Nine barns on tour to benefit second-chance program

The owners of nine barns in Chesterfield and Powhatan counties are opening them for the equivalent of a garden tour for barn-lovers on Sunday, Sept. 20. Tickets are $25 each, with order forms for advance tickets at www.JamesRiverHorses.org; checks must be mailed by Sept. 14 to Wendy Lipscomb, 2359 Windy Run, Manakin Sabot, VA 23103 (804)749-4430.

Day-of-tour tickets are available at Campbell Springs Farm in Chesterfield and at Oakdale Farm in Powhatan. All ticket sales benefit the care of horses at the James River Correctional Center; last year the RTF made $2,600, the approximate amount required to maintain one horse for one year.

Campbell Springs Farm: Eventing Barn in Chesterfield complete with its own professionally designed, 20-acre cross-country course, covered arena, dressage ring, stadium rings and three full-care barns.

Royal Piaffe International: Private, professional dressage barn operating under 25 years’ expertise of trainer Melodye Sweetin, whose specialty is creating a willing dancing partner in both the horse and rider. The farm shows championship international bloodlines (Hanoverian, Oldenburg and Warmblood).

James River Equestrian Center: A boarding and training facility with a hunter show-ring focus. This thriving show and lesson barn managed by trainer Vicki Phillips is situated on 75 acres at historic Keswick Plantation on the James River in Midlothian.

Mesa Vista Farm: The 501 (C-3) therapeutic riding organization here provides comprehensive, individualized programs for physically and mentally challenged individuals on 20 acres of Virginia woodland with miles of riding trails out the back gate.

San Vito Stables: This private boarding barn with a Southwestern flair is located in the Chesdin Landing neighborhood.

Sappony Creek Farm: John and April Barnett are the trainers of Foxhorn Stables, with an indoor arena, at the new, 35-stall barn nestled in the Sappony Creek subdivision in Chesterfield County.

Oakdale Equestrian Center: Powhatan's premier eventing and dressage barn is a full-service facility with indoor ring, outdoor jumper ring, outdoor dressage ring, jump courses, three barns and more than 120 acres of manicured trails.

Run Around Ranch: A variety of disciplines are represented here, including Western Reining.

Tommy Garland’s Barn: This champion Arabian training facility in Powhatan matches its owner’s success as a showman of Arabian and Half Arabian horses. Tommy Garland, recognized as one of the country's best trainers, is also known for his Confidence-Patience-Respect (CPR) Horsemanship Training Program.

A Midlothian-based freelance writer, Martha Steger grew up on an Accomack County farm.