Buck,” aptly named for his uncanny ability to get kids off his back without warning.

As their polo skills improved, Kareem and Daymar began to participate in local games and tournaments. At first, they lost. A lot.

Although Work to Ride had provided them with many incredible opportunities, they realized they were at a distinct disadvantage after matchups with opponents from outside their barn. The horses at Work to Ride were mostly donated or rescued and often came with behavioral issues. Their equipment and practice facilities were not up to date, and unlike other teams with indoor arenas, they

could only play when the weather was nice.

But this didn’t stop the Rosser brothers from slowly gaining a national reputation for their skills on the field. What started as a string of brutal losses turned into close matches, and eventually, victories. Both Daymar and Kareem were offered polo scholarships to attend Valley Forge Military Academy, a prestigious high school, located 45 minutes outside of Philadelphia.

In 2011, Kareem, Daymar, and their friend Brandon Rease won the National Interscholastic Polo Championship held in Charlottesville, Virginia, on behalf of Work to Ride. Kareem recounted that “for many years we spent a lot of time just losing — each year as we started to progress and go through our high school years, we were getting closer and closer to winning, but we would always fall short. So to finally reach that big moment and succeed was an incredible feeling.” It was also “an incredible moment for Lezlie because she could finally see her mission in action.”

After Kareem’s graduation, Daymar, Brandon, and teammate Julia Smith repeated the feat in 2012. Daymar explained that their goal was to “keep what they did the previous year

going” and keep Work to Ride on the map.

After graduation, Kareem and Daymar continued their successful polo careers in college. Kareem attended Colorado State University, where he was a member of the varsity polo team. In 2015, when the team won the Intercollegiate National Polo Championship, he was named U.S. Polo Association’s Intercollegiate Player of the Year. Daymar attended Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, where he co-founded the polo team in 2016. Just one year later, Daymar captained the team to victory in the 2017 Intercollegiate National Polo Championship, earning them the national title.

Today, Kareem and Daymar once again call Philadelphia home. With demanding careers in finance and marketing and busy personal lives, it is often difficult for them to find time to get to the barn. According to Kareem, who also serves on the executive committee of Work to Ride’s board of directors, “We ride when we can.”

In the future, Daymar and Kareem hope that more Black and Brown children will be

Right: Kareem Rosser at the season kick-off VA United All Pro Polo Match at Great Meadow. Photo by Maureen Koepke.

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Rosser | Page 19

Rosser | From page 18 inspired to start playing polo. They acknowledge that the sport has a reputation for being insular, stratified, and lacking in diversity and that significant financial barriers to participation exist, including the cost of horses, equipment, lessons, and entry fees for tournaments and matches. However, the brothers hope that some of these barriers can be broken down through programs like Work to Ride.

While “horses are expensive and there is no way around that,” Kareem stressed that there are ways to make it more accessible” for kids from all types of backgrounds.

Work to Ride is currently raising funds to expand its operations in Philadelphia. The immediate goal is to refurbish the existing facilities and construct a new indoor arena.

This will allow them to extend their programming year-round, increase participation, and host local, regional, and national polo matches. Eventually, Work to Ride aims to expand its operations to other cities.

According to Daymar, one reason that the Work to Ride model is so successful is that horses are extremely therapeutic. They can help kids cope with the trauma of growing up in violent or unstable homes. Horses immediately make people feel comfortable — you can talk to them and relate to them even though they can’t talk back. Daymar gives voice to a feeling that many riders can relate to, “when you are feeling down, horses can help you come back to life.” And it’s not just the horses and the riding — according to Daymar, the stable work is also an essential aspect of the healing that comes from being at the barn.

In the future, Daymar hopes to open a therapeutic riding facility to spread these positive benefits to people in need.

In places like Middleburg, it can be easy to think that equestrian culture only exists within the confines of lush, rolling green pastures, and that polo is only played on immaculately groomed fields with gleaming, well-trained ponies. Kareem and Daymar’s journey with Work to Ride, and the Work to Ride mission is an important reminder that there is a whole different side to the sport outside of this carefully curated aesthetic.

In Kareem’s book, he touches on one fascinating example of horsemanship in the inner city — the Black urban cowboy culture in Philadelphia. It’s a little-known fact that there are thousands of horses living in the city. Many have been rescued from auctions where they would have been sent to slaughter or have been bought off the track. The urban cowboys consider themselves ranchers, and

“Don’t be afraid that it will be intimidating because you feel like you don’t fit in, or that it’s only for wealthy and privileged people. Get on and ride — you do belong.”

— Kareem

according to Kareem, “they have a great sense of community.” Using the limited land available to them, they teach horsemanship skills to local children and occasionally hold impromptu races and competitions. Some of the kids at Work to Ride sought out the program after the urban cowboys piqued their interest in riding.

Despite their busy schedules, Kareem and Daymar will be returning to the Middleburg area soon. Kareem will teach a polo clinic in mid-July on behalf of the Windy Hill Foundation, a program that provides safe and affordable housing to low-income families in Fauquier and Loudoun Counties. Daymar will return in the fall to play in the National Sporting Library and Museum’s annual Polo Classic.

For the cover shoot, Kareem and Daymar

are styled in Ralph Lauren clothing. According to Kareem, “we have a great relationship with Ralph Lauren” and have been fortunate to participate in many campaigns. He and his brother have “no aspirations to be supermodels,” but reiterated that “it is neat to be able to participate where and when we can.”

