Monica Greenberg and Judy Esfandiary. (Photo by Vicky Moon).

Meanwhile, three important events took place down in the ring. First, long time board member Hermen Greenberg was inducted into the horse show’s Hall of Fame as wife Monica Greenberg, daughter Sheri Greenberg Waddell, and step-son Aleco Bravo Greenberg looked on. Next, Florida-based equestrian Todd Minikus won the $100,000 President’s Cup on a horse named Alaska. And then, Buddha, a high wire fox terrier, soared over miniature jumps to win the perpetually popular Jack Russell Races.

DOWN COUNTRY HAPPENINGS

There’s an abundance of creativity in the Hunt Country that may be seen at many stylish parties, in graceful paintings by local artists, and most recently in two new books. Bonnie Matheson’s latest work, Ahead of the Curve, is described as a “cheerful romp through the second 50 years of life,” and was recently fêted at a party hosted by Barbie du Pont and Gail Matheson. Then Beth Ann and John Mascatello greeted guests for Tony Wells’ first novel, Black Gold Finale, touted as a “political thriller with a taste of serious reality.”

Talk about creative … the Chateauville Foundation fosters artistic enterprise and enthusiasts turned up at Lorin and Dietlinde Maazel’s Castleton Farms in Rappahannock County for the foundation’s Chestnut Gala to help save the American chestnut tree. Then there was Lila and Chris Ohrstrom’s gathering at Lila’s Youngblood art studio in The Plains to raise awareness and support for the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA). Musician Paul Reisler and painter Marilyn Banner were on hand as more than 100 visitors stopped by, including Paul Cronin, Bundles Murdoch, Anne and Tom Northrop from the Hill School, Trevor Potter and Dana Westring, Sandra Whitehouse, Dan Miller, Jackie Mars, Franny and Walter Kansteiner, as well as Lila’s sister, Helen Hilliard, a VCCA board member.

WE’VE ALSO HEARD

In the one-can-never-have-enough-horses category, Ned Evans, owner of the stunning Florida Derby winner Quality Road, added to his string. At the recent Thoroughbred auction in Keeneland, Ky., his tab for five horses was $3,565,000.

And finally this news just in: dashing horseman Joseph Keusch (whose wife is the mystery writer Jan Neuharth) has joined Sheriden MacMahon Realtors in Middleburg.