Tag Archive for: Loudoun

Take Action: Emails to Support Equestrian Park
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On June 11, 2025, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Finance Committee discussed the merits of an equestrian and agriculture center in Loudoun.  Except for Chair Randall, the finance committee is composed entirely of “eastern” supervisors who are not familiar with and do not appreciate the equestrian industry.  They include Supervisors Briskman, Letourneau, Saines, and Umstattd.
Because an earlier Department of Economic Development study for a multi-purpose equestrian coliseum became the focal point of discussion, the supervisors were understandably concerned about the cost, and felt that any equestrian park would need to be revenue neutral or better, bring a “return on investment”.  The infrastructure that LCEA has recommended is much less costly than a 5,000 seat coliseum.  Further, we envision this as a Loudoun County Park.  No park in Loudoun is revenue neutral even when tournaments pay for use.
Unfortunately, the recommendations that LCEA provided were not fully considered, and committee did not commit money for a park study.  It was instead tabled to return to the committee at another time.  LCEA is requesting meetings with Supervisors to better emphasize what LCEA supports.

Update:  Despite this disappointing meeting, Loudoun Equine Alliance (LCEA) continues its efforts to support the creation of an equestrian park.

 

LCEA has already been in touch with supervisors to arrange for meaningful meetings to help move this forward. See our previous letter to BOS on this matter.

We will continue to keep you updated!

The letter that LCEA sent to the finance committee in advance of last night’s meeting is attached.   LCEA envisions a park with a focus on unsanctioned shows and clinics.  It would help to support a pipeline of  competitors and their horses to move up to sanctioned shows, or for equestrians to simply to enjoy riding.  There would be a rental revenue stream from shows and clinics as well as from equestrian campsites.
If you haven’t already done so, please take the time to write to your Supervisor to show your continued support for an equestrian park in Loudoun.
Emails for your Supervisor can be found on this link  https://www.loudoun.gov/86/Board-of-Supervisors
The full Board email is BOS@loudoun.gov
The following is the letter the LCEA provided to the BOS:

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors:

The Loudoun County Equine Alliance (LCEA) supports a Board of Supervisors’ directive to staff to prepare a study on an Equine and Agricultural Center AND to authorize the study’s inclusion into the 2025 CIP (Capital Improvement Program). This is a long awaited and necessary catalyst to further the economic impact of the equestrian, agriculture and tourism industries in Loudoun. To date, there is one park that contains a properly constructed equestrian ring (Lovettsville), and no county park with more than 4 miles of equestrian trails. The few county parks that contain “equestrian areas” within the master plan are not funded and are of inadequate size.  Our board has previously recommended infrastructure items of high importance for inclusion in an equestrian center. They include acreage sufficient for

1. A minimum of 2 large outdoor LIGHTED arenas of the size of Lovettsville. At least one should have sand footing and another geo-tech footing to accommodate additional equine disciplines.
2. Indoor with competition area of at least 150 x 300 plus adjoining covered warm up area approximately 100-225. The pavilion and indoor arenas at VA Horse Center are good examples.
3. Outside course acreage for cross-country jumps.
4. Flexible grass arena for combined driving. At least 700 x 300 feet.
5. Minimum of 8-12 permanent stalls with added area sufficient to accommodate at least 75-100 additional temporary stalls. Temporary stall area should have electrical and sufficient number of spigots for water.
6. Wash areas with drains near stalls for horses.
7. Bathrooms with showers (in at least some of them).
8. Manure management bays.
9. Separate parking for trailers and spectator vehicles. Spillover for both could be field parking.
10. Electric and water hookup for tent, horse trailer or RV camping.
11. Area for primitive camping that would allow for trailer parking and room to make temporary corrals for horses.
12. Trails of at least 8 miles on site and preferably more to add interest for multi-day campers.  This could be part of LPAT/Trails and Waterways.
13. Storage bays for the bedding, and jumps.
14. Storage bays for all the equipment needed to care for the place – mowers, forklifts, back hoes, arena dragging equipment, etc.

In addition to the comparable facilities provided by the Johnson Group, LCEA would offer the
World Equestrian Center’s two locations for review.

LCEA does not recommend linking a quarantine facility to an equestrian park but does recommend that the County support the Cuticelli group of investors and owners of the Ark quarantine station in NY, in their efforts to build a similar operation at Dulles.

Kelly S. Foltman, DVM
President, LCEA

Helpful links:
More BOS contact and meeting information can be found on the Loudoun.gov website
Save Oak Hill State Park–Calls, emails needed TODAY
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You may be aware that, after visiting Oak Hill, Governor Youngkin will ask for a budget amendment to designate Oak Hill a state park.  This is but a first step and requires approval by delegates of the General Assembly.  It is far from assured that delegates will vote in favor of Oak Hill when they meet to consider amendments on April 2nd.

URGENT ACTION NEEDED!!!

Please email and call Delegates and Senators in the Loudoun delegation (listed below). Urge them to KEEP OAK HILL IN THE BUDGET! We have enough votes in the Loudoun delegation alone to ensure this passes, but we need every one of those votes. Let them know how important this is to you!

To email:

Copy and paste the email addresses of the Loudoun Delegation:

DelDReid@house.virginia.gov

DelMMartinez@house.virginia.gov

DelAReaser@house.virginia.gov

DelJSingh@house.virginia.gov

 

SenRPerry@senate.virginia.gov

SenKSrinivasan@senate.virginia.gov

 

Here’s some “talking points” to help you craft your call/email… edit, cut & paste as needed:

 

SUBJECT: VOTE YES, Save Oak Hill!

Dear [Delegate/Senator __________________],

[As your constituent, if you are one] I write to you today to urge you to say “YES” to the creation of Oak Hill State Park in Loudoun County.

Please, keep Oak Hill in the budget!

Oak Hill is our 5th President, James Monroe’s, home. Keeping it in the budget will conserve important history and beautiful greenspace for Loudouners, Virginians, and beyond. What a mistake it would be to miss this opportunity. There are so many good reasons to make Oak Hill the latest jewel in Virginia’s parks system:

  • The park will have no financial burden on the Commonwealth.
  • After this one-time grant by the County, the park will be privately financed.
  • Maintenance and operational costs will be paid for privately by endowment and investment from the endowment.
  • This “newly re-discovered” park will generate new interest and revenue for all of Loudoun and the Commonwealth since historical tourism is a huge part of our local economy.
  • Oak Hill has been meticulously maintained and preserved to keep its authenticity — with private funds. We would be inheriting a bargain–the work has already been done. With its deep history going back to Colonial times, and even prehistoric times, once Oak Hill and its land is lost to development, it will be gone forever. We can’t let that happen.
  • The Oak Hill grounds will remain open to all for generations to come.
  • Its 1240 acres of forest, fields and wetlands, right on Rt.15 in Leesburg means easy access for tourism and recreation for millions of people.
  • For equestrians, it could include miles of public access trails.
  • For everyone, it means a Central Park-like, curated oasis for passive recreation, agriculture and history.

 

This is a great opportunity that we will lose forever without your support. Please vote YES on Oak Hill!

 

Sincerely,

 

[Your name]

 

Click the links below for phone numbers to call:

Delegate David Reid

Delegate Marty Martinez

Delegate Atoosa Reaser

Delegate JJ Singh

Senator Russet Perry (already came out publicly in support – express thanks)

Senator Kannan Srinivasan

 

Link to all other members of the House

Link to all other members of the Senate

 

Now that you have sent your emails and made your calls, please forward this to your friends and neighbors to do the same. Let’s preserve Oak Hill for us all to enjoy for generations to come!