The Jacqueline and George Ohrstrom, Jr. Barn Dedication
Pictured above [L-R] Mr. Will Phipps of B&D Builders, Ms. Anjela Carroll, Mrs. Jacqueline Ohrstrom, Mrs. Roxanne Booth cutting the ribbon on the newly dedicated Jacqueline & George Ohrstrom, Jr. Barn.
Photo © SCB Photography photos by Riley
On May 9th, the Virginia Horse Center Foundation cut the ribbon on the newly dedicated Jacqueline & George Ohrstrom, Jr. Barn, honoring the late George Ohrstrom, Jr. and Mrs. Jacqueline Ohrstrom.
In addition to several competitors at the Bonnie Blue UPHA Saddlebred show and VHC staff, attending the ceremony was Mrs. Jacqueline Ohrstrom, Ms. Anjela Carroll, City of Lexington Mayor Frank Friedman, Mrs. Roxanne Booth, President of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation Board of Directors, Mr. Stephen Shank, VHC CEO, Mr. Will Phipps of B&D Builders, and Ms. Cinda Ayers, Chief Development & External Relations Officer.
Mrs. Roxanne Booth opened the dedication of the Ohrstrom Barn and acknowledged the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. George Ohrstrom, Jr. through the dedication of the former Barn 6 to them. “We are beyond thrilled to welcome Mrs. Jacqueline Ohrstrom to the grounds today for this important milestone and also as a competitor during this weekend’s annual Bonnie Blue UPHA Saddlebred show,” she said.
She continued, “Together, the Ohrstroms built an impeccable reputation on the love of all things horse. Their philanthropic endeavors touch countless lives—equine and human—and they were champions of land conservation long before it was in vogue. The Ohrstroms were instrumental in establishing the National Sporting Library and Museum, and truly, the list goes on.”
Mrs. Booth thanked Mrs. Ohrstrom for all that she and her late husband do and have done for the Horse Center, which benefits so many. “I hope that you consider today’s dedication of this barn a fitting tribute to Mr. Ohrstrom’s memory and as an integral part of your living legacy.”
B&D Builders is currently reviewing plans for the renovation of the interior of the Jacqueline and George Ohrstrom, Jr. Barn. Mr. Will Phipps of B&D Builders commented, “We are excited to participate in commemorating the Ohrstroms’ contribution to the equine industry and humbled at the opportunity to enhance this barn.”
Virginia Horse Center CEO, Stephen Shank said, “Naturally, none of the dreams that is the Virginia Horse Center comes true without the significant support and investment of our dearest, closest friends. Today, it is my distinct honor to express, on behalf of all those served by the Horse Center, my immense gratitude to Mrs. Jacqueline Ohrstrom and her late husband, George, for their loyalty and friendship. In recognition of their benevolence, we are delighted to present the Jacqueline & George Ohrstrom, Jr. Barn.”
He continued, “Additionally, I want to acknowledge and thank Will Phipps, Daniel Glick and B&D Builders for the partnership on which we are embarking. Thanks to the demonstrated artistry and refined vision of B&D Builders, I know the interior of this barn will be state-of-the-art and, above all, built to last for the comfort and safety of our dear horses. Mrs. Ohrstrom, we all hope you find it a fitting tribute to your lifetime of involvement in equestrianism.”
Mrs. Ohrstrom commented, “What a nice dedication. All I can say is the Horse Center is beautifully designed. The layout is great, and they have safe and comfortable barns. It is easy access from a number of states that are heavily involved with horses, and they have a lovely big ring!”
All guests were then invited to the Winner’s Ring Café for light refreshments.
About the Ohrstroms
George Ohrstrom Jr. owned the Chronicle of the Horse for 50 years and was a prominent figure in the racing and foxhunting communities, and a supporter of land-conservation efforts, especially those of the Piedmont Environmental Council. He was a member of and a major landowner in the Orange County Hunt near The Plains, and in 1992 he founded the Bath County Hounds, a private pack headquartered on his landholding in Bath County, Va. The Ohrstroms contributed and founded, along with the late Alexander Mackay-Smith, the National Sporting Library in 1955 which, in 2010, was rebranded to the National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM). Today, the NSLM Library houses 20,000 volumes, historic periodicals dating back to the early 19th Century, over 80 archival collections, and an outstanding variety of antiquarian titles dating back to 1523, stored in the Library’s F. Ambrose Clark Rare Book Room. Almost every object in the Library collections was donated to NSLM, making the Library a reflection of the sporting community across the United States.
The Museum’s collection has grown to over 1,300 objects, including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, trophies, weathervanes, dog collars, and other ephemera. Two major temporary exhibitions are held during the year in the larger galleries, while the Vine Hill galleries host additional temporary exhibitions and a rotation of permanent collection artworks.
Mrs. Ohrstrom and her children continue to participate in equestrian sport.