UPPERVILLE, Va., March 26, 2024 – The 2024 Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ is the oldest horse show in the U.S. and will celebrate its 171st year this June 3 through 9. Parking and general admission are free again this year.
Founded in 1853 as a one-day show to encourage better breeding and care of horses, the show has grown to a weeklong tradition with thousands of equestrian and equine pairs competing in a variety of competitive disciplines. Many of the continent’s top professional riders as well as amateurs compete under the spectacular setting featuring the famous oaks at Grafton Farm—the same location since 1853.
The UCHS is an FEI CSI4* event that attracts hundreds of world-class equestrians year after year. The equine and human athletes compete in disciplines ranging from international level show jumping, hunters and equitation to local ponies, in-hand conformation classes, and women in traditional, elegant sidesaddle. In addition to its CSI4* designation, the competition boasts Premier and Jumper Rating Six classifications with US Equestrian, is sanctioned by the Virginia Horse Shows Association and the Maryland Horse Shows Association and is a World Championship Hunter Rider recognized show. UCHS is also one of a handful of qualified Heritage Horse Shows across the United States.
The week-long show culminates on June 9 with the excitement of the $226,000 Upperville Jumper Classic CSI4* featuring top equestrians from across the nation and around the globe. The day’s entertainment includes junior and amateur riders and the Horses & Horsepower car show. Vendors throughout the show offer a variety of food as well as equestrian, sporting, and fashionable clothing, milliners, tack and leather goods, jewelry, art and hand-crafted gifts. The venue is beautifully located in the heart of Virginia’s hunt country.
MARS EQUESTRIAN’s sponsorship launched in 2018 to extend Mars, Incorporated’s long-time support of equestrian sports and to honor an equestrian legacy through purposeful partnerships.
In addition to being the presenting sponsor of UCHS, MARS EQUESTRIAN will have multiple touchpoints across the 2024 showgrounds including: Sponsorship of the Hunter and Jumper Riders Lounges, which will be open to riders, trainers and grooms, and recognition of The Ethel M® Chocolate Brand as the Co-Sponsor of the 2024 FEI $226,000 Jumper Classic, along with Lugano Diamonds.
Also of note for equestrians wishing to compete in this year’s UCHS, regular entry opening date is Monday, April 15 at noon. Entry opening date for hunter breeding, leadline, walk-trot, side saddle, Cleveland Bay, Irish Hunter and Connemara divisions is Thursday, May 2 at noon. To see the UCHS Prize List and classes, click here.
On Sunday, June 2, UCHS holds a special unrated show day for both hunters and jumpers. Upperville Jump 4 Fun Jumper Schooling Show and Upperville Jump 4 Fun Hunter Schooling Show open for entries on Tuesday, May 2 at noon, through www.horseshowslonline.com. All classes are open to horses and ponies ridden by juniors, amateurs or professionals. To see the Jump 4 Fun Prize List, click here.
Additional sponsors include Buckeye Nutrition, Royal Canin, Lugano Diamonds, The Salamander Collection, B&D Builders, Markel Insurance, Delta and Piedmont Equine Practice.
For more information and the weeklong show schedule, visit www.upperville.com.
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About the Upperville Colt & Horse Show
The Upperville Colt & Horse Show, also known as the Upperville Horse Show and UCHS, is the oldest horse show in the U.S. Founded in 1853 as a one-day show to encourage better breeding and care of horses, the show has grown to a weeklong tradition with thousands of equestrian and equine pairs competing in a variety of competitive disciplines. Many of the continent’s top professional riders as well as amateurs compete under the spectacular setting featuring the famous oaks at Grafton Farm—the same location as 1853. UCHS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that raises funds for The Churches of Upperville Outreach Program and supports other area charities. For complete schedules and up-to-the-minute results, visit the website at www.upperville.com.