wall of honor...

This year the Upperville Colt and Horse Show celebrates its 158th anniversary.

Conceived by Colonel Richard Dulany as an incentive to promote better care and quality in local riding horses, an afternoon competition has grown into a week long international event.

From the beginning, it was a great success; a large number of entries for the two classes came to the Oak Grove on Number Six, now Grafton Farm. Spectators arriving with their friends and families in buggies and carriages set up tables and picnicked under the spreading limbs of the oak trees. The small organizing committee, with the guidance of Colonel Dulany, decided to form a club to ensure the continuation of this event. Colonel Dulany was elected president, a position he held for over fifty ears.

Mayme Ober Peak wrote of Colonel Dulany in a 1931 article for the Loudoun-Fauquier Magazine, a gentleman of the old school- hospitable, generous, public-spirited …His love for horses was a tradition. Throughout the years, interested neighbors have joined the families of the original organizers, to continue those qualities in the Upperville Colt and Horse Show. Some of the country’s best horsemen have returned each year to compete under the oaks, and enjoy the relaxed Virginia hospitality.

We wish to thank and recognize those people and horses that have kept this tradition alive. Those who return year after year to work on the committee or compete have become as familiar and important as the oaks that grace the historic show grounds. They are in fact themselves, Upperville Oaks.

Each year we hope to honor more of the people and horses that have gone before us, remembering our past, as we look to the future.

wall of honor - past presidents

Presidents of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show 
(Since the 1894 reorganization)

wall of honor - charter members

R. S. Peach

Secretary/Treasurer of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show for over thirty years. From their farm on the Delaplane Grade Road, the Peach Brothers sent many winners to the Horse Show. They were especially successful in the draft and non-thoroughbred divisions

Taylor Hardin

A long time board member, he and his wife,Tatine,established Newstead Farm and built it into a leading commercial thoroughbred operation. They were also exhibitors at the show. and some of their Saratoga yearlings debuted at the show. After Mr. Hardin’s death, Miss Oceana, a homebred, set a record for a broodmare selling at public auction, $7.5 million dollars.

James L. Wiley

Mr. Wiley served on the board as well as a judge and steward for many years. He was a well known and successful agent of thoroughbreds.

Nancy Lee

Secretary and longtime supporter of the show, from her Lee Advertising she kept many of the area farms organized as well as the horse show. In Upperville tradition her daughter followed her as secretary of the show and is now vice president. Mrs. Lee’s ringside picnics were famous during the week of the show.

Elizabeth Whitney Tippet

An all around horsewoman,she hunted, showed and drove, played polo, and rode races. From her Llangollen Farm, she bred and raised winners in nearly every equine sport. Her horses dominated the show world in the 1930s and 1940s. Some of her top show horses included Kinprillis, the gray Bon Diablo, Grey Knight, The Good Night and her hunt teams were always hard to beat.

Morton W. Cappy Smith

Beginning in the 1930s, Cappy dominated the horse show scene for many decades. He was a prolific purveyor of high quality horses. Making and selling young horses was his passion. He rode and sold such equine stars as Bartender, Intrepid, Portlight, Clay Pidgeon,Ping Pong and Pronto, who would become Nautical,"The Horse With The Flying Tail". His hunters included Sinbad, Sombrero, Grey Pennant and Guardsman. He has been called the horseman of the century.

Alex Calvert

A consummate horseman,he was known for his quiet seat and hands. He showed many champions at Upperville from his Warrenton farm.

J. Arthur Reynolds

Began coming to Upperville in the late 1930s, missing very few years up into the 90s. He rode himself before turning the saddle over to his son, Arthur Reynolds Jr., and his daughter, Betty. He will forever be linked with the great Navy Commander, that his daughter Betty showed. In his later years, he showed breeding stock on the line.

