UPPERVILLE, Va., June 4, 2026 — Dr. Betsee Parker’s California Love and rider Scott Stewart won five of six High Performance Hunter classes to earn the division championship and the overall Grand Champion Hunter title at the 2026 Upperville Colt & Horse Show, presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™. Awarded among the nation’s top horses and riders, Stewart and California Love accumulated the highest number of points across Tuesday and Wednesday’s professional hunter classes.
“We always love coming to Upperville,” Stewart said, of Flemington, NJ. “The countryside and the ring here are really great to ride in, and the horses go well here.”
California Love and Stewart have built a consistent, successful partnership, earning major titles at shows such as the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair, the National Horse Show, and the Winter Equestrian Festival. Their championship performance in Upperville’s High Performance Conformation division reflected that record, with blue ribbons in all but one class to secure both the division crown and the Grand Champion Hunter title.
Stewart added to his Upperville results with several additional championships. He earned the High Performance Hunter championship aboard Rivers Edge Farm’s Encore; the 3’6” Green Hunter champion and reserve champion titles with Kulkin Equestrian’s Timing and A Lister; the reserve championship in the 3’3” Green Hunter with Gracious; and the 3’ Green Hunter reserve championship with Dream for owner Marilou Case.
The Grand Champion Hunter and Leading Hunter Rider awards are given annually to the horse and rider accumulating the most points in the professional rated divisions throughout the weeklong show, held beneath the famed oaks at Grafton and Salem Farms.
The 173rd UCHS continues through Sunday, June 7, featuring international show jumping, breeding classes, and family-friendly events. Spectators are welcome, and livestream coverage is available via ClipMyHorse.
For full results, schedules, and more information, visit www.upperville.com.
Sponsors of the 2026 Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ include Ethel M. Chocolates, Dr. Betsee Parker, Michael Smith, Lugano, The Salamander Collection, B&D Builders, Markel Insurance, Delta Air Lines and the Postage Stamp Farm Foundation.
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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 supports local area charities, including the Churches of Upperville Outreach Program. For complete schedules and up-to-the-minute results, visit the website at www.upperville.com.