Mild winter weather and an early spring means the greening of the countryside started earlier than usual so you won’t want to miss making a spring trip to the countryside—there are many beautiful things in store this month. We’ve gathered some of our favorite Blue Ridge spring events here for those of you who want to join us in celebrating the beauty of the season. April is the month of garden tours, return of the farmers’ markets, horses racing over fences, and other outdoor activities.
Pack a tailgate and take in a spring race meet at several locations in Loudoun, Fauquier or Rappahannock counties in the coming weeks. Big or small, there’s something for everyone. April is when the upcoming stars of the steeplechase circuit really show their stuff. The competition is just as good at the local point to points as it is at the big fancy spring meets. Our pick this month is the Middleburg Hunt point to point, held at scenic Glenwood Park right outside Middleburg. Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 29; post time is 1 pm. There’s a hat contest for women this year and a tie contest for men. Although the course affords fabulous viewing in general admission, railside tailgating spaces are surprisingly affordable. For details, call (540)687- 6069 or (540)454- 2991. General admission starts at $10. If you prefer bigger and fancier, the Middleburg Spring Race Meet is the weekend before, also at Glenwood Park, and of course, the first Saturday in May is the biggest sporting event in the area, the Virginia Gold Cup.
Love Labrador retrievers? Come watch them do what they were bred for the weekend of April 14-15 at Shady Grove hunting preserve in Remington, just south of Warrenton. The Rappahannock River Retriever Club is hosting an AKC Retriever Hunting Test with divisions for junior, senior and master level dogs. New this year, the AKC allows breeds other than retrievers to compete in these events, so in addition to Labs, Golden and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, you might be able to see a poodle, spaniel or pointing breed in action. There’s no admission charge, but visitors are asked to leave their own dogs at home. Do bring a chair and binoculars, and wear dark or camouflage clothing. For information, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.shady-grove.com" www.shady-grove.com. Incidently even though hunting season is over, Shady Grove has a sporting clays range and instructors can teach you to be a good wing shooter in time for next season. They also offer professional gun dog training.
Ever dreamed you were a Confederate scout? Come to learn about John S. Mosby’s scouting expeditions along Rt. 50 on Saturday, April 14 at Mount Zion Church, 40309 John Mosby Highway in Aldie. From 2 to 5 pm, members of the Gray Ghost Interpretive Group will give a first-person interpretation of life along the Ashby Gap and Little River Turnpikes during the American Civil War. Featured are three historic sites frequented by Col. John S. Mosby and his Mosby Rangers: Mount Zion Church, Aldie Mill and the Rector House. Visit any or all three sites in any order at any time during the afternoon. For more information, call 540-687-6681.
And, OK, admit it: you secretly want to move out here and write the great American novel. On Sat. April 21 you can find out how to turn on your own creative juices at a writer’s workshop in Middleburg. It will be held at the The Parish House Gathering Room from noon to 5 pm, 105 East Washington Street, Middleburg. Published novelist? Aspiring novelist? Or wondering how to begin writing your novel? This intensive, one-day writers' retreat in the beautiful Virginia hunt country will inspire, motivate, and educate you. You'll learn from one of the best editors in the business, meet published authors and learn about their paths to publication, and have a chance to chat with one of publishing's top agents. Our presenter is Mike Sirota, a freelance editor and author of 19 published novels. He will be joined by Jeff Kleinman, founder of Folio Literary Management. A panel of Hunt Country authors will offer their perspectives on the joys and challenges of publishing. For more information, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.huntcountrysuspense.com" huntcountrysuspense.com.
Don’t worry about gas prices, the drive out here will amply reward you for that extra expense. The daffodils and bulbs in bloom along with flowering shrubs and trees in the spring make getting here half the fun as the fields are dotted with new foals and calves.
Race Schedule
Saturday, April 7
12:00 noon OLD DOMINION HOUNDS POINT-TO-POINT
Ben Venue Farm, Ben Venue (Rappahannock County) Rt. 211, 20 miles west of Warrenton
Information (540) 364-4573, (540) 636-1507 General admission from $10, reserved parking available
Sunday, April 15 Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point Races,
Oatlands Plantation, Rt. 15 south of Leesburg
Call 703-777-8480 for information
Tuesday April 10 Annual Daffodil Show & Tea, 2 – 5 pm
Buchanon Hall, 8549 John Mosby Hwy., Upperville (540) 687-5195 for information.
Saturday, April 21
1:30 p.m. MIDDLEBURG SPRING RACE MEET www.middleburgonline.com/horse.shtml
Glenwood Park, Middleburg
Information (540) 687-6545, (540) 687-6595
Sunday, April 22
1:30 p.m. FAIRFAX HUNT POINT-TO-POINT www.fairfaxhuntraces.org
Sunday, April 29
1:00 p.m. MIDDLEBURG HUNT POINT-TO-POINT www.middleburgonline.com/horse.shtml
Glenwood Park, Middleburg
Saturday MAY 5 VIRGINIA GOLD CUP STEEPLECHASE
General admission from $50
Great Meadow, The Plains, VA www.vagoldcup.org www.vagoldcup.org
For information call (540)347-540) 347-2612
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