To anyone out there thinking of trying polo after reading this article, go for it. At first, you might think you don’t belong. However, in the words of Kareem, the captain of the first all-Black team to win a National Intercollegiate Polo Championship: “You’d be surprised.” ML Interested in donating to Work to Ride and learning more about their mission and programs? Visit worktoride.net.

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Located in Prime Orange County Hunt Territory, a most prestigious location.

10 acres $4,500,000 Spectacular custom residence offers the utmost in a luxurious country lifestyle.

Completely rebuilt in 2016 this 11,736 sq. ft. home is a masterpiece of quality & design.

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178 acres $3,900,000 Upperville – Impeccably restored brick manor house, ca. 1844. Perennial gardens and orchard, guest house with theatre, guest/pool house, pool, 2 tenant houses, 5 bay garage, workshop, 2 ponds, fenced fields and paddocks.

Deerfield Farm

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62.4 acres $2,550,000 Aldie – South-facing, gently undulating topography – suited for use as a vineyard, with views of the mountains. Half open pasture and half wooded, includes a 1.25 acre spring-fed pond and 2 streams. 9 stall center aisle stable with a large apt. above.

24.59 acres $2,350,000 Middleburg – Renovated w/over 6,000+ sq ft. classic c. 1915 farmhouse with 2 primary suites, 2 BRs, 4 full BAs and 3 half-baths.

Meticulously maintained, a wonderful mix of old and new. Barn, paddocks, run-in shed, spring fed pond. Great ride out.

4.82 acres $1,795,000 Middleburg – Largest residential parcel “in town!” Built by late master builder WJ Hanback. 3/4 BRs, 3 full BAs. Includes bay windows, built-ins, hardwood floors and fireplaces. Fenced garden, extensive landscaping, pond and mature trees.

163+ acres $1,714,125 This spectacular 410 acres of land consist of rolling fields, lush woodlands, streams, a small pond, and mountain land. The 6 tax parcels which comprise the 410 acres are protected under a conservation easement which allows for a maximum of 4 divisions.

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5 acres $849,000 Marshall – Charming family home surrounded by estates providing privacy and protection. 5 BRs / 3.5 BA. Move-in ready, with hardwood floors throughout.

High Mountain Farm Broadband wifi. Well maintained gardens.

12+ acres $709,999 Site your new home on this lovely rolling parcel located less than 3 miles East of the historic village of Middleburg. Situated just North of Rte. 50 in Loudoun County, this parcel offers close to 400 feet of road frontage. Land is currently planted in hay.

20+ acres $550,000 Travel a tranquil country road to arrive at this wooded parcel tucked into the Bull Run Mountains. A massive rock ledge at the top overlooks a cleared building site surrounded by mature trees. Minutes to the town of The Plains or Middleburg.

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Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so w

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3:39 PM

GOING FOR GOLD Written by Kaitlin Hill

WITHOUT THIS GROUP US OLYMPIC ATHLETES WOULD NOT EXIST

“T

o see your flag and hear your national anthem, there is nothing else like that,” Bonnie Jenkins, Executive Director of the United States Equestrian Teams Foundation (USET), says.

“And I think any athlete would agree. To bring medals home for your country, it’s pretty special.”

Jenkins and the USET Foundation’s Chairman, President, and CEO, Jim McNerney, believe reaching that golden opportunity of success in elite equestrian competition requires early development, complete dedication, effective financial support, and a heavy dose of patriotism. With all eyes on the Tokyo Olympics, Jenkins, McNerney, and familiar equestrian figures Laura Kraut, Robert Ridland, and Joe Fargis, share how the USET Foundation plays a fundamental role in Team USA’s perpetual preparation for this year’s summer games and beyond.

Best described as the philanthropic partner of US Equestrian Teams, the USET Foundation was established in 2003 with a fixed focus on fundraising. “At the time USET, which had always done the fundraising, transitioned into a formal foundation to continue

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the fundraising work for high performance,” Jenkins says.

“The first reason to split the two, the management of the teams, athletes, and the horses from the fundraising, is you get a more professional job from each,” McNerney says.

“You get two boards and more people involved. The second reason for the split … is it became a better governance standard.”

The repositioning of US Equestrian and USET Foundation created clear objectives for each side while retaining a close working relationship with positive results. “The proof is in the pudding,” McNerney says. “The fundraising has more than doubled on a yearly grant basis and is continuing to grow. It has the virtue of being both good governance and more effective.”

“It’s a great relationship and it serves the sport very well,” Jenkins says.

USET Foundation is the largest financial backer for US Equestrian, helping underwrite the long journey from youth development to elite status in the eight international disciplines: dressage, eventing, jumping, driving, endurance, reining, para-equestrian, and vaulting.

That road begins with providing the financial support to develop young riders, a part of the Foundation’s work that McNerney describes as “critical. Maybe the most important thing we do.”

As an athlete in the 1976 Olympic Games and current US Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe, Robert Ridland has seen his share of rider development and explains how the USET Foundation-funded Pathway Program, for example, is an essential element.

“These riders and these horses are part of a long process,” Ridland says. “The major function of the program is the pathway to get there for younger riders of various levels …

We aren’t only supporting top riders, we are preparing the riders for the next championship and the next competition. If we are not invigorating that pathway of athletes that are going to be competing in the Olympics seven years from now, we aren’t doing our job.”

“The USET Foundation’s support of the Pathway Program develops the athletes and develops the sport to make us more competitive,” McNerney says.

