(archive-20251120) ABOUT

Mailing Address

PO Box 4606, Charlottesville, VA 22905

Get in touch

information@foxfieldraces.com

Foxfield has been hosting nationally recognized steeplechase races in the heart of Virginia for over forty years, giving residents and visitors alike the opportunity to witness spectacular horse racing and enjoy the beauty of the countryside. In 1977, Mariann de Tejeda generously purchased the property for the Foxfield Racing Association and designed and built the race course.

Prior to 1977 the property was a local airport, as well as a well-known riding school under the guidance of Grover Vandevender. Mr. Vandevender was the huntsman for the Farmington Hunt Club which at one time adjoined the Foxfield property, making the land incredibly rich in equestrian heritage throughout the 20th century.

The races were directed by Benjamin Dick with assistance from Patrick Butterfield until Ben’s death in 2016. At that time his brother, Thomas J. Dick, assumed oversight and directed the races until a new management and governance framework was created. While working to place the property in easement to limit its development, Mr. Dick also worked closely with Dr. Reynolds Cowles, who with Garth Road Preservation created Foxfield Racing LLC, a subsidiary of Garth Road Preservation LLC – both of which are not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organizations – to assume oversight of the races and the property in June of 2020. Dr. Cowles, a noted equine veterinarian with extensive experience in Steeplechase Racing, assembled a Board of civic-minded community members dedicated to ensuring that the Foxfield Races continue, with an emphasis on providing financially stable, fun, and safe community events.

In 2019 Mr Dick placed the racecourse and surrounding land under conservation easement with the Albemarle Conservation Easement Authority, ensuring the future of the Foxfield Races, as well as several other community events throughout the year on the 178 acre venue.

Read more about Foxfield in Beth Sutton’s article “Foxfield and Farmington”

Moving forward, the Board of Foxfield is committed to exploring new ways to leverage the property, and the races, to benefit diverse members of our community.

The Mission of the Organization:

To foster the conservation of open space and our countryside.

To foster and celebrate the traditions of Virginia steeplechase racing.

To use these functions to support benevolence in our community.

To fulfill this mission and to launch Foxfield into its new era, the Board of Directors has prioritized the following strategic initiatives:

The Race: Establish the Foxfield Races as one of the premier races in the National Steeplechase Association

Safety: Create a race day that is safe, accessible and community oriented

Infrastructure: Invest in property infrastructure improvements

Sponsorships: Expand and improve sponsorship opportunities through the creation of a higher level experience

The Board sought two long-term partnerships that will generate financial support, visibility, and programmatic opportunities for non-profit organizations to more fully integrate Foxfield into the future of our community in a meaningful and authentic way. We are establishing a relationship with a social justice charity (Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville) as well as a medical charity (Camp Holiday Trails).

At the same time, these efforts can elevate the importance of maintaining Albemarle County’s commitment to open space preservation through experiential learning opportunities.

Since the first race in 1978, Mariann de Tejeda used the Foxfield Races as a vehicle for community support. Foxfield has given back to the local community from the earliest days, and our dedication to continuing the tradition is strong. Our stated intention is to establish a long-term relationship with a local social justice charity as well as a local medical charity.

Foxfield is committed to not only monetarily supporting our partners after race day, but actively engaging in their programs and work throughout the year, celebrating and supporting their community work by amplifying their messages, and spreading their missions to a broader community.

Marian Fife, Executive Director

Marian combines her passion for working with people, deep knowledge of the local community, and strong business acumen to advance Foxfield’s mission and strengthen its presence within the steeplechase community.

A Charlottesville native, she has spent the past decade as a successful real estate agent with McLean Faulconer Inc., guiding clients through the complexities of buying and selling homes in the community she loves. Marian’s connection to Foxfield runs deep—she has attended the races since childhood and even took her first riding lessons on the property before it became a racecourse.

She takes great pride in collaborating with Foxfield’s many stakeholders to create an exceptional race day experience, all while giving back to the community and working to preserve the tradition of steeplechase racing.

Susan Roberts, Marketing Director

Susan is an accomplished, highly respected senior marketing professional with 30+ years of experience building complex strategic marketing campaigns utilizing both traditional and digital channels including social media, digital advertising platforms, sponsorship, media sales, publicity, ticketing, radio, television, grass roots and promotional strategy.

The majority of Susan’s career has been spent in the live music industry having served as the Marketing Director for Live Nation Indiana and overseeing Charlottesville venues for Red Light Management along with marketing for national touring artists. Susan has served as the Public Relations Chair on The Women’s Committee for Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation and was on the steering committee for TEDx Charlottesville.

She enjoys the philanthropic aspects of working with Foxfield Races partners, Camp Holiday Trails and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, and continues to learn and grow in her role within the steeplechase racing community.

The Mission of Garth Road Preservation (GRP, the parent company of Foxfield Racing LLC) is to foster the conservation of open space and our countryside, celebrating the traditions of Virginia steeplechase racing and using these functions to support benevolence in our community.

In 2019, the property at Foxfield was placed under a conservation easement with the Albemarle County Easement Authority, protecting the land for the future.

Conservation easements are an integral part of our community, protecting rural lands from development and preserving natural and cultural resources.

The role of Foxfield racing LLC, through an operating agreement with GRP, is to oversee and manage the races, maintain the property and leverage the property for the benefit of the wider community.

Since the first race in 1978, Mariann de Tejeda used the Foxfield Races as a vehicle for community support. Foxfield has given back to the local community from the earliest days, and our dedication to continuing the tradition is strong. Our stated intention is to establish a long-term relationship with a local social justice charity as well as a local medical charity.

In 2021, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville was announced as the long term partner of the fall races.

In 2022, Camp Holiday Trails was announced as the long term partner for the spring races.

Foxfield is committed to not only monetarily supporting our partners after race day, but actively engaging in their programs and work throughout the year, celebrating and supporting their community work by amplifying their messages, and spreading their missions to a broader community.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville : “We bring people together to build and rebuild homes and communities while catalyzing new pathways to safe, decent, affordable housing.” Foxfield’s partnership with Habitat provides financial support to Habitat’s Southwood neighborhood and as importantly bring the Habitat mission and story to the broad and diverse supporters of Foxfield.

Camp Holiday Trails, a Charlottesville non-profit that provides camp experiences to children ages 7 – 17 with medical needs from Virginia and surrounding states, is our spring race partner.

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