Gold Cup Board Member Dies

Charles Thomas “Chuck” Hoovler, 80, a long-time stalwart of the Virginia Gold Cup and International Gold Cup races died September 28, 2011.

He was born June 22, 1931, in White Plains, NY, but moved to Virginia as a young boy.  He quickly adopted his new state and became a true “Virginia Gentleman.” Hoovler served in the United States Navy as an aviation ordinance man and a tail gunner on the USS Roosevelt, USS Coral Sea and USS Midway from 1948 to 1952.

Hoovler attended the College of William & Mary, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1956. Following graduation, he joined Communications Inc. with his two brothers and eventually created Ancom Inc. and BCH Inc. of Arlington.

In 1985, after the sale of Communications Inc., Hoovler embarked on his second career, bringing his business skills, humor and energy to numerous organizations and foundations. They included: the Virginia Gold Cup Association, which he served as an executive board member and as director of traffic/security for both The Virginia Gold Cup and The International Gold Cup Races and The Meadows Outdoor Foundation (now Great Meadow Foundation) in The Plains, VA.  Great Meadow hosts both Gold Cup races.

He was also involved with The Fauquier Club of Warrenton, the Kiwanis Club of Arlington, the Fauquier County Economic Development Commission and the Lord Fairfax Community College.

For many years, one of Hoovler’s most beloved pastimes was serving as Ringmaster for the Warrenton Pony Show, the Warrenton Horse Show and the Upperville Colt and Horse Show.  As a landowner and longtime supporter of the Orange County Hunt, he volunteered at its annual events and was a strong supporter of the Middleburg Orange County Pony Club and the MOC Beagles.

However, his greatest passion was serving as a trustee of Glenwood Park in Middleburg which is home to the Middleburg Races in both the Spring and Fall of each year. Under his guidance, multiple improvements have been made to the race course, including new buildings, turf management and historic tree preservation.

HOOVLER WITH MELVIN POE

The most significant of their land conservation achievements was placing the racecourse into perpetual conservation easement, so it will be available for future generations.  Hoovler’s perseverance of this significant achievement was recognized by multiple organizations, including the Town of Middleburg, the Piedmont Environmental Council and Loudoun County.

Hoovler received numerous awards and commendations, including the 2002 Warrenton Horse Show Gilman Volunteer Award, the 2005 Piedmont Environmental Council Conservation Volunteer Award, a Meritorious Recognition Award from the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office for Outstanding Contributions to Public Safety, the 1985 Medallion of Recognition from Lord Fairfax Community College and the 1989 Great Meadow Volunteer of the Year.

(Photos courtesy of George and Shelley Payne)