The Story
In 1969, Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr. established a task force for stimulating the growth of the horse industry in Virginia. It wasn't until 1984, however, that the Virginia General Assembly settled on a 378-acre tract in the rolling hills north of Lexington, and in March of 1985, Governor Charles Robb signed the bill that created the Virginia Horse Center.
The center's indoor coliseum seats 4,500, and the site includes stables for nearly 600 horses. Three dressage rings, five miles of horse trails, and a hunter trail course are also included. In 1999, the center purchased an adjoining parcel of 196 acres allowing for responsible development of additional equestrian activities. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come each year for the center's constant parade of events; more than 40 breeds of horses have shown or competed.
The Cache
A standard ammo can is hidden at the listed coordinates, with ample parking nearby.
Gems of Rockbridge Geocaching Trail
This cache is part of a series. The Gems of Rockbridge Geocaching Trail has been developed as part of an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to enhance the gateway communities along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway. The grant funds projects that promote sustainable tourism and enhance the local community while protecting the area's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The Geocaching Trail consists of 10 strategically placed caches highlighting the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Rockbridge County. The first 200 geocachers who complete the trail will receive a commemorative coin featuring the Gems of Rockbridge Geocaching Trail on one side and the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway on the other side.
How it works: each of the ten caches along the trail contains a question that can be answered from information available near the cache location. Log all 10 caches and answer each of the 10 questions to complete the trail. The first 200 to complete the trail will receive a limited-edition commemorative coin!