Recently, six undergraduate students studying at Virginia Tech's Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE) Center visited Hickory House, home of Mr. and Mrs. William Abel Smith in Middleburg, Va. Ms. Barbara duPont and Mr. Bruce Rosenbaum joined Mrs. Abel Smith and the students during this educational visit.

While at Hickory House, students had the opportunity to watch one of Mrs. Mimi Abel Smith's favorite horses, Different Drum, ridden by Carl Rafter, work on the track. "Different Drum has recently made his first start over hurdles," said Mairead Carr, trainer. "These students were excited to see what work goes into preparing a horse for steeplechase racing."

"It was great to see how horses train for steeplechase races. I love all the awesome opportunities that we get in Middleburg," said Brittney Jones of Warrenton, Va. Jones and her five classmates from across the United States came to the MARE Center to study in one of the nation's most unique equine science programs.