Delmar Twyman

A cousin to J. Arthur, Delmar began his career working for Manley Carter of Orange. He won many championships with Inky and competed on the line after turning the riding duties over to his son Noel. He found and developed many young horses. Upperville honors him with an award to the handler with the most points on Breeding Day.

Ennis Jenkins

"Chief"as he was known by many was a Virginia horseman of the first order. A professional huntsman, and a developer of young horses and men. With his three sons their Hill Top Stables became a prominent presence at all the big shows.

Sallie Sexton

A long successful life around horses drew her to the Upperville area where she bought a farm. She showed for many years and taught side saddle .The most elite Side Saddle class in the country is held in her honor at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show.

Sallie B. Wheeler

An elegant horsewoman of the first order. She rode her own Isgilde to the championship at Upperville, and campaigned many champions from her Cismont Manor Farm. They won and redonated the greatest number of trophies at the horse show

Black Hawk

A Morgan stallion bought and shipped to Virginia from Vermont, by Colonel Dulany. He was the sire of many of the winners at the first show. He was a smallish compact horse that could sire horses for riding or driving. Black Hawk went to war with the Colonel and little was written of his fate. It is believed that he foundered and was put down during the campaign.

Scrivington

Another of Colonel Dulany’s imports,this one came from England, he was a Cleveland Bay. He offered more size and made a better horse to follow hounds, which the Colonel was fond of doing. Scrivington stood at no fee for the local farmers. He was taken north during the Civil War by his slave groom. Both returned to Welbourne, home of Colonel Dulany, after the war was over, where they lived out the rest f their lives.

Silver Crest

Known at the time of his death as the greatest show hunter that ever lived, he was born, raised, shown and buried on the grounds of the Upperville Horse Show. He was shown and hunted in Virginia until the age of eleven, when he was leased and taken north to show on the National show circuit. According to the official record from 1919 to 1925, he competed in forty six shows where he won 14 champions, 14 reserves, 171 first, 92 seconds, $6,769.45 in prize money, and $1350 in silver plate. In 1922 he jumped 100 rounds without a fault, and at several shows won every hunter and jumper class in which he was entered.

Freckles

A small grey mare, owned by Thomas E. Jones ’ New Hope Farm, set the lady’s high jump record at 7’3”, in 1958, ridden by future Olympian Kathy Kusner. It was national news with Kathy and Freckles appearing in Sports Illustrated and other publications. She was tied that day with another horse, War Hawk ridden by Sally Holly.

Quiet Flight

The attractive brown horse was bred and raised by Mrs. A. C. Randolph at her Oakley Farm, next door to the Upperville Horse Show grounds. He was versatile and durable and won no matter who was aboard. Shown by Gene Pillion, Rodney Jenkins, and others, Quiet Flite won many championships at Upperville and was five times a National champion.

Duke of Paeonian

Campaigned by Mr. and Mrs. John Pettibone’s Homewood Farm, the Duke dominated the Conformation divisions both at Upperville and nationally. Shown throughout his career by Poppett Robinson Pitts, Betty Beryl Schenk, and Robert Kerns, who managed Mr. Pettibone’s show horses.

Bonnie Nuit

A dominant sire in the early forties and fifties, he was a beautiful grey horse that passed on his color and his athletic ability. His name could be found in the pedigrees of many of the winners at Upperville.

wall of honor - 2005 inductees

Ellie Wood Baxter

Ellie Wood Baxter won her first blue ribbon at the age of three and never looked back She was an outstanding junior rider winning the ASPCA Maclay Trophy in 1936 at the Garden. She rode as an amateur and was a highly sought after lady rider, as all the big shows had ladies only classes. She would, and could, ride almost anything and most horses responded to her, galloping and jumping boldly around the big outside courses of the day. She rode for the big show barns of the day; G. Watt’s Humphrey’s Shawnee Farm, Pass Run and Journey Proud, and was a regular on Mrs. J. Deane Rucker’s Cold Climate and Spanish Mint, as well as her friends one horse stables. She has been a foxhunter throughout her life and still hunts with Farmington regularly. Her showing has been limited lately, but she has won the Piedmont Hunt ’s Invitational at Upperville in 1993, 1995, 1999, and 2002.

