Middleburg Life | July 2020

Volume 37 Issue 7 | July 2020 | middleburglife.com

MIDDLEBURG

LI F E THE POLO EDITION + Poolside with the Figueras in Middleburg + VA United Polo League Unifies the Game & Land Conservation Gains 500+ in Easements

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MIDDLEBURG

LI F E JULY 2020 middleburglife.com

PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Gray | editor@middleburglife.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Laura Pizana COPY EDITOR: Chelsea Rose Moore ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Christian Bentley | christian@middleburglife.com

FIND US ON:

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 Middleburg Life met with Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier for a styled photoshoot during their June trip to Middleburg, Virginia. Photography by Kyla Jeanette (See more on pages 12-15).

ON THIS PAGE The Middleburg Spring Races 100th Running was held at Glenwood Park, Middleburg, Virginia, on Saturday, June 13, 2020. Pictured is a photo from the Temple Gwathmey winners circle — Moscato with Michael

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Mitchell, Sandra Webb, and Beth Fout with the trophy.

Photo by Tod Marks Photography.

CONTRIBUTERS Dulcy Hooper, Heidi Baumstark, Chelsea Moore, Richard Hooper, Kaitlin Hill, Joanne Maisano, Laticia Headings, Patrick Mulrooney, Shayda Windle, and Kailey Cheng 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.

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The Painted Mane FINDS A NEW HOME IN THE PLAINS Story and Photos by Kaitlin Hill

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looded with natural light and a pop of millennial pink, The Painted Mane Salon in The Plains feels like stepping

into a trendy Instagram post. The building’s original wood floor and soaring ceilings add character, while owner Nicole Adair’s

Pinterest-inspired décor gives the space an updated and sleek appearance. But it isn’t only the salon’s aesthetic that is picture-perfect, it’s Adair’s mastery of her craft, her investment in her employees, her love for her community, and her ambition for the future that will keep her business trending for years to come.

“I didn’t know I wanted to do hair,” Adair admits. “But long story short, I had to have surgery on my leg, and while I was on medical leave, a couple of friends told me I should check out Paul Mitchell in Tyson’s Corner.

So, I went, and after my first walkthrough I looked at my mom and said, ‘I need to sign up right now.’” Adair started her 10-month pro-

gram in September 2011, and by August 2012, after graduating and passing her boards, she landed her first salon job.

After five years in the field, Adair was ready to strike out on her own, and her business settled in Warrenton.

“I really wanted to go out and do my own thing,” Adair says. “I ventured out, found a little space, was there for about a month, and then ended up at my mom’s house for a month. I looked in Middleburg, but couldn’t find anything in my price point, and then a place popped up in Warrenton.

Plains | Page 4

Right: From left to right, Katy Scruggs, Nicole Adair, Christy Williams. Photographed by Kaitlin Hill.

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Plains | From page 3 It was little — 500 square feet — we started off with two chairs. It was just me and my girlfriend, Christy.”

She named her little Warrenton shop “The Painted Mane,” referencing her signature technique.

“I’ve always loved to call my clients’ hair their ‘manes,’ those long, luscious, locks,” she says. “And I am really into ‘Balayage,’ which is the French word for ‘freehand painting,’ which is where the painted part came from.

So, The Painted Mane was born. All I do is paint hair all day and we’re literally in horse country, so it just worked out.”

Though Adair and her co-workers offer their expertise in a range of services from Keratin treatments to hand-tied extensions, Balayage is Adair’s specialty.

“I am all about giving women that lived-in color look,” she says. “And it means instead of coming in every six to eight weeks for highlight retouch or color retouch, you’re now stretching to a 12-plus-week service. Your color’s longevity is so much more.”

In May, she moved her operation under the same name to The Plains to accommodate an expanding team and contribute to a community close to her heart.

“When there were three of us, we quickly realized we were outgrowing the space and decided we needed to find a bigger location,” she says.

Her new digs, just off Main Street, certainly has space to spread out and allow her co-workers to be their own bosses.

“The great thing is, in this space, I can rent my chairs to my girls,” she says. “That way, they can be their own bosses. They set their own hours. We have kids, we have families, we have lives outside of here, and I wanted them to have the freedom to do that. So, I have the station set up, so everyone has their own area.”

Coincidentally, the new spot’s roominess has facilitated the salon’s continued operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“May 15. It wasn’t only the day that Fauquier County opened back up; it was actually the day we opened our doors for the first time,” she says. “So, it was definitely nerve-wrack-

ing. Though, you’ll notice that everybody isn’t on top of each other and we are all, naturally, 6 feet apart. So, it’s funny. That was our plan to set it up that way and then [the pandemic] happened and I was like, ‘Well look at that; we don’t have to do anything.’”

With the recommended 6 feet separation built in, the team at The Painted Mane can cut and color hair comfortably with a few CDC considerations.

“Every 20 minutes we are having to sterilize our stations, and every two hours we clean the bathrooms, all the door handles, whatever surface somebody sat on,” she says.

In part, the staff ’s rigorous cleaning routine is because of their long client list, which has kept them busy.

“We have people that come from all over — Loudoun County, Fairfax, way out in Culpepper and Winchester,” she says.

And though their clients are from all over, Adair is proud to be a part of The Plains’ tight-knit community.

“I am super excited about being here, and The Plains needs a salon,” she says. “They’ve never had a full-blown salon. Everyone is super down to earth, super loving, and super welcoming. When I posted in “The Plains Uncensored” [Facebook group], I would say almost every single business owner private messaged me directly and was so excited for me. This is what a community is, and I think we have finally found our forever home.”

With just two months under her belt in the new location, Adair isn’t shy about planning for forever in The Plains. She shares her vision of featuring local artists’ works on her walls and acquiring a nearby cottage for expanded spa services.

“I would love to have an aesthetician,” she says. “I want to be a full-service salon, anything from facials to lashes, possibly microblading … I’m surrounded by boss people and people that are super ambitious. I am always setting goals, and I am always in competition with myself to do better.”

With killer skills, a talented team, success in the middle of a pandemic, and the support of her community, it’s hard to imagine room for Adair to do better when she is already doing so well. ML

Middle and Bottom: The Painted Mane Salon, photographed by Kaitlin Hill.

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Bundles Murdock | Laura Farrell

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VA United Polo League Launches to Unify the Game Meet the Patrons: Guiliani, Ballhaus, Parr, and Steiner Written by Kailey Cheng Photographed by Raphael Macek Jewelry provided by Mystique Jewelers Clothing by Tri-County

A

s one of the world’s oldest team sports, polo has found a distinguished place here in Virginia.

From cities to suburbs, this spectator sport has fostered a supportive, growing community in Virginia. In 2019, the Virginia United Polo League was born to unify polo in the state. It has fields at Beverly Equestrian, Kingland Polo, and Foxlease Polo, and 6-goal, 8-goal, and 12-goal teams throughout June, July, August, and September. It’s open to anyone as long as they comply with USPA team requirements for tournaments.

The league began as an effort to maximize fields and club amenities for existing and new players to Virginia. Polo is funded by patrons who create teams, and most of Virginia’s patrons play it. Here, we’ll look into the sport through patrons of the Virginia United Polo League: Tanya Guiliani, Bill Balhaus, Cristina Marie Parr, and Eric Steiner.

Tanya Giuliani

What’s the name of your team and who’s on it?

It’s Springbok Polo, and of course it’s me, then I have my husband, Isy Giuliani, and then I have two polo pros: Luciani Diaz and Duilio Diaz.

Where do you reside and where do you train your horses?

I actually live just outside Middleburg past Greenhill Winery on Route 50, but we have a farm out in Unison … and that’s where we keep all our horses. We have a polo arena there and we have a field, so all our playing and our riding, if we practice with ourselves or we invite a couple people over would be in Unison, Virginia.

How long have you been playing polo, how did you get into it, and who trained you?

I never rode horses until my early 40s, so it’s just something I decided to take up and it’s been about six years from learning how to ride to playing polo. Since we built the farm, I figured we have this land — and living in Middleburg, everybody rides horses — so I thought I’d give it a try. I found Luciani who’s

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my pro now, and he had some great horses to ride. I just got into it like everybody else, and then it becomes a bit of an obsession. And then we had the farms and we could keep our horses there, which made a huge difference for us. We went from two horses, [and] over the winter, we’ll have 23 horses.

Luciani, my polo pro now [trained me].

He started with us first and started teaching me how to ride, how to play polo. And the other pro that I have is his brother. He started with us about two years ago and he also trains [my husband and me] as well.

How has COVID-19 affected the Virginia season?

We’re a little bit behind, because normally we have … Luciani come in April, so that’s taken a little longer for us to start training because we don’t train over the winter; we stay here and we don’t actually ride horses. Thankfully Duilio, my other pro, lives in Florida, so he was able to make it up here to come work with us.

But I would say particularly in Virginia, some of the clubs canceled most public events because we can’t have close contact. We can’t have a lot of people come in to watch arena polo on a Saturday night or on a Sunday. So COVID-19 will definitely affect the season and people being able to play. Hopefully it all goes well, but I also know there’s a lot of people that haven’t been able to make it back.

League | Page 7

League | From page 6

Bill Ballhaus What’s the name of your team and who’s on it?

Our team name is Beverly Polo representing Beverly Equestrian located in The Plains.

This season, I will be playing with Tolito Fernandez OCampo, Hilario Figueras, and my son Wil Ballhaus. The four of us have played together for years in Florida and Argentina, and for the first time this season in Virginia.

Where do you reside and where do you train your horses?

Our polo organization is based at Beverly Equestrian where we not only train and practice, but we also offer polo lessons and host practices and games. We have all-weather training facilities with indoor and out-

door arenas and a full-size Bermuda grass polo field.

How long have you been playing polo, how did you get into it, and who trained you?

I was first exposed to horses as a young boy by my grandfather who rode cutting horses. Beyond that, I never had the opportunity to ride until much later in life. In 2011, I went to watch my wife, an avid three-day eventer and show jumper, take a polo lesson and decided that I had to give it a try. I was immediately hooked. Having played a variety of sports growing up and lacrosse in college, I was inspired by the skills required by the sport: horsemanship, riding, mallet skills, and game strategy.

Since that first lesson at the age of 43, I began riding nonstop throughout the year, playing arena polo and then on the grass. At Beverly Equestrian, we have an indoor arena,

so I was able to stick and ball and ride in the Virginia off-season nearly every night of the week. After a couple of years, I began playing in Aiken and Florida in the fall and winter and have continued to do so.

What does the future look like for the VA United Polo League? Any goals?

