UPPERVILLE, Va., June 8, 2023 – Martha Nevins and longtime partner Classic Brother won two of three division classes to earn the Take2 Thoroughbred Jumper Championship at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™.
Nevins of Kirkwood, Pa., has owned “Spencer” for nine years and rides with UCHS President Joe Fargis.
“I am overjoyed to be here,” she said following the awards ceremony. “I’m glad my horse jumped well. I am so proud of him. I appreciate all the help from Joe and the team we have here; we have a really great time!”
Fellow Fargis student Beverly Alcock of Philomont, Va. took the reserve championship aboard Nicole Perry’s Just a Jet, who was recently “unretired” from a life of leisure.
“He was really bored, bucking in the field and playing in the water trough,” laughed Daphne Alcock, Beverly’s mom, who competed “Piedy” in the 1.50 m classes and Grand Prix. “So, we put him back to work and he is so happy.”
“I’ve had a very good week,” said Beverly Alcock. “But I’m also sitting on a very good horse. Nicole Perry lets me show him and he is amazing, so I am beyond happy!”
The 2023 Upperville Colt & Horse Show, taking place June 5-11, is presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ with The Ethel M® Chocolate Brand and Lugano Diamonds serving as co-sponsors of the 2023 FEI $226,000 Jumper Classic. Other sponsors include Buckeye Nutrition, Nutro Natural Choice, The Salamander Collection, B&D Builders, Delta Air Lines, Markel and Piedmont Equine Practice.
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About the Upperville Colt & Horse Show
The Upperville Colt & Horse Show, June 5-11, is the oldest horse show in the U.S., celebrating its 170th 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 and is on the National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Historic Register. For more information, visit www.upperville.com.