UPPERVILLE, Va., June 7, 2023 – The Upperville Colt & Horse Show officially kicked off its Jump In! Capital Campaign before a packed house of community members and exhibitors at Grafton Farm Showgrounds in Upperville.
“Thank you everyone for being here to honor the horse show and the grounds,” said UCHS President Joe Fargis, addressing the crowd at the campaign kickoff. “Upperville is bigger than all of us; it is history, trees, horses, and community. And tonight, we are all together because of it.”
UCHS seeks to raise a total of $7.5 million— $5 million for capital improvements and $2.5 million for endowment— of which approximately $4.3 million has already been acquired. UCHS has updated the entire electrical and water systems, dug two new wells, constructed a new equipment shed and horse show office and planted nearly 100 new trees. Forthcoming improvement projects include the renovation of the historic Grandstand at Grafton and refreshing the footing in the jumper rings at Salem.
The Jump In! Campaign further seeks to support:
• New exercise/schooling/lunging rings
• Upgraded sound, signage and spectator facilities
• A restored tree canopy and open structures on Grafton Farm
• Beautified grounds
• A new food stand
• Potential headquarters/visitors center and permanent bathrooms
“We have 170 years of history, and we can have another 170 years if we are all generous and give to our capital campaign,” Fargis continued. “You can give in any amount, large or small, and know that your gift will help invest in the show, preserve our history and strengthen our community.”
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, Lugano Diamonds, B&D Builders, Delta Air Lines, Markel and Piedmont Equine Practice.
For more information on giving, or to donate online, please CLICK HERE or contact the Show Office at 540-687-5740 or [email protected].
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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.