The Morven Park Equestrian Center (MPEC)

My husband and I visited the Morven Park Equestrian Center April 3, 2011. It was a lovely Sunday and there were horse trials (eventing) competitions in progress. We enjoyed the day and I thought that this wonderful place should be on HorseHints. I was given permission to use the following from The Morven Park Equestrian Center's web site.

Horse Trials are also known as eventing, which is the triathlon of horse sports and is the most exacting, exciting and fulfilling of all the equestrian sports. It is one of the fastest growing equestrian pursuits in the world - and one in which riders of all ages and abilities can compete. The ultimate challenge for horse and rider, eventing tests their partnership and athletic prowess in three diverse and demanding disciplines:

• The grace and harmony of dressage
• The rigors and thrills of cross-country
• The power and pageantry of Show jumping

"The Morven Park Equestrian Center (MPEC) at Historic Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia, holds a special place in the hearts of the equestrian community. Home to local, regional, national, and world-class equestrian events, MPEC is built on 1,000 acres of open space and continues to operate as a multifaceted events facility that includes indoor and outdoor arenas, a renowned steeplechase course, a beautiful series of cross-country courses, and sports fields that are utilized by over 100,000 enthusiasts each year.

A National Register Historic Property, Historic Morven Park was once the home of two Governors, Thomas Swann of Maryland and Westmoreland Davis of Virginia. Presently, the estate hosts the activities of the Winmill Carriage Collection , the Museum of Hounds and Hunting , Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation , the Morven Park Steeplechase Races , The Morven Park Spring and Fall Horse Trials (eventing), The Canaan Ranch Pas de Deux (dressage), and numerous other activites and competitions.

The Equestrian Institute was founded in 1967 by the trustees of the Westmoreland Davis Foundation, with the cooperation of US Trust and several members of the United States Combined Training Association (USCTA), to satisfy the need for quality instructors. With the explosive growth of eventing, the Mid-Atlantic region has benefited greatly from an abundance of highly qualified Olympic caliber instructors. Thus, due to decreased enrollment, the Institute was closed in 1991 and the facility has been developed to promote premier equestrian events. Today, the MPEC continues to operate as a multifaceted events center and operates under the umbrella of the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, Inc."

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