Diana Kingsbury-Smith was a fantastic host. Christine and Amanda got a preview of the new Polo exhibit, "Chukkers - the sport of Polo in Art," that opened on July 12 and runs through September 30. You really MUST go if you are in the area or traveling through Middleburg. Claudia Pfeiffer, the head curator, gave special insight to the permanent collections and special holdings that you can see at any time. The VHCF staff also enjoyed the special treat of seeing rare books in the special archive dating back as far as the 1500s, including a riding manual prepared for Louis XIII! The library staff is tops and a wealth of knowledge. They had just received a huge collection of books on fly fishing and are hard at work to catalog the books and offer them to the public. It was exciting to learn about their Daniels Fellows program which allows scholars to access the library and live on-site - stewarding the continued study and elevation of equine and its related cultures.
The NSL's mission is "Preserving, sharing and promoting the literature, art and culture of equestrian and field sports." One of the large components of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation's mission is to promote education pertaining to horses, agriculture, and the industry. Naturally, it is easy to partner with an organization like the NSL that preserves and promotes the study of a life that our competitors live.
The NSL team is planning a big polo benefit for the fall and more details will be forthcoming but you can check out their special events to anticipate what you might be interested in attending in the future. Their exhibits are comprehensive and well worth the visit so plan your trip today. We want to thank the NSL team again for a fantastic day!