We are off to a great start in 2020. We have 10 teams with phenomenal polo players competing in two leagues in June. In July and August, we will be expanding that number as we add higher levels of play. Notably, this season we are hosting three premier USPA tournaments: the 6-Goal Governor’s Cup, the National 8-Goal Championship, and the Eastern Circuit 12-Goal. These tournaments will present the highest level of grass polo in Virginia for the 2020 season.

League | Page 8

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League | From page 7

Cristina Marie Parr What’s the name of your team and who’s on it?

The name of my team V02 Max. I have two different tournaments that I’m playing in. So, for the 6-goal, I’m playing with Rebekah Greenhill, Justo Mourino, me, and Juan Sanchez. And then for my 8-goal, I’m playing with my husband, Bob, me, John Gobin, and Juan Sanchez.

Where do you reside and where do you train your horses?

I live just outside Middleburg, Virginia, through Leesburg. It’s right on the other side of Aldie. I keep my horses at the Middleburg Training Track. It’s always been a place that people with racehorses keep their horses. There’s a racetrack and there’s a lot of barns. So, I rent a barn there and I use the track, because in polo, you use the track just like racehorses do because your horse is in shape. That’s what appealed to me about that place.

How long have you been playing polo, how did you get into it, and who trained you?

I’ve been riding since I was 3. I used to do jumpers and racehorses. John Gobin took me under his wing in 2008 and taught me the basics of playing and hitting. In 2017, I hired Juan Sanchez as my full time pro to play on my team and help me take my game to the next level. I already had the basic skills down, but he taught me how to play like a pro. He taught me how to use my horses better in the game, more advanced strategy and plays, and improving my swing so I can hit the ball further.

I hope to one day soon be a professional women’s player for women’s tournaments all over the world. Being a female athlete and polo player has inspired more young women than I expected, so I hope to continue using this platform to inspire future generations of women.

Polo has always been a man’s sport. I love that I can go out there and show young girls that we too can be strong and athletic enough to keep up with the boys.

“Being a female athlete and polo player has inspired more young women than I expected, so I hope to continue using this platform to inspire future generations.”

Can you tell me about the process of choosing players?

I have to know them, know how they play, what positions they play well. My one pro John Gobin has been playing for 40 years. He’s won numerous global championships. His strategy areas, like knowing where to be on the field and all the strategies of the game, are just unbeatable. Juan, my other pro, he played for the Chilean national team and he can crush the ball.

He’s very calm, he’s a classy player, he doesn’t League | Page 9

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“Most of the polo at the time was played in Maryland in Poolesville with the Muldoon family.”

League | From page 8 foul a lot. You want your team to play well together. You don’t want people to be butting heads or yelling on the field … I like to choose people that can play the game well and also be calm and collected — classy players.

Eric Steiner What’s the name of your team and who’s on it?

Team is Foxlease. I usually play with my daughter Julia, however, this year she is pregnant, so she is not playing. I will therefore be playing on other teams; Beverly is the first one in the 6-goal tournament.

Where do you reside and where do you train your horses?

Home is at Foxlease Farms in Upperville, Virginia. This is also home to all my ponies.

How long have you been playing polo, how did you get into it, and who trained you?

I started playing polo in 1983 in Paris, France, at Polo de Bagatelle with Lionel Macaire who was then one of the top-rated players in the world. I have been riding horses since I was 5 years old. In the ’80s, I lived in Paris and rode jumpers at the equestrian club where all disciplines were happening. One day, I was at the side of the polo field and saw but mostly felt the ponies galloping towards me. That incredible sensation is what made me want to play.

Virginia has seen great growth regarding polo in the last few years. Why Virginia?

I have been playing polo in Virginia for 20 years. When I started, there was just one arena and one grass field being used as a spot for friends only. That field has an amazing story as it was built early in the 20th century — can’t remember when — by the Phelps family, one of the top polo playing families in the U.S. at the time.

Most of the polo at the time was played in Maryland in Poolesville with the Muldoon family. I decided to sponsor more polo in Virginia and built my own field and started a local league. Polo in Virginia has since exploded with several more fields being built, grass and arena, and polo schools being developed. This has attracted more polo players and created the desire for many to start playing. We are all so happy about this. ML

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Photography Kyla Jeanette Creative Direction & Text Jennifer Gray, editor for Middleburg Life Hair Tory Tippett, Salon Emage Make-Up Charla L. Ruggles Malone, Salon Emage Style Assistant Megan Spurrier Hat by Àcheval Women’s shirt by Àcheval Women’s red swimsuit by Devon Windsor Men’s swim shorts by Banana Moon Men’s shirt by Stick & Ball available at Tri-County Feeds Scarf by Banniere available at Highcliffe Clothiers Jewelry by Mystique Jewelers

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Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier met with Middleburg Life for a styled photoshoot during a June trip to Middleburg, Virginia. The Figueras family came to visit their son, Hilario Figueras, who is residing in Virginia to play polo with Beverly Equestrian for the summer season. While in Virginia, the duo is also helping to promote the newly formed Virginia United Polo League.

With big events like New York’s Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic canceled this summer due to COVID-19, Nacho and his wife, Delfina, are using the time to focus on family and other business ventures. For Nacho, that means focusing on the release of his new fragrance collection IGNACIO FIGUERAS, which debuted at Bergdorf Goodman earlier this year. For Delfina, more attention can be given to the clothing brand ÀCHEVAL, co-founded

by Sofia Achaval de Montaigu and Lucila Sperber. Delfina and Nacho came on as partners a season after ÀCHEVAL launched when Delfina was looking for something to wear to the royal wedding. She said, “I wanted something that would represent who I am, and I felt completely comfortable with one of the dresses they had.” Delfina says ÀCHEVAL is inspired by “Argentine gaucho, the equestrian world, and a bit of ’70s chicness.” ML

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Mauris house with every amenity bucolic guest log house including aac, sauna, vineyard scelerisque study risus a performed, felis egestas pulvinar. neque dolor, consequat ut nisl ac, lacinia sodales. feasibility and 12 Curabitur events/weddings a year facilitated.

3673 Old Weaversville Road | Catlett $989,559 | Richmark Farm located in Fauquier County on 33 acres with a 21 stall barn, 6 15728 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET stall barn, outdoor all weather footing arena, INDOOR arena, trails, pond, 9 board fenced 15728 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET $769,900 | Lorem dolor sitseparate amet, consectetur adipiscing Etiamluxury sed tellus ex. apartment.

Mauris paddocks, traileripsum parking lot, entrance to farmelit. house, barn $769,900 |risus scelerisque Lorem a felis ipsum egestas dolorpulvinar. sit amet, Curabitur consectetur neque adipiscing dolor,elit. consequat Etiam sed ut nisl tellus ac,ex. lacinia Mauris sodales. scelerisque risus a felis egestas pulvinar. Curabitur neque dolor, consequat ut nisl ac, lacinia sodales.

15728 RACHEL PL |Drive HAYMARKET 14313 Fleetwood Nokesville Va 20181 15728 RACHEL PLipsum |home HAYMARKET $769,900 ||Lorem dolor sit amet,front consectetur elit. Etiam telluswith ex. Mauris $945,000 Stone featuring porch,adipiscing back deck, on 10sed acres with a custom 7 stall barn, 100x200 lighted outdoor arena, attached 2 car garage, detached 3 bay $769,900 scelerisque |risus Lorem a felis ipsum egestas dolor pulvinar. sit amet, Curabitur consectetur neque adipiscing dolor,elit. consequat Etiam sed ut nisl tellus ac, ex. lacinia Mauris sodales. garage work shop with surround sound system, horse shoe 4 large scelerisque risus a felis egestas pulvinar.

Curabitur nequeprofessional dolor, consequat ut nisl ac, game, lacinia sodales. bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Master bedroom suite with sitting room, balcony, and spa bathroom.

15728 RACHELRidge PL | HAYMARKET 9526 Cobbler Road MARSHALL VA 20115 15728 RACHEL PLipsum | HAYMARKET $769,900 ||Lorem dolor sit amet, adipiscing elit.

Etiam sed tellus ex.home Maurisoffice, $649,000 3 miles from down townconsectetur Marshall renovated farmhouse with at $769,900 scelerisque |risus Lorem a bathrooms, felis ipsum egestas dolorpulvinar. sit Curabitur consectetur neque adipiscing dolor, elit. consequat Etiam sed ut nisl tellus ex. lacinia Mauris sodales.

3 bedrooms 2.5 3 amet, car garage with large luxury apartment, 3ac, stall barn, pond, scelerisque risuspaddocks a felis egestas pulvinar. Curabitur neque dolor, consequat ut nisl ac, lacinia sodales. board fenced & automatic waterers.

15728 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 15728 Contract Under RACHEL|PL $769,900 | HAYMARKET 13325 Hershey Drive | Nokesville Under Contract | $769,900 Sold** | $975,000

15728 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 15728|RACHEL Sold* $769,900PL | HAYMARKET Sold* | $769,900

15728 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 15728 Sold | $769,900 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 39308 John Mosby Highway | Aldie Sold | $769,900 Sold* | $495,725

15728 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 15728 Sold | $769,900 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 23353 Dover Road | Middleburg Sold | $769,900 Sold* | $956,000

15728 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 15728 Contract Under RACHEL|PL $769,900 | HAYMARKET 7747 Fort Valley Road | Fort Valley Under Contract | $769,900 Sold* | $259,900

15728 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 15728 Sold | $769,900 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 7333| Goose Creek Rd | MARSHALL Sold $769,900 Sold* | $899,000

15728 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 15728 RACHEL Sold** | $769,900 PL | HAYMARKET 37615 Mosby Highway | Middleburg Sold** John | $769,900 Sold** | $420,000

15728 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 15728 Sold | $769,900 RACHEL PL | HAYMARKET 10282 John Marshall Highway Delaplane Sold | $769,900 Under Contract | $327,500

Shannon Casey Shannon Casey REALTOR® | Licensed in VA REALTOR® | Licensed in VA M 540.222.2119 | O 540.687.6321 x 212 M 540.222.2119 | O 540.687.6321 x 212 shannon@atokaproperties.com shannon@atokaproperties.com 10 E Washington St 10 E Washington St Middleburg, VA 20117 Middleburg, VA 20117

MIDDLEBURG MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE

* REPRESENTED BUYER * REPRESENTED BUYER ** REPRESENTED BUYER AND SELLER ** REPRESENTED BUYER AND SELLER

MIDDLEBURGREALESTATE.COM MIDDLEBURGREALESTATE.COM

MIDDLEBURG: 540.687.6321 | PURCELLVILLE: 540.338.7770 | LEESBURG: 703.777.1170 | ASHBURN: 703.436.0077 MIDDLEBURG:10540.687.6321 | PURCELLVILLE: 540.338.7770 703.777.1170 ASHBURN: CORPORATE: E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDELBURG, VA 20117 | LEESBURG: 540.687.6321 | LICENSED| IN VA + WV 703.436.0077 CORPORATE: 10 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDELBURG, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 | LICENSED IN VA + WV

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Alex Carr Brings New Light to Twilight Polo Written by Shayda Windle

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hen Alex Carr was invited to a Twilight Polo match at Great Meadow arena a few years ago, she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Twilight Polo is nothing new to Northern Virginia, but it took a while before becoming the attraction that brings thousands of visitors to The Plains today.

