UPPERVILLE, Va., March 23, 2023– The 2023 Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ is the oldest horse show in the U.S. and will celebrate its 170thyear this June 5 through 11. Parking and general admission are free again this 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.
The week-long show culminates on June 11 with the excitement of the $226,000 Upperville Jumper Classic CSI4* featuring top world-class equestrians. The day’s entertainment includes junior and amateur riders, a hat contest and the Horses & Horsepower car show. Vendors throughout the show offer a variety of food as well as equestrian, sporting, and fashionable clothing, milliners, tack and leather goods, jewelry, art, and hand-crafted gifts. The venue is beautifully located in the heart of Virginia’s hunt country.
MARS EQUESTRIAN’s sponsorship launched in 2018 to extend Mars, Incorporated’s long-time support of equestrian sports and to honor an equestrian legacy through purposeful partnerships.
In addition to being the presenting sponsor of UCHS, MARS EQUESTRIAN will have multiple touchpoints across the 2023 showgrounds including: Sponsorship of the Hunter and Jumper Riders Lounges, which will be open to riders, trainers, and grooms, and recognition of The Ethel M® Chocolate Brand as the Co-Sponsor of the 2023 FEI $226,000 Jumper Classic, along with Lugano Diamonds.
Also of note for equestrians wishing to compete in this year’s UCHS, regular entry opening date is Monday, April 17 at noon. Entry opening date for hunter breeding, leadline, walk-trot, side saddle, Cleveland Bay, and Connemara divisions is Tuesday, May 2 at noon. To see the UCHS Prize List and classes, click here.
On Sunday, June 4, UCHS holds a special unrated show day for both hunters and jumpers. Upperville Jump 4 Fun Jumper Schooling Show and Upperville Jump 4 Fun Hunter Schooling Show are open for entries on Tuesday, May 2 at noon, through www.horseshowslonline.com. All classes are open to horses and ponies ridden by juniors, amateurs, or professionals. To see the Jump 4 Fun Prize List, click here.
Additional sponsors include Buckeye Nutrition, Nutro Natural Choice, The Salamander Collection, Lugano Diamonds, B&D Builders, Delta, Markel and Piedmont Equine Practice.
For more information and the weeklong show schedule, visit www.upperville.com.
Contact: Vicki Bendure, APR
202-374-9259