Robert J. Burke

Mr. Burke has been called a classic horseman, his quiet seat and steady hands have calmed the most nervous of young horse. He took a long hold and the horses seemed to respond with a freedom of movement and jumping as if loose, but in perfect control.

He won many championships in the hunter divisions with such horses as Cameda, Sunset Hills, Shining Hour, the spotted horse Harlequin and countless others. He had the ability to spot young talent and picked out Act 1 and Blue Plum, who would become members of the U.S. Equestrian Team. He showed Act 1 as well as top jumpers, Fitzrada, Bell Hop, Saxon Wood, Safari Joe, Black Velvet, Grey Velvet and Golden Chance. He also showed many champions on the line including Keelo to the Best Young Horse award
at Upperville.

Rodney Jenkins

Born and bred a Virginia horseman, he joined his father, Ennis, a huntsman and horseman himself, in the saddle at an early age. He and his brothers rode from their earliest memories whipping in to their father and developing young horses. Rodney developed a natural touch that fostered confidence in young horses and allowed older horses to perform at the top of their abilities.

He was at the top of his game from the 1960s thru most of the 1980s. He was equally at home on hunters as well as jumpers, winning on Quiet Flite, Not Always, San Felipe, Wall St. Broker and Riot Free. His most familiar mount in the jumpers may have been Idle Dice, one of three horses he rode to win the Upperville Jumper Classic. He also won the Classic on Czar and Second Balcony. On Czar, he also won two Silver Medals at the Pan American Games in 1987. Other notable jumpers he rode to more than 70 grand prix victories were Gustavus, Playback, The Natural, Aerobic, Coastline, Number One Spy, Third Man and Southside.

Edgar J. 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.

In grand Upperville tradition, where the horse show needed him, he became manager of the horse show. His gruff style only masked his generosity and community spirit. He ran an all volunteer crew, mostly his volleyball playing friends, and they weathered drought and hurricanes to produce well managed productions, and always in great spirit.

Osczar

From 1994 until 2001,Osczar appears on the championship charts of the Upperville Horse show an incredibly consistent six times. In 1994, he was First Year Green Working Champion for Dawn Fogel; in 1997, he added the Working Hunter division to his credit. He dominated the younger amateur division from 1998 thru 2001 winning the James J. Piehler Memorial Trophy for the high point Amateur Horse in the years 1998, 1999, and 2000.

wall of honor - 2006 inductees

Dr. Rufus Humphrey

Like his father before him, Dr. Humphrey served for many years as the official veterinarian for the Upperville Colt and Horse Show. He not only was there for medical assistance and advice but was an unofficial judge who could tell you who was winning most classes as they progressed.

William H. Perry

Campaigned the great Cornish Hills in the hunter divisions during the 1940s, long with, To Victory, Demopolis, Scotchwood, and Santa Claus. He was one of the founding members of the Virginia Horse Show Association.

Mrs. Frances "Funny" Rowe

Early pioneer and promoter of the jumper divisions, and was influential in developing young riders such as Joan Boyce, Kathy Kusner, Conrad Holmfeld, and Joe Fargis.

William S. "Tommy" Stokes

Long time board member and organizer of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show, Tommy performed nearly every task it takes to put on the show, from weed eating to presenting the trophy to the winner of the Jumper Classic. As vice president, he helped to lead the show into the present era and at one time was quite proud that he had eaten breakfast each morning at the show for over twenty years.

Paul Mellon

An exhibitor, committee member and long time supporter of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show, Mr. 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.

Idle Dice

The first super star of the Grand Prix division, he 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.