Carr had never been to a polo match before and was excited about the opportunity to try something new with a group of friends. At the match, Carr’s friend had front row seats, an exciting place to be for anyone, especially someone new to the sport.

“We were ringside and as the horses came running towards the rail, I found myself pulling my fingers up because they were so close,” she said. “Watching the match go deep into the evening made it even more exciting.”

As a watercolor artist with a degree in fine art from Wellesley College, Carr has always had an eye for beauty of all forms, so she made sure to grab her new camera to capture all she could before leaving that afternoon. Although she was still learning how to use it, Carr Light | Page 19 Above: Alex Carr. Photo by Jennifer Gray.

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“Art connects us on a level that can transcend our outward differences.”

- Carr

Light | From page 18 attempted to take as many pictures as possible before the sun went down, continuing well into the evening.

Because of the shutter speed, many of the pictures came out blurry, and at first, she was a bit disappointed.

“A photograph has the power to record what’s happening in exquisite detail, allowing others to see what we see,” she said. “I wasn’t sure I had done a good job capturing the energy and movement because the images were so fuzzy.”

A few years later, the Artists in Middleburg (AiM), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture and provide arts educational opportunities for all, decided to hold a “Horse in Sport” exhibit. As a member of AiM, Carr was intrigued by the theme of the exhibit and thought the timing couldn’t be better to revisit the photos she had taken from the Twilight match she had attended at Great Meadow.

Carr pulled out her camera and looked at the photos again — this time in a completely

new light.

“I began going through the blurry images and started seeing them in new ways,” she said. “The turning and pivoting that I was able to capture on camera gave me so many ideas about new ways to use watercolor that I’d never experimented with before. With that, I went off to recreate some of the most memorable pictures from that evening.”

Carr’s series, titled “The Polo Match,” includes five mesmerizing watercolor paintings that depict something many watercolor artists are unable to do: energy and movement at night. Her art was juried and put on exhibit at AiM, with one selling during the show. The four others are currently available and can be purchased through her website at alexcarr.com.

“As a painter, I’m completely in love with the transparency, luminosity, and the textural possibilities of watercolor,” Carr said. “The fluid movement and organic patterns that watercolor creates as it swims and dances through water can result in the most elegant, magical, and breathtakingly beautiful ef-

fects.” “The Polo Match” series certainly does not disappoint.

When asked about her love of art and the reason she continues to paint, she said, “Art connects us on a level that can transcend our outward differences. Maybe if we can feel what someone else feels, before we know their political stance, social status, race, gender, job title, or other external criteria that we use to judge people, maybe we can find a way to live and work together with mutual compassion and respect.”

She leaves us with this final thought: “Through art, we might even create a better, kinder world. Art gives me hope.” During these times of uncertainty and civil unrest, we couldn’t agree more. ML

Left: “Blue Haze,” 20X16, available. Middle top: “Night Game,” 20X26, available. Middle bottom: “Race to the Ball,” Sold. Top right: “Swing Through,” 20X21, available. Bottom right: Alex Carr. Photo by Jennifer Gray.

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Everything tastes better Al Fresco Join us for outdoor dining on the Back Porch at Market Salamander also proudly offering:

Carry-out | Family Meals To-go | Fine Wine & Craft Beer

540.687.8011 Thursdays through Sundays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm MarketSalamander.com

Weddings Corporate Events Reunions Private Party

Best Way To Socially Distance...

Have The Place To Yourself!

The Wine Cellar The Log Cabin The Garden Room Birkby House tuskies.com • 703 771 9300 203 Harrison Street, Leesburg, VA 20175

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Birkby House birkbyhouse.com • info@birkbyhouse.com • 703-777-2700 109 Loudoun Street SW, Leesburg, VA, 20175

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

WIND FIELD FARM

FIDELIO

DEERFIELD

ARLINGTON FARM

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

circa 1853 colonial of stone and frame construction | House and property have been meticulously restored and maintained | 8 BR, 9 full BA and 3 half BA | 9 FP, antique pine floors, high ceilings, detailed millwork, gourmet kitchen | 466 rolling acres with mountain views | Long frontage on Goose Creek | Guest house, office, 8 stall center aisle barn with apt, 4 additional stalls, lighted sand ring, numerous tenant houses, greenhouse, circa 1800 lime kiln cottage | Property is fenced and cross fenced, ponds, creeks and mature woods with trails

Prime Fauquier County location minutes from Middleburg | Unbelievable finishes throughout | Antique floors and mantels, vaulted ceilings | 6 BR, 5 full BA, 2 half BA | 6 FP, gourmet kitchen | Improvements include office/studio, stone cottage with office, spa, guest house, pool and lighted tennis court | Landscaped grounds with stream, waterfalls, boxwood and special plantings | 61 acres

SPRING GLADE

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

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French Country home, with renovations in 1999 $8,750,000 & 2017$14,500,000 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 halfPaul BA, 5 FP, hardwood MacMahon 703.609.1905 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop stetting overlooking pond, lake & mountains | Improvements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | Kitchen allowance to be provided | 79.89 acres

$3,900,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930 AQUINNAH SPRING GLADE RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

Residence circa 1850 has been completely updated | 8 bedrooms, 8 1/2 baths, 6 fireplaces | Mountain views | Gourmet kitchen with gas range, subzero fridge | Master suite with balcony | Indoor heated pool, attached gym, par terre garden, greenhouse, tennis courts | Separate building office or guest house | New 8 stall center aisle barn with office and tack room | Riding ring, new fencing, 200 degree mountain views with unbelievable sunsets

$4,850,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

French Country home, recent renovations | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA, 5 FP, hardwood floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop setting overlooking lake & mountains | Improvements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | 79.89 acres

$3,900,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

221 acres | Stately brick manor house c. 1844 has manicured lawn and gardens | 4 BR, lovely kitchen, multiple porches, beautiful pine floors, 7 FP, original mantels, large windows, detailed millwork throughout | Additional outbuildings include c. 1810 log cabin used as pool house, converted barn now serves as a guest house, 2 tenant houses in the village and an equestrian complex on separate 40 acre parcel, 24 stall stable, indoor arena, outdoor ring, jump field and 3 BR Farm Manager’s house, paddocks and sizable pond | 6 Parcels - some of the land is protected by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation

296 acres of beautiful farmland off the Atoka Road | A working farm in crops and hay and improved with multiple large farm buildings and 3 cottages | Beautiful building site for a main house if desired | Property is in conservation easement which allows for 1 division and permits construction of an indoor arena and additional equestrian and farm buildings | Beautiful mix of open land, creeks, pond, woods, pasture, crops and rolling topography - western views of the Blue Ridge Mountain.

SALEM HILL

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Well protected Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | $4,950,000 $5,800,000 4Helen full MacMahon and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great views Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930 540.454.1930 | Pool with large flagstone terrace | Large county kitchen | 4-car detached garage with apartment/ office | 9-stall barn | Covered arena | Outdoor ring | 4 stall shed row barn | 51 fenced acres

$3,690,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 TROUGH HILL

HILLCREST

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA

Prime Middleburg location | c 1830 farmhouse expanded over the years |5 BR, 5 full BA & 2 half BA, 9 FP, original floors | House has been gutted, some interior work done | Grand stone entertainment complex includes greenhouse, studio, party room & guest suite | Old barn complex, outbuildings on 103.54 rolling acres | Mountain views, stone walls and 2 ponds.

$2,400,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Spectacular hilltop setting, bold mountain views and Paris valley views | Home updated in 2017 | 4 BRs, 4 BA, 3 FP, gourmet kitchen, vaulted ceilings, skylights, lovely gardens, walkways and terrace | Improvements include in ground pool with spa | 2 stall barn with tack room, room for horses, spring fed pond |13.37 acres next to parkland surrounded by large estates

$1,425,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

GAME CREEK

HALCYON HILL

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

A remarkable property located within a private 4 CHINN LANE DEEP HOLLOW enclave just minutes from town | ALDIE, StoneVIRGINIA and stucco MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA Impressivemanor and elegant home | Main level master suite house with main level master suite 7 is Excellent private Aldie location ||Internet opens to large blue stone terrace and garden with FIOS - Easy access to Dulles, Route 50 and additional BR through | 5 stone FPRoute | 66 Beautiful gardens, exceptional privacy | Gorgeous finishes out the | House built in 1993, stone and siding home | Large library off master bedroom can easily serve exterior |carriage 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, fireplace, terraces, salt water pool, cabana, house & as a home office | Stunning living room opens to the dining attached garage, tons of light, high ceilings, room and a wall of windows and french doors with ample stable with 2 paddocks | Lovely finishes throughout exposed beams, hardwood floors under natural light and thoughtfully designed | 2 wood burning laminate on main level | Very well maintained fireplaces, new roof, new siding and updatedto kitchen and & sweeping lawn private trails to Goose Creek | home | 11.06 acres, mostly wooded, 2 stall baths, lots of storage, terraced garden | Absolutely turn barn, small paddock | Lovely mountain views key | 231 car garage and greenhouse acres | Private, elegant & convenient $1,295,000 Helen MacMahon 540.545.1930

$895,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

$2,650,000

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village ELMORE FARM RECTOR CROSSING of MARKHAM, Rectortown | Convenient toDELAPLANE, both Routes 50 VIRGINIA VIRGINIA & 66Farm | c.Newly | Private setting with Elmore 1820’s on 40renovated acres bound Absolutely turn key charming cottage in

by Goose Creek | Gracious old home with Rectortown on 7.6 acres | Completely restored magnificent mountain views | with 4 bedrooms, original floors and stone fireplaces, high cottage open kitchen - living room | Upstairs ceilings and huge back porch | 4+ bedrooms bedroom has massive walk in closet and room for 4 full bath, 1 half bath, 2 fireplaces | Heated and in-law suite | Bright kitchen with family guest or office in the loft area | Lovely setting and poolfor&today’s spaliving| | Great 2 bedroomwonderful guestwrap house | | Must love trains room addition around porch views and open pasture & pond | because Southern Railroad is in your back yard | Large shed & 2-car garage True old Virginia home Land is all open and about 500’ of creek frontage

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$725,000 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

$559,000 $2,475,000Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

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Written By Chelsea Rose Moore Photos by Brooke Silverman Photography

M

arium Caternolo wasn’t expecting to become the region’s “donut lady” during the COVID-19 lockdown. But because of a local Facebook group, a flexible business model, and irresistibly delicious donuts, she’s grown her business into something far greater than she could have imagined.

