Our History

Many people visit Middleburg for its small town atmosphere, quaint shops and way of life.  But most people visit and move here for the area's most well known residents; The Horses.  Many types of riders call this area home: racing, polo, dressage, hunters, three-day eventing and, show jumping.

This is the most famous landmark equestrian facilities in Middleburg, VA, and MANY interesting people have entered the gates located on the major road (Route 50) in Middleburg, VA.

THE FARM:

Fox Chase Farm has even been featured in a reality TV show, been on CBS's The Amazing Race, featured twice on local Fox News and our beloved and famous horse has been featured on NBC's Today Show. 

In September 2003, The Learning Channel (TLC) contacted Fox Chase Farm to participate in "Perfect Proposal".  It was a new show where Aaron prepared a surprize proposal to his longtime girlfriend, Anna.  

We have been featured twice on the local Fox News 5- once when they did a trip to Middleburg hosted by Tony Perkins.  Former Redskin kicker, Mark Moseley helped us with that interview (thanks Mark!).  Another time was when Fox News asked us to help out when they needed some horses for their current Redskins players in a spoof on their upcoming match against the Dallas Cowboys-- the ideas was the Redskins can ride like Cowboys too. 

NBC's "Today Show" did a story in March 2012 on our friend in Fauquier County, and Maureen Hanley's horse was featured in the piece.

The farm was once called, The Stallion Station.  Former Redskin football player Billy Kilmer and his friends had a Thoroughbred breeding operation at this farm.  There was even a well known stallion with a prosthetic hoof who lived here! 

But, the most amazing horseman in U.S. history called this place home and his name was Benedict (Benny) O'Meara and the farm was called Colony Farms.  No matter who has owned this farm or sat upon a horse here, it will always be associated with Benny O'Meara.  Boy, if the stalls could talk-- we've heard SO many interesting stories!

Mr. O'Meara used to line up his friends/staff so he could jump his horses over them (two pictures on the left with "Untouchable" and the other horse is "Jacksorbetter" and riding at Madison Square Garden).  And people where not the only things he'd make his horses jump, they would jump over cars, trucks, tractors, etc.  Whatever the story, many experts today confirm that Mr. O’Meara was without a doubt a one-of-a-kind, a real natural and probably one of the best riders in US history.

Mr. O'Meara produced many show jumping winners including Silver Lining, Grey Lady and The Hood, aboard whom he won the Jumper Championship at the National Horse Show. Tragically, Ben O’Meara was killed in a plane crash on April 17, 1966 at the age of 27. Which says a lot that his legacy is still talked about today and he was so young to have left such an mark on the sport.  Later that year after his death, his horse Gone Flying won the National Horse Show Jumper  Championship with Barney Ward in the irons.

In 2000, the Hanley family purchased the farm and called it Fox Chase Farm. This name was chosen as an acknowledgement to the area’s reputation as the best foxhunting territory in the United States:  Hunt Country, Middleburg, VA. The farm is now known to host top quaility Hunter Shows and Jumper Series.  Twice a month there is a show at Fox Chase Farm from February to October of each year.