Steady rain fell on the grounds of Grafton Farm in the early morning of Saturday, September 7, 2024, but it did not deter almost 70 horses and riders from coming to compete at the first-ever Grafton Hunter Show. Established for the benefit of the Jump In! Capital Campaign and organized by Upperville Colt & Horse Show Executive Director Emily Day and Assistant Director Hayley Alcock Mahoney.
Mahoney, the show was designed to offer the local community an opportunity to compete “under the oaks” in the Parker (Main) Ring. Thanks to donations from the UCHS Board of Directors, local sponsors EverGro, Virginia Tractor, The Tack Box, and Farm Credit of the Virginias, all operating costs were covered, so that 100% of the show’s $5,000 income could be donated to Jump In!
A series of 11 classes ranged from Hilltopper (non-jumping) to a variety of over fences options divided by jump height or rider status, ending with a Hunt and Go Derby at 3’. UCHS board member and renown local professional, Kitty Barker, kindly volunteered her judging talents. Along with high point awards for Junior, Amateur and Professional riders, winning points were tallied for all competing members of recognized hunt clubs, and a $500 cash prize was awarded at the end of the day to the hunt club accumulating the most points. Victorious this first year were the Middleburg-Orange County Beagles, founded in 1961 by Eve Fout and now run by her daughter, Nina, and daughter-in-law, Beth. MOC’s long-standing mission has been to introduce young children to following hounds and enjoying and appreciating the countryside. In addition, a tricolor for Grand Champion horse was awarded to West Riding Farm’s Kensington Court, a 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding shown by Sue Lyman.
The main event of the day was the $2,000 Grafton Hunter Derby, set in the classic two-phase, “hunt and go” style. Top honors, and a championship cooler donated by Tri-County Feeds, went to Michele Trufant and Irish-bred Kiltubrid Rhapsody, trained by Denice Perry. Both seasoned horse show competitors, Trufant, a yoga instructor, and “Fred,” as he is known at home, now just show for fun when the timing works out. Trufant recalls how the stunning grey “spoke to her” the first time she tried him at Perry’s Skyland Farm. She had followed his career as a Medal-Maclay equitation horse with his previous owner who also rode at Skyland and was finally presented with the opportunity to buy him a year ago.
Before coming to America in 2018, Kiltubrid Rhapsody was an International three-day event contender with Olympian Mark Todd. Trufant described Grafton as “the sweetest show I have ever been to. All the board members were there and so helpful and it felt special.” Her sentiments were echoed by many of the show’s competitors in their responses to a survey emailed to all who entered, so the UCHS staff and board intend to make it an annual event, including adding a day of ticketed schooling on the day before.
Mark your calendars now for the Second Annual Grafton Hunter Show on Saturday, September 6, 2025!