Olympics | Page 23

Olympics | From page 22 Becoming more competitive is “all-consuming,” Joe Fargis explains, a 1984 Olympic Show Jumping Gold Medalist and Middleburg resident. “It’s constant and as repetitive as practice can be,” he says. “You have to immerse yourself in it if you want to get better.

It takes all day long, seven days a week, 365

jumping team. You could have eight teams going abroad to represent us.”

Kraut shares that USET Foundation’s financial aid sets the US apart in a big way.

“I think we are the envy of the international jumping world … We are very fortunate that the people helping us are fantastic, and in the end, it really makes a difference.”

to reach back because she knows there are others embarking on the same journey she was on, and that it wasn’t easy. I don’t want to say that team dynamic doesn’t exist in other countries, but it exists for sure in Americans, both horizontally at any event and vertically [between] generations.”

Passion for the sport combined with patri-

days a year.”

With nearly four decades in equestrian competition under her belt, a recent second place in the Rome Grand Prix, with Tokyo on her horizon, Laura Kraut has certainly put in the time and experienced firsthand the support provided by USET Foundation funding over a long career.

“When you’re at the level of competing internationally, and jumping for the United States, [the Foundation] is there in every way,” she shares. “Support staff with logistics, veterinarians, team physios, they are there from start to finish making it as pain-free as possible so the athlete can concentrate on what they need to do.”

A major part of the Olympics or any competition is taking care of horses in transit, a task that requires a huge logistical effort and serious funding. “A lot of our funding is to make sure those horses fly comfortably and safely with their veterinarians,” Jenkins says.

“These horses are top athletes too. And then with eight disciplines, it’s not just a show

“It takes an awful lot of preparation in your life and in your team’s life,” Ridland says.

“And of course, it is a parallel path for the horse as well. That is where the USET Foundation comes in … Many countries have their Olympics subsidized by government subsidies and we don’t. We couldn’t exist without the USET Foundation.”

Much more than dollars and cents, the fundraising efforts of the USET Foundation speak to a uniquely American patriotism and a camaraderie in the equestrian community.

“Our support is sort of grassroots by its virtue, and by the efforts of Bonnie and the board, it engenders a team effort,” McNerney says. This fashion of fundraising not only builds a team dynamic, it also creates a unique life cycle for the athletes and highlights a personal bond shared by many of the donors.

“When you have to go out and find the money, you not only appreciate it, like in the case of Laura, [you take] advantage of it,” McNerney says. “And there’s this life cycle that when she gets to the top, she wants

otism breeds a special connection for the donors as well. “Most of our major donors have either participated themselves in the sport at some stage in their lives, have family involvement or own the horses themselves. There is almost always a connection,” McNerney says.

“I would put patriotism near the top of the list for donor motivation,” Jenkins says.“Not just in the major gifts program, but also our annual support program. They are truly part of the team too.”

Patriotism is perhaps most apparent during an Olympic year, but Ridland, Kraut, Jenkins, and McNerney agree focusing on the future is equally important for a sport that never stops moving. “It’s a never-ending cycle in a very exciting way … It is fascinating to see where the sport was, where it is and where it will go,” Ridland says. “And we take our roles seriously as stewards of the sport, to put it in a better place 20 or 30 years from now.”

As the sport progresses, so too must the Olympics | Page 24

Left page: Joe Fargis. Photo provided by USET Archive. Left: Laura Kraut, Lillie Keenan, Robert Ridland, Lauren Hough, and Beezie Madden at Dublin. Photo courtesy of FEI. Middle: Robert Ridland. Photo by Nancy Jaffer. Right: Laura Kraut in Rome. Photo by Stefano Secchi.

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Olympics | From page 23 financial support, never losing sight of that patriotism. “Because the future is constant, the requirement is constant,” McNerney says.

“There’s an arms race on all those things that add up to competitiveness.”

To cushion that constant change, the USET Foundation is building up its endowment in addition to the cyclical nature of giving that supports annual competitions and training. “Bonnie is really focused on creating and strengthening our endowment, which is stretched out over multiple years,” McNerney says. “That enables us to get through rough spots.”

According to Jenkins, McNerney’s role is key as well. “As our leader, Jim has been on the frontlines of building that endowment, which has made a huge difference to the organization. It’s now at 20 million. When Jim started, it was closer to six million. That was a huge achievement.”

Wherever the contribution is directed, whether it be annual giving for a particular discipline or toward the endowment benefiting the whole team for years to come, every penny counts. “I don’t think Bonnie or I want to create the impression that the smaller or medium-sized gifts aren’t critically important,” McNerney says. “They are. We equally celebrate and appreciate all levels of donors because they bring the same patriotism and love of the sport. It all adds up, making the country better in the sport.”

And many of those donations, big and small, come from the Middleburg area. A few loyal friends of note include: Jacqueline B. Mars of The Plains, and Honorary Life Trustee of USET, Sheila Johnson, whose daughter, Paige, won USET’s Maxine Beard Award. Finally, Barbara and David Roux of St. Bride’s Farm who are not only supporters of the Foundation but also own Laura Kraut’s horses, Baloutine and Confu, that are on the shortlist for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“The Middleburg connection to our sport is a big deal,” McNerney says. “There’s a deep cultural connection to the sport, and a number of wonderful supporters live in Middleburg.”

