Welcome to Upperville

under the oaks since 1853...this year June 3 - 9, 2013

Our Sponsors...

Welcome to Upperville...

Welcome to the Upperville Colt & Horse Show...founded in 1853.

This year's show, our 160th, takes place June 3 - 9, 2013.

Upperville is the oldest horse show in the United States. Steeped in tradition, it extends a full seven days, and involves over two thousand horse and rider combinations from young children on ponies to leading Olympic and World Cup riders and horses.

1997 program cover

Held, under The Oaks, in Upperville, Virginia, the showgrounds are located forty miles west of Washington, D.C. in the rolling hills of Virginia's scenic horse country. The magnificent and prestigious Grafton and Salem Farms encompass the show, nestled on both sides of Route 50, between the village of Upperville and town of Middleburg.

Long a favorite of horse show competitors and spectators alike, Upperville features full divisions of entries from all corners of the United States and abroad. The show has been voted the Virginia Horse Shows Association Horse Show of the Year and is a designated World Championship Hunter Rider Show.

For several years, Upperville has been selected as the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame's - Horse Show of the Year!

Upperville is a week-long AA - Rated show with VHSA, MHSA, and USEF events in all Hunter Divisions.

On the grounds one finds pony rides, arts and craft exhibits, boutiques, children's games, a wide variety of food offerings, and a Basset Hound demonstration preceding Sunday's premier event, the Upperville Jumper Classic.

Upperville is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and proceeds are dispersed to local charities.

As we enter our 160th year, we are expanding our corporate opportunities.

Daily admission to the show is $10.00 per person. Children under twelve years-of-age are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Gates open at 8 AM daily.

Watch the action from the show live on the internet! Click on the image below.

webcast

For special arrangements, entertainment, reserved parking, and/or box seats, please call 540 687-5740 or, during the show, 540-592-3858.

A bit of history...

George Patton

Edgar Mills, "Eggie, ” was a successful exhibitor in the late fifties and early sixties. He showed Mortgage Hill, Not Always, and jumper Navy Salute to name but a few. He moved to Middleburg, near the Middleburg Training Track, and became a flat trainer, and a developer of young race prospects.

Jimmy Hatcher first showed at Upperville in 1949. His junior horse Candlewick carried him into the four-foot divisions, and he showed many years as an amateur owner. He won the VHSA Hunt Seat Finals and was second in the Maclay Equitation Finals. He judged Upperville twice and served as manager when Erskine Bedford was president.

The first super star of the Grand Prix division, Idle Dice was met with a huge cheer each time he and regular rider Rodney Jenkins entered the arena. At the time of his retirement he had won over $400,000 in prize money and 31 grand prix, including the Upperville Jumper Classic.

Betty Beryl Schenk was the stable rider for John S. Pettibone's Homewood Stables. She won many championships aboard the fine hunters turned out by trainer Robert Kerns, but probably is best remembered as the rider of the great Conformation Horse, Duke of Paeonian. After her riding career, she returned to Upperville as a judge.

Rainbow Connect

Ellie Wood baxter

San Siro

Born in 1918, Mrs. Ellen Beckman learned to ride copying the famous early film star, Tom Mix. Her first good horse, Ramos, was an exceptional conformation horse. It was through ponies, however, that she would excel. She is a founding member of the Virginia Pony Breeders Association and founded the Otteridge line of ponies.

In the early 1960s Poppett Pitts was popular lady rider. She was a regular rider of Wall of Honor Charter Member, Duke of Paeonian, and Anadarko. Riding both astride and sidesaddle, she was a regular visitor to the winners circle at Upperville.

An exhibitor, committee member and long time supporter of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show, Paul Mellon was an all around horseman. An avid foxhunter, show exhibitor, endurance rider and race horse owner, he had his greatest success with his race horses. He bred and raced several champions including Mill Reef and Kentucky Derby winner Sea Hero.

Bon Retour was shown at Upperville by D.D. Alexander, now Mrs. Michael Matz, in the Amateur Jumper divisions and was ridden by Michael to win the Grand Prix of Florida and the International Jumping Derby. More importantly he is the only horse to win the Upperville Jumper Classic more than once, first in 1984 and then five years later in 1989.