Charlottesville Horse Farms and Country Homes

Charlottesville Virginia Dog Owners Helping The Community

Charlottesville Virginia dog owners helping the community is what the CAKC Canine Challenge is all about.

 The Charlottesville Albemarle Kennel Club has challenged the

Albemarle

County

community to match their grant of $4,500 to enable the Albemarle County Police Department purchase a much needed additional canine.  According to the police department they need $9,000 which will cover the purchase of the police dog and its training.  CAKC is donating $4,500 and is asking the community to also contribute $4,500.

 

The Charlottesville Albemarle Kennel Club has a long history of helping the Albemarle County Police Department.  CAKC has already purchased one canine for the police department.  In addition the club provided funds to buy protective vests for each of the canines in the department at that time.  Also a CAKC grant enabled the police department to buy remote door openers, so that if an officer was in trouble he could remotely open the door to his cruiser and allow his canine to come to his assistance.

 

If you would like to make a donation to help meet this goal, you may make your check out to “CAKC Canine Challenge” and send it to:

CAKC Canine Challenge

P.O. Box

5725

Charlottesville

,

VA

22905

For more information and to keep track of the progress of the campaign go to The Charlottesville Albemarle Kennel Club website.

CAKC is comprised of Charlottesville Virginia dog owners who are dedicated to the advancement of purebred dogs.  The members participate in many American Kennel Club sanctioned events such as obedience, agility, conformation, lure coursing, field trials and canine good citzenship.  The Charlottesville Albemarle Kennel Club also is involved in public education and training classes.  Club meetings are open to the public and are held on the second Wednesday of even months at 7:30 at the JABA (Jefferson Area Board For Aging) building on Hillsdale Rd.

CAKC is asking other Charlottesville Virginia dog owners and Albemarle County dog owners to help make the purchase of a new canine a reality for the Albemarle County Police department.

Contact

Pam Dent

, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161 to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Troy, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville. 

  If you are a dog or horse owner and are looking for pet friendly real estate you have come to the right place.  I understand your needs and can help you find the right property to suit you and your pets.

 

View all of the Charlottesville Virginia homes for sale.

 

View my website Charlottesville Horse Farms or visit my other blog Charlottesville Real Estate Talk  for more information on

Charlottesville

Virginia

horse farms, homes, events and real estate. 

 

Copyright © 2009 by Pam Dent, all rights reserved, "Charlottesville Virginia Dog Owners Helping The Community".

Virginia Spring Steeplechase Racing Begins

Everyone has their favorite harbinger of spring.  For some it is spying the first robin, for others it is the first daffodil blooming and for still others it is seeing the trees with new buds.  For me the beginning of spring has always been the start of the Virginia steeplechase season.  The Virginia Spring Steepechase season starts this Saturday with the Cassanova Hunt Point to Point.  Listed below is the schedule of Virginia Steeplechase Racing for the spring season:

Saturday, February 21, 12:30 pm
Cassanova Hunt Point to Point
Buckland Farm, Warrenton, VA
540 788-4806

Saturday, March 7, 12:00 noon
Blue Ridge Hunt Point to Point
Woodley Farm, Berryville, VA
540 53-1577

Saturday, March 14, 12:30 pm
Warrenton Hunt Point to Point
Airlie Race Course, Warrenton, VA
540 219-1400

Saturday, March 21, 1:00 pm
Piedmont Fox Hounds Point to Point
Salem Course, Upperville, VA
540 592-7100

Sunday, March 29, 1:00 pm
Orange County Hunt Point to Point
Locust Hill Farm, Middleburg, VA
540 687-3529
703 727-2357
ochpointtopoint@verizon.net

Saturday, April 4, 12:00 noon
Old Dominion Hounds Point to Point
Ben Venue Farm, Ben Venue, Virginia
540 364-4573
540 636-1507

Saturday, April 11, 1:30 pm
Strawberry Hill Races
Colonial Downs, New Kent County, VA
804 228-3238

Sunday, April 12, 12:30 pm
Loudon Hunt Point to Point
Oatlands Plantation, Leesburg, VA
703 777-8480
540 338-4031

Saturday, April 18, 1:30 pm
Middleburg Spring Races
Glenwood Park, Middleburg, VA
540 687-6545
504 687-6595

Sunday, April 19, 12:0 noon
Fairfax Hunt Point to Point
Morven Park, Leesburg, VA
540 687-0611
information@fairfaxhaunraces.org

Saturday, April 25, 1:00 pm
Foxfield Spring Races
Charlottesville, VA
434 293-9501

Saturday, May 2, 1:00 pm
Virginia Gold Cup Races
Great Meadow, The Plains, Va
540 347-2612

Saturday, May 3, 1:30 pm
Bull Run Hunt Point to Point
Brandywine Park, Culpeper, VA
540 832-2726
540 937-2510

Saturday, May 9, 1:00 pm
Bedford Countiy Hunt Point to Point & Hunter Pace
Wolf Branch Farm, Forses, VA
540 297-3419

For additional information and the fall racing calendar visit the Virginia Steeplechase Website.

