For the past four years, the Upperville Colt & Horse Show has relied on the artistry of hunter derby course designer, Paul Jewell, whose tracks have challenged and inspired both horse and rider in the Grand Prix ring on Salem Farm, where the Derby had been held since 2012, and, more recently, the historic Parker Ring on Grafton Farm, where the iconic class moved in 2024, upon completion of the grandstand renovations. For him, contributing to the country’s oldest horse show is nothing short of an honor. He adds and that watching horses at this level has been a pleasure.
Jewell’s credentials extend well beyond Upperville. Since the USHJA’s inception of the International Hunter Derby competition in 2010, he has been entrusted to design courses for top competitions nationwide. This experience has shaped Jewell’s philosophy that a derby should not only test skill and bravery, but also allow horses to show brilliance and offer judges an opportunity to reward them generously. “The International Derby is like the Grand Prix for hunters,” he explains. “Designing a course that encourages the horses to jump well and the judges to score high is always the goal.”
Upperville’s Parker Ring presents a unique canvas. With its natural trees and limited paths, it demands creativity, while its history and atmosphere make it a course designer’s dream. Jewell, along with co-designer and partner Nancy Wallis, embraces the ring’s character by leaning into tradition—longer lines, galloping paces, and flowing tracks that celebrate the heritage of hunter sport. Wallis adds to the courses an element of extraordinary beauty, using live flowers and shrubbery to decorate the fences and the ring. The result is a course that not only challenges but also resonates with the show’s 172-year legacy of showing top-tier hunters under the oaks.
This year’s class reflected that vision perfectly. Under blue skies and before an enthusiastic crowd, the nation’s top hunter riders laid down inspired performances. The highlight came from Amanda Steege and her talented partner, Laffit de Muze, whose two flawless rounds secured the 2025 International Hunter Derby win. “Laffit and Amanda were spectacular in both rounds,” he says with admiration. “It was a great class, great weather, great crowd. All the riders were very complimentary about the course and the horse show.”
In the end, Jewell’s role goes far beyond setting jumps in a ring. It is about honoring tradition, elevating performance, and creating an unforgettable experience for horse, rider, and spectator alike. At Upperville, where history meets modern sport, his courses ensure the International Hunter Derby continues to shine as one of the show’s crown jewels. And in two of the past three years, Jewell’s efforts have helped earn Upperville the title of Hunter Derby of the Year by the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame, as well as Horse Show of the Year in 2024.
Photo Courtesy of Dillon Keen Photography