For Tokyo and beyond, it is obvious that the support of the USET Foundation is the secret of the team’s success. From creating opportunities for youth riders, funding domestic and international competition preparation, and building an endowment to secure

the sport’s future, Kraut and Ridland describe the Foundation’s purpose best.

“USET Foundation helps us have that camaraderie, and they make us feel like we are doing something important,” Kraut says.

“This is a very individual sport … but they make us realize that there is more to the sport than just being an individual. And there is a lot to be said for being part of a team and winning on the international stage.”

“I can’t emphasize enough how crucial the Foundation is to us being able to compete at the highest level of our sport,” Ridland says.

“And we as Americans are privileged to have the Foundation leading the way.” ML

The USET Foundation was established in 2003 as a not-for-profit Section 501(c)(3). It is a separate organization from US Equestrian, the National Governing Body, and serves as its philanthropic partner. The Foundation’s mission is to raise tax-deductible contributions to support the nation’s High Performance athletes and horses through grants made to US Equestrian. Donations may be made through uset.org.

US Equestrian develops, selects, equips, promotes and manages US equestrian teams, as well as provides funding through corporate sponsorship, membership dues and fees, and USOPC support.

Top left: Joe Fargis and Touch of Class. Photo by Findlay Davidson. Top right: Jim McNerney at Take Me to Tokyo Benefit. Photo by Jump Media. Bottom: Bonnie Jenkins. Photo by Jump Media.

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NEW PROGRAM OFFERS GARDEN-TO-TABLE APPRENTICESHIPS TO NEURODIVERSE INDIVIDUALS Written by Heidi Baumstark | Photos by Heather Overheu

“It’s a concept in which we’re accepting neurodiversity as any other human diversity. It’s hard when people are labeled, and assumptions are made about you. This ability to calm the nervous system — when that happens you can walk into any environment and self-regulate. We’re kind of a bridge providing opportunities for next steps.” — Laurie Young

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G

iven the right conditions and attention, growth happens.

Legacy Farms is providing settings for healthy growth — not just on the farm — but for the individuals who cultivate their produce and flowers for businesses and home kitchens throughout Loudoun County.

By offering garden-to-table apprenticeships to neurodiverse individuals, their mission is to empower them to blossom and grow — all through the power of plants.

It starts at their two gardens: Temple Hall Farm Regional Park and the park’s neighbor, Fabbioli Cellars, both on Limestone School Road in Leesburg. Over 8,000 square feet of land is farmed providing over 40 job contracts for neurodiverse apprentices working with skilled, caring mentors who are rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty from growing fresh produce and flowers for CSA (community supported agriculture) programs and local businesses. But that’s just the beginning.

Laurie Young, the executive director of Legacy Farms (LF), is the guiding vision and innovation to this non-profit charitable organization established in 2012. In 2021, LF launched a new initiative called Growing Together, a foundational mentor/apprentice program opening doors for neurodiverse individuals who are hired for jobs in the garden, the community, farmer’s markets, and organizational projects.

And it definitely takes a village. That’s why LF partners with local businesses and organizations; one of them is the Middleburg-based nonprofit called A Place To Be. Since its start

in 2010, A Place To Be (APTB) has implemented clinically based practices of music therapy to help people navigate and overcome life’s challenges. Certified music therapists provide therapy ranging from individual sessions to community programming to medical music therapy. The organization has gained wide recognition with students performing on various stages including the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., music therapy at local schools, and INOVA Loudoun Hospital.

While LF offers apprentice opportunities outside in the garden, APTB offers music therapy — a harmonious combo. By teaming up they provide a unified front: support for the development of self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-advocacy for neurodiversity.

To understand neurodiversity, it is a concept in which neurological differences are recognized and respected as any other human variation. These differences can include those identified on the autism spectrum: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, traumatic brain injuries, learning challenges, and others.

“APTB and LF are a natural fit,” Young says. “Skills can be learned anywhere so that’s not our main focus. But in Growing Together, we focus on the ability to self-regulate, stay calm, social cueing, self-awareness, emotional health, mindfulness, and communication.”

It’s addressing the difficulty with social and emotional regulation. Each day begins with a simple practice of becoming aware of the sounds around us. It’s about settling of the nervous system, self-regulating, which can be a barrier for neurodiverse individuals.

“We want to get at the core of that calming practice, so when they do face challenges, they can use the skills learned here to self-regulate and make creative contributions,” Young said.

But Growing Together is open to all neurodiverse people who apply for apprenticeships, not just those affiliated with APTB. Through LF’s mentor/apprentice style of on-the-job training, skills are acquired for real-world experiences where participants see firsthand how their work impacts those around them.

APTB’s Clinical Director Kevin Leong, shared how the pairing of the two organizations began. “Many APTB members are also at Legacy Farms,” Leong said. “Someone mentioned it and Laurie [Young] reached out to us. APTB is quite eclectic in terms of people we see, which includes teens with mental health needs and older people with Parkinson’s.”

Leong explained that during the COVID pandemic, hour-long online programs were offered three times a week beginning in January 2021.

“We use songs as a mnemonic device to help people regulate,” he said. “We wrote a Legacy Farms theme song called ‘A Place to Be Under the Sun’ that includes the rules in song form.” They wrote another song called “the breathing song” with an end goal to use tempo to calm and self-regulate through breathing techniques. Practicing mindfulness exercises and meditation also helps with the senses.

In mid-April, apprentices went to the farm to garden twice a week. Garden Garden | Page 28

Left: Billie Jo Bevin, director of operations, with an apprentice.