Contact

Pam Dent

, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161, pam@JumpintoGreenerPastures.com, to list your property for sale or to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Troy, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.

 

To view all of the Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia Homes for Sale click here and click on the mls search button.

 

Visit my website  Jump into Greener Pastures or read my other blog Charlottesville Real Estate Talk  for more information on Charlottesville and Central Virginia homes, events and real estate.

 

 

 

           

Celebrate The New Year With First Night Virginia

First Night Virginia is an annual community New Years Eve celebration in Charlottesville, Virginia.  This year's theme is "The Night of Possibilities" and marks the 27th year of the community oriented celebration.  First Night Virginia which is centered in Downtown Charlottesville provides an alcohol free, family centered evening of music, theatre, dance and activities for all ages.  The event starts at 2:30 and will continue until midnight encompasing almost 70 performances occuring in 20 locations throughout the downtown area .

There are activities that are particularly child centered such as arts and crafts activities, the balloon lady and music with Kid Pan Alley.  Teens will enjoy the Teen Band Showcase featuring performances by 8 area bands.  Adults will enjoy performances of Highlights from the Paramount Theater, as well as participating in the Dance-travaganza, a celebration of dance occuring all over the mall. 

One of the main events that everyone can join in is the Community Processional which starts at 6:30 pm at the Omni Hotel and proceeds along the mall to the Pavillion.  Another First Night tradition is the fireworks which take place at 9:00 pm so that they are early enough to be viewed by the children.  There will also be a midnight celebration with a ball drop at the Landmark Hotel.

Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.firstnightvirginia.musictoday.com or at a variety of area merchants.  It is also possible to reserve seatin for particular performances.  First Night Virginia Headquarters located in the Omni Hotel Atrium will be open December 29-December 31.

To see a full schedule of FNV events go to www.firstnightva.org.

Annual Blessing of the Hounds - A Don't Miss Event

A favorite Keswick tradition is the annual Blessing of the Hounds at Grace Episcopal Church.  The lovely historic stone church is the backdrop for the outdoor service which is attended by the members of the Keswick Hunt in full hunting attire mounted on their horses and surrounded by the pack of foxhounds.  The traditional service includes blessings for horse, hound and rider as well as prayers in thanks for the harvest bounty.  After the service you can walk across the road and watch the beginning of the foxhunt.

The service begins at 10:30 and the public is welcome.

Grace Episcopal Church
Gordonsville Road
Cismont, Virginia 

Cismont and Keswick Virginia are located a short drive outside of Charlottesville, Virginia to the east.  The service has been held annually on Thanksgiving Day since 1929.   Come out to Grace Church tomorrow and become part of the tradition.

Charlottesville's Best

There are so many wonderful things to enjoy about Charlottesville, Virginia.  The town and the surrounding Albemarle County enjoys scenic beauty, a rich historic legacy, many delicious restaurants, art galleries, theater, and many outdoor activities.  Recently the CAAR Real Estate Weekly compiled a list of the top 50 best things about Charlottesville.  This list provides a great starting place for visitors and people who are newly relocated to the area to find great places to visit and things to do.  If you have a favorite that has been left off the list please share it with us.

Dreaming of Owning a Small Farm Business?

If you are considering purchasing a Central Virginia small farm as a business or are considering a new commercial venture for your existing Charlottesville farm, you may be interested in a forum where you can receive some advice and information to aid in your decision.  Many people who own small horse farms in Albemarle County are looking for an additional source of revenue, to help support their "horse habit".  Exploring the Small Farm Dream - Is Starting an Agricultural Business Right For YOU is a four session seminar designed to help you review your dreams of a small farm business and to help you determine the steps that you need to take to make it happen. 

The format will include exercises, discussion and interviews with experts.  The sessions are perfect for perople exploring a new career, novice farmers, and more experienced farmers who are considering a move into a new niche.

The course will consis of four Thursday evening sessions starting on November 6 and running through December 6.  It will be held at the Airlie Center in Warrenton, VA.  For information contact Pablo Elliot at pelliott@airlie.org or call 540 347-1300 ext 3163.

