Evelyn Susol (70) on Black Lace and Kristen Hersing (69) on Black Hawk, compete in the Canaan Ranch Pas de Deux Challenge held July 31 at the Morven Park Equestrian Center. Pas de Deux can be held either outdoors or indoors.

You’ll never catch me in a pair of stretch riding breeches and I know better (unfortunately) than to jump a fence in a western saddle.  And while I’d rather be cutting a steer from the herd than just about anything else, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the elegance of the high art of equine dressage known as Pas de Deux.

Pas de what?

For us anglos that translates into “Dance for Two”.  Visually it is something like synchronized swimming except it typically involves two pretty ladies dressed to the nines, on two handsomely matched horses, the four of whom perform in a riding ring.

Visually, it is amazing to watch the coordination between the four participants. While not a student of dressage my old cowboy trainer taught me to ride without the reins, communicating direction and speed only through the legs. I know just enough to be thoroughly impressed by the Pas de Deux.

So, you’ve lived in Leesburg for years and never heard of this equine version of ballet?

Morven Park and Oatlands are famous for their annual Point-to-Point races. Those thundering races that have Loudoun’s finest horses running flat out across their estates, with thrilling jumps and exciting finishes. A fine day to be out with friends and tailgating.

The Pas de Deux is a decidedly lower key event, virtually unknown, not having had the centuries of newspaper coverage that our Point-to-Points have had. Hopefully, this little article will help spread the word on such a beautiful sport.

Morven Park recently hosted a Pas de Deux in the outdoor rings at their Equestrian Center off of Tutt Lane. The show’s sponsor was Canaan Ranch, a producer of performance horses with facilities in both Middleburg and Texas. For this article I've also included a couple of indoor Pas de Deux shots from 2005.

Beautiful, yes?   I just wish I had some film of the events for you. Perhaps next year.

So why is this important to you?  You’re busy, gotta get the kids to soccer, keep the bills paid and food on the table. You’ve taken the kids to the petting zoo, they got to ride the pony at the fair.

Well, in an age when our children are spending more time on Facebook and texting than studying, when families break up nightly and go off to the video screens in their respective corners, we need to find more things that families can experience together, events that are tangible. Equine events are out in the fresh air and horses are a bit larger than life, beautiful and elegant.

Leesburg is lucky to have this art form at its doorstep.  You don’t have to fly to Europe to see the famous Lipizzaner Stallions to get a taste of high dressage, it’s right around the corner on Tutt Lane.

Loudoun has always been horse country, with events for everyone. Maybe dressage is a little to sedate for you. Then do experience the heart pounding excitement of Loudoun's classic Point-to-Points. Take the family to Morven Park or Oatlands in the spring and fall.

Want to see the speed and agility horses show in a polo match? Morven Park again, or if you can’t wait you can head to off to Middleburg. Want to cut cattle or become a Confederate cavalry rider?  You can do that too, along with a myriad of other types of horse shows and events throughout the area.

But start your equestrian experience at Morven Park.  They are so conveniently located, their Equestrian Center just north of Leesburg off of Tutt Lane.  Shows are low-cost or even free to attend.  I just looked at their online fall schedule and it is full of events. 

And of course, their signature event, their fall Point-to-Point, is Saturday, October 9th.  Be sure and get your ticket by the rail!

Celebrating a ride well ridden in 2005.    Take the family out to Morven Park!