Sign The Card

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, this little mare dominated the hunter divisions at Upperville and nationally. Showing in the Amateur Division as well as First and Second Year, she was champion of both for the years 1969 and 1970. She also was Working Hunter Champion and Horse of the Year twice.

Isgilde

Outstanding working hunter of the early 1960s. Owned by Cismont Farm and ridden to many championships by both Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth M. Wheeler.

Mrs. John T. "Betty" Maloney

A long time exhibitor and supporter of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show and the mother of exhibitors Sharon and Kevin Maloney. She showed many horses in the working divisions as well as being a top lady rider, in a time when there were restricted classes for ladies. Her best horses were perhaps, Prompt Payment and Substitution. She was a supporter of many young equestrians and one of the founders of the Fauquier S. P. C. A. and consequently her Dog Patch Farm welcomed many wayward travelers, pets and people alike.

Charles "Charlie" Weaver

A top junior rider who graduated to become a dominating force in the hunter ring, riding for Cismont Manor Farm. Most of the champions of the big hunter divisions in the early 1980s found in the program were ridden by Charlie. His soft spoken and quiet manner brought out the best in such horses as Fun &Games, Ruxton, Two For One, Just For Fun, Weather Permitting, and Super Flash.

Kenneth Wheeler

The consummate horseman Kenny has trained more champions at Upperville than anyone. From his Cismont Manor Farm he has sent out Isgilde, Ruxton, Showdown, Henry the Hawk, Gozzi, Call You Raise You, Fun & Games, Two For One, Weather Permitting, Stocking Stuffer, Awesome, and For Many Reasons. Kenny is a specialist with young horses and has won nearly as many breeding champions on the line.

Mrs. Rionda Braga

An avid supporter and former board member of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show Mrs. Braga has also been an enthusiastic exhibitor. Her time on the board was one of great growth and her sound, even, well thought out advice was instrumental in keeping the show in the right direction.

wall of honor - 2007 inductees

Daniel P. Lenehan

Daniel Lenehan was a life-long horseman. He rode to many championships in the forties and fifties and showed young horses in hand later in life.

Jane Dillon

Jane Dillon brought many of her students from her "School of Equitation" in Vienna, Virginia to compete at Upperville. Concentrating on young riders on ponies and junior horses, she produced many top riders including Olympians Kathy Kusner and Joe Fargis.

General George Patton

General George Patton, Master of the nearby Cobbler Mountain Hunt, was a frequent exhibitor and supporter of Upperville. He often rode in the hunter classes and joined with General"Billy" Mitchell to compete in the team class.

Dorothy N. Lee

Mrs. D. N. Lee was a Middleburg institution. In her later years she was known as a developer of fine young race horses, breaking and training youngsters for some of the best known stables in racing. Her early years, however, were spent showing and hunting, she won many championships at Upperville. Her better known hunters were Broken Glass and Rock Arden.

Betty Anne Triplett

For over forty years the Lady's Auxiliary of the Upperville Fire Department operated the food stand near the grandstand. At first under a tent and then in the permanent building built by members of the Fire Department, Mrs. Betty Triplett was there throughout. They were famous for their fried chicken platters, and early breakfast, and Mrs. Triplett was usually there until the last burger flipped.

Bon Retour

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.

Journey Proud

In the late fifties Journey Proud was a force to be reckoned with. Sent out by Mrs. Parker Poe's Shawnee Farm, he won frequently in the green hunter as well as the working hunter division. Ridden by his trainer Garfield Harding, and in the ladies classes by Ellie Wood Keith Baxter he was champion at Upperville in 1957 and 1958.

Broken Glass

Broken Glass was one of Mrs. D.N. Lee's great horses. He won at least one class in every year he competed at Upperville. As a Green Hunter in 1927, his first appearance at Upperville, he won both classes over the outside course. Green Hunters in those days jumped 4-foot fences.


