2025 Upperville Colt & Horse Show Presented by MARS Equestrian™ Returns for 172nd Year June 2 – 8
More than 1,200 horse and rider pairs will compete in the nation’s oldest horse show.
UPPERVILLE, VA — The 2025 Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™ is the oldest horse show in the U.S. and will celebrate its 172nd year this June. Parking and general admission are free. More than 1,200 horse and rider pairs will compete in disciplines ranging from international-level show jumping, hunters, and equitation to local ponies, in-hand confirmation classes, traditional and elegant side saddle, polo, and more.
The show starts at 8 a.m. each morning, June 2 – 8, and runs until classes finish at about 5 p.m. Of particular note is Thursday, June 5, with the USHJA International Hunter Derby at 4 p.m.; Friday, June 6, with the Welcome Stakes at 3 p.m. and complimentary refreshments in the Koons Motors Jumper Hospitality Tent; and Saturday, June 7, with the Upperville American Standard Grand Prix at 4 p.m. and complimentary refreshments. Covered bleacher seating is available overlooking all the action in the Grand Prix Ring.
The weeklong show culminates on June 8 at 2 p.m. with the excitement of the $200,000 Upperville Jumper Classic FEI CSI4*, featuring top equestrians from across the nation and the world. The day’s entertainment includes junior and amateur riders and the 11th Annual Horses & Horsepower car show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. All day, UCHS will also be collecting donations for Seven Loaves, a local food bank, and the Middleburg Humane Foundation, a local no-kill animal shelter. To see what items are needed, visit upperville.com/neigh-bors-helping-neigh-bors.
Throughout the week, more than 85 vendors will offer a variety of food as well as clothing, tack, leather goods, jewelry, art, housewares, handcrafted gifts, and more.
Other event activities include “Art Under the Oaks,” where kids of all ages can paint, draw, and explore creativity with local artists. There is no charge to participate, and the activity will be available June 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; June 5, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and June 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Look for a tent located between hunter rings (south side of Rte. 50).
A Pup Parade on Saturday, June 7, at 11:30 a.m. features junior dog lovers parading their furry friends around the main hunter ring. All kids 12 and under are welcome with their dogs, and they can bring a chaperone to help as needed. It will be located in the Parker Hunter Ring, (south side of Rte. 50). All dogs must be leashed, vaccinated, and under their owner’s control. Also on Saturday, June 7, at 2:30 p.m. in the Parker Hunter Ring will be five regional therapeutic equine and para-equestrian organizations bringing riders and horses for a demonstration.
Sponsors of the 2025 Upperville Colt & Horse Show include presenting sponsor MARS Equestrian™, Ethel M. Chocolates®, Koons Motors, Michael and Wendy Smith, Lugano Diamonds, The Salamander Collection, B&D Builders, Markel Insurance, and Delta Air Lines.
The show will be held at 8321 John Mosby Highway, Upperville, VA 20184 (about 50 minutes west of Washington, D.C., and six miles west of Middleburg). John Mosby Highway (Route 50) runs through the middle of the showgrounds. These are the same showgrounds used since 1853. General admission parking is through Gate 4. The show will also be livestreamed daily through its website. For more information, visit upperville.com.
Posted on: June 2, 2025