Hunt Country Stable Tour May 23: Horse Farm Day Trip

A Once-a-Year Peek Behind the Gates of Virginia Horse Country

Virginia's Piedmont is famous for its rolling estates, white-fenced paddocks, and the culture of the horse that has shaped this landscape for centuries. Most of the time, the gates stay closed. On Saturday, May 23, 2026, they open — and you're invited in.

The Hunt Country Stable Tour, organized by Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, is a self-driven, behind-the-scenes tour of some of the most impressive private equestrian facilities, farms, and stables in the region. It's one of the few annual events that gives visitors genuine access to working horse properties that are otherwise entirely off-limits to the public.

What to Expect on the Tour

The tour is self-paced and self-driven, which means you set the itinerary and the speed. Properties span three iconic Virginia communities: Upperville, Middleburg, and The Plains — all within Fauquier and Loudoun counties, sitting just east of Rappahannock County and well within day-trip range of the DC metro area.

Each stop offers a genuine look at how these estates operate — from immaculate competition stables and training rings to working farms that have been in the same family for generations. For anyone who has ever driven Route 50 through Middleburg and wondered what's behind those stone walls and hedgerows, this is your answer.

• Format: Self-driven, at your own pace
• Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
• Area covered: Upperville, Middleburg, and The Plains, Virginia
• Organizer: Trinity Episcopal Church, Upperville

Pairing the Tour with Rappahannock County

Because the stable tour is self-driven and concentrated in the western Fauquier/Loudoun corridor, it pairs beautifully with a broader weekend that dips into neighboring Rappahannock County. The two regions share the same rolling Blue Ridge foothills landscape, the same agricultural heritage, and a remarkably similar culture of craft, farm, and table.

If you're coming from the DC area, consider driving out the night before and staying in or near Washington, VA — the tiny county seat of Rappahannock that punches well above its weight in dining and lodging. Then dedicate Saturday to the stable tour before looping back through Rappahannock on your way home.

Planning Your Visit

Event: Hunt Country Stable Tour
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Location: Upperville, Middleburg, and The Plains, Virginia
Organizer: Trinity Episcopal Church, Upperville
Format: Self-driven tour of private equestrian facilities

For ticket information, route maps, and a list of participating properties, contact Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville directly or check local Fauquier/Loudoun County tourism resources as the event date approaches. Details on participating farms and any admission fees were not available at the time of publication — we recommend verifying current information before you go.

Getting There from DC

Upperville sits roughly 55 miles west of Washington, DC via Route 50 (the John Mosby Highway) — approximately a 75-minute drive in light traffic. Middleburg is about 10 miles east of Upperville on the same route. The Plains is just north via Route 626. A full loop through all three communities is easily doable in a single day.

While You're in the Area

The Upperville-Middleburg corridor has its own strong dining and wine scene. And if you extend your trip west into Rappahannock County, the village of Sperryville offers artisan studios, craft distilling, and small-batch brewing along its compact River District. Washington, VA — just a short drive from Sperryville — is home to some of the most celebrated dining in rural Virginia.