Life’s a Picnic, Raising Funds to Build a Barn

Some 200 guests dressed in Great Gatsby-era attire enjoyed live jazz, catered picnic basket lunches a demonstration by the Warrenton Hunt, vintage cars… and even a surprise fly-by from a World War II-era plane!

Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP) Board Member and former Fox 5 News anchor Will Thomas hosted Great Gatsby: Life’s a Picnic on a gorgeous afternoon at Elway Hall, the Warrenton, Virginia home of Will Thomas and Barry

Dixon.

Raising nearly $130,000 — with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting NVTRP — the money will be primarily used to support “Build to Thrive,” NVTRP’s capital campaign to construct a new indoor riding arena and 20-stall barn at O’Shaughnessy Farm, its 17-acre farm in Clifton, Virginia.

Leading sponsors included Boeing, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, Catherine Brentzel, Chantilly Air and Saint Germain Catering.

Founded in 1980, NVTRP exists to help each individual realize their highest potential by providing equine-assisted activities to people with disabilities, youth-at-risk, recovering military personnel, and others in need, in an inclusive, community setting.

*Images credit Jordan Friel Koepke