At St. Bride’s, It’s All About Sharing
by Vicky Moon
Barbara Roux checks email and sips coffee in her spacious, sparkling white kitchen as dawn breaks one chilly mid-April morning at St. Bride’s Farm near Upperville. Since moving to this area with her husband, David Roux, from Woodside, California six years ago, she’s embraced its rich tradition and history.
This year, they decided to demonstrate their devotion to the customs of the countryside in a big way. “As part of the community, we wanted to open our home,” she says.
Their circa 1916 brick Georgian style manor residence and garden was on view during Historic Garden Week in late April, and their magnificent award-winning, environmentally-responsible stables will be featured on the Hunt Country Stable Tour over Memorial Day weekend.
As a vice president of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, set for June 6-12, Roux treasures the beauty of the show’s glorious setting. Since becoming an active board member four years ago, she’s embraced its past while striving to keep it current. She and Mike Smith, president of the show, initiated changes in the members-only party tent known as The 1853 Club, a reference to the date of the first show.
“We’ve collaborated each year to make it better than the prior year,” she says.
In addition, Roux has worked with board member Tom Gorman on updating and streamlining the show’s website, Upperville.com, as well as offering Wi-Fi (no small feat in these parts) and live-streaming of the events. “Tom and his wife Jessica Rich have made this a reality,” she says.
“Horses and Horse Power “ is a vintage car show initiated and named by the late longstanding member of the community, David Mullins. Always one to share the credit, Roux adds: “David and his wife Joyce were the catalysts for our inaugural show and we continue to honor them.”
An art show and sale will take place on June 12 and Roux says, “We’re also excited about offering a children’s art program.” The Seven Loaves Food Challenge, with various barns donating non-perishable food, is called “The Great Barn Challenge.” As entertainment chair, Roux has sought to share ideas within the various committees. “This is where the real magic happens.”
Out in the St. Bride’s barn area, Roux visits the most recent member of the equine family, a two-day-old colt out of the mare Tua Efele and carried (following embryo transfer) by recipient mare Indy’s Chic. The newborn is sired by Presley Boy, a highly-regarded KWPN (the Dutch acronym for Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland,
easily translated to Dutch Warmblood).
Since taking up the sport 11 years ago in order to join her daughter Margot, Roux learned to ride and jump. “The joy overrides any fear, “ she explains when asked about learning a challenging sport like riding or skiing as an adult. “Passion breeds courage.”
That passion has led to a string of successful show jumpers, including the lovely chestnut mare Whitney, who won the Upperville Jumper Classic last year with Argentinian rider Romiro Quintana.
Quintana rode Whitney as a member of the silver medal-winning Argentinian team at the Pan American Games in Toronto in July, 2015. He also rides for Mike Smith and is on the international circuit vying to represent his home country for the summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Meanwhile, other St. Bride’s home-breds are in various stages of training and showing around the country and in Europe with other elite riders. Top equestrienneSusie Hutchison guided St. Bride’s Ziedento to several victories on the Thermal Desert Circuit in California this past winter.
The younger St. Bride’s warm-bloods at home on the 350-acre complex also are destined for the show ring. They include the latest edition in the stall with Roux. The foal greets her eagerly and is a few years away from a possible debut in the grand prix ring at Upperville. Until then, Roux will pay close attention as they learn to jump high, while she focuses on assisting others guiding the Upperville Colt and Horse Show to new heights.
“People who attend multiple horse shows,” she says, “know that no other show can compete with the beauty, long standing traditions and hospitality of Upperville.”