Hayley Alcock Mahoney has become the Show’s Director of Operations, replacing Emily Day who served as Executive Director since 2019 and left recently to join the Virginia Horse Industry Board.
Under Day’s leadership, the Show made major upgrades and additions to infrastructure thanks to the success of its ongoing Jump In! Capital Campaign. In addition, continued improvement to show operations have resulted in a financially stable event, year after year. Finally, Day built a strong team of support staff, including Mahoney, whose combined experience she is confident will ensure the Show’s success and continued growth for years to come.
“It has been an incredible honor to be associated with Upperville. I am so thankful to the Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to learn, and to work with them to improve and support this show and the community. I’m excited to stay connected with the show, and have already agreed to stay on the Capital Campaign Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee as a volunteer, to see both of those important projects through to completion,” said Day.
For Mahoney, the connection with Upperville runs deep. She is a past recipient of the Theodora Ayer Randolph Sporting Scholarship for young foxhunters who aspire to pursue competitive horse sports and improve as horsemen and has competed multiple times in Upperville American Standard Grand Prix. She competed in her first Upperville Leadline class in 2000 on her beloved Farnley Poker Face. Mahoney’s grandmother, Nancy Dillon, one of her first riding teachers and with whom she competed in many a Family Class, is a Wall of Honor member (2008) and the 2024 recipient of both the Randolph Perpetual Trophy and Spirit of the Horse Award.
The Philomont native first worked for the Show under Show Secretary, Ginny McCarty, while still completing online high school classes in 2013-2014. After graduating from Bridgewater College with a business degree, she rejoined the team in 2022, becoming full-time in 2023 and serving most recently as Administrative Director under Day.
Show President Joe Fargis said, “We couldn’t have found a better person. It was serendipitous- and that’s a word I don’t use very often. We were at the right place and the right time and so was she. And— she is totally capable.”
Mahoney will work directly with the Show’s Sponsorship team of Jessica Rich and Mary Ruppert, under the leadership of UCHS Board member, Leslie Kopp, and with Facilities & Operations Manager, Tommy Lee Jones, and Show Manager, Stephanie Lightner.