RideFauquier

A nonprofit organization

0% complete

$25,000 Goal

RideFauquier is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization advocating for public riding trails, riding arena and riding facilities in Fauquier County for area equestrians of all disciplines, from trail riders to competitors, backyard horsemen and Pony Clubbers. 

We have now opened our first riding trails, offering over 5 miles of bridle paths traversing meadows and woods, hills and flatlands, with multiple easy stream crossings. Access is safe and straightforward, we share the County owned parcel that is also home to Fauquier's Education Farm.

We have now opened our HUGE riding arena, with trailhead and trailer parking, on Fauquier County property, giving all riders a ring to ride in! We are conveniently located on Meetze Rd, just off 15/29. We offer a centrally located facility available to all riders, moments from the town of Warrenton.

We need YOUR support now to enhance this arena project, and expand upon our success. We are turning our focus towards expansion of bridle path systems in other areas of Fauquier County.  Our continued goal is to ensure that ALL area equestrians have access to trails, riding rings, and more. Donations of $100 or more will entitle the donor to receive a fence plaque.









More About Us

The Fauquier Equestrian Forum, now RideFauquier, is a group of Fauquier horse enthusiasts dedicated to promoting public equestrian trails and recreation facilities in Fauquier County. We work closely with Fauquier County leadership and the community to advocate, fund and build public riding venues. RideFauquier opened the first riding trails and riding arena, on County-owned lands! 

We have received great support from many of the county's leaders: the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Economic Development Department, County Planners, Supervisors and, especially, Fauquier’s very large equestrian population.  RideFauquier, through fund raising, grants, and donations has raised all funding for this facility. We need YOUR support now to continue our mission!

Building on our initial success,  we are aggressively pursuing the creation of a county wide, comprehensive network of shared use trails that will connect many of the county's historic, recreational and natural resources. Fauquier County abounds with exceptionally beautiful natural landscapes and we are pairing with many energized individuals to provide a vast network of trails linking many of Fauquier's very special places.

History of the Fauquier Equestrian Forum, now RideFauquier

In a rural economy such as Fauquier's, horses are a major economic engine. Fauquier boasts the largest population of horses in Virginia with more horses than school children. We pump over $54 million into the County economy annually. Our economy depends on the horseman working hand-in-hand with the blacksmith, the veterinarian, and hay and grain farmers, keeping local tack shops and fencing yards in business, all collaborating seamlessly in vast tracts of some of the most splendid topography in the country. This IS the Nation’s premier horse country, and we all wanted to ensure that it stay that way.

The Fauquier Equestrian Forum was established in 2007. An ad in the local paper solicited interest in the creation of an organization to advocate for the area's vast equine community. The following meeting had an overwhelming turnout of motivated horse owners and enthusiasts.  All who attended, from backyard horse owners to Pony Club moms and professionals, strongly supported the need for public equestrian facilities in Fauquier.

Out of that initial meeting, RideFauquier was born. Our all-volunteer group works to ensure that private and public equestrian facilities are protected and expanded. RideFauquier is currently working with the County's Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the Economic Development Department, to enhance the economic value and impact that horses bring to the County. We have led (and funded) the effort to create public riding trails and a riding arena on County land for over a decade.

Through our mission of creating a centrally located facility, we support Parks and Recreation in providing recreational opportunities to thousands of equine enthusiasts residing in the area who now go unserved. Our project, located on Meetze Road at the Fauquier Education Farm, is just minutes from downtown Warrenton. Through generous donations and fund raising, we secured funding to design and build a large riding ring and trailer parking. This spot also serves as a trail head for bridle paths that have continued to grow. Our efforts have drawn many other equestrians to the county, enhancing tourism and property values, and positively impacting the numerous equine related businesses that are already in operation.

This complex is available for use by members, in much the same way as any of the County's other parks. Membership is not restricted to County residents.

For information, visit https://www.RideFauquier.com

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

RideFauquier

Tax id (EIN)

27-1800588

Address

PO Box 135
Warrenton, VA 20188

Phone

540-229-7600

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