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Garden | From page 27 sessions are five hours per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 – 11:30 a.m. Vegetables and herbs are grown at Temple Hall and flowers are grown at Fabbioli Cellars. Apprentices learn responsibility by performing duties such as planting seeds and seedlings, weeding, composting, landscaping, clean-up, watering, pruning, and harvesting. Then it’s off to prepare deliveries for clients, CSAs, and farmer’s markets.

Growing Together is structured around a seven-step framework guided by mentors.

The first 3 steps include an initial 9 or 10 weeks of training and education starting in the spring or summer. Based on the person’s interest and needs, they can attend personal development training with APTB or LF’s training in the garden.

The next 3 steps continue for an additional 9 to 10 weeks and are paid apprenticeship positions. Apprentices sign a responsibility agreement, outline personal development goal setting, and work with trained mentors who are also paid. They work in teams as they learn how to grow, tend, and prepare flowers and produce for delivery to LF’s partners or for sale at farmer’s markets.

They also learn time tracking and organizational skills, invoicing, and paperwork. It concludes with the apprentice receiving an official performance review, just like in other jobs. The seventh, final step is assisting with transition. If LF has openings for ongoing positions in the garden or other entrepreneurial areas, apprentices can apply. LF is also available to help with resume preparation, application assistance, and transition to careers in the community.

Faustina Mora is a mentor at LF and a graduate student in health promotion and behavioral science with a concentration in community health and wellness. She has helped develop and refine LF’s progress tracking, personal evaluations, and self-reflection tools.

She has also attended several APTB sessions and worked with Leong to facilitate data collection, while also mentoring at both garden sites and performing survey interviews with apprentices to track progress and determine how the program is working.

Mora said people can also volunteer at LF at either farm location. “We need all the hands we can get,” she said. “It’s good for people to come see what we’re doing, learn more about neurodiversity, and how we focus on a relational approach with the mentor/apprentice model, helping people transition to future employment.”

There are plenty of entrepreneurship op-

portunities. “If an apprentice has writing skills, we’ll ask them to write a blog,” Young said. Others have created graphic design for promotional pieces, honed photography and videography skills, and learned event coordination. The goal is to match strengths with LF’s needs, and whenever possible, open up opportunities. “We can capture their enthusiasm for a specific interest or skill and build on that,” Young said. “Then they have more excitement for the work they’re doing, and it becomes very meaningful. And we all want to do meaningful work.”

Cyrus Shahidi, an apprentice at LF, was in music therapy at APTB. At Fabbioli Cellars, he plants, mulches, weeds, and helps with irrigation tubes in the flower garden. “I love being out in the garden and talking with others,” he said. “It’s a good experience and I get to learn how to garden. It’s rewarding to see things grow. It’s grounding and I get to focus on listening and breathing.”

One example of a LF partner is Peter Piper’s Peppers. Ian Shanholtz, a mentor, makes hot sauces from peppers grown at the farm and sells them at farmer’s markets. “We love supporting local businesses and they, in turn, support our non-profit,” Young said. “Men-

tors guide and come alongside apprentices creating that equal work environment.”

Another example is collaborating with local businesses like Bear Chase Brewery in Bluemont. They do a pop-up market to sell LF’s farm products. Young said they have two apprentices there with two mentors. “They’re learning how to sell, to talk about the product,” Young said. “We also have dog treats made with our herbs and the labeling on packages is designed by another apprentice.”

“It’s a concept in which we’re accepting neurodiversity as any other human diversity,” Young said. “It’s hard when people are labeled, and assumptions are made about you. This ability to calm the nervous system — when that happens you can walk into any environment and self-regulate. We’re kind of a bridge providing opportunities for next steps.”

A YouTube video titled, “We Grow More Than Gardens,” shows Young in the garden with apprentices. Here’s what some apprentices say about LF in the video: Consideration of the garden, plants, the earth translates into consideration of each other.

I’m working to help others — it feels like a community.

It’s a space for people to learn.

We get a chance to get along with different types of people.

It’s given me a community.

“LF is very focused on a prepared environment where the program itself presents motivation,” Young said. “You can’t make someone be intrinsically motivated, it has to come from within. It’s exciting and really miraculous in some cases.”

Everyone wants to leave a legacy. Legacy Farms is certainly living up to its name. ML More about Legacy Farms can be found at legacyfarmsvirginia.org or by calling 571969-4468. Temple Hall Farm Regional Park is located at 15855 Limestone School Rd., and Fabbioli Cellars is located at 15669 Limestone School Rd., both in Leesburg. More about A Place To Be can be found at aplacetobeva. org or call 540-687-6740. It is located at 8 N. Jay St., Middleburg.

The photos in this article were taken by Heather Overheu. Overheu is a photography apprentice at Legacy Farms, who is learning entrepreneurial, organizational, and project-based skills. She is also a junior mentor in the garden where she is learning to support other apprentices with their garden and work skills.

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UXURY WEEKEND GETAWAY:

NEMACOLIN, FEATURED ON ABC’S “THE BACHELOR” Written by Kaitlin Hill

S

itting on a sprawling 2,000-acre property in Farmington, Pennsylvania, Nemacolin Resort is an idyllic weekend or week-long escape just three hours from Middleburg. With two golf courses, multiple pools, a casino, the spa, art exhibits, world-class dining, a meditation house, and an on-site safari, the resort offers an endless list of activities for a luxury vacation that can be as action-packed or laid back as desired.