Michael Matz

Michael Matz's performance in the show ring is legendary. He won the 1981 FEI World Cup final, a Pan American Games Gold Medal and Olympic Team Medal. He was AGA Rider of the Year in 1981 and 1984, and he won the USET Show Jumping Championship six times. He was a frequent exhibitor at Upperville throughout his career and is the only rider to win the Jumper Classic five times. His second career with horses has been just as successful, high-lighted by winning the 2006 Kentucky Derby with Barbaro. Mr. Matz is the only five-time winner of the Jumper Classic.

Betty Beryl Schenk

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.

Jimmy Hatcher

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.

Howard Allen

Howard Allen put a face on the Upperville Colt and Horse Show in the fifties and sixties. As a photographer, his pictures were seen around the world in newspapers and magazines. He was there to capture Freckles and Kathy Kusner setting the ladies high jumping record in 1958 at 7 feet 3 inches. He was the son of noted horseman Lewis M. Allen but turned to the camera to continue his horse show involvement.

Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle earned the High Point Award in 1994 for Amateur Owner, Pam Covington. He was sold shortly after that to the Lindner family. In 1995 he was Working Hunter Champion. He earned the championship of the small junior division two years running, 1996 and 1997, and was also Grand Junior Champion in 1996.

wall of honor - 2008 inductees

Admiration

Admiration was owned by Mrs. Stephen Clark, Jr. and shown out of Cismont Manor Farm. In 2001, he was Reserve Working Hunter Champion and Champion Regular Conformation, winning five classes in the two divisions. He returned in 2004 to win the Regular Conformation title for a second time. He is retired at Mrs. Clark's farm in Middleburg.

Lee Cross

For over thirty years, Mr. Cross has sold, donated, stored, and most importantly, engraved, the trophies of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show. A master hand engraver, he had bought the old trophies seamlessly into the present. A long time supporter of Upperville, he and his wife donated the Lee Cross Challenge Trophy for the Grand Champion Pony Hunter in 1984.

Malachi Grant

In the earlier years of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show, the lunch break was almost as popular as the competition itself. Families would gather under the same oak trees, year after year, to enjoy magnificent luncheons spread upon clothed tables. Under the huge oak in what is now the main ring schooling area, Mrs. Walter Jones, of Ayershire Farm, held her picnic. As chief libation engineer, Malachi was one of the most popular people at the luncheon.

Charles "Charlie" Risdon

Charlie began work for Mrs. A. C. Randolph immediately after graduating high school. Mrs. Randolph was a long time supporter and past president of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show and extremely generous with her time and Charlie's. For over thirty years, he was responsible for repairs, maintenance, and building of the show's infrastructure. He devised a water delivery system from the spring boxes, which supplies the water for the show, to the stable area, later adding tanker trucks, when the demand out-paced the water supply. Charlie deserves the credit for convincing Valley Drilling to drill the first well on the show grounds, pro-bono, in the late 1980's. We thank him for always going the extra mile and for being there when we needed to know where stuff was.

Mo Dana

Mo first came to Upperville as a pony exhibitor in the 1960's. Later, as a teacher and coach, her pony and junior exhibitors were always immaculately turned out. She ran the barn for Newstead Farm where she coached a young Allison Firestone.

Marshall Hawkins

The premier equine photographer of his day, Marshall spent many hours in the Upperville ring. His photographs of horses at work and play grace the walls of many American homes. He shot all the important events of the day - flat and steeplechase racing, foxhunting, horse shows, and even a few weddings. His most famous photograph, however, was one of a hunting mishap. While hunting, then First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, was tossed over a stone wall when her horse refused the jump. Marshall caught her in mid-air, upside down. It was my most lucrative photo, he said. I've traded that picture for meals and hotel rooms all over this country.

Robert Kerns

From a family of horsemen, Robert worked for many of the leading stables in the 1940's thru the 1970's. he was probably best known as the manager of Homewood Stables where he was the trainer and sometimes rider of conformation champion, Duke of Paeonian.

