The site for this year's International Invitational is located at the beautiful 1200 acre estate of Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia. 

Site Map

We think that this site is both spectacular and ideally suited to our needs.  The temperatures in Leesburg in June are normally pleasant for early summer (mid-70s to low-80s); cool-down water will be available.  Shade is limited so ensure that you provide adequate shade for your hounds

Morven Park was the home of 2 former Governors, Thomas Swann and Westmoreland Davis.  Its focal point, the mansion, was originally a fieldstone farmhouse built in 1781 which was remodeled to its current grandiose composition in the mid-late 1800s. Governor Davis developed Morven Park into a model dairy farm and agricultural showplace in the 1920s and 30s.   After his death, his widow established the Westmoreland Davis Foundation and opened Morven Park to the public as a museum, cultural center, and equestrian institute in 1955. The impeccably maintained, rolling grounds of Morven Park offer spectacular views of the surrounding Virginia "horse-country" from immaculately manicured lawns and gardens.  The grounds also have walking trails shaded by evergreens, magnolias and boxwoods. 

In addition to the historic mansion and grounds, Morven Park offers a Museum dedicated to the hounds and hunting for which this area is famous (Tally Ho!)  A unique and diverse collection of antique coaches and carriages from the 1800s is located in the Winmill Carriage Museum (inclusive of "Tom Thumb's" miniature Road Coach of Barnum and Bailey Circus fame).  Also there are boxwood bordered spectacular gardens and flower beds as well as a quite magnificent Equestrian Center featuring schooling, stabling, eventing and trials.  Morven Park also hosts the annual, and extremely popular, Morven Park Steeplechase which is run over a demanding course at the northern side of the property.

The site we have reserved for the 2008 II consists of 3 expansive, rolling hay fields which are located at the south western end of Morven Park, and border both sides of the private road (Southern Planter Lane) which is restricted for our personal use via key code-access gate. Our site is located approximately 1/4 mile from the mansion, museums and gardens, and around 3/4 mile from the equestrian center and its associated activities. The largest of the 2 fields (to the right of Southern Planter Lane as we access) will host 2 of the II courses (Courses A and B) and the 2 smaller fields (to the left) will support Course C and the RV/Parking/ tented areas.

You can find out more about Morven Park at their web site:  http://www.morvenpark.org