Plan the Perfect Day at the Montpelier Hunt Races!
The Montpelier Hunt Races only happen once a year, so why not make it as enjoyable and stress-free as possible with a little planning? First and foremost, don’t forget your tickets! If they’ve arrived in the mail, be sure to have them ready. Purchasing tickets ahead of time not only guarantees a smoother entry on Race Day, but it also saves you money—ticket prices go up on the day of the event. Last-minute buyers can still get tickets at our outlets, skipping the hassle of waiting for delivery.
A Race Day Favorite for Kids at Montpelier
The Stick Horse Races are run by the Great Equestrian 4-H Club as both a fundraiser and a fun-raiser. Club members craft stick horses which are offered for sale to help raise funds for their mission. In the morning, they take entries and orchestrate the races right under the Race Tower near the finish line! With thrills, a few spills, and plenty of speed, the competitors put on an exciting show. Parents eagerly jostle for the perfect camera angle, and a great time is had by all!
Tailgate with French Flair
At Steeplechase events, tailgating becomes a sophisticated affair. Racegoers spend the entire day at the races, making the effort to set up an elaborate tailgate and prepare gourmet portable food worthwhile. Friendly competition among neighboring tailgate parties adds to the charm. Not to be outdone, some tailgaters dress their spreads with fresh flowers, china, silver and race-theme centerpieces, which led to the creation of the Montpelier Races Tailgate Contest.
Setting the Standard for Steeplechasing Since 1929
Preparing for the Montpelier Hunt Races, held on the first Saturday in November, is an intricate process. Montpelier competes with two other sanctioned steeplechase races that weekend, vying to attract the limited number of horses and jockeys. Ensuring the best racing surface is a prime concern for trainers and owners, and efforts begin in early summer.
Shop for Unique Gifts at the Montpelier Market
Seven exciting horse races fill the afternoon at the Montpelier Races, but there is downtime between the races as the horses move from the barn to the paddock and vice versa. Jockeys must weigh out, horses need to be saddled and walked in the paddock, leaving about 30 minutes between races to fill with some kind of entertainment. The Montpelier Market, located near the finish line, strives to provide that entertainment. The shops in the market are carefully curated, offering a variety of products from kettle corn to tweed jackets and waterproof boots made in Ireland—and everything in between.
Announcing This Year’s Official Race Day Artist
We are thrilled to announce our Artist for the 2024 Race Painting is Sam Robinson. Sam is an accomplished painter of sporting scenes; fox hunting, racing, and country life. This year’s painting shows the First Race at Montpelier on our dirt track with the Mansion in the background. This Race is unique to Montpelier and is a huge fan favorite because it is easy to view!
The Impact of Corporate Supporters Like Loudoun Mutual
Much has been said about event sponsors. We are all familiar with stadiums bearing the names of businesses, such as Ford Field in Detroit and Coors Field in Denver. Closer to home, we have the Ting Pavilion in Charlottesville. The mention of a corporate-named stadium, broadcast over TV or radio, brings instant name recognition. Positive fan experiences, ideally repeated with each visit, help to cement long-term consumer relationships. Recently, technology has allowed sponsor names and messages to be changed electronically along the insides of arenas at hockey games, or projected onto the floors of basketball games. Through these exposures, we are constantly reminded of sponsor partnerships.
How to Tailgate Like a Pro at the Montpelier Races
One of the most exciting aspects of Race Day is the highly contested Tailgate Contest, where participants showcase their creativity and culinary skills, all in good spirit. However, even if you're not feeling particularly competitive, creating a fantastic tailgate experience is a wonderful way to enjoy the day and make lasting memories. Here are some tips to ensure your Montpelier Races tailgate is a winner.
Exploring the Fascinating History of Horse Race Hats
Hats and horse racing go hand-in-hand and as such, is celebrated with a Contest that gives everyone a chance to show off their millinery finery. From the sublime to the slightly ridiculous, all hats are welcome! No pre-entry required. Judging in several categories including children's entry, gentlemen's entry, and group entry. Just choose which aligns best with your design.
From Service to Sportsmanship: Orange County Junior ROTC Volunteers at the Races
The JROTC of Orange County High School has been invaluable help to the Montpelier Races for many years. After any big event, there is a lot of trash generated and while our crowd is very considerate of our beautiful historic grounds, thank you!, there is still the need for trash removal. And the JROTC takes on this task. As part of the Orange community, we are happy to support programs and opportunities like the JROTC which are such valuable opportunities for our secondary students.
Jack Russell Terrier Races: A Not to be Missed Steeplechase Tradition
The Jack Russell Terrier Races at Montpelier Races are the first event of the day, starting at 10:15am and they draw a great crowd of enthusiastic spectators. We have a loyal “stable” of participants including one dog who raced here for about 13 years, Mr. Niblett. At his passing his owners honored him with a perpetual trophy and the Mr. Niblett Memorial Race for Senior Dogs is always highly contested.
The Montpelier Hunt Races are tied to Virginia’s Rich History
We are very proud of the History surrounding the Montpelier property, all the different stories and timelines that are represented here. The first residents, the Madison Family, built the original home and began farming the land.
Virginia’s Secretariat Connection
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s magnificent Triple Crown victory, which was the first after a dry spell of 25 years. The public had begun to wonder if it was still possible. And then Secretariat more than delivered, breaking a track record in each race and winning the Belmont with an astonishing 31 lengths. He was a phenomenon, a wonder horse, and he belongs to Virginia in a unique way.