Caternolo operates Cakes by Marium in Centreville, where she makes decLeft: Marium. Right: Donuts.

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adent wedding cakes, elaborate donut bars, cookies, and small-batch ice cream.

While her past jobs have included pastry chef at the Ashby Inn, sous chef at Bluewater Kitchen, and pastry chef at Field & Main, she has been self-employed since June 2019.

But in March, her business screeched to a halt due to the pandemic, with weddings postponed or canceled. Nervous about her financial future, she posted on Instagram to advertise her cookies and macarons. She received a few orders, but they were mostly from friends. She knew she had to do something different.

Then came an order from Leesburg for half a dozen donuts. To help offset the cost of gas, she hoped to find another order in Loudoun County. She decided to post in “The Real Ladies of Loudoun County” Facebook group and shared a picture of her donuts, along with her prices: $20 for a dozen, $10 for a half dozen, and free delivery.

Within three hours, she’d received over $1,000 in her Venmo account. She was getting countless messages, and orders were coming through so fast she was struggling to keep up.

She ended up with 150 orders over three days.

To keep up with the demand, she slept a comDonuts | Page 23

Donuts | From page 22 bined total of five hours over two nights. And the orders kept coming.

Overwhelmed, she reached out to a friend who’d been laid off because of coronavirus and showed her the orders and messages she was receiving.

“She was like, ‘This is insane! We need to figure out how to get through this weekend,’” Caternolo said.

She began creating a streamlined process for ordering and catching up on messages.

Soon, Caternolo needed more help. She asked another friend laid off from the coronavirus to help make deliveries. Then, she hired someone else to organize delivery logistics and develop driving routes. Then, someone else to help with packaging and social media. Almost overnight, they created a brand by building a website, making T-shirts, and crafting a pricing structure, ordering system, and menu. She planned a socially distant photoshoot with her team and used the images to build her brand across social media and her website.

With the exception of Caternolo and her drivers, the entire team was teleworking.

“It was amazing to see the way we could play the social distancing thing and still grow a business,” she said.

For her, the biggest game changer was going from a one-person business to employing people.

“The feeling you get when you employ people is the most humbling feeling,” she said. “These people believe in you. They show up every day to support your business. My friends have kids, and I was able to make sure they had food on the table. This was before the stimulus checks, before unemployment. I wouldn’t be able to be here without my team.

These are all my best friends, my closest people, and I was bringing them all together to do this.”

Now, as lockdowns have eased, and the wedding industry has slowly ramped back up, Cakes by Marium is offering cakes, cupcakes, and ice cream. She plans to continue offering delivery, and for weddings, she offers a virtual drop-off tasting platter.

She says today her chaos level is “much lower,” as her business has become more “well-seasoned” over the past few months.

“What the public doesn’t realize is if you choose to go with a small business, this person is thinking about your order when they lay in bed at night,” she said. “They are thinking about you. They remember you. They know who you are. My orders keep me up at night. I don’t just wake up in the morning and show up for my shift. When you are making something that has your name on the line, it has your stamp of quality.”

A latchkey kid, Caternolo grew up eating canned food and dry goods. But even though she never cooked as a child, she applied for the Art Institute in Arlington and graduated with a degree in baking and pastry. She began working for a European-style bakery and “it felt so natural,” she said. From there, she knew it was what she wanted to do with her life.

Her favorite part is working with and for other people.

“When you do the same thing, every single day, it’s easy to get lost in it,” she said. “You wonder, ‘Why am doing this?’ But when you know you are making donuts for Debbie who just had a horrible day [or] when you know you are making something for a family member or a friend, it changes it entirely.”

For the future, she’s exploring the idea of a food truck, to serve up freshly fried donuts and ice cream at weddings.

“I want the fun, laid-back stuff,” she said.

“Donuts make people happy. Cakes stress people out.”

She recently served savory donuts at Rocket Frog Brewing Company in Sterling.

Other potential plans include a donut popup at a retail space in Washington D.C. and a farmer’s market stand.

Her team donated donuts to the Fairfax County Police Department, INOVA Fair Oaks, INOVA Alexandria, and firefighters and officers in Loudoun County, and gave coupon codes to essential workers.

Her biggest takeaway from running a business during COVID-19? Include lots of “Plan Bs.” ML To see all dessert offerings or place an order from Cakes by Marium, visit cakesbymarium.net. Follow along on Facebook at “Cakes

by Marium” (@mcaternolo) or Instagram @cakesbymarium.

Middle: Cakes by Marium team. Bottom: June Kirsch, administrative assistant.

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John Coles 540-270- 0094 Rebecca Poston 540-771-7520 Specializing in Large Land Holdings

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Heronwood

Upperville ~ Heronwood Farm & Golf Course is on the market! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own 501 magnificent acres of breathtakingly beautiful property in the heart of Virginia’s Hunt Country. Its stunning setting with a private 18-hole golf course, world-class horse facilities, main house and tenant houses is located on renowned Rokeby Road. This property is an incomparable treasure with easy access to Washington DC and Dulles $19,500,000 International Airport.

ER CT D A UNNTR CO

Muster Lane

The Plains ~ 108 gorgeous acres, this stately and historic estate with its grand rooms is in prime Orange County Hunt territory, minutes to Middleburg. It also features a pool and pool house, 5 bay garage with office, 2 tenant houses, newly remodeled 11 stall center aisle stable with apt. & office, riding arena and exceptional ride-out to $7,250,000 wooded trails and open pastures.

LD

Deerfield Farm

Upperville ~ The farm and it’s brick manor house, ca. 1844 is a gracious Hunt Country Estate listed on both the Virginia and the National Register of Historic Places. The home has been beautifully restored and features 11 elegant and inviting rooms. Additional homes feature 2 guest houses, 2 tenant houses and a farm manager’s residence. Separate 40 acre parcel with direct access to Rt. 50 features an impressive horse facility with an indoor arena. $5,800,000

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Tuleyries & Westfield Farm

Boyce ~ The Tuleyries, (168 Acres) Exquisite Federal Style Mansion, c. 1833 features grand rooms, high ceilings, 5 en suite BRs, extensively renovated in 1990 and beautifully maintained. $3,000,000 The adjacent Westfield Farm includes 237 acres in 2 parcels with a one level residence, tenant house and stables. $2,000,000 The Tuleyries and Westfield Farm may be purchased together or separately. Conveniently located 10 Minutes to Winchester Regional Airport.

Smitten Farm Lane

The Plains ~ Finely built custom residence on 16 acres minutes from Middleburg in Prime Orange County Hunt Territory. Designed for Grand Entertaining both inside and outside. The rooms graciously open into one another and lead out to the deep porches, which wrap the home and overlook the pool, grounds, gardens and conservatory. $2,950,000

During this difficult time in our Estate’s virtual doors remain ope remotely, given the nature of o to provide the highest service a This rural life has neve

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Spring Hill

Spring Hill Farm’s 20 acres offers a charming setting for its main residence, accessory dwelling and it’s office/gathering house, with stone walls, gardens, pastures, pond and pool.

Below the guesthouse is a four stall stable with it’s own parking area and driveway. The original 1870 log cabin was expanded several times creating a very welcoming home featuring a first floor master suite, vaulted ceiling kitchen and family room each with large picture windows. This farm and its prime location, halfway between Middleburg and The Plains, provides the perfect way to social distance while being able to keep family and friends close. $2,250,000

Hill Crest

Delaplane ~ This beautiful 153 acre parcel is located in prime Virginia Hunt and Wine Country in the Piedmont Hunt Territory. Surrounded by magnificent views, this gently rolling land offers over half of the property cleared and the remaining in forestry. This property is protected by an Easement with Fauquier County, which allows the purchaser to purchase 78 Acres in lieu of the entire 153 Acre Parcel, please call the listing agent for details. Convenient to Upperville, Middleburg and Marshall, this location also offers easy access to I66. $1,990,170

Stone Haven

Woodville ~ Nestled on 158 acres in pristine Rappahannock County, Stonehaven offers a picturesque and tranquil retreat.

Sited at the end of the private drive is the historic Stone residence, c.1791 with additional stone cottage for guests or office and tucked into the woods, beyond the home, is a charming and beautifully restored 2 bedroom log cabin.

Gardens, lawn, barns, paddocks and tremendous ride out potential provide an outdoor haven. $1,695,000

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

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | Fax: 540-687-8899 | thomasandtalbot.com

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John Coles 540-270- 0094 Rebecca Poston 540-771-7520 Specializing in Large Land Holdings

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Warren Co. Farm

Beautiful land-Great location and Incredible mountain views!!! Close to the Clarke County/Warren County Line this property features large open fields beautifully maintained in an area of large estates. Fenced paddocks with run-in sheds provide a home to 70+ horses. Residences include the historic 3 bedroom/2 bath stone residence which dates from 1792 and a 2 bedroom tenant house. This property offers a great location, convenient to Interstate 66, Interstate 81, Route 50 and within 15 minutes of the $4,589,000 Winchester Regional Airport.

Chilly Bleak

Marshall ~ This 152 acre horse farm features beautiful open gently rolling pastures and fields in prime Orange County Hunt Territory. The historic fieldstone home dates to 1820 with later additions creating a 5 BR / 5 BA home with stone terrace and pool. Two Stables - 15 stalls and 6 stalls, Kraft Walker, 8 paddocks, 6 fields, 3 cottages. The home is perfectly sited for privacy with easy access to I-66 and Rt. 50. VOF Easement. Shared listing with Sotheby’s. $3,750,000

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country Thomas & Talbot Real en. Being familiar with working our business, we will continue and support in Hunt Country. er been more desirable.

Holly Hill

Middleburg ~ A gracious and elegant stone manor conveniently located on 32 private acres just 2 miles from Middleburg. Historic property has been meticulously renovated in the French Antebellum style with luxury finishes and tasteful upgrades throughout. Four bedrooms, 4 ½ bathrooms. Formal dining room, large garden/family room with stone floor, Ballroom, Chef ’s kitchen, library, 6 fireplaces.

