"Coffee Boy" aka Coffee
“Coffee Boy” or Coffee is a 2011 Brandenburg gelding by Quarterback. Before joining the Virginia Riding Team, Coffee successfully showed in the Pre Green hunters at many top venues. Coffee’s lovely gaits and jump make him a perfect fit for team lessons, clinics, and shows! During our annual fall photoshoots, Coffee is always a favorite, stealing the show with his good looks and kind demeanor. Riders on the team have called him “the most comfortable horse to ride” and “the sweetest horse in the barn.”
"Ravello" aka Dan
"Ravello" or Dan is an 11 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Prior to his donation, Dan had a successful career in the amateur and professions divisions up and down the East Coast. At the Barracks, Dan continues his success as a superstar IHSA and adult amateur horse. Dan's stunning movement makes him stand out in the ring, and he is considered a favorite by many riders!
"Bublé" aka Dino
A sneaky athlete, Dino is our very talented wooly mammoth. This slow and steady lesson horse jumps a 10 every time and when he’s in shape he can be seen winning his fair share of hunter derbies, professional divisions, and Amatuer Owner classes. Whether he’s hopping around a course or snuggling in his stall, Dino is a valuable member of the team.
"Langhorne" aka Eddie
"Langhorne" aka Eddie is a beautiful 14 year old Welsh cross. Eddie has successfully shown in the pony divisions, and now is a superstar in both beginner and advanced lessons. He is a fun-sized favorite at The Barracks. His gorgeous forelock and solid white coat (when he hasn’t just rolled in that Charlottesville red clay) make him look like every little girl’s unicorn dreams have come true.
Ferrone
Ferrone is the Barracks real life unicorn! Anyone who has ridden this awesome horse knows that he tries so hard for his rider, and is a favorite of many. From teaching new riders to jump to completing successful equitation courses, Ferrone can do it all! He will teach you how to handle a horse properly on the ground (read as: will run you over on purpose) as well as ride softly in the saddle. His big stride is distinctive and makes any ride fun!
Firefly
Firefly is a lovely 2010 KWPN gelding who was donated to the team in 2017. Prior to joining Virginia Riding he had a successful career in the Green Hunters and Adult Hunters. Firefly is a barn favorite thanks to his sweet personality and big talent in the ring! Firefly loves cuddles and scratches, and turning himself orange in the Virginia clay. Firefly's eagerness to please and fun jump makes him a favorite for IHSA shows and team lessons.
“Covert Affair" aka Griffin
Griffin is a Dutch Warmblood gelding with a very decorated show career in the Adults before he became a member of the Virginia Riding Team. He is a favorite around the barn because of his affectionate demeanor and sweet personality. Not only is Griffin lovely on the ground, he is also a favorite to ride! His smooth and downhill gate is both comfortable and fancy, and it is almost too easy to get pictures of his knees up in the air over jumps! Our team members love Griffin and he has a growing fan club among our first-years!
Joe
Joe is a cornerstone of our program, and he teaches brand new beginners all the way up to our advanced lessons sometimes! He is slow and steady when he needs to be but is also fun to jump. He is also definitely in the running for the most comfortable canter in the barn! During IHSA he struts around the ring like he owns it!
"Jump!" aka Jump
Jump! is an 8 year old warmblood mare. Before joining the team in early 2021, Jump showed in the green hunter divisions, sometimes even with one of our trainers! Make sure you have your heels down and grab some mane because, although Jump may be small, her jump is mighty (yes, her name is quite fitting). Known for her beautiful looks and cuddly personality, she has quickly become a new favorite.
"Blue Chip" aka Lars
Lars is a recent "Horse of the Month," and his sweet personality has been an amazing addition to the team since 2021. He was imported as a four year old, and later found his home with Jai Essenmacher. A green adult amateur who was jumping 2'-2'6, Lars was the perfect fit to teach her the ropes of jumping larger courses. However, after an eye injury in the field, Jai graciously allowed Virginia Riding to love Lars as our own, and he has thrived in our program. His scope over the jumps and comfortable canter never gets old!
