For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 20, 2000

Morven Park to Host Two Weekends of
Top Equestrian Events in October

Morven Park Races to be held October 14th.

Morven Park in Leesburg, VA will host two weekends of top notch equestrian competition in October. The first weekend of October, October 5-8, will see the Morven Park Three-Day Event CCI* and Advanced Horse Trails. The following weekend, Saturday, October 14th, will feature the 21st running of the Morven Park Races, "one of the highlights of the fall racing season and one of Loudoun's most popular events" according to William F. O'Keefe, Executive Director of Morven Park.

Morven Park attracts Olympic caliber athletes from across the country. The Morven Park Three Day Event, sanctioned by the United States Combined Training Association (USCTA) as a CCI* will be run in conjunction with the Advanced Horse Trials. The event features dressage competition on Thursday and Friday, starting at 8:00 am. The ever-popular Endurance Day which includes the thrilling cross country phase will begin on Saturday at 7:00 am. The final phase, Stadium Jumping, to be held in Morven Park's new grand prix arena, will complete the competition on Sunday. An awards ceremony will close the event. "This is a wonderful opportunity to see many former Olympic athletes as well as future hopefuls in action. Changes have been made to give spectators a better view of the United States' top event riders as they compete in all three phases", claims Jeanne Fendley, Director of Equestrian Events at Morven Park. Tickets may be purchased at the gate throughout the competition. The cost is $5 per person per day or $10 for a week pass. Car passes admitting four people may be purchased at $10 a day or $20 for the week.

The scenic Morven Park racecourse is the site for the 21st running of the Morven Park Races on October 14th. "We have added some new elements to the Races this year that we're really excited about", said Pamela Woolley, Director of Marketing. "The Morven Park Races are very much family oriented. New this year is our Family Fun Fair with equestrian demonstrations, pony rides, as well as a moonbounce and arcade games for our younger race fans. For our competitive epicureans, we offer the popular Tailgate Competition. All proceeds from the Tailgate Competition will benefit the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding program. And don't forget there will be concessions and vendors too. Gates open at 11:00 am and post-time for the first race is at 1:30. Come early and beat the traffic." Advanced sale general admission for the Races is $8 per person or $25 per car. Passes may be purchased in advance at Southern States (Leesburg, Middleburg, Purcellville), Loudoun Visitors Center, F & M Banks (Round Hill, Hamilton, Middleburg, Leesburg, Sterling), Leesburg Today, WAGE radio, Leesburg Pharmacy, Roberts Emporium, and the Country Sampler Cafe and Carry-Out in Middleburg. On race day, general admission is $10 per person.

Major sponsors for these events include: Southern States, Beacon Hill, Dulles Motorcars, ExxonMobil, Washington Quality Foods, Potomac Mills and JR's. Additional sponsorships are available for both events and corporate, party and railside tents are available for the Morven Park Races. Vendors are also sought for both events.

Information on both events, sponsorships and tents is available by calling 703-777-2890.

For more information, please contact Pamela Woolley at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center at 703/777-2890 or Paul Draisey, KBK Communications, 540-687-3772