Charming guest house, pool, 2 barns. Large exercise/art studio. Dressage arena and grass jumping arena. Beautiful gardens, ponds and views. OCH hunt territory. $3,299,000

Clearwater Farm

Marshall ~ Handsome custom built Residence with first floor Master Suite and perfect mix of open and traditional floor plan beautifully sited on 50 acres. Special features include: Swimex Swim Pool, 2 Stocked Ponds, High Speed Internet, Whole House Generator and Geothermal Heating and Cooling. For the equestrian: located in the Orlean Community Trail System and adjacent to a Premier Equestrian Center with stables, riding arenas and trails. $2,900,000

R T DE RAC N U NT CO

Mountville

Middleburg ~ 145+ Acres of land in sought after location on Mountville Rd. near Foxcroft School. Several home sites with wonderful views and vistas yet extremely private, half wooded and half pasture with over 2,000’ of Goose Creek frontage. Minutes from Middleburg with easy access to Dulles International Airport & Washington DC. Middleburg Hunt Territory. $2,465,250

W

NE

Crosswinds

Delaplane ~ 72 Acre Horse Property in Piedmont Hunt Territory. Features Handsome 7 stall stable perfectly sited for cross ventilation, built by P. J. Williams and features an upscale 1 bedroom + den apartment with screened porch.

Generator. Perfect for training Cross County/Eventing.

Uphill gallop with good elevation, 100’ x 200’ riding ring with all weather footing, 5 fenced paddocks and 2 run-in sheds. $1,050,000

Zulla Road

The Plains ~ Bordered by large estates, this charming country home features 5 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths.

Wonderful gourmet kitchen with DCS-Professional Propane Stove and breakfast bar which opens into the spacious family room. Often requested, this home features a spacious main level bedroom and second level master suite. A divided lower level provides a bedroom on one side and game room on the other. This 7.2 acre parcel also has a 4 stall barn, 2 fenced paddocks and tremendous ride out potential in Orange County Hounds hunt territory. $995,000

Delaplane Grade

This 49 acre parcel features beautiful rolling land in prime Delaplane wine and horse country in the Piedmont Hunt Territory. Fronting on Delaplane Grade Road and identified as Lot 2, it offers a 70’ private access and utility easement to Lot 1, which sets east of this parcel. Lot 2 has a portion of the property subject to building restrictions; however, the remainder of the land sits high with Blue Ridge Mountain views providing gorgeous home site potential. $875,000

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

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | Fax: 540-687-8899 | thomasandtalbot.com

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3:45 PM

Finding a Fighting Spirit Through Horse and Human Founder of Holistic Horsemanship shares the journey Written and photographed by Laticia Headings

W

hen Adrienne Freeland founded Holistic Horsemanship Services in April 2018, she wanted the name to reflect her distinctive approach to wellness. Drawing upon her professional

background and personal experiences, she followed a calling to develop a therapeutic program that focused specifically on the relationship between horse and human.

Freeland grew up a country kid in Eighty

Above: Adrienne at the HHS barn in Round Hill, VA, with Dutch Master (left) and Cindy Lou Who (in stall).

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Four, Pennsylvania, where she raised chickens, sheep, rabbits, and ponies on a small farm. Her love of animals, especially horses, developed at a young age. She rode Western, showed in local horse shows, and was a member and officer in her local 4-H Club for six years.

When Freeland was in high school, her mother was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves. To cheer up her mother, Freeland would bring her ponies into the family’s living room. This unconventional gesture helped bring solace to the situation and it was then that Freeland experienced firsthand the therapeutic power of horses in times of trauma.

At West Virginia University, Freeland majored in Recreational Therapy.

“I’m very untraditional,” she says. “I’m very social and kind of fun, so recreational therapy was a perfect fit!” She also completed a college internship at New Medico Brain Injury Rehab in Washington, Pennsylvania, where she introduced a riding program to the facility’s traumatic brain-injured population.

“Horses make no assumptions and make no judgement,” Freeland says. “They are incredibly aware and sensitive.”

For 17 years, Freeland was employed at inpatient traumatic brain injury and neurological rehab facilities and hospitals working in conjunction with PT/OT (physical therapy/occupational therapy) and speech.

“My focus was always on moving the patient back to more normal activity after trauma, things like going to the grocery store and going out lunch,” she says. “It’s about how we adapt the mindset to include recreation and fun.”

After moving from Florida to Virginia in 2010 with her husband, Timothy, a civil engineer, and their two children, Jessie and Tom, Freeland became PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) Certified as a riding instructor and worked at Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center in Haymarket providing riding programs for individuals with various abilities and challenges.

Journey | Page 27

Journey | From page 26 Over the past two decades, Freeland has worked with a variety of people.

“Everyone: from those dealing with concussion recovery, to veterans and kids being bullied, grievers, people with autism and attention-deficit, women who have been abused, and those dealing with sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress,” she says.

In March 2016, Freeland’s brother, David, a veteran Sargent First Class in the Army, died by suicide after a years-long battle with depression, and what Freeland believes was a struggle to adjust from military to civilian life.

“With all of its struggles and challenges, that was also a door opening,” she says. “I thought I’m going to find a way and do exactly what I want to do. It was his spirit that pushed me into all of this.”

Two years later, she founded Holistic Horsemanship Services, a non-profit pending Equine Assisted Learning program.

Located in Round Hill, Freeland says HHS is “the perfect spot in the woods” to offer clients a way to be in nature and bond with a horse as a way to address personal issues through leadership, partnership, and connection. Because HHS is a work-based program and different from a traditional “up and on” therapeutic riding center, clients have the opportunity to build a relationship with the horse before ever sitting on the animal.

“If I can help build that foundation … I can set you up for that riding piece, even if it means finding a different mounted program that works better,” Freeland says.

Freeland is also contracted to teach the connection module at Boulder Crest Foundation, a Bluemont-based program for combat veterans, first responders, and their families, and uses her background to incorporate different types of therapeutic modalities into her program.

When a client arrives at the barn, Freeland first has them do an exercise to connect with their breath. “This helps to take away any predatory energy the horse might sense,” she says. Clients learn to observe what’s going on with the horse by looking at the eyes, ears, nostrils, head position, stance, and breathing.

“Horses do not accept vague leadership — they want a clear leader,” says Freeland.

Through basic horsemanship, clients learn how to control the energy in their body because “the horse is matching that energy,” Freeland says. Clients gain practical experience that transfers into learning how to read people, take non-verbal cues, and communicate without words.

Freeland also teaches clients about anatomy and how to groom, feed, and bathe a horse to help establish a rapport and build confidence on both sides. After mastering best equine caretaking practices, clients graduate to walking a horse in a ring, small round pen, and eventually down local dirt roads before ever riding. Each client has a specialized lesson plan.

“It’s not just therapeutic riding or therapy for a certain diagnosis — it’s holistic,” she says.

When it’s time to ride the horse, it’s like a graduation for clients.

“It’s not about form, it’s not equitation,” she says. “That’s not what I do. I want you to feel the movement [of the horse] because you’ve developed a relationship.”

HHS has four full-time therapy horses. Each 90-minute session is free from cell phones. She also offers a free grief support group every month in collaboration with Blue Ridge Hospice.

To raise money, Freeland boards horses, operates an Airbnb rental called the “The Nest” at the Round Hill farm, and offers small, private yoga classes taught by a local instructor, Luke Greer, every Wednesday. All proceeds go directly to supporting HHS. Through all of her successes and hardships, Freeland considers herself a warrior and wants to help others find and use their fighting spirit.

“In this business of wellness discovery, my goal is to get to the top of the mountain and survive, and then to go back down and bring somebody else up,” she says. “Each time I bring someone else up, I get stronger and stronger.” ML

“In this business of wellness discovery, my goal is to get to the top of the mountain and survive, and then to go back down and bring somebody else up.”

– Freeland

For more information, visit “Holistic Horsemanship Services LLC” on Facebook or email adesacres@gmail.com.

Top: The Nest Airbnb at the Round Hill HHS barn. Bottom: Luke Greer teaching yoga outside the HHS barn.

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MIDDLEBURG DENTIST SPOTLIGHTS

HEALTH & SAFETY

OVER FEAR

By Dulcy B. Hooper Photos courtesy of Middleburg Smiles

F

or healthcare providers and patients alike, COVID-19 has catapulted the medical and dental world into a uniquely complex, challenging set of circumstances. Everyone involved has been scrambling to figure out how and when to safely move forward.

As important as dental care is to one’s health and wellbeing, initial recommendations were focused on limiting dental care to urgent and emergency care only, with routine care put on the back burner. In view of those recommendations, Middleburg Smiles, the general and cosmetic dental practice of Dr. Robert A. Gallegos, limited its operations through May 1.

Part of the reasoning, according to Dr. Gallegos, was to reduce the practice’s use of personal protective equipment (PPE), so hospitals and first responders would not run short of equipment. In addition, by limiting care to emergency and urgent care only, this reduced the number of times people were out and about, thus limiting the possible spread of the virus.

As of May 5, however, Middleburg Smiles has moved from the “urgent and emergency care only” mandates to finding its new normal.

“Dentistry is an essential service,” Dr. Gallegos said. “And similar to putting off medical care, there is a cost to delaying needed dental care.”

To see patients on a regular basis again, Middleburg Smiles has “increased the frequency and thoroughness of sanitizing procedures and is adhering to all safety procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Dental Association, and OSHA.” Dr. Gallegos and his team are using respirator face masks, face shields, and other PPE.

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“Even before COVID-19, Middleburg Smiles followed strict infection control guidelines that would have prevented the transmission of COVID-19 or any other virus to our patients or our team.”

Dr. Gallegos said the “universal precautions” that the practice has been using for several years remain an effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

“With some minor modifications, preventing spread of this virus is not difficult,” he said. “Even before COVID-19, MiddleDentist | Page 31

Robert A. Gallegos, DDS, FAGD, has practiced dentistry and served in its professional organizations since graduating from Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1984.

He is a visiting faculty member of the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry, an alumnus of and mentor at the L.D. Pankey Institute, a general member in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, a fellow in the American College of Dentists and the Academy of General Dentistry. He is also a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, and the District of Columbia Dental Society. In addition, Dr. Gallegos is a past president and general chairman of the District of Columbia Dental Society.

Dr. Gallegos and his wife, Beth, have three children. They moved their home and dental practice from Washington, D.C., to Middleburg in 2001.

Dr. Gallegos is active in his church, his children’s education, dental continuing education, golfing, and coaching youth sports. ML

Dentist | From page 30 burg Smiles followed strict infection control guidelines that would have prevented the transmission of COVID-19 or any other virus to our patients or our team.”