Nancy Dillon

A July 1950 Chronicle of the Horse stated: another stellar performance by the Graham sister's pony Pepprtoes captures the championship at Upperville. In 1993, 1994, 1996,1997, 2004, and 2006, Nancy Graham Dillon won the Family class riding with her children and grand-children. In the years between these two events, she has taught an un-known number of children to ride, and allowed them to experience the joy she has found in both the ring and the hunt field.


True Blue

Owned by Mrs. Robert Rogers and often ridden by her daughter, Penny Denegre, no other horse has dominated the Side Saddle division as True Blue. He was crowned Champion every year between 1992 and 1998. He also won the under saddle in 1989 and 1990, and the hack in 1999.

Shining Hour

As a three-year-old, Shining Hour earned the most points ever awarded by e three-year-old to be Champion of Virginia. owned by Mr. and mrs. Robert J/ Burke, he was champion at nearly every major horse show throughout his career.

wall of honor - 2009 inductees

A.E. "Gene" Cunningham

The quiet Virginia horseman developed and showed some of the top hunters in his day. Vital Victory, Jag, Old Dominion, and the grand conformation horse Cap & Gown, were just some of the many champions he showed at Upperville.

Cap & Gown

Owned by Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Cunningham, the large bay gelding was Three Year Old Champion and then later Conformation Champion at Upperville and throughout the nation.

Chantilly

Bred by Robert Coles of Keswick and plucked from the herd at Cloverfields, Chantilly became one of the winningest ponies of all time. Eileen Beckman and her girls polished the raw gem into a shining jewel as top pony in the country.

Pembroke Somerset Gochnauer

Pembroke Somerset Gochnauer, better known as P.S. Gochnauer, was the Secretary and Treasurer of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show for twenty-five years. He served from 1891 to 1915 as the show's Second treasurer for Show presidents COL Dulany, Willie Fletcher, and Joshua Fletcher, Jr. He earlier served as a Sergeant for Fight Eight. C.S.A. and lost the use of an arm but overcame the handicap to become a leading merchant and citizen in the Upperville community. His Upperville Colt & Horse Show minute book is now held by the National Sporting Library. A memorial class was held in his honor in 1920 and the silver trophy is in the possession of his great-grandson.

Barbara "Tippy" Payne: In Memoriam

In December 2008, the Upperville Colt & Horse Show and the community lost one of its dearest citizens. Barbara "Tippy" Payne had an untimely accident doing what she loved.

This will be the first time in over thirty years that Tippy will not attend the Upperville Horse Show. it seems that she was as much a part of the horse show as the ancient oaks. Her ever present smile, good humor, and helpful attitude greeted generations of horse show visitors and she was never to busy to congratulate a winner or console those not so fortunate.

The Upperville Horse Show will pay tribute to Tippy's honor with a special memorial presentation each year. The professional staff in the hunter office, who have worked with Tippy for many years, will choose the person who exhibits the cheerful - smiling - friendly - kind attitude, like Tippy: The Good Citizen Award.

The artist, Jean Clagett, of Atelier West Studio in Upperville, has sculpted a bronze statue exemplifying Tippy's great love - following the Piedmont Hounds, aboard Lady Hawke, across the rolling hills and stonewalls of the Virginia countryside.

We are proud to place Tippy's name on the Wall of Honor.

Eileen Brent Beckman

Born in 1918, Mrs. 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.

Both her daughters and her niece rode the ponies she bred and those that she found from other sources. She won her first of many championships at Upperville in 1965.

Gene Pillion

As stable rider and trainer for Mrs. A.C. Randolph, long time supporter of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, Gene worked to ready the grounds each year for the show and competed with some of the best show hunters of his day. He began his career under the watchful eye of fellow Wall of Honor inductee, Robert Kerns, who would later become his father-in-law.

He rode and trained the outstanding Black Atom, Quiet Flight, Nereus, and Moomerie, to many championships at Upperville and other top shows in the country. His first appearance in the Upperville show ring, at age eight, however, was at the fall church show in the greased pig contest.

