It was a perfectly sunny day at the Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton, VA when award-winning architect John Blackburn came for a visit. On Sunday April 13 an enthusiastic group of invited guests welcomed Blackburn, ready to learn more about his book Healthy Stables By Design. After giving a detailed presentation on his barn building methodologies and book, Blackburn and other attendees experienced a tour and tasting. Jeffrey Gregorio of Merrill Lynch Health Management hosted the event.

Among those in attendance was CEO and Founder of Paradise Springs Winery, Kirk Wiles. In addition, Founder of Brody Group, LLC, Michael Brody, and Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program Board Chair Rhonda VanLowe were present at the event. VanLowe also serves as Legal Counsel of Rolls-Royce North America, Inc. and is a loyal client of Blackburn Architects.

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VanLowe spoke at the event where she discussed the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide equine-assisted activities to those with disabilities, youth-at-risk, military service personnel, and their families. Blackburn is designing the new Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program facility, which is currently in permit phase waiting to start construction intended to begin in November 2014. For those who are interested, contributions to the construction of the new Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program facility can be made here.

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Copies of Blackburn’s book were sold at the event, with proceeds to the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program.