Dentists and their team members are considered to be at a higher risk in this time of COVID-19, given their close physical proximity when treating patients. And unlike certain medical specialties for which telehealth can provide an option when person-to-person visits are not advisable, dental care is typically not a good match for care at a distance.

During the downtime in the earlier days of the pandemic, Dr. Gallegos and staff took the opportunity to participate in online team trainings and meetings, including webinars on how to best protect patients and team members while continuing to provide high quality care. The practice has sent notifications out to patients, acquainting them with new COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures.

“The main changes have to do with screening, distancing, sanitation, and PPE,”

Dr. Gallegos said. “We pre-screen each patient remotely with health and travel questions and take their temperature as soon as

they enter the office.” Now, rather than walking into the building, patients call from their car when they arrive. Patients do not sit in the reception area, and all magazines and beverage service have been removed. The office and common areas are sanitized frequently throughout the day.

“We are using respirator face masks and face shields and other PPE as part of our universal precautions, and we ask patients to wear a mask when entering and checking out from their visits,” he said.

While the changes that Dr. Gallegos and staff have implemented have created an increase in overhead, they have determined not to add a PPE surcharge for these additional expenses.

While dental practices and other businesses are reopening before COVID-19 is completely contained as a health threat, Dr. Gallegos is committed to doing so safely.

“While this means that there will still be some fear about being infected by the virus, we always put the safety of our patients and team first,” he said. ML

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Does your water leave you with baby soft skin?

If not, call PlumbTech, LLC to schedule a consult to have your water tested and talk about water treatment options.

Install Touchless Plumbing Fixtures in your Home, Office or Business From water treatment solutions, water softeners, to water filtration systems, PlumbTech will install and service your needs with your health as a top priority.

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Eat Your Vegetables — It’s Not Too Late!

Veggies to Plant for the Garden Procrastinator Written and photographed by Patrick Mulrooney

B

ack in April, many were writing about how to build a vegetable garden. With a quarantine order in place and uncertainty in the food supply chain, it could not have been a better topic. However, if you were like me and were too busy figuring out how to stay muted during Zoom meetings or foraging for toilet paper, you did not get around to it (priorities). But fear not, it is not too late! We will discuss the vegetables that don’t mind the summer heat and will persist into the cool temperatures of autumn.

First, a few basics: raised beds are the way to go as you can create your own soil and create drainage that might not be possible in Virginia’s heavy clay. It is crucial to amend the native soil directly under the raised bed and to have smooth transitions between soil types, so the water can travel down into the ground, beckoning the roots to follow and establish themselves. I prefer to break the clay with a mix of gravel, all-purpose sand (the orangish sand, made of larger particles than playground sand), pine bark mulch, and leaf or manure compost.

After this grueling ordeal, it gets easier and more fun. In addition to vegetables, you will want to plant herbs and a flower of some sort to increase pollination rates and add some color. As far as herbs, start cilantro, basil, parsley, sage, and oregano from seed right now. Plant the cilantro, basil, and parsley near each other as they prefer wetter conditions. In addition to flavoring dishes, most of the herbs also have insect-repelling properties.

As for the flower, I highly recommend borage (Borago officinalis). This self-seeding, nectar-producing, hardy plant will brighten your beds with blue and pinkish flowers and

attract many busy pollinators. The blooms begin in June and will continue until first frost. Marigolds (Tagetes sp.) are another good choice, as they produce a compound called alpha-terthienyl which is toxic to several kinds of insects, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. They will also encourage deer and rabbits to enjoy your hard work from a distance.

Although, if they are hungry enough, they

will eat anything, so maybe install some fencing, garden cloth, or spray one of the readily available deer repellents.

Even though it is July, it is still possible to start a few vegetables from seed. Carrots, squash, zucchini, and cucumber are ready for the heat. In my experience, cucumbers do not like having their roots disturbed, so I would discourage transplanting them right now and recommend using seeds instead. Zucchini and ’cukes both prefer a lot of moisture, so be sure to water a minimum of 1” per week and add on the mulch! Carrots sown in mid-July will be ready for harvest in November. Brussel sprouts almost belong in this “from seed” category, but I recommend starting the seeds

indoors during July. However, with an attentive eye and responsible watering, one can be successful with seeds.

At this time of year, some plants are simply not worth starting from seed; it’s a better bet to buy your tomato and pepper plants from the nursery and transplant them into your garden. Peppers have very few pests or diseases to worry about, but tomatoes will succumb to verticillium wilt in the right conditions. Thinning the branches out for air circulation and preventing its spread from the soil by applying a heavy mulch are useful strategies. The best approach is to look for verticillium-resistant varieties (they carry a “V” on the label) and rotating your crops to prevent planting the same plant in the same bed until three or four years have passed. Finally, the one vegetable that I would recommend before all others is the mighty sweet potato. This nutritional powerhouse does not mature for 90 to 120 days and is quite frost-hardy.

Most leafy greens need to be started during the coolness of spring or early fall, but there are a few heat-tolerant greens worth checking out. Green glaze collards are slow to bolt and are resistant to cabbage worms and loopers.

Jericho romaine lettuce was introduced from Israel and is known for maintaining its sweet flavor when less hardy lettuces bolt and become bitter. For the spinach lovers, try the red Malabar summer spinach, but be sure to provide a trellis for growth.

There you have it. You know how to get away with an extremely late start on your garden. If you are anything like me, this information will probably come in handy every year. ML

A functional vegetable garden should have pathways to prevent soil compaction and a variety of support structures for a diverse array of plants.

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Bolinvar

Middleburg ~ Magnificent Estate on 100 acres. The stone house boasts 22 elegant rooms, 9 fireplaces, high ceilings, all superbly detailed and beautifully appointed. Brilliant gardens surround the heated pool.

Fabulous 11 stall stone stable with 2 staff apartments.

Riding ring, green house all in pristine condition.

Additional 227 acres are available. $8,495,000

Hunt Country Estate

Mountville Farm

Bluemont ~ Just north of historic Middleburg, this exquisite country estate includes over 104 acres of lush pastures with spectacular mountain views. Features 9000 sq ft of elegant living space, a picturesque pond, pool & spa, guest house, an apartment over the 4 bay garage, plus a 6 stall stable & paddocks, all in an idyllic setting! $5,700,000

Middleburg ~ 227 acres in sought after location on Mountville Road near Foxcroft School. Several home sites with wonderful views yet extremely private, half wooded and half pasture with over 2,000’ of Goose Creek frontage. Minutes from Middleburg with easy access to Dulles International Airport and Washington DC. Middleburg Hunt Territory. $4,994,000

Thistle Hill

Middleburg ~ Charming home (circa 1840), completely renovated. Sited on 7+ acres with stone walls & towering trees. Gourmet kitchen & sun room, both with vaulted ceilings. Recreation room with wood burning fireplace, Master Suite and BA, 2 additional BRs and full BA. Inground lap pool. The property includes a 3 stall stable, tack room, riding ring and board fenced paddocks. $1,295,000

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Locke Farm

Upperville ~ Located in the heart of the renowned Piedmont Hunt Territory, Locke Farm encompasses approx. 145 acres of pastures and magnificent woodlands. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of protected land in easements; This property offers an excellent opportunity to place the land in easement and benefit from substantial tax credits. $4,200,000

Hume ~ Spectacular land with rolling, verdant fields, lush woodlands and a spring fed pond, on 435 acres in unspoiled Hume. Offering four parcels of 100+ acres each, this property is ideally located off scenic Leeds Manor Road, amongst other beautiful estates, many in conservation easements. Easy access to I–66 and within an hour of the nation’s capital. $4,000,000

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The Rookery

Windy Hill

Gileswood Farm

Purcellville ~ Stone residence on 14+ acres on a scenic country lane. Approximately 12,000 sq.ft. boasting soaring ceilings, 5 fireplaces, 6 BR / 7 BA and a gourmet country kitchen. Luxurious Master Suite, elegant décor, superior quality. Separate In-Law suite with kitchen, bath, deck and private entrance. $1,250,000

Bluemont ~ Incredible custom built 3 BR / 4 BA log home offers soaring ceilings, stunning stone 2 story fireplace, 3 fireplaces, hand hewn logs, fabulous decking in a magical setting on 42 acres (with an additional 17 acres available). Impeccably maintained: New roof, New HVAC, grand sun filled rooms. 2 story barn/ garage, Whole Home generator, workshop on walk-out level. $1,099,000

Canby Road

Leesburg ~ Immaculate 4/5 BR all brick residence in ideal location on a beautiful country road. Just 10 minutes from Leesburg and all the convenience of shopping, health clubs, and parks, this charming 3 level Cape secluded in a parklike setting. Gleaming HW floors, 2 fireplaces & 3 gorgeous acres, it features new HVAC, new windows, huge deck & a spacious lower level. Call for an appointment! $849,000

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

Mary Ann McGowan 540-687-5523

Jim McGowan 703-927-0233

Brian McGowan 703-927-4070

Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | Fax: 540-687-8899 | thomasandtalbot.com m i d d l e b u1 r g l i f e . c o m • J U L Y 2 0 2 0 3606-30_ML_McGowans.indd

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Spacious, beautifully furnished tri-level floor plan, with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. 2 bedrooms (Q,Q)are on the main level, with a huge master suit(K) on the upper level, and a smaller(T) guest/in-law quarters on the lower level. Two full bathrooms with all new tile and amenities, with another super-cute half bath to complete the renovation. Updated kitchen with all new appliances and fully stocked kitchen, accompanied with a kitchen-family room. The great room includes sectional seating in addition to a wonderful teak dining table that seats 8 or more to gather around for special dinners or meetings. Upstairs is a wonderful nook with a queen-size pull-out couch. It’s just a great bit of extra space no matter how you use it! There is a screened porch and deck, 2 car garage, and main floor laundry. New flooring and tv’s throughout with bright and cheery furnishings! Perfectly situated on almost 2 acres nestled in hunt and wine country of Virginia. Minutes to 66 and best commute to DC! Book your hunt-country get-away by visiting https://www.airbnb.com/h/stoneycobblerhill

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THEN & THERE

Hockey on Horseback The Early Years of Polo in England

By Richard Hooper

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nder the heading of HOCKEY, a correspondent to the April 16, 1870, issue of “The Field,” a weekly English journal that billed itself as “The Country Gentleman’s Newspaper,” endeavored to explain the game of polo (or, as he called it, “hockey on horseback”) as he played it while stationed in India.

To begin play, the ball was tossed onto the ground between the opposing teams lined up about 100 feet apart, who would then charge toward it like two opposing cavalries about to clash.

