Tradition, Thoroughbreds, and Championship Performances Define 173rd Upperville Colt & Horse Show

Written by Shayda Windle

The 173rd Upperville Colt & Horse Show, presented by MARS Equestrian™, delivered everything equestrians have come to expect from America’s oldest horse show: top-level competition, tributes to legendary horses, and a glimpse into the future of the sport.

Perhaps no moment captured the spirit of the week better than the debut of the $25,000 Thoroughbred Hunter Derby, a class that drew an extraordinary 57 entries and packed the grandstand with enthusiastic spectators.

Hayley Alcock, director of operations at UCHS, says, “The Derby on Tuesday brought the community out in full force. It was incredible to see people travel from so far away to be part of the inaugural event. Competitors came from as far as New York and Kentucky. The community is such a huge part of what makes this show special, from our loyal supporters to the sponsors who help make it all possible. The excitement and energy surrounding the Derby carried through the entire week.”

Sue Lyman, who rode her own Kensington Court to victory in the inaugural class, echoes that enthusiasm. “So many people have wanted to see the Thoroughbred come back to the forefront of the show world, and this class made that possible,” she says.

Lyman and Kensington Court delivered a seamless performance to earn a final score of 173.5 and become the first champions in the class’s history. The win came against a field that included many of the nation’s top Thoroughbred show horses.

“We only won by half a point, which made it very exciting,” Lyman explains. “My goal was simply for my horses to go well and for the class to be competitive. The horse that finished second was the USEF Thoroughbred Horse of the Year last year, and the horse that finished third was the USHJA High Score Thoroughbred in the 2025 Green Incentive program. We were in very good company.”

The overwhelming response from competitors and spectators drew attention to the significance of the class. “Owners, riders, trainers, and Thoroughbred lovers have thanked me for helping get this class started, some with tears in their eyes,” Lyman shares.

Lyman expects the Derby to become a permanent fixture at UCHS. “Upperville has supported Thoroughbreds for more than 20 years,” she says. “When this class was proposed, everyone felt it would be a great addition to both the show and the local community. The success of the class proved that.”

The class also reinforced Upperville’s ability to blend prestige with purpose, as spectators learned the racing histories of horses making successful transitions from the racetrack to the show ring.

For many involved, the Derby represented something larger than a single competition; it offered new opportunities for riders, trainers, and owners while shining a spotlight on Thoroughbred aftercare and second careers. “This event helps the horses, the people, and the industry,” Lyman says.

While the Derby generated much of the week’s buzz, excellence across the hunter divisions remained a defining feature of the show. Another familiar name dominated the standings throughout the week: Dr. Betsee Parker.

Parker’s California Love, ridden by leading hunter rider Scott Stewart, won five of six High Performance Hunter classes to earn the division championship and the coveted Grand Champion Hunter title, awarded to the horse accumulating the most points across the professional hunter divisions.

For Parker, a longtime supporter of Upperville and one of the sport’s most successful owners, the achievement never loses its excitement.

“Winning is always a huge honor,” she says. “While this horse has enjoyed success here and at other shows, it’s still a brand-new thrill every time. With horses, you can’t presume anything. I never know what might transpire in the ring, and I always feel fortunate and grateful when we win.”

The horse also shares a close partnership with Stewart, who was named the Leading Hunter Rider at this year’s show.

Parker’s success extended beyond the High Performance Hunter division. Her young mare Rosewood left with the Green Conformation Hunter Championship, a division designed to showcase talented young hunters in the early stages of their careers. 

Rosewood’s championship followed an unusual moment at the Devon Horse Show, where a pigeon struck the mare on the head during competition. “The judges were shocked and nobody knew what to do,” Parker recalls.

Despite the distraction, the mare maintained her composure and went on to earn the Reserve Championship. “When you’ve got a great mare, you’ve got gold,” Parker advises.

Another emotional moment came when Parker’s beloved Welsh pony, Elation, was honored with induction into Upperville’s Wall of Honor. Now nearly 27 years old, Elation has carried numerous junior riders to success throughout her career and remains every bit the show pony.

As she entered the ring for the ceremony, the veteran pony seemed to recognize the occasion. “She suddenly got very excited,” Parker says. “She raised her head, picked up her step, and then stopped and posed for the cameras.”

A former board member and vice president, Parker credits the volunteers, staff, and Stewart — who has ridden her horses for more than two decades — for helping make the Upperville show special. 

Looking Ahead

While Upperville celebrated championship performances and honored the sport’s traditions, it also served as a reminder of the broader efforts underway to strengthen Virginia’s equine industry. That conversation gained additional relevance with the Virginia Horse Industry Board’s recent announcement of $1.25 million in 2027 grant funding to support industry growth, education, and workforce development.

International competition provided another spotlight at UCHS as Ireland’s Philip McGuane and Crislin van den Bosrand Z captured the $62,500 FEI CSI 4* Upperville Welcome Stakes, edging Virginia rider Sloane Coles and Ninja JW van de Moerhoeve by less than one-hundredth of a second. Daniel Bluman and Hummer Z finished third.

The week’s international competition culminated with the prestigious $200,000 FEI CSI 4* Upperville Jumper Classic, sponsored by Lugano Diamonds and Ethel M. Chocolates. As one of the most anticipated events of the week, the class drew a large crowd to watch Bluman and Hummer Z return to the winner’s circle with the victory. Chloe Reid and Crossover 4 finished second, followed by local favorite Sloane Coles aboard Ninja JW van de Moerhoeve in third.

From the debut of a record-setting Thoroughbred Hunter Derby to tributes honoring equine legends, championship hunter performances, and world-class international competition, the 173rd Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™ once again demonstrated why it remains one of the most celebrated and enduring events in American equestrian sport. ML

For more photos from the show, click here.

Featured photo: Sue Lyman. Photo by Isabel Kurek.

Published in the July 2026 issue of Middleburg Life.