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Tradition
returns
Long before there was a Virginia Gold Cup, the Warrenton Horse Show was Fauquier County’s claim to equestrian fame.
Not much is known about the historic Shirley Avenue show grounds’ early days: Hie Warrenton Horse Show never had an office, so much of the history lies buried in attics throughout the county. And many of the “old-timers’’ are gone now.
This year’s 108th renewal of the event provides modern-day horse show fans a chance to remember years past as they cheer today’s champions. The show runs Aug. 29-Sept. 2.
In 1899, Warrenton horsemen took a lead, perhaps, from the wildly successful and already long-running UpperviUe Colt and Horse Show and decided to hold their own competition - as the century began to turn. Charlie Smith and Julian Keith spearheaded the sporting endeavor.
The Warrenton Horse Show was granted a charter Aug. 8, 1899, under the applicants William H Gaines, E. Astley Cooper, W. A Thompson, M. EL Payne and George S. Smith.
The first show was held virtually in Neptune Lodge’s backyard in the south side of town on well-traveled Shirley Avenue. Longtime show Director and Secretary Frank D, Gaskins is credited with the selection of this spot and its lease the first year.
In May 1900, the Warrenton Horse Show Association purchased the entire 8.74-acre parcel, complete with schoolhouse, desks and other furniture. The purchase price for this sliver of a once-great holding was $1,950.
A new era had begun.
From the start, the show was a hit with spectators. The show also was noted for its interim entertainment. Unusual pageants and displays kept this, lively between classes far many years.
The Warrenton Horse Show remains a popular one-ring stop for hunters from around the region. Now rated A-2 by the AHSA, it attracted 4,000 spectators last year.
The Labor Day tradition features include hunter classes, side-saddle, leadline, hunter breeding and USEF National Breeding Championship, Saturday night’s $5,000 hunter <-!»«««and Sunday’s “hunt night” classes.
This year’s show benefits Head Start & Bright Stars, Fauquier SPCA, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Fampiior County Fire and Rescue Association.
Classes begin at 8 a.m. each day, with evening classes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 per person, with children 12 and under free.
For information call (540) 347-9442, (540) 788-4806, or visit online www.warrentonhorseshow.com.
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