Wofford Ring Dedication: A Ring Dedication to a Legacy on a Beautiful Spring Evening

There are some days at a farm that feel like more than events—they feel like milestones. Our Spring Homecoming and dedication of the newly named Wofford Arena was one of those days. It was a beautiful spring evening filled with old friends, new faces, horses, laughter, and the kind of shared memory that reminds you why places like Beverly exist.

We were honored to gather with the Wofford family to dedicate our main outdoor arena to Jim Wofford—horseman, Olympian, coach, author, and one of the most influential figures in American eventing. But for us, Jim was much more than a legend. He was a mentor, a friend, and part of Beverly's foundation.

When Beverly's founders first came to Virginia in 2005, Jim and Gail’s Fox Covert Farm in Upperville was their first home. At Fox Covert, Jim's training approach was simple but disciplined. And it was grounded in traditional horsemanship and the systematic development of horse and rider, all against the tableau of the Virginia countryside.  

The Wofford farm itself reflected that same philosophy. The layout, the flow, the functionality, the how it was nestled into the rolling fields was all designed with these integrated elements in mind.

When the founders built Beverly, they replicated the Fox Covert footprint for the main building —the indoor attached to the barn, the center aisle wings, and the overall efficiency of the layout.

But beyond architecture, it was Jim’s philosophy that left the deepest mark on Beverly. He taught people how to think, how to ride with feel, how to laugh at themselves, and how to treat horses with empathy above all else. Those ideals live quietly in so much of what we try to do here every day.

That is why naming this ring for Jim felt so fitting. This arena has seen countless first lessons, first jumps, and unforgettable (or as Jim, would say "thankfully, forgettable") rounds. It is where riders learn, where horses develop, and where the Virginia countryside surrounds it all.

We are deeply grateful to the Wofford family for allowing us to honor Jim in this way, and to all who joined us for such a special evening. We hope this photo compilation captures a little of the warmth of the occasion and how Jim Wofford helped shaped Beverly long before this dedication and for generations to come.

Here’s to legacy, to mentorship, and to the enduring spirit of horsemanship.

Welcome to the Wofford Arena.