Hope’s Legacy Celebrates 18 Years During 9th Annual Hoofin’ It For Horses Open House

Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, Inc.
2080 Castle Rock Road
Afton, Virginia 22920
(434) 996-8415
www.hopeslegacy.com
EIN 80-0273321

August 19, 2026

PRESS RELEASE:  HOPE’S LEGACY EQUINE RESCUE CELEBRATES 18 YEARS DURING 9TH ANNUAL HOOFIN’ IT FOR HORSES

For Immediate Release

Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue is celebrating its 18th year as a rescue and the Afton-area nonprofit is excited to welcome everyone to their home at Castle Rock Farm on Saturday, September 19th for the 9th Annual Hoofin’ It for Horses Open House. Visitors, friends, and families can pick their own adventure during our Open House from 9am to 2pm with a FREE self-guided tour of the farm featuring stops along the way to meet the horses and our dedicated volunteers.

Sign up for themed hikes offered throughout the day to explore more of our beautiful farm. Each hike ticket helps rehabilitate an equine in need. Love bird watching? There’s a hike for that at 9am. Looking for an activity-filled fun time with the kids?  That hike sets off at 10am. Want more time with the horses? Head out on a Horse Meet-and-Greet Hike at 9am and 11:30am. There’s even a Yoga & Meditation Hike at 12:30pm and a Tree Identification Hike at 2pm. There is truly something for everyone. Get outside for a good cause!

Our Fall Tack Sale will also be running from 9am to 2pm during the Open House with all proceeds benefitting the rescue. Hope’s Legacy is still looking for tack donations as well! You can make a difference in the life of a horse or donkey by packing up those boxes, clearing out some space, and making a donation drop-off appointment via email to Maya Proulx, Executive Director, at hopeslegacy@hotmail.com.

Hope’s Legacy is honored that this event is sponsored by: The Virginia Partnership for Horses, Bay Ridge Private Wealth, McDonough Toyota, Abrahamse & Company Builders, Inc., Blue Ridge Equine Clinic, Patricia Eveland, Crutchfield, Corcoran Wiley Real Estate, Select Bank, and Castle Hill Cider.

Event:  Hoofin’ It for Horses Open House
Date:    Saturday, September 19, 2026
Location:  2080 Castle Rock Road, Afton, VA 22920. 

Time:  9:00 am           Open House & Tack Sale Begins
                                    Bird Watching Hike

            9:30 am            Horse Meet-and-Greet Hike with optional Woodland Walk

            10:00 am          Kids Adventure Hike

            11:00 am          Horse Meet-and-Greet Hike with optional Woodland Walk

            12:30 pm          Yoga & Meditation Hike

            2:00 pm           Open House & Tack Sale Ends
                                    Tree Identification Hike

Hike Cost:   Tickets are $10 per person, except for the Kids Adventure Hike. The Kids Adventure Hike is pay-what-you-will so that children and their parent or guardians can all join regardless of ability to pay.

For more information visit: https://www.hopeslegacy.com/hoofinit

In the event of flooding, heavy rain, or thunder and lightning, registrants will be notified of any hike changes or cancellations on September 18. Event updates will also be posted on our website, Facebook, and Instagram.

END

Contact Information: 

Laura Purvis, Director of Development
434-996-8415, development@hopeslegacy.com

Mailing address: 
Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, Inc.
PO Box 51
Afton, Virginia 22920

About Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, Inc.:

Mission: Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, Inc., rehabilitates and rehomes equines in need while building a compassionate network of care for generations to come through education, outreach, and community.

Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in central Virginia.  Rescuing responsibly since 2008, we have taken in over 970 horses, donkeys, mules, and miniature horses subjected to abuse, abandonment, and lack of care.  We rescue, rehabilitate, and adopt out animals to new, loving, and well-matched homes.  www.hopeslegacy.com. 

Spring 2026 Newsletter

Hope’s Legacy Celebrates Adopt a Horse Month 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 7, 2026

CONTACT:
Laura Purvis
Director of Development, Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue
434-996-8415
development@hopeslegacy.com

Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue Celebrates Sixth Annual ASPCA® Adopt a Horse Month

The nationwide adoption campaign lasts throughout the month of May

AFTON, VA — Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue is participating in the sixth annual ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) Adopt a Horse Month, a nationwide adoption event taking place throughout the month of May to help more equines find loving homes. Hope’s Legacy, along with equine adoption and rescue groups across the country, have joined the campaign to promote the adoptable horses, mules and donkeys in their care and engage with their communities to raise awareness about equine adoption.

Throughout May, Hope’s Legacy will be highlighting adoptable equines, especially companion-only horses and donkeys, through our social media and in radio advertising. The rescue kicked off the campaign on Saturday, May 2, by participating in the Batesville Day parade as well as Derby Day at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond. The month-long celebration will close out with the rescue’s Spring Open House on Saturday, May 30 from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Castle Rock Farm, 2080 Castle Rock Road, Afton VA 22920.

“The ASPCA’s Adopt a Horse Month is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about the equines we have available for adoption and place them in loving homes” said Laura Purvis, Director of Development of Hope’s Legacy. “We love being part of this nationwide campaign and working with our local community throughout the month. Considering adding a horse or donkey to your home? Follow our social media for highlights or visit our website to fill out an adoption application. You might just find your next best friend.”

Motivated by the results of ASPCA research suggesting there could be approximately 2.3 million adults in the U.S. with both the resources and desire to adopt a horse in need, Adopt a Horse Month is focused on increasing the number of equines adopted across the country.

“The ASPCA is committed to supporting the many groups nationwide, including Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, working tirelessly to find safe, loving homes for the equines in their care, and Adopt a Horse Month provides an impactful way for these groups to reach potential adopters,” said Christie Schulte Kappert, Vice President of ASPCA Equine Welfare. “We are in awe of the innovative and thoughtful ways this year’s participants are finding more homes for horses and raising awareness about equine adoption within their community.”

For those interested in adopting, please visit myrighthorse.org, the ASPCA’s online adoption platform specifically for equines, to view horses, mules and donkeys looking for a home. For more information about Adopt a Horse Month, including a list of participating organizations, visit ASPCA.org/AdoptaHorseMonth. The ASPCA is asking all animal lovers across the country to share adoptable equines on their social media channels using the hashtags #AdoptAHorse and #RightHorse.

For more information about Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, please visit hopeslegacy.com.

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Fall 2023 Newsletter

Fall 2023 Newsletter

Hope's Legacy honored with Spirit of Virginia Award