MIDDLEBURG SAFARIBY VICKY MOONCity dwellers may envision lazy summer afternoons in the country as long naps on the verandah, strolls in the garden and refreshing lemonade. Well … we do sip lemonade, sometimes even with a splash of something extra. But not much has slowed down out here. Just ask Rob Banner, one of Middleburg's most eligible bachelors. Rob, the dashing publisher of The Chronicle of the Horse, throws an après Gold Cup extravaganza in a field near his home each year called "Shock and Awe." From all reports the name is most appropriate. Not too long ago, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld heard of the success of Rob's "initiative" and invited him to lunch at the Pentagon. BIG GAME Sandi Young and Jay Fetner hosted a safari-inspired al fresco dinner party for seventy friends at their Coachman Farms. It was preceded by a private game of polo at Great Meadow, where Jay plays with his Golden Zebra team along with professional Doug Barnes, who runs Destination Polo. Round tables covered with animal print fabric and burlap were set up in the stone courtyard of the "cottage" at Coachman. Guests wandered inside the African-inspired home, which includes an open aviary in the great room with exotic Gouldian and other finch. It all overflows with fascinating antiques, art and memorabilia from Jay's many years spent on the continent taking photographs for his massive book The African Safari. He is currently working on volume II. The page proofs have been laminated and are attached to the pine ceiling. The centerpieces of bronze, malachite and other materials from their sculpture collection were of various exotic animals-hippos, rhinos and elephants. Many of the details were most appropriate since, after fifteen-plus years of volunteer event planning and hosting up to 800 guests for various charities, Sandi has started "Elephant Foot Productions," her own event planning firm, which "leaves a lasting impression." Guest of honor Vance Martin, CEO of WILD, a wilderness conservation and endangered species protective organization, said a few words. Many of the guests are animal lovers and concerned about preservation of open space around the world. Publisher Nick Arundel's lifelong support of African wildlife is very strong-he was instrumental in bringing back the first two gorillas to the National Zoo. Alona and Al Croft, Holli and Moses Thompson (he runs Maizemoor International, which provides products and services to developing communities) and Carey Crane (his mother, Maggie Ohrstrom Bryant, is heavily involved with WILD but was off watching one of her horses race that evening) and his date Troye Plaskitt listened carefully.
BOOKED UP The National Sporting Library (NSL) in Middleburg houses an impressive collection of 15,000 books on everything from fox hunting to flyfishing. The building was designed by Upperville architect Tommy Beach and inspired by a 19th century carriage house. Beach directed that the stone be deliberately set unevenly with no perfect corners. The stone was then whitewashed, a component that some first questioned according to Beach. "Ninety percent of the people around here think that even ugly stone is good," he explained. "There was such a dichotomy between the different elements that with time it will only improve." Edward "Ned" Evans recently hosted the annual NSL Chairman's Council luncheon at his Spring Hill Farm in Casanova. Pulitzer- Prize winning author and horse aficionado Jane Smiley came in from California to speak to the one hundred plus gathered, including Jacqueline Mars and Manuel H. Johnson (co-chairman of Johnson Smick International and former vice chairman/board of governors of the Federal Reserve System) and director Nancy Parsons. The library hosts lectures and book signings. Patrick Smithwick, a member of the well-known family of horsemen (and women), captivated those recently gathered to hear about his book, Racing With My Father. This fall, mystery writer Dick Francis will sign and talk about his highly anticipated new book Under Orders. Francis is also scheduled to be at Books and Crannies in Middleburg.
Hunt country dates HAPPY BIRTHDAY Wyatt and Tandy Dickerson came out from the city and so did Esther Coppersmith, who once published a horse magazine called Spur. Fran Magassy, a fellow horse lover who lives in Potomac horse country with her husband/surgeon Csaba Magassy, was there (he was on call). Vicki Crawford also ventured over from Potomac. Lenny Hale, former senior vice president of the New York Racing Association who now lives in Middleburg, enjoyed the barbecue. Cathie Scoville of the development office at the National Gallery of Art and television producer Maureen Hanley, who owns Fox Chase Farms, chatted with architect John Blackburn, whose D.C. firm is credited with designing Rutledge. Preston Madden flew in from Kentucky. Preston owns Hamburg Place, which was started by his grandfather in 1898. Preston bred the 1987 Kentucky Derby winner Alysheba and his grandfather had six Derby winners. Many in the horse world are very familiar with Preston and Anita Madden's extravagant pre- Derby bash — although they have not yet received a call from Rumsfeld.
Former opera singer Colette Saltz flew in from Las Vegas to visit with her good friend, the ever-elegant Monica, who wore a spectacular hat the size of Nevada. Guests sang "Happy Birthday" to Hermen, who, instead of receiving gifts, gave them away. A smaller tent was filled with toy trucks, games and dolls which guests were urged to take home for children and grandchildren. And finally for an end of summer sojourn, it was off to Saratoga for the racing season, the yearling sales and a few polo tournaments. Unfortunately socialite Mary Lou Whitney is recovering from a stroke, and had to cancel her shockingly awesome and completely over-the-top ball.
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