Other than the opening of play, his description of driving the ball up and down the field could likewise describe polo of today.

In the region of India where he played, the game was called “kunjai” and the field was about 50-by- 120 yards. He provided a sketch of a “kunjai” stick, which looked much like today’s polo mallet, but with a smaller diameter head. From his description, it seemed like there were six or seven players per side.

In the same issue, another contributor stated that where he played in India, the game was called “chogun bazi.” His field was about 400 yards long by about 120 yards, but it was barrel-shaped, appearing wider at the middle and narrower at the ends. Neither writer mentioned what constituted the length of a match.

Several months later, another correspondent added his experience. The size of the field, he thought, simply depended upon the available level ground. In one town, the game was played on the main street, with throngs of players on both sides. He recommended, though, that the field be 300 to 350 yards long by 150 to 200 yards wide (fairly close to today’s standards) and barrel-shaped.

Methods of play varied from region to region and he described two ways to begin play.

In both, the players are lined up front to back (not side by side as previously described),

with the front players from 50 to 100 yards apart. In one version, the ball was given to a player of the team that had won the equivalent of a coin toss. That player carried the

ball in his hand while riding forward at “fair speed.” Before reaching mid-field, he tossed Polo | Page 40

Sheet music cover for “Polo Lancers.” Photo Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

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Polo | From page 39 it into the air and, while aloft, hit it with his mallet to begin play. As this method “requires some skill,” the writer preferred the second, whereby the ball was placed in the center of the field and a player from each side galloped toward it, trying to reach it first and knock it away to his team’s advantage.

The writer, who had been secretary of the Peshawar Polo Club in 1868, provided a few of his club’s rules and added other observations.

After describing one form of hooking, during which the head of the stick became entangled in his opponent’s reins after “nearly putting out the rider’s eye,” stated that the practice was “rather irritating, and should therefore be forbidden.” As to sticks, the head of the mallet could be made from a piece of old cricket bat about 6 inches long with a hole bored into it to admit the shaft. “The number of player’s may be unlimited,” but if four or fewer, each player should have two ponies. He thought six players per side was the best number, as it tired the ponies less (if more than that, they got in each other’s way) and that 13 ½ hands was a bit tall for a “hockey pony.”

The Peshawar Club secretary offered an additional tip. Because the game was played in hot weather, “a supply of brandy and soda-water will be found not only very grateful and refreshing, but most necessary …”

The term “hockey on horseback” was used for a number of years, gradually losing out to “polo,” which originated with “pulu,” the word that Tibetans used for the game.

By 1872, after being introduced in England a few years prior, the game was gaining momentum, with formal matches played at locations scattered around the country.

Windsor Great Park had already been the site for several matches prior to one there on July 16, 1872, that accelerated the popularity of the game. The match was between the Royal Horse Guard and the 9th Lancers, who had been active in spearheading the promotion of the game. Three tents had been set up to serve luncheon for hundreds of the royalty, nobility, and aristocracy, highlighted by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Their presence propelled the game into respectability. It would soon become fashionable. On this occasion, there were six players per side, but no report Polo | Page 41 Top: English polo in 1872. The mallets used in this match were hockey sticks. Bottom: Polo at the Hurlingham Club in 1875, with the Prince and Princess of Wales. The mallets are shaped like golf clubs.

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Polo | From page 40 as to the length of the field. Previous matches, though, had been played on a field of 500 yards.

A few days after the 9th Lancers lost to the Royal Horse Guard at Windsor, they were playing again, this time against the 1st Life Guards. It was very well attended by a large detachment of the “élite” of London society.

“The Star” reported that, “The costumes of both parties were perfect and picturesque, the Lancers wearing red forage caps with gold bands, white flannel shirts, and red ties, and red and gold belts; the Life Guards being distinguished by blue caps and belts, with red silk shirts.” This time, the Lancers won.

Polo was “off to the races,” so to speak, and was soon being played throughout England.

Universities and colleges began forming teams and clubs were being created across the country. The Hurlingham Club, which began as a gun and pigeon shooting club in 1867, published the first set of broadly acceptable rules in 1874. That same year, the International Gun and Polo Club began meeting near Brighton where their fancy-dress balls became famous. Polos popularity extended to numerous pieces of music, including the “Polo Lancers,” composed by the bandmaster of the Grenadier Guards.

Cycling back to the inspiration from India, when the Prince of Wales toured India, he was treated to a polo match between the Calcutta Polo Club and a local team on Jan. 1, 1876. It was reported to be the highlight of the prince’s visit. The Manipur team rode barefoot in stirrups. Placed under their saddles where a blanket would be, was a large leather skin formed to curve around the riders’ legs, forming a protective fender. It was reported to make a tremendous noise that would inspire the ponies to keep moving. Among the numerous gifts presented to the prince on his trip was a Manipur polo saddle.

Two years later on July 18, English polo reached another landmark, when the newly formed Ranelagh Club, hosting Hurlingham, staged the first nighttime match to be played under electric lights, followed by fireworks.

Polo had clearly arrived. ML

Top: The English team at Calcutta in 1876 for the Prince of Wales’ visit. The mallets look much more like mallets of today. Bottom: The Indian team at Calcutta for the Prince of Wales’ visit. The formed leather fenders to protect the rider’s legs can be seen.

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National Sporting Library & Museum

Reopening Friday, July 17 We’re Excited to See You Again!

NSLM is excited to welcome back our members and the community to enjoy access to the Library & Museum, beginning Friday, July 17. In the first phase of reopening, NSLM will be open on Fridays and Saturdays.

To minimize physical contact and to practice social distancing, one-hour timed tickets for a self-guided tour of the Museum must be reserved in advance online. No tickets will be sold on-site. Tickets are by timed-entry and are limited in order to manage safe capacity. Ticket times are 11am for Museum Member Mornings and 2pm for Museum General Admission. To visit the Library for general reading, research, or a study time please contact our George L. Ohrstrom Jr., Head Librarian for an appointment. Please note that bathrooms will be closed to the public during our first phase of reopening and face masks are required at all times in both indoor and outdoor spaces. NSLM does not provide masks..

We will continue to evaluate and provide updates as to when and how we can safely expand our capacity.

To reserve tickets and view visitor requirements please visit: www.NationalSporting.org

NATIONAL SPORTING 102 The Plains Road | Middleburg, VA

LIBR ARY & MUSEUM

540-687-6542 | NationalSporting.org

Visit or donate to our thrift shops that support our shelter!

Middleburg Marshall Tues/Thurs/Fri/Sat 11AM-5PM 8352 West Main St.

Thurs-Sat 12PM-5PM 10 South Madison St.

For more information please visit www.middleburghumane.org 42

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23595 WINERY LANE MIDDLEBURG, VA 20117 GREENHILLVINEYARDS.COM

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From barrel to bottle, our passion for wine is evident in every single glass.

Book a carriage ride or miniature horses for your next celebration.

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Landfall Farm COMMITTED TO CONSERVATION

By Heidi Baumstark Photos by Joanne Maisano

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andfall.

Merriam-Webster defines the word as “a sighting of land after a voyage or flight; a reaching of land.” That’s what the Cantacuzenes named their Loudoun County property after years at sea. It was time to return to land.

That was in 1970 when the late Rodion Cantacuzene and his wife, Melissa, moved to their property they named Landfall Farm on Tail Race Road just outside the 19th century village of Aldie. Since then, they have acquired more land — totaling 513 acres — and have been sticking to landside and doing a stellar job preserving it.

How? By placing the entire property under conservation easement with the Land Trust of Virginia (LTV), headquartered in Middleburg.

At 87, Rodion, a retired Navy captain, passed away March 16, 2016, at his beloved Landfall Farm. Part of his ancestry includes being the great, great grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant, who led the Union army into victory of the Civil War before serving as the nation’s 18th president from 1869 to 1877.

“Rodion was a Navy captain of a destroyer,” Melissa said. “After his sea duty, we moved from Virginia Beach to Aldie, and he was stationed at the Pentagon. At that point, we had three children, five horses, some dogs, and a cat. So, we had to find a place for all of us that was still within commuting distance. And as a fox hunter, we needed open space.”

“Melissa was a Master of the Middleburg Hunt twice for a total of 12 years,” Jeffrey Blue said, one of the MFH (Master of Fox Hounds) of the Middleburg Hunt. “We hunted Five Mile Woods near Snickersville Turnpike; it has lots of foxes in there and open land, and Conservation | Page 46

Right: Melissa Cantacuzene.

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Landfall | From page 45 is a great place to hunt, rugged and hilly.

She’s been a staunch supporter of open space.

Rodion fox hunted, too; he was a wonderful man, a great host, a fabulous couple.”

When the Cantacuzenes moved to their Aldie property, there was a classic 1900 Sears house already there, which they enlarged to three stories over the years.

“Before, it was a dairy farm. Now we have cattle, make hay, and have tons of horses,” Melissa said.

Understanding the importance of preserving land, two easements were placed with LTV in December 2007: a 61-acre parcel and a 100-acre section. In December 2013, a third easement of 223 acres was placed. The fourth and final one includes 129 acres, bringing the full 513-acre property under conservation easement.

“We didn’t want the land to be developed, so we purchased more land as time passed,” Melissa said.

“The fourth easement is a result of acquiring additional land after 2013 and it’s set to be recorded in July,” Ashton Cole, LTV’s director of conservation and stewardship, said. LTV is currently in 17 Virginia counties; presently, Loudoun takes the lead.

“By far, Loudoun has our largest number of easements and acreage,” Cole said.

With this 129-acre portion of Landfall Farm, LTV’s total acreage in Loudoun is 9,316 acres.

Overall, LTV holds 191 easements totaling 21,150 acres, and it owns five other conservation properties that includes 557 acres. “This brings our total to 21,707 acres in easements,” he said.

When landowners place land under easement, “they’re donating a conservation easement, which is a portion of their property rights,” Cole said. “Most easements limit the number and location of structures, and the overall footprint of buildings, so they’re not peppered throughout. The restrictions are tied to the property’s natural resources.”

Those natural resources at Landfall Farm include a mix of forest, open land, ponds, and a stream that is a perennial tributary to Little River, which flows into Goose Creek, a state scenic river and major tributary to the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. Little River is what powered nearby Aldie Mill, built from 1807-1809, about a mile down the road on Route 50.

“This property hits all the LTV values,” Cole said.

It also has historic value since it adjoins to

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the rear portion of Oak Hill, the 1822-built home of President James Monroe (17581831) on Route 15 (which runs parallel to Tail Race Road). In fact, Aldie Mill ground grain for Monroe when he lived at Oak Hill, now privately owned, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The fourth and final easement is south of the others, making it closest to Route 50, approaching the Aldie Mill National Register Historic District.

