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Thursday, March 30 2017 / Published in General

Equestrian Destination: Lexington, Virginia

Downtown Lexington, Virginia

By Britney Grover

There aren’t many cities in the United States with a history as long as that of Lexington, Virginia, from Native American habitation as long as 11,000 years ago, to the life and death of Stonewall Jackson, to the world-class Virginia Horse Center’s continuing legacy. For a town of just over 7,000 people, Lexington is a hotspot for horse lovers and history buffs alike, one that shouldn’t be missed.

Main Street Lexington at dark

Sue Tallon has lived in Lexington for over 30 years, beginning when her husband was hired as director of riding at a local college. “Then they built the Virginia Horse Center, and I didn’t start being a secretary because of it, but it did coincide,” Sue said. She began working horse shows at Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, eventually expanding to all over the area including the Washington International Horse Show for 12 years. “Now I work all over the place, but I do about six shows a year at the Virginia Horse Center, which is very lucky for me because I get to stay home for the winter and still work. It’s been a real bonus; Lexington is a lovely place to live.”

The Natural Bridge in Lexington

As show secretary, Sue is often the first one exhibitors ask for recommendations if they’re visiting the area. When it comes to food suggestions, Sue is quick to respond. “Lunch, dinner or anything, my top, number one go-to place is The Southern Inn Restaurant.” Though The Southern Inn will celebrate its 85th anniversary this year, the restaurant has been renovated and innovated, including a nearly complete rebuild following a lightning strike in 2010, to become a popular contemporary American cuisine destination. When it comes to good food, lightning certainly does strike twice. “George Huger is the owner-chef, and I love his rigatoni Bolognese. It’s my favorite, but everything is good.” So good, in fact, that Sue overcame her child nemesis: brussels sprouts. “When I heard about the new fried brussels sprouts appetizer with bacon aioli sauce, I thought, ‘I don’t think I’ll have that.’ Now, I tell them it should be on the dessert menu, too; it’s so good! George fixes them outstanding. Absolutely outstanding.”

Carriage rides in Lexington

In addition to a varied menu and great food, Sue also lauds The Southern Inn Restaurant’s wine list and cocktails. “I enjoy going and eating at the bar, because you just meet nice people that way. We’re a big tourist town, especially for Civil War buffs.” But even if you wouldn’t consider yourself a “buff,” Lexington’s historical sites are rich and interesting. Robert E. Lee, who was president of Lexington’s Washington & Lee University, is buried beneath the Lee Chapel on campus, where visitors can also peruse a small museum. Outside the chapel, a plaque marks the final resting place of Lee’s favorite horse, Traveller, where visitors traditionally leave pennies and other offerings, such as apples or even sugar cubes. The University’s current president lives in the Lee House, where Traveller’s stall door stands open to let the horse’s spirit wander freely.

Stonewall Jackson’s Tomb and Memorial Cemetery

Another horse honored in Lexington is Little Sorrel, the mount of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. Little Sorrel stands in the Virginia Military Institute Museum alongside Jackson’s bullet-riddled raincoat. The Stonewall Jackson House is a museum in downtown Lexington where visitors can learn more about the famed general, and his tomb is in Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery, a popular stop for historical tours such as the Lexington Carriage Company’s horse-drawn carriage rides. A more modern military icon, George Marshall graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1901, and his life and accomplishments are presented at the Marshall Museum, including his Nobel Peace Prize.

Hulls Drive In

“Preston Hall at Virginia Military Institute has an interesting museum on the history of the school,” said Sue. “So there are a lot of interesting things to do. If you’re a history buff, you’re in heaven. If you want to hike and you like that sort of thing, there’s plenty of that to do, too.” Located in the 10-mile nook between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, Lexington is home to many trails along rivers or through the woods. Kayaking, golf, fishing, hunting, and even skiing and snowboarding in the winter will keep the adventurous soul busy. “The river goes right by the Virginia Horse Center, which has tons of trails you can walk or ride on, and go right down to the river.”

Goshen Pass

For the shopper, Lexington is rife with gift stores. “We have a beautiful store called Hamilton-Robbins. It’s lovely, and I love going there. They always have something — if you need a gift for someone, it’s the first place I would go. We have The Cocoa Mill, they make chocolate and have great stuff. Our downtown isn’t huge; it’s smaller than a mall. But it’s cute, and it’s always a kick.”

For entertainment, Washington & Lee University’s theater program is never a miss. “We also have a local ballet company, and an outdoor theater. They do a lot of outdoor concerts and things during the summer.” For a picturesque 1950 experience, try Hull’s Drive-In Theatre: a genuine drive-in movie theater that shows first-run movies. Hull’s shows double features every night, offers an FM sound broadcast, is pet friendly and is completely non-profit and community-owned. “At one point, it was going out of business and everybody got together and saved it,” said Sue. Now, Hull’s gets most of its funding from donations and concessions, and is mainly volunteer-run.

Thunder in the Valley Calvary Ride and Reenactment

With a rich history and small-town community, Lexington experience doesn’t stop when one gets to the Horse Center, either. “It’s a great facility. Since I’ve lived in what’s the USEF Zone 3 for all of my life, I knew a lot of the trainers who come here when they were kids, and we have a really good bunch of exhibitors. The people who come from other zones to show at some of our bigger horse shows have always remarked, ‘It seems like the trainers are all friends,’ and I say, ‘Well, they are!’” Sue related with a laugh. “They are. They all help each other out, and they’re just a great bunch. A lot of them are well-known all over the country. We have a good bunch of exhibitors here, and I’m always happy when I come back. It’s like family. It really is.”

For more information and to plan your own Lexington stay, go to LexingtonVirginia.com.

Photos Courtesy of Lexington and Rockbridge Area Tourism

A beautiful country road in Lexington, Virginia

Lee Chapel

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Tagged under: britney grover, lexington virginia, sue tallon

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Growing up an only child in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Samantha received her first pony at the age of 2 thanks to her mother, who was a horse trainer. “My mom got me a pony like what you see at the fair. However, he was a bad pony—or what I like to call ‘character building,’” she said. Her early start riding was a gift unto itself and by 5, Samantha was jumping crossrails. She was committed to riding until the age of 8, when another sport became her focus. “I was at an age where I wanted to fit in, and being a crazy horse girl did not help with being popular,” Samantha shared.

Get to know Samantha in her recent feature "Finding Success in America and Overseas." And never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine. Link below!👇
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📸Photos by Kirsten Hannah, kirstenhannahphotography.com

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Barry and Cyndy have transformed their parcel of land, originally a quail-hunting lodge, into a facility that welcomes equestrians, corporate retreats, weddings, ecotourists and local community members. “This all came about through a fortuitous set of circumstances, with good partnerships, an open and welcoming community and, most of all, our willingness to go where the land led us,” Barry said.

Barry believes fate and good luck have played a big factor in Cyndy’s and his life. “We’ve been in the right place at the right time and fortunate enough to take the right fork in the road when there were choices,” he said. “As we’ve gotten older, we’ve felt it’s up to us to give back. We need to provide opportunities for people to use Stable View however they see fit.”

Keep reading at the link in our bio!!

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world of equestrian sports. For so many event riders, this venue is an iconic destination that they 
dream about competing at, and I strongly believe it’s the perfect venue to host the American 
Eventing Championships (AECs). While I’m slightly biased because it’s my home event, I really 
believe that this is the best location for the AECs to be held each year.
Read Liz’s full column in this months edition of Sidelines Magazine! And never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines  for just $14.95 A YEAR. That’s less then $2.00 a month! What a deal!  Link in bio to read her full article right now!

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