THE MIDDLEBURG BARN

Landmark Middleburg Farm Begins New Era Following 25 Years of Ownership

Middleburg, VA — After 25 years of leadership and growth, Maureen Hanley has announced the sale of her iconic Middleburg horse farm, The Middleburg Barn at Fox Chase Farm. Long regarded as one of the region’s premier destinations for equestrian sport, education, and community gatherings, the historic property will continue its storied legacy under new ownership beginning in December.

When the Hanley family acquired the property, the original 115-acre farm had already been subdivided by a previous owner. While the farm retained three barns and 68 stalls, the reduced acreage no longer supported a traditional boarding and training model.

Recognizing both the challenges and the opportunity, Hanley reimagined the farm’s purpose. She preserved its deep equestrian roots while transforming the property into one of Middleburg’s most versatile and successful event venues for both equestrian and non-equestrian events.

Over the next 25 years, the farm welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors and became a vibrant hub for riding lessons, summer camps, award winning horse shows, clinics, weddings, corporate events, philanthropic galas, television productions, and more. It earned a reputation not only for equestrian excellence, but also for its impact on the broader community, hosting celebrations, educational programs, memorial services, and charitable events that collectively raised millions of dollars for regional and national causes.

A former radio producer, Hanley, brought a creative, producer-driven approach to the property’s evolution. She oversaw major revitalization efforts, including the design and construction of a modern event barn, restoration of historic barns, riding arena upgrades, and the acquisition and training of horses beloved by riders of all ages. Under her leadership, the farm became a welcoming, inclusive environment where children learned to ride, families marked milestones, and horses thrived under expert care.

“I’ve had the honor of witnessing countless joys and meaningful moments at this farm, from children winning ribbons at horse shows to people meeting a horse for the very first time,” said Hanley. “Every moment has been a gift I will always cherish.”

After thoughtful reflection, Hanley determined it was the right time to begin the farm’s next chapter. New owners will assume leadership in December, with Hanley remaining in Middleburg to support a smooth transition for clients, staff, and scheduled events.


About the Farm: History

For decades, the farm has been a cornerstone of Middleburg’s equestrian history. One of its most celebrated chapters was when it was Colony Farms under legendary horseman Benny O’Meara, brother to Jane O’Meara Sanders. A self-taught rider and trainer, Benny built one of the region’s first indoor riding arenas in the 1960s and developed top show jumpers, including the famed Jacks Or Better, winner of the 1962 National Horse Show puissance and PHA Champion Jumper title. Benny kept a plane at the farm, and tragically, at just 27, he died in a crash near Leesburg while returning from having it serviced. Though his life was brief, his impact on show jumping endures, and he was posthumously inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1989.

Through the ‘60s, ‘70s and ’80s, the property was shaped by a remarkable cast from equestrian and sporting figures. NFL quarterbacks Billy Kilmer and Pat Fischer left their imprint here, as did Stanley Greene, the Leesburg-born horseman who trained world champion show horse Queen of Sheba and, at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s invitation, rode the mare in the 1933 inauguration parade.

Another notable owner was the legendary Lucien Laurin, trainer of Triple Crown champion Secretariat, who brought the extraordinary horse Spanish Riddle to the property. A remarkable athlete, Spanish Riddle underwent a successful surgery to receive a prosthetic leg after a severe injury. Spanish Riddle is buried on the farm, adding to its rich equestrian legacy.

Until the early 2000s, the farm operated as Paper Chase Farms, offering boarding, lessons, and training under the management of Joseph Keusch and Jan Neuharth.

As the longest-tenured stewards of this historic property, the Hanley family spent over 25 years shaping its modern legacy through growth, innovation, and distinguished achievements, including:

*Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Equine Business of the Year
*Multiple Top 10 Horse Show honors from the Virginia Horse Shows Association
*Founder and host of the first Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure Virginia, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for breast-cancer research
*Features in regional and national media, including Farmer Wants a Wife (FOX Entertainment), NBC News, TLC’s Perfect Proposal, and CBS’s The Amazing Race

Maureen Hanley also actively promoted the farm and its legacy through service on influential boards and committees, including the Washington International Horse Show Board, Horses in the Hood (founded by Olympic rider Kathy Kusner), and the Virginia Horse Shows Association Special Events Committee.

Under her leadership, the farm became a destination for world-class athletes, people at the top of their fields who recognized its magic and wanted to be part of it. From Olympic riders to celebrated musicians and performers, the farm earned a reputation as a place where excellence, passion, and community came together.