Join us on Saturday, April 32, 2005, for a day in Wine and Horse Country.  We will start with seeing off the Fairfax Hunt on the closing meet of the 2004-2005 season.  We move on to brunch at the Red Fox Inn in downtown Middleburg.  The afternoon is free to shop in Middleburg or tour the 3 wineries in Middleburg or even to attend the Orange County Hunt’s Steeple Chase Races.

10:15 a.m. – The Fairfax Hunt will gather at Lenah Farm in Lenah Virginia.  We will have a mini-tailgate and partake of our own stirrup cup as we watch the members of the Fairfax Hunt assemble for the stirrup cup and hear the instructions to the field from the Masters of the Hunt.  A few of our members will likely be chosen to serve the stirrup cup to the riders.  Stirrup cup at the Fairfax Hunt typically consists of Cabernet, Chardonnay, Port, Scotch and Apple Cider.  We will partake of a similar array of beverages and mini pastries.  The Masters will move off the riders promptly at 11:00 a.m.  We will watch the field as it moves off out of sight for a final day of sport.

11:15 a.m. – Brunch at the famous Red Fox Inn in downtown Middleburg.  The menu consists of a choice of:  Ham & Swiss Red Fox Omelet;  Crab and Asparagus Red Fox Omelet; or Eggs Benedict. All served with Home Fried Potatoes, Pastries and Coffee.  There will be a cash bar with full service of juices, cocktails, and wines featuring at least seven Virginia wines available to us buy the glass.

After brunch, your afternoon is free to enjoy wine and horse country. We suggest: shopping in the town of Middleburg; visiting and partaking of a tasting at Middleburg’s three wineries – Piedmont, Swedenburg and Chrysalis – or attending the steeple chase races sponsored by Orange County Hunt held at Locust Hill Farm in Middleburg. The first race is at 1:00 p.m..

Please RSVP by March 30th to Debra Arthur at 703-323-5502 (home), 703-307-2066 (cell ), or debrasprad@aol.com. The cost is $27 per person. Event is limited to 25 participants. In case of severely inclement weather, the hunt may be cancelled.  This is not likely to happen in April.  If so, we will simply go on to brunch and start our day there.

Directions:  All events are off Route 50.

• Lenah Farm is located at the end of Lenah Farm Road that intersects Route 50 in Lenah, VA.  Lenah is located on Route 50 about 8 miles west of Chantilly and about 2.5 miles before the intersection U.S. 50 and U.S. 15 at Gilberts Corner.  Take Route 50 west.  You will see a tiny green sign that says Lenah.  Turn right on to Lenah Farm Road and take it to the end.  If you see the British Pantry on your left, you went too far.  Park near, but out of the way, of the horse trailers.

• To reach the Red Fox Inn, from Lenah, turn right back on to Route 50 and travel about 12 minutes.  The address is 2 East Washington Street, which is Route 50.  The inn is located on the right hand corner of the only intersection with a stop light.  Park on the street or follow signs to the municipal lot one block off Route 50.

• Piedmont Winery:  Go west on Route 50 from the Red Fox.  Turn left in two blocks on the Plains Road.  The winery is three miles on your right.
• Swedenburg Winery:  Go east on Route 50 and the winery will be on your left about two miles outside the town.
• Chrysalis Winery:  Go east on Route 50 and go about five miles from town. Turn right on Champe Ford Road.  The winery is about a mile down on your left.

• Steeple Chase at Locust Hill Farm:  Go west on Rt. 50 from the Red Fox.  Turn left on Route 709. The course is one mile down on the right.

2005 Dues.  The dreaded dues notices are going out again.  Please remit early because the “kick-back” our chapter gets each April is based upon early payment of dues.

Schedule for 2005.  Our new schedule may be found on our web site's events page.