This year's 56th Annual Hunt Country Stable Tour features more than a dozen stops in Virginia horse country where some of the area's most beautiful privately owned estates will open their gates to visitors on Memorial Day weekend, May 23-24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Included this year are four exquisite properties, that have never before been open to the public, which will open for the self-guided tours. The line-up of the tour homes will introduce visitors to some of Virginia's most famous equine estates.

The Hunt Country Stable Tour provides the rare chance to visit private estates, famous breeding farms, competition farms and more. From newborn foals, to jumpers and polo ponies, and even horses swimming for exercise, you'll see how equine athletes are bred, trained, fed and cared for.

Stops on this year's tour include Rock Hill Farm, Belle Grey Farm, Fox Chase Farm, the Middleburg Agricultural Research Extension (MARE) Center, Middleburg Training Track, Poplar Grange, Salamander Resort & Spa's Equestrian Center, Trappe Hill Farm and Wind Fields Farm. In addition, these new locations will also be on the tour this year: Foosaner Farm, The Oaks, Gap Run Farm, and Orange Hill.

To get the most out of the tour, start the day early. Many of the farms will host demonstrations throughout the weekend. On Saturday only, at the Middleburg Training Track, racehorses will be out being exercised at 7 a.m. Another location where horses will be exercising is the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center, owned by Virginia Tech, where they will give a treadmill demonstration on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

New on the tour, The Oaks, owned by John and Julie Coles, is the site of two barns. The larger barn includes stabling for show jumpers and an indoor arena. The Coles' daughter, Sloane, bases her business, Spring Ledge, out of The Oaks. Spring Ledge focuses on all aspects of Grand Prix show jumping, training young horses, and instructing students. Sloane rose to national prominence during her junior career winning national championships in equitation, hunters and jumpers. Demonstrations will take place throughout both days of the stable tour.

Gap Run Farm, also new this year, features western riding and the owners of Gap Run have been long-time supporters of the Quarter Horse discipline known as "cutting." Cutting horses are highly-trained competitive athletes and are judged in competitions on their ability to control cows that they first separate and herd. There will be a 10 a.m. roping demonstration on Saturday and Sunday.

Orange Hill dates back to the 1800s as a noted equestrian property and is also new on this year's tour. It has been the host to numerous hunt meets and has produced top quality Virginia-bred horses for over a century. Orange Hill is home to trainer Snowden Clarke, who is in charge of daily operations. Facilities include paddocks, a second barn, turnout sheds, all-weather outdoor ring and an outside course all located in the region's Orange County Hunt territory. Farm operations also include breeding and showing Cashmere goats, Serama chickens and Call ducks. Demonstrations will take place throughout both days of the stable tour.

Another new addition, Foosaner Farm was designed by renowned architect John Blackburn and features a barn and riding arena situated purposely with a low profile on the farm to preserve its bucolic views. The emphasis in the stable, besides structural beauty, is on the abundance of healthy ventilation for the horses. The flexible design of the barn is currently configured for six stalls, but can easily be altered to accommodate 10 with an office and viewing level.

The property is pristinely maintained with flowers numbering in the thousands during the summer months.

Proceeds from the Hunt Country Stable Tour support Trinity Church and their many local, national and international charities and non-profit programs.

The tour is self-guided, and tickets can be purchased in advance or on the days of the event at any stop, including Trinity Episcopal Church (9018 John S. Mosby Hwy. Route 50, Upperville, Va. 20184). There is also a Country Fair and market at Trinity, and lunch, catered by Back Street Catering, is available for purchase there. The fair features horse-themed arts and crafts, ice cream, treats for pets and more.

Advance ticket sales are $25/person, a group rate for 10 or more is $20; after May 18th: tickets are $30. For children 12 and under, admission is free. For additional information and to purchase tickets, go to http://trinityupperville.org/Hunt-Country-Stable-Tour/, or https://www.facebook.com/huntcountrystabletour or call 540-592-3711. Tickets are not required for the Country Fair.

To get to Trinity Episcopal Church; take I-66 West to Route 50 West (Exit 57B) toward Winchester. Drive approximately 25 miles to Middleburg and continue on to Upperville. Trinity Episcopal Church will be on Route 50 on your right.