"Foxmore Fitzwilliam" aka Mops
“Foxmore Fitzwilliam” or Mops is a is a large pony gelding who has been at the Barracks for almost 9 years. Mops was shown successfully in the Green and Large Pony Hunters by many riders. Mops has a kind personality and excellent behavior, which makes him perfect for our newer riders. While he is often used in beginner lessons, he is also a favorite over jumps!
“Rose Weasley” aka Nanna
Nanna is an 11 year old warmblood mare that was born and raised at the Barracks! Nanna’s stunning movement and perfect jump are only overshadowed by her lovable personality. Nanna is known as being one of the sweetest horses in the barn. Nanna is a star in lessons, at IHSA shows, and in the hunt field. A fun fact is that her mom’s name was Hermione - hence the show name! We love having this sweet mare in the barn.
Picture credits are extended to Caitlin Connolly Photography! You can find more of her work on her instagram @caitcconnollyphotography
"Dunedin" aka Nate
Dark and handsome, Nate, aka Dunedin, is one of our cutest horses. A 2007 Hanoverian, he is an amazing teacher for us all, happy to show anyone the ins and outs of nailing your strides and the importance of soft hands. He is an experienced gentleman who brings the best out of all of his riders, with a beautiful jump to boot!
"Semper Fidelis" aka Riley
The largest member of the team, Riley “Semper Fidelis”, is a gentle giant known for his frequent naps and friendly nature. Although now a favorite among flat riders for his big back and smooth gaits, in his more atheistic days he could be found jumping around the Junior Hunters, even as high as 3’6”! Now he’s a fantastic IHSA draw and even better teacher for old and new riders alike. He can be found napping in his stall or cuddling with his riders during the day, and always brings his A-game to team lessons.
"Point and Shoot" aka Rocket
Rocket, known in the show ring as “Point and Shoot” is a favorite around the Barracks! His show name is certainly fitting because Rocket is happy to jump anything you put in front of him, and is often braver than the horses! From teaching children how to jump to letting UVA students relive their pony days, Rocket brings his A-game to every single ride. He is a fantastic jumper and usually surprises those watching with his stellar form and unrelenting effort! Please consider sponsoring Rocket so he can continue teaching many students to come!
"Sea of Stars" aka Seaweed
“Sea of Stars,” or Seaweed, is a ten-year-old Westphalian gelding. He has it all, with careful flatwork and an athletic jump. Though he’s newer to the team, he’s already become a favorite for his willing attitude and adorable looks. Seaweed has an excellent show record in the 2’9 and 3’0 hunters and has recently begun showing at A shows with the Barracks. He’s a smart, sweet guy and a fantastic addition to the team!
"Another Man" aka Snowie
“Another Man” or Snowie is a 13 year old Thoroughbred gelding by Domestic Dispute and out of Flirted. Snowie only raced twice, but after retirement found his calling in the hunter ring instead! Snowie has shown successfully with our former coach Sarah Irvine, as well as with many team members and Barracks riders in the Take2 and Adult Amatuer divisions. Snowie is known in the barn for his bravery and honesty, which makes him a favorite among beginner and advanced riders alike. Snowie is a great draw at IHSA shows, and was a member of the winning Novice team at the 2018 ANRCs. A fun fact about Snowie is that he loves to be ridden over outdoor courses - he has even been a star at a hunter trial! We are so thankful to have this horse on the team.
Wizard
Wizard has been a part of the Barracks and Virginia Riding family for many years. In his younger days, Wizard earned numerous championships in the Children’s and Adult hunters with Barracks riders. Wizard’s quiet demeanor makes him perfect for riders just starting out, while his amazing jump makes him a favorite among advanced riders! We love having this horse on the team!
