UPPERVILLE, Va., June 6, 2022 – The 2022 Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ , announced that Governor and Mrs. Youngkin will attend the event on Sunday, June 12. The Governor will issue a proclamation at the horse show honoring the show as the oldest horse show in America and announcing June 6-12 as Upperville Colt & Horse Show Week across the Commonwealth.
The First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne S. Youngkin, will present the “Spirit of the Horse Award.” The award, in its inaugural 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. The award will be 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 will partner 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 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.
The week-long show culminates on June 12 at 3 p.m. with the excitement of the $216,000 Upperville Jumper Classic CSI4* featuring top world-class equestrians. The Youngkins will make their presentations at 2:45 p.m., 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 2022 FEI CSI4* Jumper Classic.) Other sponsors include Buckeye Nutrition, Salamander Hotels & Resorts, B&D Builders, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty and Delta Air Lines.
For more information and the weeklong show schedule, visit www.upperville.com.
# # #
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.