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The Warrenton Horse Show at 124 Years
The Warrenton Horse Show at 124 Years
By John T. Toler
When considering what must be Warrenton’s most enduring tradition, the Warrenton Horse Show (WHS), organized in 1899 and still going strong today, would win hands-down. The list of founders reads like a Warrenton “Who’s Who” at the beginning of the 20th century, including Golder Davis, the show’s first president, C. W. Smith, the first manager and Edward R. W. Barker, the first secretary.
Largely through the efforts of C. W. Smith and Julian Keith, the WHS was granted its state charter in 1899. Another director was James K. Maddux, a well-known sportsman and founding member of the Warrenton Hunt who lived at Monte Rosa (renamed Neptune Lodge) at present-day 343 Culpeper Street.
Behind Neptune Lodge was the South Warrenton Academy, founded in 1893. In October 1899, the first Warrenton Horse Show was held on an open corner of the school property.
The two-day show was preceded by a parade from downtown Warrenton, and had classes for hunters, jumpers and draft horses. Although the event was interrupted by rain showers, the large crowds had a memorable time, and would be coming back.
The school closed in 1900, and Academy stockholders –including President A. M. Curtis and Secretary Joseph A. Ullman – signed the agreement selling the 8.74-acre property to the Warrenton Horse Show Association.
Included in the transaction were the land, the schoolhouse, desks and furnishings. The purchase price was $1,950, and the Warrenton Horse Show had a permanent home.
Being an active community-based organization was one of the goals of the WHS directors, and in 1910, the “Social Circus,” a variety show with animals and high-wire acts, was held on the show grounds benefitting St. James’ Episcopal Church in Warrenton. Giving back to the community is a tradition that continues to this day.
In 1920, another long-lasting tradition began—the Warrenton Pony Show, started by James Maddux’s daughter Winifred. Held on the July 4 weekend ever since, it’s Virginia’s only A-rated show run entirely by a junior committee.
Over the years, show organizers have varied the types of classes and competitions. By the 1930s, draft and harness classes were replaced by additional show hunter divisions, earning recognition from the Virginia and American Horse Shows associations as “The Hunter Show of America.”
In October, 1936 during the Great Depression, The Fauquier Democrat published an eight-page “Warrenton Horse Show and Progress Edition” highlighting the importance of the event. “Horse Show week is always a time of great social activity,” according to the report. “Hotels and boarding houses are filled to overflowing, and there is much entertaining.”
The John Barton Payne Memorial Trophy was created for the 1936 show. Today, it’s presented to the winner of the Foxhunter Corinthian Class on Hunt Night. Co-President Helen Calvert Wiley has a photograph of her at age three sitting in the trophy years ago, a tradition she has continued with her children and grandchildren.
The 1940s saw more changes on the show grounds, with lights added in 1946 to allow night classes, and extra stabling erected. The U. S. Olympic trials were hosted on the grounds in 1950, first in a series of tryouts for the 1952 Games held in Helsinki.
The show marked its 50 breaking 800 entries; the record was broken again in 1950 (894) and 1951 (916).
Another change was the construction of an exhibit building in 1954 by the local 4-H and Future Farmers of America. It was used for a number of years before part of the structure became the concession stand.
Part of the old grandstand was removed in 1955, and bleachers added in 1960. The schooling ring was enlarged in the early 1970s, and most of the permanent stabling demolished in the 1990s.
Those who have provided long-term service to the show are remembered in different ways. In 2019, the fencing and footing of the schooling ring were improved, and it was officially named “Bucky’s Ring,” honoring the late J. Arthur Reynolds. On a stand at ringside is a plaque honoring the memory of Charles T. Hoovler, “Ringmaster Extraordinaire.” The flagpole on the grounds honors Harold Hamby and a tree was planted in loving memory of Doris Jones.
Over the years, the show has thrived on change while preserving its traditions and core mission. As Show Manager Tommy Lee Jones said, “We stay relevant by changing with the times.”
When not being prepared or used for the Warrenton Horse or Pony shows, the show grounds have been rented to other organizations for small horse shows, car shows and church revivals.
One particularly memorable non-equestrian event organized by the Warrenton Horse Show Association was the Patsy Cline Celebration and dedication of the Patsy Cline Awards Pavilion in November, 2002. A huge success, it featured Patsy Cline impersonators, singalongs, country music bands and a 1950s car show.
On her way to get the 2023 prize list printed, Warrenton Horse Show Co-President Hilary Gerhardt said that putting on the two shows is actually a year-long effort, involving the efforts of her fellow board members, volunteers and a range of professional services. The participation of sponsors and patrons is critical to financing the operation, and the amount of money added to the local economy by the shows cannot be overlooked.
Even so, the single-ring horse show model is tough, and according to Jones, it’s getting tougher. By comparison, other rated horse shows can have multiple rings, attracting hundreds of equestrians and thousands of spectators. Held on rented or private property, they use temporary facilities for riders and horses, rather than owning and maintaining grounds year-round.
In recent years, the show faced a pandemic, and costs have increased for everything from lawn mowing to lodging for outof-town judges. Fully committed to continue bringing top- notch horse shows, the Association is studying options that will preserve the character and traditions while easing financial pressures.
“We wish to convey that the Warrenton Horse Show is a community event, and we appreciate the community coming out and supporting us,” Gerhardt said. “It is definitely a labor of love.”
The Warrenton Horse Show, “A Labor Day Tradition,” runs from Wednesday, August. 30 through Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023
