UPPERVILLE, Va., June 8, 2026– On Saturday, at the 2026 Upperville Colt & Horse Show, presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™, the show held its 2026 Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony, recognizing individuals whose enduring contributions have shaped the legacy and spirit of this historic event.
Held at the iconic showgrounds beneath the storied oaks of the Parker Ring, the Wall of Honor ceremony gathered members of the equestrian community, sponsors, friends, and family to celebrate the lives and achievements of the 2026 honorees. The Wall of Honor was established to recognize those who have made extraordinary impacts on the show and the sport, whether as competitors, horsemen, officials, volunteers, or patrons.
This year’s inductees are:
Pam Baker, who has dedicated her life to learning and then teaching horsemanship to anyone willing to try their hardest, every time they walk into her ring. She believes that, if you do your best, you will win and her students have proved this concept with wins from Upperville to Madison Square Garden. She was awarded a USHJA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Elizabeth Tayloe Courts is the great, great granddaughter of Upperville Horse Show founder Colonel Richard Henry Dulany and as a girl came to the show every year. Although not a horse person, for her the show is all about family. She joined the board in 2004 and took over as chair of the trophy committee in 2007. When she began, Upperville had 57 trophies. The show has 72 today and Elizabeth stewards them ensuring that the right trophy gets to the right ring.
Bert & Edna Lytle were married for more than 60 years and were at the heart of the horse show world from the beginning. They stood stallions and bred and showed ponies, often showing ponies as a team. They also trained and campaigned good young stock sent to them. Edna pioneered the business of leasing show ponies. Bert began converting furniture moving vans into horse vans. Then he and a friend began building jumps. Bert was instrumental in creating an indispensable piece of equipment—his homemade water wagon for the rings and roads of Upperille. Edna passed away in 2023 and Bert in 2025, just after his 95th birthday. Bert’s water wagon is still in use at the show grounds.
Sue Tallon has made a career as a horse show secretary for the past 41 years. She has been at the helm of just about every recognized show office in Virginia as well as shows in Georgia and the Carolinas. Sue is often described as meticulous as well as kind. She announced last summer that 2026 will be her final year as Show Secretary at Upperville
Elation is a full Welsh Mountain Pony, sired by Kilvey Taran and out of Cloe Olympic Joy, on Greenfields Farm in Plano, Texas in 2000. She was a standout Barbie-Doll grey mare when she was first bought by Richard Cunkle at auction and transported to Middleburg. She quickly rose to the top in the nation with consistent success at Upperville and other shows. She went on to be owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, who donated the Elation Perpetual Trophy in Elation’s honor to be presented each year at Upperville to future small pony hunter champions. She is now retired after having spent her later years carrying the tiniest rider competitors at Upperville and Devon.
“These remarkable individuals are the heartbeat of Upperville,” said Joe Fargis, UCHS president. “Through their service, vision, and passion for equestrian sport, they have left an indelible mark on this show and its history.”
The Wall of Honor features the Show’s past Presidents, who have steered its course with dedication and integrity, as well as the original nineteen charter members, and other distinguished individuals and horses. Each year, new names are added in recognition of those who have helped make Upperville the extraordinary event it is today, honoring its legacy while looking ahead to the future.
The Show’s leadership established the Wall of Honor in 2004 to celebrate the individuals and horses who have played a vital role in preserving its rich tradition, those who return year after year to work, compete, and embody the spirit of the Show, as enduring as the oaks that line its historic grounds.
For full show 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.