No one quite herd the call for Horsing Around Loudoun, as clearly as did Barb Nussmann and her significant other, Kent Farrell. After finding the event online, the team traveled from their hometown of Rochester, New York to Loudoun to see the local installation for themselves.

Armed with a GPS system and the wonders of mapquest, Nussmann and Farrell set out to see all of the fiberglass horses decorated by local artists.

Nussmann and Farrell, are obsessed with outdoor public art installations and –Horsing Around Loudoun was their ninetieth installation viewing. Their obsession does not end with a photograph collection. The couple owns three fiberglass horses (one resides in their living room, the other two outside or in the garage) and a fiberglass pig.

Planned by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, "Horsing Around Loudoun" is part of a growing national trend to mount outdoor public art installations. Plaster pandas, cows and other critters have graced the streets of Chicago, Boston and Washington, D.C.

Co-chair of the Chamber's Horsing Around Loudoun committee, Tom Simmons, said that the principle of these projects is that the art itself will build community in the dialogue about the project and create business partnerships to execute such a grand scheme. "They become talking pieces for everybody," Simmons said.

Simmons said that the committee always knew that we were going to use the word-of-mouth medium to market the project because in a community-oriented place like Loudoun, the word would get around pretty quickly.

Simmons said that the committee intended the project to be inviting and fun for Loudoun, instead of a "terribly serious" endeavor. "Our feeling was that it would appeal to everybody regardless of age or any other demographic factors," Simmons said. Witty and whimsical were the key words for the judges, said Simmons.

After visiting 90 displays, Nussmann said that she noticed certain themes were often repeated. However, her favorite horse, dubbed "Mr. Lucky" for his diced-out adornments, managed to break from the mold. "We've seen other things like horse doctors, such as a bear or a pelican dressed as doctors, but we've never seen someone use dice before," Nussmann said.

Nussmann said that they were unaware of Loudoun's "horse country" roots at the time of their visit. "I didn't know why they were doing horses, but horses happened to be our favorite animals to see. It makes for a very good palette," Nussmann said. In order to connect with the community, it is important to pick an animal that has significance and meaning for their region, she added.

Even to residents, in the county still known as one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, the horses could appear as a mere ephemeral symbol in the mcmansion desert reality. Yet, Simmons argued that the horse is more than just a symbol of the past. "Loudoun is and always will be a strongly equestrian community. Yet, as Loudoun becomes more suburban, the idea that we are bringing horses into a public arts display connects emerging Loudoun with its traditions," Simmons said.

"I don't think that there's any question that the development of Loudoun made this project feasible. You have to provide appropriate cultural outlets to attract a workforce, especially here, with such an educated and sophisticated population," the co-chair said.

Although Nussmann loves public art displays, she said that she will remain on the spectator's side. Nussmann said that some communities have asked for her advice because of her experience, but that is where she draws the line.

After eight months of work with Horsing Around Loudoun, Simmons agreed that for all its benefits, public art installations are complex and difficult to plan. "Everything is more work than it seems. And Murphy, of Murphy's Law, was an optimist," Simmons said.

Unfortunately, Nussmann and Farrell were unable to see all 25 horses. They did, however, "hit the mother load" when they stopped by JK Moving and Storage and witnessed the herd being rounded up for mounting. Nussmann and Farrell also managed to glimpse the "Irises" horse at Oatlands Plantation, the location of the "Champagne and Scarlet" gala for Horsing Around Loudoun.

At the culmination of the project, horse lovers and art collectors alike will have the opportunity to bid on one of the horses. Simmons said that both the committee and Oatlands felt it was the ideal venue for the event. The committee chose 'scarlet' for the theme because it signifies The Hunt, another Loudoun tradition. The auction will take place Saturday, March 25th at Oatlands.

Beneficiaries of the auction include the Oatlands Plantation, Loudoun Arts Council and Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation.