RECYCLING

Recycling containers were placed in the spectator and barn areas to receive general recyclables and, in the barn area, the plastic packaging from the bedding. Cardboard was collected daily from vendors and the catering area. The biodegradable disposable cups were generously supplied by Green is the New Blue (www.greenisthenewblue.org) which partners with the show to support its green initiatives. The recycling containers were collected and the material sorted through Loudoun County Community Service and Loudoun County manages the recycled material. Spring water dispensers were placed around the showgrounds to refill water bottles and minimize disposable plastic.

GREEN MARKETING

The show informational materials celebrate the recycling, including the partnership with Green is the New Blue. Green is the New Blue provided a new “living jump” constructed with rooted plants that were planted after the show. A new initiative of “plastic free by ‘23” is being launched to end single-use plastic at the show by 2023. The trees and grassy show grounds are a trademark of the show, including the trees in the classic Upperville Colt & Horse Show logo. The recycling bins included panel posters with the show and sponsor logos.

WOODLOTS

The showgrounds are famous for their trees. There are over 300 trees on the property. The old trees are managed for their health, especially the old oaks some of which are over 200 years old. Native species of trees are included and new tree plantings are made each year. There is a standing voluntary committee to manage the trees. The grounds manager has a dedicated budget for tree maintenance. The trees provide important habitat for wildlife. The aesthetic beauty of the trees is appreciated by the riders, spectators and passers-by along Route 50.

GRASSLANDS

The show owns approximately 20 acres and leases approximately 200 acres. Most of the property is in grasslands. These lands are maintained with a high-level of stewardship including mowing, replanting, fertilizing, footing for riding tracks and recovery of the land from show traffic. The grasslands are a resource for local wildlife. The aesthetic beauty of the grasslands is appreciated by the riders, spectators and passers-by along Route 50.

DIGITAL PROGRAMS

The show staff have invested time and energy into moving the entries and other show information to a digital platform. This reduces the amount of printed material to preserve paper pulp and to minimize paper waste.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

All of the acreage of the show grounds is protected by conservation easement or covenants to preserve it from development. An interesting aspect of the property is that it spans two Virginia counties, Loudoun and Fauquier, as Route 50 divides the property and is the county line. The Loudoun County property is under easement with the Loudoun County government (www.loudoun.gov) and the Fauquier County property is under easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (www.vof.org).

EROSION CONTROL

Land management of the showgrounds takes into account the water flow on the property, including fields and buildings. The anti-erosion practices in place include diverting roof-runoff, underground drainage, managed wetlands, plantings to slow water run-off as well as the maintenance of the trees and grasslands. The competition rings have high-quality footing provided by Atwood Equestrian Surfaces (www.equestriansurfaces.com) and NAARS for maintaining the riding surfaces and allowing drainage.

OPEN SPACE

The large acreage of the showgrounds, its place on either side of a well-traveled road and location in an area with a growing population, increases its importance as open space. This provides wildlife habitat and a natural environment for the community.

LOCAL SOURCING

The show has a long-standing place within the local economy. Special effort is made to locally-source materials to support this economy as well as to reduce the carbon footprint of transport costs. Wine for the VIP tent comes from Locke Store (www.lockestore.com) in nearby Millwood. The catering company Back Street Catering, based in Middleburg, uses locally-source foods. The fire extinguishers and port-o-pots are rented from companies in nearby Winchester. Tri County (www.tricountyfeeds.com) provides hay/feeds from local suppliers.

COMPOSTING

Every horse show needs a management plan for the 55 pounds per day of manure from each horse on the property. The manure and wood shavings from the stalls at the show was collected, with care to exclude trash, and hauled to local Ayrshire Farm (www.ayrshirefarm.com) where it is composted and used in sustainable farming.