Robert J. Pillion

For over thirty years, Bobby Joe has greeted the winners of each class at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show. His pleasant demeanor has greeted many of the best show horses in the country, with congratulations and a smile. Before serving as Ringmaster, he competed himself, and, as a youth, sold programs and did other odd jobs at the show.

He joins his brother, Gene, on the Wall of Honor this year.

Rainbow Connection

For many years, Rainbow Connection has competed under the oaks at Upperville. Being both generous and forgiving, she always competed at the top of her game, allowing our youngest riders to learn from her.

She has been National Champion Small Green Pony and twice national Champion Small Regular Pony. She was Champion at Upperville in 1995. In 2007, at the age of twenty-eight she won the Leadline class at Upperville - once again giving a young competitor their first thrill of victory. She now enjoys a well-earned retirement not far from the Upperville show grounds.

wall of honor - 2010 inductees

Mrs. J. Deane Rucker; Jack Payne; Cold Climate; Marianna; Spanish Mint

Outstanding trainer from Gordonsville, VA, Jack Payne was a dynamic force in the working and conformation divisions with a one-two punch of Cold Climate and Spanish Mint, both owned by Mrs. J. Deane Rucker. He also trained his daughter's junior horse, Marianna, which was champion in both Small and Junior Hunter Divisions many times. In 1962, she won nine of ten classes and was second in the other. In 1970, the Payne family offered the Marianna Challenge Trophy for the Grand Champion Hunter.

Hermann & Monica L. Greenberg

Herman & Monica L. Greenberg have been strong supporters of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show for a very long time. Mr. Greenberg first became a sponsor when his daughter, Sherry, was showing in the junior and amateur divisions.

Monica began taking lessons from the great Sallie Sexton and competed for years in the sidesaddle division. Their Rutledge Farm Perpetual Trophy for the Ladies Side Saddle Hack has been offered since 1992. After Mrs. Greenberg's retirement from competition and the death of Ms. Sexton, the Greenberg Foundation sponsored the Sallie Sexton Memorial Stake class, one of the richest sidesaddle classes in the country.

Mr. Greenberg was a dedicated horseman who bred Colonial Affair, the winner of the Belmont Stakes and over one million dollars. He also campaigned the bargain purchased Researcher in his Rutledge Farm colors. Bred by the M.A.R.E. Center in Middleburg, he too has now won over a million dollars.

Mr. Greenberg died on February 28, 2010 and the Sidesaddle Stake Class will now carry his name.

Poppett Robinson Pitts

In the early 1960s Poppett 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. She married Clinton Pitts, a racing official at many major racing facilities, and their daughter is Helen Pitts-Blassi. Helen was the first trainer of Horse of the Year Curlin and the recently retired Einstein, Grade I winner of over two million dollars.

Francis E. Finchum

For over forty years Mr. Finch has been an important part of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show. He began his service to the show as a volunteer ring crew member under the management of Eggie Mills.

Over the years, as the official electrician, Mr. Finchum has been responsible for revamping the electrical service on the entire show grounds. If you are on the grounds very early, you may see him making his rounds to check that everything is working for the new show day. Often he is one of the last to leave. His dedication is an inspiration to us all.

San Siro

Owned by Tracey Weinberg and the Weinberg Brokerage Group, San Siro dominated the Amateur Owner Older group in the early 2000s. He was champion in both 2000 and 2001, winning the James J. Piehler Memorial Trophy for accumulating the highest point total in any section of the Amateurs.

He returned in 2005 again as champion and also won the James J. Piehler Trophy for a second time. Upon his retirement, his owners offered the San Siro Perpetual Trophy for the Grand Champion Amateur Owner.

Upperville was San Siro's favorite horse show. He especially liked the Berry Sno-Cones available at the in-gate after championship performances.