This weekend spreads the action out — Southwest Virginia gets a three-day trail ride, hunter/jumper riders have shows on both Friday and the weekend, and polo continues at two of the state's prettiest venues.
Weekend Highlights
Virginia Highlands Horse Trail Ride runs Friday through Sunday on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail near Abingdon. Three days of riding through some of the best high country in Southwest Virginia — if you've been meaning to get out of the ring and onto the trail, this is the weekend to do it.
Four Oaks Farm Summer Hunter Show is Friday at Four Oaks Farm in Palmyra. A one-day hunter/jumper show in Central Virginia, part of the farm's summer series — a good low-pressure outing before the weekend even starts.
SWVHJA's Midsummer Dream Show takes over the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington Saturday and Sunday. Two days of hunter/jumper competition hosted by the Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association.
Roseland Polo Sunday Matches continue at King Family Vineyards in Crozet. Sunday afternoon polo with a glass of wine in hand is about as easy as spectator sports get — bring a chair and settle in.
Great Meadow Summer Polo Series rolls on Saturday at Great Meadow in The Plains. The series runs through late August, and the evening matches are a Northern Virginia summer staple.
Looking Ahead
July 23–26 — Virginia Commonwealth Games Equestrian Competition, Virginia Horse Center, Lexington.
July 24–26 — Virginia Walking Horse Celebration, Virginia Horse Center.
July 25–26 — American Connemara Pony Society Region 3 Show, Virginia Horse Center.
July 26–28 — East Coast Western Dressage Championships, Virginia Horse Center.
July 28–29 — Fauquier County Fair Horse Show, Fauquier County Fairgrounds, Warrenton.
July 30 — Eastern Arabian Show, Virginia Horse Center.
July 31–August 2 — Virginia 4-H State Horse Show, Virginia Horse Center — one of the biggest youth shows of the year.
August 1–2 — Danville Open Western Horse Show, Danville Fairgrounds, Danville.
As always, check each event's page for entry details and exact times before you load the trailer — schedules can shift. Safe travels and good rides.