Going For The Gold – The Virginia Gold Cup
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irginia native Margaret Church Littleton grew up not far from the original Virginia Gold Cup venue at Broadview on the northwest edge of Warrenton. Needless to say, she has many fond memories. “Being horse crazy, the Gold Cup meant great excitement,” Mrs. Littleton recalled. “Picnics, friends, running wild, riding to the course with Viola Windmill in her Tom Thumb coach and six Welsh ponies, and even presenting a trophy with my mother. “If we couldn’t find our parents, we were told to simply wait under the big old landmark oak tree on the hill. Mrs. Windmill gave me one of her retired ponies, who I adored. My grandfather, my father, and my brother, Chuck Church, were all deeply involved with Gold Cup. Chuck was board member and chairman for 25 years before his death in 2001.”
Photo by Doug Gehlsen Middleburg Photo
Margaret Church Littleton
When Mrs. Littleton joined the 11-member Gold Cup board in 2007, she carried on the family tradition and rounded the board to a dozen as the only woman in the group. This year, the prestigious event has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 20 at Great Meadow in The Plains.
The 95th Running of the Virginia Gold Cup Postponed to June 20 The Virginia Gold Cup Association Board of Directors has postponed the Virginia Gold Cup races to Saturday, June 20. All pre-purchased tickets for May 2 will be honored on June 20. If anything changes, the Virginia Gold Cup will update its website www.vagoldcup.com and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/vagoldcup.
“It was a thrilling invitation,” she said of joining the board. “I’m part of a varied and interesting group of men, all volunteering their time with the common interest of supporting steeplechase racing in Virginia as a viable sport. We have business and financial members, farmers, lawyers, doctors, owners, trainers, civic servants, a famous race caller, and me.” The goal for the Virginia Gold Cup is to “not make it bigger, but better each year for the horses, owners, trainers, riders, sponsors, and spectators,” she said. “We continue to strive for more sponsors and have the ability to offer more purse money to those who bring their thoroughbreds to run in our races.” Mrs. Littleton grew up on a 250-acre farm in Culpeper County called North Cliff on the Hazel River about 30 minutes from Warrenton. The family farm was totally organic, long before it became fashionable. They had milking cows, hogs, chickens and grew vegetables. “When I was really young, we had work horses, Nancy and Pauline.” she said. “It was an idyllic life in my opinion. I can still smell the earth from plowing time.” In addition to her work on the Gold Cup, Mrs. Littleton also serves on the Middleburg Fall Races board, an iconic event each October at beautiful Glenwood Park, just outside the village. As a horse enthusiast, an active volunteer for saving the countryside, an animal lover of all creatures great and small, a garden club member, the wife of a very special man, and a doting grandmother she said: “I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world. Being part of two racing boards is the icing on the cake.
William Allison, chairman of the Virginia Gold Cup, said, “We recognize the need to pull together and be vigilant in protecting each other from infection. On June 20, we will be implementing measures to ensure that protection. These are unprecedented times and we appreciate the patience and support of our attendees, including owners, trainers and riders.” The 95th Annual Running of the Virginia Gold Cup will take place at Great Meadow in The Plains. Gates open at 10 a.m. with pre-race entertainment starting at 11:30 a.m. with the Jack Russell Terrier Races. Opening ceremony performances at noon include the national anthem performance. The first of six horse races will get underway at 1 p.m. The Virginia Gold Cup Race, presented by the Virginia Gold Cup Association, is the fifth race and takes place at 4 p.m. General admission car passes are $85 (allows entry of car and up to six occupants). All those entering the event grounds under general admission and going to the north or south areas must each have a wrist band. Wrist bands are $25 per person. No charge for children 12 and under when accompanied by an adult. Members Hill badges are $55 each (no charge for children 12 and under on Member’s Hill). Tickets are also available at Harris Teeter stores and discounted with a Harris Teeter VIC card. For additional information: www.vagoldcup.com. “I’m fortunate enough to have owned a few horses to race but still waiting for the Gold Cup win,” she said. “That’s horse racing.”
Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2020
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