But what really puts Nemacolin over the top, making it well worth a visit, is the incomparably kind staff who go above, beyond, and a little further to accommodate guests’ every wish.

The image of opulence and romantic backdrop of a recent season of ABC’s The Bachelor, Nemacolin has surprisingly modest roots.

Willard F. Rockwell purchased the original 60 acres in 1949 with plans for a hunting lodge which he established in 1968. Initially known as the Nemacolin Trails Hunting Reserve,

Left: Gazpacho. Right: Tea room. Photos by Kaitlin Hill.

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Rockwell expanded the property from 60 to 400 acres, adding the hunting lodge, which still welcomes guests today, a golf course, airstrip, and two lakes. He debuted the updates as the Nemacolin Inn in 1970.

Seventeen years later, in 1987, 84 Lumber Company founder Joseph A. Hardy III, purchased the swath of land intending to give it as a gift to his daughter, Maggie Hardy Magerko. Hardy’s generous and grand gesture, expanding to 2,000 acres during his ownership, turned into a family project spanning generations.

Over the next 34 years, Nemacolin would transform from its humble hunting hub beginnings into the pinnacle of luxury lodgings.

The Woodlands Golf Academy and Woodlands Spa were added in 1988. A second golf course, Mystic Rock, was completed in 1995.

And the opening of The Chateau marked the 10th anniversary of Hardy ownership in 1997.

In 2002, Hardy passed the reins to his

daughter who continued to grow the property and the resort’s reputation for excellence.

In 2004, a new guest accommodation option named Falling Rock opened, housing Aqueous Restaurant, Amber Bar, and the Golf Shop. A few years later in 2007, it was awarded the AAA Five-Diamond Award and Lautrec restaurant, located in The Chateau, received the Mobil Five-Star and Five-Diamond Awards the following years. Even with all the praise, Nemacolin underwent a $30 million renovation in 2014, proving the pursuit of perfection never rests.

That pursuit is clearly the driving factor in all the experiences available to guests, ranging from the off-roading to the ritual facials and everything in between.

For nature enthusiasts, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures, all with the Nemacolin touch. Highlights include the towering Getaway | Page 31

Getaway | From page 30 ropes course comprised of nine obstacles and a 250-foot long zipline with incredible views, and the quick jump free-fall, perfect for adrenaline junkies of all ages.

For visitors who prefer to stay closer to the ground, the Nemacolin Field Club has fly fishing, sporting clays, archery, and even a guided turkey hunt. More traditional sports like tennis, golf, hiking, and biking take place at the resort’s first-rate facilities surrounded by beautiful scenery. There are offerings for animal lovers too, like equestrian trail rides and an on-site safari. Or perhaps, a dip in one of the multiple pools or sunbathing with a drink is in order.

Inside the resort’s many structures, guests will find world-class dining, a seriously soothing spa, and a seemingly endless collection of art to explore, making Nemacolin’s expansive interior just as interesting as its boundless acreage.

Foodies will easily find something to love, as there’s a little something for everyone. Rockwell’s serves up classic steakhouse fare with a farm-to-table twist and Barattolo offers all things Italian in its bright and airy bistro space. There are kid-friendly and casual choices too. PJ’s Ice Cream Parlor offers decadent frozen dairy treats and the opportunity to step back in time with its spot-on 1950s aesthetic. Or pick up the essentials for a picnic at The Pantry, which offers ready-toeat sandwiches, salads, smoothies, coffee, and pastries.

Perhaps the crown jewel of Nemacolin’s many restaurants is Lautrec, winner of both the Forbes Five-Star and the AAA Five-Diamond awards. The stylish eatery offers Euro-American fare with an ever-changing menu focused on local ingredients. The restaurant maintains a 1,200 bottle wine list to pick the perfect pairing for dinner. For more adventurous guests, Lautrec even has the “Leap of Faith” menu, a surprise but customized culinary experience created by the Lautrec dining team.

Like the restaurants of Nemacolin, outposts for libations are around every corner. In the Chateau’s Lobby, the aptly named Lobby Bar greets guests with creative cocktails in a beautiful wood-paneled setting. Just a few steps away, the comfortably set Tea Room is an ideal spot to enjoy the garden view or listen to the birdsong of the resident parakeets with a cup of tea and a light snack. And proper happy hours with sophisticated sips are easily hosted in the Cigar Bar down the hall

or the Amber Bar across the way in the Falling Rock building.

After a drink or two, guests can unwind and detox at the Woodlands Salon and Spa, The Fitness Center, or the Holistic Healing Center, all onsite. Wellness and pampering offerings range from traditional to Nemacolin niche, like Ritual Facials complete with “ceremonial herbal smudging” and Zero Gravity Manicures in private zero gravity lounge chairs.

The time between dining, drinking, detoxing and re-toxing can be filled by browsing Nemacolin’s impressive art collection that lines the halls from one activity area to the next. More than a hotel, Nemacolin is perhaps best described as an art lover’s dream with masterpieces covering every hallway and galleries open around the clock. The Nemacolin Gallery, Laurel Lane Gallery, and Club Level Gallery showcase a little bit of everything from Monty Montgomery’s abstract color explosions to Pakan Penn’s whimsical renderings of nature and Clair Hardy’s study of roses. Visitors can book collection tours, an outdoor sculpture garden tour, or even take art lessons to create their own work of art.

