How can a seven year old named Darcy and a five year old named Junior enhance the experience for thousands of visitors each year to Temple Hall Regional Park outside of Leesburg? They can if Darcy and Junior are Shires, the most powerful of draft horses, and will be used to offer wagon rides to the public at this interpretive farm park.

Educating the public about Loudoun County's agricultural resources and promoting rare "heritage livestock breeds" is a shared mission of both Ayrshire Farm in Upperville and Temple Hall Farm Regional Park near Leesburg. With this mission in mind, the two have created a partnership that will further the educational goals of both. "The central elements of our partnership are two beautiful Shire draft horses that Ayrshire Farm has donated to Temple Hall. With these horses, we will be able to give the park visitor a unique experience as they go back to the 19th Century with a wagon ride through a historic farm," stated Paul Gilbert, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) which owns and operates Temple Hall Farm.

"Thousands of people visit Temple Hall Farm Regional Park every year, particularly during the fall to visit our famous corn MAiZE. Our goal is to have the public come away with a greater appreciation and understanding of both agriculture and the rich history of our area. The draft horse program will allow people to connect with our past and also learn about heritage livestock breeds like the Shire horse that are becoming increasingly rare," continued Gilbert. "NVRPA looks forward to having these two horses become ambassadors for Temple Hall Farm and the Park Authority as a whole."

Ayrshire Farm is known for breeding and showing Shire horses, the largest and strongest of the heavy horse breeds. Weighing approximately one ton each, the pair are capable of pulling enormous loads and have a willing disposition. Currently, Ayrshire Farm manages 23 Shires, participating in draft horse shows and carriage driving shows. "We are extremely grateful for the generous gift of the Shire Horses, and the time and expertise that Ayrshire Farm has shared with Temple Hall," remarked Su Webb, one of Loudoun County's two representatives on the NVRPA Board. "Ayrshire Farm's commitment to Loudoun County's agricultural heritage is remarkable. The gift of these two show horses is just one of their many public services," said Webb.

Temple Hall Farm Regional Park is dedicated to educating the public about the agricultural past, present and future of our region. The 286 acre farm was founded by William Temple Thomson Mason, a nephew of George Mason in 1810. The farm was donated to NVRPA by the late Valeria Symington in 1985. Today the farm features heritage livestock breeds ranging from miniature horses, Shropshire sheep, goats, Belted Galloway cattle, Large Black pigs, Royal Palm turkeys, Blue Andalusian chickens, guineas, and peacocks. From March through October the park is open for free farm tours on the weekends. It is a popular destination for school groups, and is heavily visited during the fall season with many family fun activities centered on an elaborate and challenging corn maize that covers over 10 acres.

Starting this spring, scheduled youth groups organizing trips to Temple Hall Regional Park will be able to have free farm tours.