A childhood love affair with horses developed into an adult passion for Cindi Glaspy. That passion became the inspiration for a 10-acre property known as Moonshadow Farm, now for sale in Clifton.
“It is quite rare to find a true horse property [this close in] with as much land as Moonshadow Horse Farm,” said Dennis Hogge, associate broker with RE/MAX Distinctive Real Estate in McLean.
Moonshadow Farm includes a 5,244-square-foot colonial with 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, an atrium, luxurious swimming pool, deck, patio, barn and rolling hills.
Glaspy grew up in New Jersey. Despite her parents’ objections, an uncle who lived in Manhattan encouraged her to ride. After Glaspy graduated from college, her first major purchase was a horse.
Glaspy purchased Moonshadow 15 years ago after selling a two-acre farm in Atlanta, where she kept two horses. When she began searching for a home in Northern Virginia, people suggested Middleburg, known for its equestrian community. At the time, however, she and her husband, who worked in Tysons Corner, had a 5-year-old daughter. “I felt that Middleburg was too remote,” said Glaspy. “I was the only one into horses, so why move way out there? I felt there has to be something closer in.”
She found her dream house in Clifton. Initially only the house and five acres were for sale. But while viewing the property, she noticed five acres next door that were undeveloped and not for sale. After convincing the owner to sell both properties, Glaspy purchased the land and went to work developing her dream farm.
Along with installing fences for horses, she had a custom-designed barn built with four stalls, temperature-controlled tack room and full-size dressage ring. She owns four horses and currently keeps three at Moonshadow.
A main-level master bedroom has hardwood floors, walk-in closets and a view of the beautiful landscape. The master bath features a large spa tub with jets. The huge country kitchen has new stainless steel appliances, a center island and breakfast area, while the rustic family room features a brick-walled fireplace and wood-beam ceiling, skylights and French doors to an atrium.
The atrium has panoramic views of the professionally landscaped grounds. “The grounds are what make this house,” Glaspy said. Whether walls of wisteria and magnolias that bloom in the spring or vibrant foliage that unfolds in the fall, the landscape at Moonshadow is always breathtaking. A creek, towering white pines, dogwoods and oaks give the farm enchanted country charm.
There are four garages, three in the front of the house and one below grade in the back. The property is located in Fairfax County close to Interstate 66 and Routes 28 and 29. Because zoning restricts lots to at least five acres, Clifton neighborhoods are insulated from some of the density issues facing other Fairfax communities.
“North Clifton was largely built out during the 1960s and 1970s by people wanting five-acre lots then being offered by large land owners. However, smaller lots were available until 1985, at which time the county down-zoned 40,000 acres of Clifton and Fairfax Station to a minimum lot size of five acres,” said Hogge. “This action was necessary to conserve natural resources and to protect the environment from endless sprawl and more roads. It was a smart move by the county. Greater Clifton is just a great place to live. It is about all that is left of country living in Fairfax County.”
