U PPERVILLE's ANNUAL
However, Upperville isn't just a show. It is a state of mind based on tradition, history and the imagination.
Several years ago a friend of mine went to Upperville for the first time to show her horse in the amateur classes and to have Olin Armstrong show the horse in the small working hunters. We were very excited; Upperville is a very prestigious show; some of the best riders and horses in the country show there.
After all, Upperville is Upperville. That's all there is to it.
My friend Jean, who was from New York City said, "I've heard of Upperville my whole life. When I was riding and showing in New York, it was everybody's dream to go to Upperville in Virginia. I can't believe I'm going to be showing at Upperville."
We packed up and loaded her horse that morning in the rain, but even that didn't squelch our excitement; since it almost always rains during the week of Upperville. After all, Upperville sparkles even in the rain.
When we arrived, we off-loaded in the rain and in the resulting mud. Standing water and mud was everywhere. The driveway, the stabling area, the schooling rings and the show rings--everything was wet and sloppy, but I was basking in Upperville's glow. However, Jean was horrified. "This place is a dump!" she said succinctly. "Upperville has such a great reputation. I thought it would be beautiful!"
I looked around like a stunned bunny. For the first time in my life I saw Upperville through Jean's eyes, through a New Yorker's eyes, through a "foreigner's" eyes.
There was mud everywhere. Everything was splashed with mud. Everyone wore raincoats and muck boots. The horses were wet; their white socks were dull with mud stains and their tails were all tied into mud tails.
Not only was everything a mess, I noticed for the first time that the fences and the grandstands were looking a little sagging and could have used a fresh coat of paint.
Later, Armstrong showed Jean's horse in the deep mud and the horse really had to work hard to power herself along to make the distances, but she won. She was champion small working hunter at Upperville. It was great.
Jean, who could always rise to the occasion, showed in the amateurs (with just the hint of horror on her face). She got a few ribbons. I thought it was great. After all, it was Upperville.
It took me a while to understand the difference between Jean's reaction to Upperville with my own, but it finally occurred to me that Upperville is not just a show. It is the oldest show in the whole United States and it's in Virginia.
Our First Families of Virginia (FFVs) started Upperville in 1853; many of us have familial ties there. The big trees that stand in the main ring at Upperville have been there for at least 100 years. The show has always been held at he same location, Grafton Farm.
Imagine that over 150 years ago riders on horses were showing over fences and here we are continuing the tradition. We became part of that history.
Rain or shine it's great. After all, it's Upperville.
Show results Quad J, May 21Leadline champion--Samantha Cox
Pre short stirrup champion--Kaylynn DeBernard; reserve--Bryan Ramey.
Short stirrup champion--Allyson Lagiovane; reserve--Ashley Clements.
Student champion--Ashley Keene; reserve--Hailee Manipole.
Pony equitation champion--Robyn Burton.
Child/adult equitation champion--Ashleigh Ramey.
Pleasure pony champion--Minor Threat, r/A. Keene, o/Hazelwild Farm; reserve--Wildcard, o/r Charlsie Holt.
Green pony champion--Cracker Jack,
Pony hunter champion--Opalescence, o/r Kelsey Abell; reserve--Wildcard, o/r C. Holt.
Jr. pleasure champion--Skylar Blue, o/r Amanda Leaf; reserve--Ain't I Good Lookin, o/r Tori Bauers.
Sr. pleasure champion--Heaven's Silver Lining, r/Katie Schlesinger; reserve--On A Dime, o/r Kelly Schlesinger.
Maiden champion--Bligh's Classic Moves, o/r Emily Goodwin; reserve--Skylar Blue, o/r A. Leaf.
Green champion--Skye's the Limit, o/r Paige Ganger; reserve--Nic O'Demus, o/r Lindsay Mills.
Low champion--App-solutely, o/r Kayleigh Burke; reserve--Miss O'Brightest, o/r Justine Weaver.
