UPPERVILLE, Va., June 12, 2023– The 2023 Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ hosted Governor and Mrs. Youngkin on the last day of the weeklong show on Sunday, June 11.
The First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne S. Youngkin, presented the “Spirit of the Horse Award” to Barbara Riggs. The award, in its second year, was established in partnership with the First Lady to recognize a woman and resident of Virginia who demonstrates exceptional service or dedication to, or promotion of, the equine industry.
Barbara Riggs was selected based on her many years of dedication to horses. As one of the first 10 women to join the U.S. Secret Service as a special agent, she was also the first woman deputy director of the agency. She not only protected six U.S. presidents but had the honor to ride with President Regan. For so many years, horses have been Barbara’s escape from a high-powered job. Although it made her commute four hours roundtrip, she chose to live on a quiet farm in Middleburg and get involved with the horse community. Riding and whipping in for multiple hunts in the region, she has also served on boards including the Piedmont Fox Hounds board and the Upperville Horse Show board. A former Upperville Horse Show competitor, Riggs has provided many volunteer hours to the show. She has also contributed her time to various equestrian nonprofit fundraisers. Whenever she is needed, she steps up and volunteers.
The Spirit of the Horse Award is given annually at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show in celebration of Virginia’s robust agriculture and equine industry. The award includes an engraved bowl, a gift certificate to a Virginia Governor’s Cup award-winning winery, a reception for family and friends and a $1,000 donation to an equine charity of choice. UCHS leadership partners with Youngkin to help identify and champion unsung heroes and celebrate the fact that Virginia is for horse lovers.
UCHS is the oldest horse show in the U.S. 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 more than 2000 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 week-long show culminated on June 11 with the excitement of the $226,000 Upperville Jumper Classic CSI4* featuring top world-class equestrians. The Youngkins made their presentations just prior to the Jumper Classic.
In addition to presenting sponsor MARS Equestrian, UCHS is sponsored by The Ethel M® Chocolate Brand and Lugano Diamonds (Co-Presenting Sponsors of the 2023 FEI CSI4* Jumper Classic.) Other sponsors include Buckeye Nutrition, Nutro Natural Choice, The Salamander Collection, B&D Builders, Delta Air Lines, Markel and Piedmont Equine Practice.
For more information on the show, visit www.upperville.com.
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About the Upperville Colt & Horse Show
The Upperville Colt & Horse Show, also known as the Upperville Horse Show and UCHS, is the oldest horse show in the U.S. 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 as 1853. UCHS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that raises funds for The Churches of Upperville Outreach Program and supports other area charities. For complete schedules and up-to-the-minute results, visit the website at www.upperville.com.