For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 20, 2000

MORVEN PARK TO HOST MAJOR EVENTS IN MAY

The historic Morven Park estate in Leesburg is no stranger to hosting major events, and May in no exception.

The 1200-acre estate is in full bloom and will welcome the Morven Park Spring Breed Show on Thursday, May 4th. This event will draw top young horses from the east coast. This competition is recognized by the American Horse Show Association (AHSA) and it is part of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) East Coast Breeder Series. The event, a showcase for international sport horse breeding, will run from 8:00AM to 7:00PM at the new outdoor arena at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center.

Top Dressage competitors from the region will compete two days later on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7. "Our dressage shows always are very competitive and the public is invited to attend. There is no admission charge for the Spring Breed Show or Dressage Competition," said Jeanne Fendley, Director of Equestrian Events at Morven Park. One of the special crowd-pleasing events is the Musical Freestyle Competition to be held on Saturday, May 6, at Noon in the indoor arena.

Volunteers are needed for this event to help as scribes, ring stewards and runners. To volunteer for this event or other upcoming equestrian events (including the Morven Park Races), please call the Morven Park International Equestrian Center at 703-777-2890.

The picturesque Morven Park mansion, home to two governors (Thomas Swann of Maryland and Westmoreland Davis of Virginia) will host a special photographic exhibit, North American Hunt Country, beginning Saturday, May 27 and running through July 30. This unique exhibit is sponsored by the Museum of Hounds and Hunting and it will be displayed in the Mansion's ballroom.

For information on these events and on Mansion tours, please call Morven Park at 703-777-2414.

The Morven Park International Equestrian Center is located just north of Leesburg on Route 15. The Morven Park estate also includes the Historic Mansion that was home to two governors, the Museum of Hounds and Hunting, the Winmill Carriage Collection, the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center and the Morven Park Steeplechase Races (October 14, 2000).

For more information, please contact the Morven Park International Equestrian Center at 703/777-2890