Read an article on the seminar from the Fauquier Times.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Contact

Pam Dent

, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161, pam@JumpintoGreenerPastures.com, to list your property for sale or to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Troy, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.

To view all of the Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia Homes for Sale click here and click on the mls search button.

For more information on Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia issues, events and real estate visit my other blog at Charlottesville Horse Farms and Country Homes.

Let's Go Racing

Are you looking for something fun to do on a perfect fall day?  Attending an exciting steeplechase race meet is the perfect choice!

The Montpelier Races held on November 1 will offer the opportunity to see some of the best steeplechase horses in the country.  This is an exciting event with both flat and jump racing.  The setting couldn't be more beautiful, watching the magnificent thoroughbred horses race against the backdrop of the historic Montpelier estate, home of James Madison. 

The races are a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a fall day in the scenic Virginia countryside.  Bring a tailgate and enjoy spending time with friends and family.

Post time for the first race is 12:30 pm.  For information call 540 672-0027 or visit the Montpelier website.

Montpelier is located outside of Orange, Virginia inthe Central Virginia horse country and an easy drive from Charlottesville.

Contact

Pam Dent

, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161, pam@JumpintoGreenerPastures.com, to list your property for sale or to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Troy, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.

 

To view all of the Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia Homes for Sale click here and click on the mls search button.

 

Visit my website Jump into Greener Pastures or read my blogs Charlottesville Real Estate Talk and Charlottesville Horse Farms and Country Homes.

Charlottesville Goes Green - Learn About Alternative Energy Choices

Attend Wednesday's free Green Matters Workshop and learn about what it learns to go green.   This month's workshop  "Passive/Active Solar and Other Alternative Energy Sources"  will be held on Wednesday October 8 at the Habitat Store at 1221 Harris St., Charlottesville.  This will be the first part of a two part discussion of alternative energy options.  Engineering, design, homeowner goals, technological trends and installation will be discussed.

A social hour will be from 5-6 pm.
The workshop will take place from 6-7:30
Networking from 7:30-8

Learn more about the Green Matters workshops.

Interest in "green built" homes is increasing.  In the Charlottesville area real estate market we are seeing an increasing number of Energy Star and Green Homes on the market.  I would love to show you the homes that are available for the buyer who is concerned with their home's impact on the environment.

Contact

Pam Dent

, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161, pam@JumpintoGreenerPastures.com, to list your property for sale or to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Troy, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.

 

To view all of the Charlottesville, Virginia and Central Virginia Homes for Sale click here and click on the mls search button.

 

Visit my website Jump into Greener Pastures or read my blogs Charlottesville Real Estate Talk and Charlottesville Horse Farms and Country Homes.

Keswick Hunt Takes Reserve Championship at Warrenton Show

The Keswick Hunt Club captured the reserve championship at hunt night at the annual Warrenton Horse Show.  This competitive event sees teams competing from amny of the Virginia and Maryland hunts.  The competition went down to the wire with the Warrenton Hunt finally edging Keswick out for the championship.  To be elegible to compete the horses were required to have hunted last year.  Keswick was well represented fielding 22 horses and ponies for this years event.  In addition Keswick master Sandy Rives was awarded the individual reserve champion. 

Keswick and Sandy already have their sights on winning the championship next year.

Read the September issuse of Keswick Life magazine for an article with full details of the Keswick participation in this event.

Considering buying or selling that perfect Keswick horse farm or country home?  As a former professional in the horse business with extensive local knowledge, I am the perfect person to help you.

Search all of the Keswick homes on the market. 

Are You Looking For a Family Activity? Don't Miss The Foxfield Races

Sunday, September 28 is Family Day at the Foxfield Races.  The fall steeplechase meet at the Foxfield Steeplechase course is always focused on families.  There is the same exciting steeplechase racing as you find at the spring race, but the spectator activities are focused on families. 

In addition to the thrill of watching the beautiful thoroughbred horses race over jumps, there are additional activities of interest to the entire family.  These include the Jack Russell Terrier Races, a walk of the race course, pony rides, sky divers, the Albemarle Pipe & Drum Corps, and a parade of the Farmington Beagles.  Don't miss the Foxden Children's Activities Tent.

The beneficiary of the Foxfield Fall Races is Kid Pan Alley.

Tickets and parking are only sold in advance.  For information or to buy tickets call 434 293-9501 or go to the Foxfield website.

The Foxfield Race Course is located on Garth Road just a few miles west of Charlottesville, Virginia.  While you are in town for the races, take the opportunity to tour the scenic Virginia countryside.  If you are interested in finding the perfect Albemarle horse farm or Charlottesville country home, I would love to show you what is currently available.  

Click here to perform your own search of Central Virginia homes.