For Immediate Release: Monday, September 24, 2001
Morven Park Gears Up For
Equestrian Competitions
Morven Park, the historic estate of Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis
located in Leesburg, Virginia, will host, back to back weekends of top level
equestrian competition in October. The first weekend, October 4-7, will see
the 2001 Morven Park CCI* and Advanced Horse Trials. The following weekend,
October 13, will feature the 22nd Running of the Morven Park Races, "a
perennial favorite with racing fans and a great way to relax and enjoy the
beautiful Virginia countryside", according to William F. O'Keefe, Executive
Director of Morven Park.
The Morven Park Three Day Event (CCI*) will be run in conjunction with the
Advanced Horse Trials. This event attracts Olympic caliber athletes from
across the United States. The dressage phase of the competition will be
held on Thursday, 10/4, and Friday, 10/5, starting at 8:00 a.m. each day.
Endurance Day, which includes the thrilling cross-country phase, will begin
at 7 a.m. on Saturday, 10/6. The final phase, Stadium Jumping, will be
begin at 8 a.m. in the Davis arena on Sunday, 10/7. "This is a unique
opportunity see up close the amazing skill and strength of these horses and
their riders", said Marcia Keene, Director of Equestrian Events. She adds
"Even if you have never attended this type of event, I encourage everyone to
come out. It's like having the Olympics in your backyard."
For interested spectators, John Williams, USET member, will lead a
cross-country course walk on Thursday, October 4th at 5 p.m. This is a rare
opportunity to learn how a skilled professional rider would tackle the jumps
on the Morven Park cross-country course. Participants should wear
comfortable shoes and children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
All interested spectators should meet at 4:45 pm at the CCI* start box
located near the Hedge Ring Arena.
Tickets to the Morven Park CCI* and Advanced Horse Trials will be available
at the gate. Admission is $5 per person per day or $10 for all 4 days. Car
passes admitting four people may be purchased at $10 a day or $20 for all 4
days. There is no additional charge for the spectator course walk.
The scenic Morven Park racecourse is the site for the 22nd running of the
Morven Park Races on Saturday, October 13. The day will feature six
exciting races over fences and on the flat, tailgating, vendors and the
Family Fun Fair. New this year is the Earl Loughborough Memorial Race, an
opportunity for Virginia Breeders Fund registered Virginia-bred and sired
Thoroughbreds. Open to three-year-olds and up, the six-and-a-half furlong
race will be run on the turf for a $5,000 purse. The race is dedicated to
the memory of the late Virginia horseman, Earl Loughborough, a man deeply
committed to the Thoroughbred horse, Thoroughbred breeding and the sport of
racing. Tickets for the Morven Park are available in advance for $25 per
car by calling 703-777-2414. Tickets may also be purchased at the gate on
race date for $10 per person.
Morven Park is operated in the public interest by the Westmoreland Davis
Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization founded to protect, preserve
and promote the historic and cultural resources of Morven Park.
For More Information Contact:
Pamela Woolley
Marci Keene
703-777-2890
Morven Park International Equestrian Center