With enough art to fill multiple galleries, an endless list of first-rate guest experiences, countless accolades, and so much to explore, it’s no wonder Nemacolin’s two taglines are “real life magic” and “nothing is impossible.”

But more than its expansive setting, luxurious suites, or even the resident Kinkajou, that magic is made possible by the limitlessly hospitable, Pennsylvania-based staff who work every day to bring it all together.

From the front desk attendants smiling as they help guests navigate the property’s many settings, to the waiters, waitresses, and barkeeps ready with recommendations, or the shuttle drivers chauffeuring guests from pool to spa and back again, and the massage therapists who are quick to soothe, Nemacolin’s greatest asset, making it well worth the visit, is the unwavering kindness exhibited by all who work there. ML To learn more about Nemacolin Resort, visit nemacolin.com. Nemacolin Resort is located at 1001 Lafayette Dr, Farmington, Pa. First: King suite. Second: Lodge back. Third: Golf course. Fourth: Adult’s pool. Bottom: Climbing wall.

Photos by Jordan Millington.

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10 LOCAL STUDENTS RECEIVE DIPLOMAS FROM FOXCROFT SCHOOL

CONGRATULATIONS!

M

iddleburg residents Chessa Benevento, Emma Northrup, Hays Turner, and Rose Uran, along with Jacky Arellano-Alvarez of Marshall, Betsy Altenburger, Elsie Rose of Purcellville, Ellen Burke and Hayden Eskew of Upperville, and Chanler Jewett of The Plains, were among the 43 students from four countries, 11 states, and the District of Columbia to graduate from Foxcroft School on May 28, 2021.

These students are an impressive class, including one National Merit Commended

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student, 14 AP Scholars, nine members of the Cum Laude Society, and ten students who completed the requirements to earn an academic concentration designation on their diploma. Collectively, the class of 2021 received 218 offers of admission from 137 colleges and universities — including Bucknell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, Gettysburg College, Mount Holyoke College, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, New York University, Savannah

College of Art and Design, Spelman College, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Michigan, University of Virginia, and Williams College, among others — and were offered more than $3.1 million in merit scholarships. The class also stood out athletically with Division III recruits in lacrosse and field hockey and four exceptional proficiency participants for riding.

Congratulations to the Foxcroft Class of 2021! ML

Retreat to Luxury

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Family Owned & Operated Since 1973 dealing in Amish Outdoor Furniture in Aldie Since 1980

Scan QR code to buy tickets!

703-327-4547

Presented by

Or visit

39469 John Mosby Hwy, Aldie VA 20105

NationalSporting.org

Is communication in your home or office toxic, unproductive or inefficient?

Have you even discovered the real you and a purpose that brings you JOY? Does your team need more empathy and efficiency post Covid?

Let DeeAnn, Certified Enneagram Life Coach, help you or your team discover the best path forward! ~ Schedule a free consultation today ~ www.imaginelifecoaching.org

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HUNT COUNTRY MARKET AT BUCHANAN HALL July 7 | 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. huntcountrymarket.com Every Wednesday, shop a collective of the best farm and artisan products, curated in the heart of hunt country at Buchanan Hall in Upperville. Menu by The Market at Bluewater Kitchen, live music, garden seating, 20+ farms and artisan vendors, beer and wine. Additional dates are July 14, 21, and 28.

WEDNESDAY MOVIE NIGHTS AT LONG BRANCH July 7 | 7:30 p.m. visitlongbranch.org Long Branch House and Farm and Clarke County Historical Association present: Wednesday Movie Nights at Long Branch. Free admission, but donations are welcome. Seating on the lawn – bring your own chair/blanket. Snacks, food, beverages for sale by Shenandoah Valley Golf Club. Please refrain from using breakables or glassware.

• July 7 - National Treasure • July 14 - Secretariat • July 21 - Night at the Museum • July 28 - Hidden Figures

ADULT WATER YOGA AT THE MIDDLEBURG COMMUNITY CENTER July 9 | 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. visitmiddleburgva.com Join the Middleburg Community Center every Friday through Labor Day. $20 per person. Pre-registration required. Pre-register at 540-6876373 x10 or info@middleburgcommunitycenter.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT LOST BARREL BREWING July 9 | lostbarrel.com Join Lost Barrel Brewing in Middleburg for live music. Happy hour is from 4 - 6 p.m. Get 25% off 12 or 16oz drinks and 50% off pitchers.

• July 9 - The Crooked Angels | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

• July 10 - Nate Clendenen | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

• July 17 - Robert Mabe | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

• July 23 - Chris Bone | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

• July 24 - Warren Hayford | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

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NATURE COMPOSED 101: PERMACULTURE July 9 | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. naturecomposed.com Join Jenn Pineau as she teaches guests everything they need to know about permaculture gardening and landscaping. Guests wi l l b e a l lowe d to stay for a Q&A with Jenn following the lecture and demonstration. Guests will also receive a 10% off coupon to shop from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. in a private store event that day. Tickets available via eventbrite.com.

TWILIGHT POLO AT GREAT MEADOW July 10 | twilightpolo.com Bring your family, friends, and coworkers out for an evening in Virginia horse country at the Greenhill Stadium in The Plains. Experience an authentic sunset watching three polo matches, picnicking, drinking wine, watching the kids play giant tug o’ war, and dancing the night away! One pass admits an entire car load of family and friends. Tickets available online.

