Morven Park wrapped up its 2020 Purcellville Southern States Summer Show Series on September 5. The series featured seven one-day shows that began in June and ran fully compliant with COVID-19 restrictions in place for Virginia horse shows. “Competitors, officials, and trainers were extremely understanding of the COVID-19 safety policies, including advance online registration, temperature-taking, and mask wearing,” said Morven Park Executive Director Sheryl Williams. “Their compliance allowed us to provide a little bit of ‘normal’ with a fun show series for our hunter/jumper community, and we saw quite a few event riders as well!”
Ashley DeWolfson with Cinderella, winners of the Total Equine Hunter Derby. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.
With entries limited to 200 horses per day, Morven Park hosted 1,400 horses over the season. The Summer Series ran two hunter arenas and one jumper arena at Morven Park’s beautiful new show facility, sponsored by B&D Builders, LLC, all with Attwood Equestrian Surfaces footing. The highlight of each show was the Hunter Derby, sponsored by Total Equine Veterinary Associates, and the Mini Hunter Derby, sponsored by Coat Defense.
Sally on Dreams Happen, winners of the Coat Defense Mini Derby. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.
Morven Park is looking forward to the 2021 Summer Show Series, which will host four arenas over eight dates from March to September 2021.
About Morven Park
Morven Park is a 1,000 acre historic estate located at Leesburg, Virginia. Owned and operated by the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization, Morven Park first opened to the public in 1967. Known as the “Central Park” of Loudoun County, Morven Park welcomes 250,000 visitors each year who come to enjoy exquisite scenery, formal boxwood gardens, the Morven Park International Equestrian Center, athletic fields, the iconic Greek Revival mansion, museums, and hiking trails. As a nonprofit organization, Morven Park relies on donations to preserve the exceptional buildings and grounds, to support its award-winning student programs, and to continue its fun, family-friendly events.