And about that history: In 1803, Charles Fenton Mercer (17781858), noted military officer and legislator, settled near the Littler River where he began his law practice in Loudoun County, which was established in 1757, named for General John Campbell (1705-1782), 4th Earl of Loudoun, a Scottish nobleman, and army officer. On a hill above the point where the Little River Turnpike in Aldie (Route 50, presently named John Mosby Highway) crossed the river, Mercer built his two-story brick house.

The following year in 1804, he obtained legal rights to erect a mill dam on the Little River, as well as the right to raise the river’s water for the purpose of erecting a mill — this would become the brick Aldie Mill built on a stone foundation, across the turnpike from Mercer’s house. In 1810, Mercer named the village Aldie after Aldie Castle, the ancestral home of the Mercer family in Scotland. That year, the Virginia General Assembly chartered the village, which grew up around the mill.

From 1810-1817, Mercer was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He was appointed a lieutenant colonel of a Virginia regiment in the War of 1812. In 1817, he was elected as a U.S. Congressman serving 11 terms until 1839 and became an outspoken opponent of the African slave trade. He was known as a champion of free public education, suppression of the slave trade, and supported the colonization in Africa for freed slaves.

In “Time Stands Still at the Old Aldie Mill,” Waterford historian and mapmaker, Eugene Scheel, writes in 2012 that within a decade of its founding, Aldie became the “nexus of three turnpike roads, became the fourth largest community (268 people) in Loudoun County after Leesburg, Waterford, and Middleburg.” Travelers and commerce could move west to Middleburg and Upperville and the Blue Ridge along Ashby’s Gap Turnpike (today’s Route 50); east to Fairfax and Alexandria along Little River Turnpike (also Route 50 from Aldie and points east); or Conservation | Page 47

Landfall | From page 46 northwest toward Bluemont along Snickersville Turnpike (Route 734).

Farmers relied on the mill for their livelihoods since their milled products could be transported on the Little River Turnpike to the Alexandria port where goods were shipped overseas to Europe. Afterall, Little River Turnpike ran nearly a straight-line course from Aldie to Alexandria, a distance of approximately 34 miles of “paved road by 1811,” according to the National Register of Historic Places Little River Turnpike Bridge Report of 2014.

Tail Race Road (Route 612) is a rural, gravel road in Aldie (about a mile west of Gilbert’s Corner), a picturesque village in the gap of the Little River at the northern end of the Bull Run Mountains. “Tail Race” refers to the “tail” — the end — of the millrace where the water from Aldie Mill flowed out of. The head race is to the west of Aldie Mill on Aldie Dam Road. Waters from Little River flow west to east, and powered Aldie Mill.

Regarding the Civil War, local history author Lee Lawrence noted, “Union troops moved in huge numbers along Little River Turnpike/Ashby’s Gap Turnpike [Route 50] and fought, skirmished, and traveled along it. Most were Union troops since they were coming into Virginia and occupying this re-

gion from April 1862 onward. I know they used Old Carolina Road (today’s Route 15, James Monroe Highway) and Little River Turnpike/Ashby’s Gap Turnpike. There weren’t that many roads available to move wagons, heavy artillery, march men, and so on; so, any road had to be utilized.” Aldie was the Union’s staging ground in June 1863 with the Battle of Aldie breaking out on June 17.

(Further west, the Battle of Middleburg broke out June 17-19, and just up the road, was the Battle of Upperville on June 21.)

A chart titled, “Moore-Douglass Aldie Millers,” provided by Tracy Gillespie, NOVA Parks Site Manager for Aldie Mill, shows that in 1835, Charles Fenton Mercer sold the mill to Captain John Moore who was one of the few Union sympathizers who did not vote for secession. According to “Time Stands Still at the Old Aldie Mill,” it is believed that the mill “escaped being burnt by Federal raiders during the Civil War because Moore was a Union man who voted against secession in 1861 — one of five people in Aldie to do so.”

The mill passed through the Moore-Douglass family for six generations until it ceased operations in 1971. The last owner/miller was James Edwards Douglass.

“When we moved here, the mill was still selling feed,” Melissa said.

In 1981, Douglass and his wife, Sarah Love Douglass, donated the mill property to the

Virginia Outdoors Foundation. In 2006, the mill was turned over to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks).

“I believe in the Land Trust of Virginia; it’s why I’m agreeing to this article,” Melissa said. “Land conservation is so important if we want to maintain the countryside.”

“We always had great sport at Landfall,” Blue added. “Melissa’s a wonderful person and has been so generous with her land, and generous in many other ways, too. And if you want to fox hunt, you have to have open land.”

“The property represents a long-term commitment by the Cantacuzene family to conserve their corner of the Virginia Piedmont at the front edge of the wave of development spilling over into Western Loudoun and threatening the permanent loss of open spaces and family farms that have persisted since the founding of the country,” Cole said.

“Thanks to conservation-minded individuals like the Cantacuzenes, their farm will be available for future generations of Loudoun farmers.”

While Merriam-Webster may define the term “landfall” as “a sighting of land,” Cole describes Landfall Farm as “idyllic, pastoral, bucolic.” ML LTV is located at 119 The Plains Road, Suite 200, Middleburg. Reach them at 540-687-8441 or landtrustva.org.

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2020

@vaunitedpolo #virginiaunitedpolo Watch The Middleburg Life TV with interviews from the Middleburg Spring Races 2020

To watch visit:

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type in ‘Middleburg Life’ and subscribe.

There’s no place like home.

Salamander

Welcome back to our wide open spaces.

MOMENTS THAT MATTER.

877.840.2063

SalamanderResort.com

JUNE 2020

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THOMAS & TALBOT REAL ESTATE Opening the door to Hunt Country for generations Our hearts go out to all who have been adversely impacted by the global pandemic.

During this difficult time, Thomas & Talbot Real Estate’s virtual doors remain open and we continue to show properties with social distancing in mind. Being familiar with working remotely, given the nature of our business, we will continue to provide the highest service and support in Hunt Country. This rural life has never been more desirable.

Rock Ridge

The Plains ~ Hilltop custom French Country stone manor house with magnificent views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

94+ acres. 5 BR / 6 BA. 5 fireplaces. 1st floor luxury Master Suite. Great Room opens to terrace with views, formal Living and Dining Rooms, gourmet Kitchen and paneled Library. Lower Level with Rec Room/Office and Fitness Room. 2 guest/rental houses. 22-stall center aisle barn, fenced paddocks and riding ring. Easy access to I-66 & Dulles International Airport. $3,750,000

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

West Riding

The Plains ~ The house is made up of thoughtful additions anchored by a 1700’s log cabin on 25 rolling acres in 3 parcels. 3 BR / 3.5 BA. Gourmet kitchen opens to a glassfilled Family Room. Main level Master Suite with luxury bath & walk-in. Paneled library, Den, 4 fireplaces, hardwood floors, all new windows/doors & so much more. Extensive landscaping, mature trees, pool, fenced garden, 2-car garage, guest house, 5-stall barn, paddocks, run-ins, equip. shed & riding ring. Orange County Hunt territory. $2,850,000

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

The Grange

The Plains ~ Stunning addition and complete renovation create a classic and elegant Virginia Manor house with exquisite details throughout. Custom designed Jan Forte gourmet kitchen. Features 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths. Includes 2-car garage, pool, guest house, 4-stall barn and paddocks on 18+ acres in Orange County Hunt.

Convenient to I-66, Rt. 50 and Dulles Airport. $2,675,000

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

R CT DERA UN NT O C

Moreland Farm

Delaplane/Marshall ~ Spectacular Views! Approx. 250 acres available in 2 parcels. The primary parcel of 142 acres features the 3 BR/3 BA stone home, 2 tenant homes, barn and 5 bay machine shed for $1,600,000. The secondary parcel of 107 acres offers a 2 BR tenant home and potential to build a primary dwelling for $826,000.

The 2 parcels may be purchased together for $2,426,000

Rebecca Poston 540-771-7520

Fox Ford Farm

Jeffersonton ~ Unique country house on 142+ acres with pool and outbuildings. One and a half miles of Rappahannock river frontage. Open rolling fields. Investment, horse farm, brewery, farming or winery potential. All around views, flowering gardens, privacy and peace. 15 minutes to Warrenton. Additional 97 acres available, totaling 239 acres for $1,991,000 $1,443,000

Rein du Pont 540-454-3355

R CT DERA UN NT O C

Wolf Den

The Plains ~ Nature lovers Paradise! Custom built in 2007, the French Style Country home sits high overlooking Little River and tree tops, absolutely serene. This home provides privacy and security including gated entrance and cameras around home and 4 stall barn with 1 bedroom apartment. The 18.67 acres are in 2 parcels, the home and barn on 17.05 acres and additional vacant 1.62 acre Parcel.

Orange County Hunt Territory. $1,250,000

Rebecca Poston 540-771-7520

Fox Meadows

Delaplane ~ Private hilltop setting surrounded by 82 acres of lush rolling hills, mature woods and the ‘Crooked Run’ river. Brick manor house with open floor plan and one level living. House centers around a large living room with 18’ ceilings. Features a paneled library, dining room, family room off the gourmet kitchen and a luxury master bedroom suite. Hardwood floors throughout and 3 fireplaces. 1 BR Studio Apartment, 3 BR/2.5 BA guest cottage, 3-car garage and stocked pond. Ideal commuter location. $1,500,000

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

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Dover Road

Middleburg ~ Brick Colonial just 2 miles West of town. 4 BR, 3 1/2 BA with a traditional floor plan set on 3+ open acres. Hardwood floors on two levels, kitchen with island that opens to family room, formal dining and living rooms each with a fireplace. First floor Master suite with large walkin closet and luxury master bath. 3 BR upstairs with 2 more full baths. A sunroom and garage complete the property.

Landscaping includes beautiful flowering beds, boxwoods $995,000 and mature trees. Comcast internet available.

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

Upperville Cottage

Upperville ~ Ideal weekend retreat or full-time residence.

This charming cottage blends old with new combining a 1919 log cabin with a creative addition. Living Room has log walls and separate small office. Main level Master bedroom suite w/full bath. 2 more Guest Bedrooms & 2 full Baths. Updated windows, well, septic, roof, geothermal and large fenced back yard on 2+ acres. Walk to $650,000 restaurants, churches & Post Office.

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

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

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | Fax: 540-687-8899 | thomasandtalbot.com 06-23_ML_TTRE-BCVR.indd 1

6/23/20 4:49 PM