• July 10 - Camouflage Night • July 17 - School Spirit Night • July 24 - Denim & Diamonds • July 31 - Disney Plus Party COLONIAL KIDS DAY AT BURWELL-MORGAN MILL July 10 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. clarkehistory.org Join us for our 5th annual Colonial Kids Day. Interactive activities including blacksmithing, seamstressing, meeting reenactors, craft making, colonial games, a scavenger hunt, the history of the Mill, living history interpretations, face-painting, and grinding in action.

VIRGINIA UNITED POLO SUNDAYS July 11, 18, 25 | vaunitedpolo.com Enjoy grass polo at the Sheila C. Johnson Polo Field at Great Meadow Foundation in The Plains, Va. Virginia United Polo holds action packed games every Sunday during summer polo season (June-August). Gates open at 10 a.m.

Calendar | Page 39

Calendar | From page 38 NEW WORLD, NEW PLANTS: EARTH CONNECTION SERIES July 11 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows Humans have long used and altered the landscape of Sky Meadows to their benefit by utilizing native plants and introducing new species. Join professional outdoor instructor Tim MacWelch for a plant identification walk focusing on the native plants that were useful to the American Colonists and the non-native species they brought with them to the New World. All ages are welcome and no registration is necessary. The workshop will be held rain or shine. Bring water, dress in layers, and wear sturdy shoes. For COVID safety, participants will be required to provide their own mask and wear it during the entire program, while maintaining social distancing.

INTERNATIONAL FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL: IF4 VIRTUAL SCREENING AT THE NATIONAL SPORTING LIBRARY & MUSEUM July 15 | all day nationalsporting.org

TELL ME YOUR NAME - CARLYLE HOUSE HISTORIC PARK July 18 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park Join Carlyle House Historic Park staff for a tour focusing on the experiences of the enslaved community at Carlyle House and his plantations.

The guided tour will explore the historical context of slavery in 18th century Alexandria and the importance of ongoing research efforts to connect with descendants. Reservations are required as space is limited. All COVID-procedures will be in place during this tour.

MEET THE BEEKEEPERS AT SKY MEADOWS STATE PARK July 18 | 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows What’s that buzzing? Meet with local apiarists of the Beekeepers of Northern Shenandoah (BONS) and discover the art of Apiculture (a.k.a. Beekeeping). This monthly program series examines all aspects of beekeeping from hive construction to honey extraction. Discover how to set up and care for your own hives using historic and modern agricultural techniques.

LIVE MUSIC FEAT. JIM STEELE AT DIRT FARM BREWING July 30 | 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. dirtfarmbrewing.com Spend your Friday on the mountain listening to a fun and eclectic mix of classic and modern rock, pop, and country by Jim Steele! Enjoy farm fresh craft beer, plus food specials and signature items from The Kitchen Workshop while overlooking the Loudoun Valley from our cozy Taproom. Last call at 8:30 p.m. If rain is in the forecast, this event may be cancelled for the safety of our musicians and their instruments.

Thank you for your understanding. No reservation needed.

The National Sporting Library & Museum is proud to announce the 7th annual International Fly-Fishing Film Festival virtually hosted on July 15. This year’s showing features 11 international award-winning short films showcasing the passion, beauty, and culture of fly fishing.

CARS & COFFEE AT LOST BARREL BREWING July 31 | 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. lostbarrel.com

BLACKBERRY DELIGHT IN SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK July 17 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. goshenandoah.com For many Shenandoah National Park visitors, it’s all about the blackberries. Starting mid-summer, thickets of Shenandoah blackberries ripen in the open areas along the roads, trails and streams of the national park. Blackberry Delight is an annual event that celebrates the sweet-tart fruit in all its glory. Skyland chefs create special blackberry-infused dishes combined with a full day of live music, dancing, local crafts, pony rides, and kid’s activities to make it a fun day for the entire family!

Join Lost Barrel Brewing for Cars & Coffee on the last Saturday every month! Car enthusiasts meetup at Lost Barrel Brewing in Middleburg.

Bring your vehicle (cars and motorcycles) out on the Last Saturday of each month from 9-11 a.m. All makes/models welcome. Coffee and breakfast treats available for sale. Come hangout, enjoy the outdoors, socialize and view cars. No ticket needed!

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PoloInThe Park!

MIDDLEBURG HUMANE FOUNDATION

In the first issue:

Is launching its magazine April 2021

ASK LIZ! Liz Washington answers your grooming questions!

Send your questions to admin@middleburghumane.com

Arena polo Magazine every Saturday night Launch party Leesburg Aprilin 17th, 11-4 PM here JulyRegister 17- August 21, 2021

BARN CATS 101: The Barn Cats of Ayrshire Farm

Visit our Resale Boutique 8351 W Main Street in Marshall Tues | Thurs | Fri | Sat 11-4 PM

PRESENTED BY

Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

First match at 7:00 p.m.

For car pass and event details, visit

Saturday 6 - 11 PM

PoloInThePark.org 2021 Gold SponSorS

Sprout Center's

ANNUAL BLACK TIE BENEFIT

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AT OUR BARN IN ALDIE, VA

Learn more at www.sproutcenter.org

2021

Recapture Moments That Matter Whether it was a milestone birthday celebration or a family getaway put on hold, recapture moments that matter at

Salamander Resort & Spa. With zip lining, horseback riding, curated dining experiences and more, our fresh-air venues and wide open spaces are yours to enjoy.

855.421.3045

SalamanderResort.com

2021

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