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Fairfax4Horses
Dedicated to the establishment of public riding facilities on Fairfax County parkland.
We work with the Fairfax County Park Authority, the equestrian community, private organizations, and others to establish riding facilities at which residents can take lessons and board horses.
Latest news from Fairfax4Horses
Celebrating National Trails Day
Fairfax County Park Authority held an event on June 1, 2024, to celebrate National Trails Day and the 10th Anniversary of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail. Special markers were posted along the trail to guide participants along the trail.
Years in the making, the trail was a team effort that included residents, politicians, and government organizations. It began in the late 1990s by hiking enthusiast Bill Niedringhaus, who noticed a nearly continuous stretch of publicly owned land across the county. At that time, Gerry Connolly was the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and he supported the effort and introduced a resolution to create the trail in 1998. Construction of the trail began in the early 2000s and in 2014, the 40 mile trail was named after Connolly.
On the northern end, the trail starts near Difficult Run in the Great Falls area, and the trail sets off in the woods, snaking along the creek. The trail goes under Leesburg Pike, still parallel to Difficult Run, across the Dulles Access Road, towards Lake Thoreau, and then south through Oakton. After crossing I-66, it follows Accotink Creek for miles through Wakefield Park, around Lake Accotink and through Springfield, along the Franconia-Springfield Parkway before going along the Pohick Stream Valley over to the Laurel Hill Golf Course and finally ends at Occoquan Regional Park. The section from Great Falls to Oakton is popular with equestrians, as is the section near the LaurellHil Equestrian Center.
Parts of the trail are not for the casual user though. The nearly 41-mile trail goes through stream valleys, crosses busy roads and puts the rider out in the woods with the birds and deer, so it seems miles from the suburban landscape when in reality, it’s just a short side-trail away.
Frying Pan Park Horse Expo 2024
Fairfax4Horses joined in the fun at the Third Annual Frying Pan Horse Expo in April. This event was supported by the Virginia Horse Industry Board and has become a very popular event. Fairfax4Horses hosted a table to promote our mission of establishing a public riding stable at Laurel Hill. About sixty other organizations also participated in the event, including suppliers of equestrian services and equipment, pony clubs, breed associations, and many others. The Expo featured a variety of informative and entertaining events, including a fun jump course for kids and a mounted archery demonstration by the Mounted Archers of the Potomac.A demonstration of liberty training was presented by Jimmy Wagner Horsemanship, and mounted police drills were presented by the Montgomery Mounted Police Unit and the North American Police Equestrian Council.A parade of breeds featured was held, and Back 40 offered a presentation on trailer safety. Equine Balance provided a demonstration of equine massage, and Natural Connection explained how unwanted horses are selected and trained for trail riding. Mounted Games Across America provided a demonstration of relay racing on horseback. Pony rides, always popular at the Expos, were also offered for several hours during the Expo.Frying Pan Park's Equestrian Center is a public use facility that is part of Frying Pan Farm Park. It has a full-size indoor arena, two full-size outdoor riding rings and a XC Rally Field. The center offers rental events, schooling horse shows, short-term stabling, and multiple trailer-in schooling options. The center is also available for private rentals.The popularity of this event is a good indicator of the continued interest in equestrian activities in Fairfax County, and it is expected that the Horse Expo will take place again next year.
