I
T e Conyers House Country Inn & Stable
f instead of a vast ranch, you prefer a cozy “get to know the innkeeper” atmosphere, coupled with a great place to ride, we have found an historic Virginia inn that off ers a unique experience: foxhunting. If you have ever stared longingly at a painting depicting horses, riders in black
Melton jackets and a pack of spot ed hounds, thinking Oh, I
wish...this could be your opportunity. Foxhunting takes place only in the fall, but riding in Virginia is a year ‘round sport. Sandra Cartwright-Brown is your innkeeper and host, and
she provides each guest with a high level of personal at ention and a warm welcome to T e Conyers House Country Inn & Stable, the county’s fi rst and oldest inn. “When guests come for a trail ride,” Sandra told us recently, “they use our horses as a rule, although I have also taken guest horses and riders through our beautiful [Rappahannock County] territory.” Formal guest greetings are handled by Nellie the Jack Rus-
sell terrier, but your innkeeper won’t be far behind. (Note: You are welcome to bring your own pets; just let them know in advance.) Inns are never as much about the inn itself as about the innkeeper, who always imbue their B&Bs with a healthy dose of their own tastes and sensibilities. Conyers House was purchased by Sandra and her late husband Norman to use as a weekend getaway, but was later completely refurbished. Sandra is a native of Maryland and an avid rider who most enjoys foxhunting. She will gladly take you to see the hunt off on a Sunday morning before taking you on a fabulous trail ride. T ere is an awful lot to learn about foxhunting—dress is a complex and fascinating aspect of the hunt. Sandra explains: “Melton fox hunting coats and ratcatcher
style shirts are traditional. A ratcatcher is a shirt with a clerical style collar; Meltons come in diff erent weights, but are always black. One can hunt in a black jacket that may not be wool or a Melton (as worn in the ring). T e number of but ons helps ID the wearer. Only the huntsman has fi ve but ons. T e fi eld wears three but ons. But ons and ‘colors’ on jacket collars can tell a lot about a rider. Colors are not worn on tweeds.” See? I told you
T e Conyers House Country Inn & Stable
there was a lot to learn! Horses, too, need to learn the hunt and it’s often an advantage to ride one that’s familiar with the “fi xture”— a made hunter; your own horses may be accustomed to you and to trail riding, but if they’ve never r idden to hounds you’ll be at a disad- vantage.
Décor in the inn and guest rooms
at Conyers House is decidedly charming, quaint and a bit quirky, all in keeping with the inn’s era and locale. You will feel as cozy and com- fortable as you would at Grandma’s house, but Grandma never took you fox hunting, right? Over- night accommodations consist of seven guest rooms, each with a wood-burning fi replace and private, well-appointed bathroom. A complimentary breakfast and aſt ernoon snacks are served daily. Enjoy the gardens, porches, old stone walls and southern hospitality. T ere is also a giſt shop to browse, and if you fall in love with one of the pieces of antique furni- ture, feel free to inquire. It may just be for sale.
CONTACT INFO: 3131 Slate Mills Road Sperryville, VA 22740 (540) 987-8025
info@conyershouse.com www.conyershouse.com
See you on the trails, riding or hunting, fair weather or
foul. Don’t discount those great fall and winter months for a whole diff erent experience!
Former Paso Fino ranch owner/trainer and avid trail rider Pat Barnhart has traded her years in the saddle for a career that now centers around writing, book editing and travel. She has authored two novels (Vanderville and T rowing Bones) and lives in central Florida with Belle the Basset Hound, who runs a tight ship.
WWW.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US • November 2012 | 87
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