Working champion--App-solutely, o/r K. Burke; reserve--Dance Partner, o/r Kristen Jones.
Childrens champion--App-solutely, o/r K. Burke; reserve--Bold Liberty, o/r Ashleigh Ramey.
Amber Hill, May 25Leadline champion--Vance Kocsis.
Beginner equitation champion--Sarah Seventko; reserve--Jessica Diaz.
Short stirrup champion--J. Diaz; reserve--Janie Cardwell.
Pony pleasure champion--Free Falling, r/Sarah Doble, o/AHF; reserve--Windridge Zephyr, o/r J. Diaz.
Jr. pleasure champion--Helmsman, o/r Molly Lumsden; reserve--China Moon, r/Disiree Herrick, o/Sarah Altman.
Adult pleasure champion--Miss Minnie Mouse, o/r Kelly Daub; reserve--Irish Lace, o/r Maggie Griffith.
Student champion--M. Lumsden; reserve--Megan Seifert.
Pony equitation champion--Kathryn Maginnis; reserve--M. Lumsden.
Pony hunter champion--Schoolboy Heart, o/r K. Maginnis; reserve--Sugar Crispie, r/M. Lumsden, o/AHF.
VPBA pony champion--Silver Slippers,
Maiden champion--Just Darlin, r/L. Maginnis, o/AHF; reserve--On the Spot, o/r Jennifer Harris.
Low champion--Kitti's Karisma,
Green pony champion--Caston Crystal, r/Elise Lewyckyj, o/AHF; reserve--Silver Slippers, r/L. Maginnis, o/B. Hite.
Green horse champion--Kitti's Karisma, r/B. Leisling, o/S. Doble; reserve--Miss Minnie Mouse, o/r K. Daub.
Child/adult equitation champion--Brianna Stone; reserve--Brooke Leisling.
Child/adult champion--Kitti's Karisma, r/B. Leisling, o/S. Doble; reserve--Nowhere Man, o/r Brianna Stone.
CalendarThrough Sunday: Fair Hill; Paso Finos, VHC
Through tomorrow: Walking Horses, VHC
Tomorrow: Coventry; Nokesville Park.
Tomorrow-Sunday: Rubicon HT; Sylvia Scott Clinic, Blacksburg
Sunday: Quad J; Lake of the Woods; CDCTA Locust Hill; VADA/NOVA Betsy Clark's Farm; American Warmblood Inspection, Wakefield; Crystal Crown Judged Trail Ride, Centreville
Sunday-June 16: O'Connor Eventing Clinic, VHC
Tuesday-June 18: Loudoun
Wednesday-June 18: Loudoun I & II, Morven
Wednesday: Touch Point
Thursday-June 19: Shenandoah Arabian Classic I & Ii, VHC
June 17: Oak Hill; Oak View; Four Oaks; Rowe Sport; Campbell Springs; Chestserfield All Breed show
June 17-18: Seneca Valley
June 18: Amber Hill; Carter Oaks; VADAF Touch Point; PWHA Western
June 19-24: Roanoke
June 20-22: Greg Best Clinic, EKG Stables
June 21-25: Deep Run; Mid Atlantic Morgan show, VHC
June 21: Picturesque
June 23: Lake of the Woods
June 24: Summerplace; Cedar Run Dressage; Western show at Nokeville
June 24-25: Fox Chase; Heavenly Waters Dressage; CDCTA Locust Hill; VADA/NOVA Morven
June 25: Back to Basics; Keswick/Oakland Heights; Summerduck; VAHA; Kelly's Ford
June 27: TWA jumpers
June 27-28: House Mountain
June 28: Touch Point
June 28-July 2: Warrenton
June 30: Lake of the Woods Fun show, 4.
June 30-July 1: Gaited Horses, VHC
June 30-July 2: Paso Finos, VHC; Peruvians, VHC
BETSY CARTER can be reached