Blue Ridge Escape - Virginia

We have been looking for horseback riding options in Virginia for quite some time. The Goal was to offer you a week of "horsey bliss" in a quiet country setting away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. If your dream of a great vacation includes sleeping late, country air, mountain views, riding twice a day,  hiking, early morning rides, or just plain resting and enjoying being around horses without having to rush home, this is the right place for you - only 45 minutes from the Dulles airport.
This is a romantic equestrian bed and breakfast with a certified instructor/trainer as one of the owners. This combination creates a perfect haven for your week of rest, relaxation and equestrian gratification. You may choose to ride once a day for an extended period of time, or divide your riding into morning and evening sessions. The biggest decisions you will have to make is whether you want to take dressage or balance seat lessons, or go cross country trail riding with an experienced guide; and where do you want to go for dinner?

SRVA01
2008 Rates include deluxe accommodations with breakfast, lunches and 2  dinners, 5 riding days with riding lessons and/or trail riding with a qualified guide.
6 days/ 5 nights $1,195  Single:+$375  
Tax:        9%
Ariport:   Dulles or Washington National
Transfer:   $95 for 1st person, $15 for each additional person (one way), we suggest to rent a car
Level:     All levels, for hacking Novice+
Horses:    Thoroughbred, Warmblood
                 and Cross
Tack:        English, Western
Open:       All year.
Note:        You may bring your own horse. Riding lessons are usually 60 minutes, the trail rides are 1 ½ hrs, but we can arrange for longer rides (extra).
See also Equestrian Clinics offered
Note: The farm is a smoke free environment. No smoking inside the buildings.
A shorter getaway is available:
4 days/  3 nights   $725  Single:+$225
... incl. breakfast, lunches and 1 dinner
    3 riding days
5 days/  4 nights   $945  Single:+$300
... incl. breakfast, lunches and 1 dinner
    4 riding days

Meals: There are many good restaurants in the area for the nights when dinner is not included. Extra dinners are available at extra charge with prior notice.

Riding
Activities at the farm start with either a continental or country cooked breakfast. The next activity of course is riding! Maybe a morning lesson and afternoon trail ride in to the beautiful countryside is what you are looking for - each day includes a different trail including rides through forests and along the Rappahannock River - even an excursion into Shenandoah National Park is possible. The riding program is flexible -- maybe you want more lessons or more trail riding - the choice is yours. Some days may even include pushing some cattle from the neighbor ranch. You can ride in the morning and in the afternoon.
Riding lessons and cross country trail rides are scheduled according to the request of the day. Lessons (usually one hour in length) are given in the morning following the breakfast hour and/or later in the afternoon. Or you may choose to take a two hour riding lesson for a more intense and detailed learning experience. These types of lessons are great for getting to the bottom of riding problems that may need great detail and discussion to resolve, when an hour just isn't enough. In the summer, a self serve continental breakfast is available followed by the riding lessons and horse training sessions. Brunch is served after riding.

Other Activities
The Rest of the Day can be enjoyed as you wish. Reading and napping are favorite summer activities. You can do all your riding in the morning and then explore the many wonderful sights in the are. You are within one hour's drive to five major Civil War Battlefields! You are 35 minutes from Shenandoah National park and about 3 hours from Gettysburg.  There are also great antique stores in the area, Skyline Drive (a scenic route across the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains), and Luray Caverns. The farm is twenty minutes from the towns of Warrenton and Culpeper, two pre Civil War main street communities which offer small town shopping and restaurants.
The farm and surrounding areas provide an ideal terrain for guests accustomed to taking daily walks. For those hearty souls who prefer hiking to walking, the Appalachian Trail runs through the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains.
Fishing and canoeing in nearby rivers, and biking along scenic routes and trails are just some of the many outdoor activities available in the area. There is a  nine hole public golf course only minutes away from the farm.

Dining in the beautiful Virginia countryside is available at a variety of fine restaurants within fifteen minutes of the farm. All of the restaurants offer wonderful atmosphere, but understand their clientele's desire for casual attire. The result is great food without having to "dress up" for dinner. In Warrenton and Culpeper, family style restaurants offer modestly priced entrees. Guests may also visit the local grocery store and bring back food to prepare dinners on the grill.

Accommodations
The beautiful two story plantation style house has upper and lower verandas to complete its southern appearance. This house was designed to accommodate guests in a gracious manner. Starting with the entrance, one steps back in time as they walk onto the brick veranda accompanied by white rocking chairs. Breakfast is served in our elegant dining room or on the screened porch over looking over looking the Blue Ridge Mountains. .... see more info

The Gardens
The gardens will develop as the seasons unfold. Each season will be another step in developing the total picture for the Farm gardens. A beautiful flower lined path will lead you to the barn for you morning or afternoon ride. There will be benches and gliders to sit in while you enjoy your stroll through the beautiful flowers. Nature abounds in this part of Virginia and we want you to enjoy it too!

Check in time is 2:00 p.m. and check out time is 12:00 p.m.
All guests are required to wear ASTM approved riding helmets which will be provided by the farm or you may bring your own.
It is important for our guests to understand that this farm offers a smoke free environment, so there will be no smoking in the house, barns, or porch areas. We welcome people who smoke as long as they are comfortable with this policy.
A designated smoking area will be provided

Capacity 9  

Riding in the Blue Ridge Mountains

The Great Room: A large, pleasant room where one can engage in conversation, watch television, DVD or videotape, listen to music or curl up by the fireplace on a cold winter evening. The room has comfortable furniture and is accessible to the dining areas and sun deck.

The Mountain View Porch: A large screened porch designed for enjoyable outdoor meals, reading, relaxing, or napping. Overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, the porch is adorned with comfortable wicker furniture and an overhead fan. Whether catching an afternoon nap in an airy afternoon breeze, or researching an important riding concepts hidden in the pages of books written by old riding masters, the Mountain View Porch is surely a place for maximum enjoyment and relaxation.

The Sun Deck (for you Sun worshippers out there) is just off the Great Room and the Mountain View Porch. It comes replete with chaise lounges for highly effective reading, napping or sunning. The Sun Deck overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountain range for unsurpassed views.

The Guest Bedrooms
The spacious guest bedrooms are furnished with twin, queen and king size beds. Each bedroom features a private bath. The Blue Ridge Room has a whirlpool bath and double vanities, while the Shenandoah room is furnished with a large walk-in shower. Each room has an ample closet and abundant space in which to stretch out and relax. The Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Rooms both have access to the covered veranda, where guests will find rocking chairs and beautiful pastoral, wooded views of the old farm and the rural Virginia countryside. The Mountain View Room overlooks the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. For those who wish to relax, in private, by watching television or movies, each room is equipped with a separate satellite television receiver. High speed Internet via satellite access is also available for your Wi-Fi equipped laptop, free of charge. Guests are welcome to gather in the Great Room or retreat to their own rooms, as desired.

The Dining Room

The Blue Ridge Room

The Shenandoah Room

The new Barn

The Arena

Non-Smoking:
It is important for guests to understand that the B&B offers a smoke free environment, so there is no smoking in the house, barn, deck, or porch areas. We welcome people who smoke as long as they are comfortable with this policy. A designated smoking area will be provided.