The Skyland Farm team enjoyed one of the best Upperville Colt & Horse Shows in recent memory, with nearly perfect weather that rivaled any the show has experienced in its 163-year history. Highlights were many, on the Hunter and Jumper sides of Route 50, from June 6-12 in Upperville, Virginia.On the Hunter side, Virginia Bonnie and Blue A Kiss earned the Large Pony Hunter championship with beautiful performances over fences and under saddle, including an impressive win in the handy class.
Alex Tippett and Bertram Firestone's Amelie earned the Low Adult Amateur Jumper championship with a first and third in the section as well a third in the hotly contested Low Adult Amateur Jumper Classic.Virginia Fout, a Skyland visitor and friend from California, earned the Amateur-Owner, 36 and Over, championship, the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship and was named the BestAmateur Rider. Nick Haness trained Virginia and her horse Cristiano, but Skyland expert staff did a perfect job with his preparation and presentation. Kudos to the entire team!Other highlights included super ribbons for Emma Pell and her ponies Checkmate and Forget Me Not in the Medium and Small section classes as well as the Pony Classics.Leslie Kopp's Fenwick earned excellent ribbons in the 3'3" Performance Hunter division under the guidance of professional Chiara Carney as well as ribbons in the competitive older Amateur-Owner, 3'3"Hunter section with Leslie aboard. Leslie also earned ribbons in the High Adult Amateur Jumpers with El Cano.Michele Trufant and Prime Time as well as Danielle DeRisio on Skyland Farm's veteran Placido both had excellent placings in their respective divisions.On the jumper side, Virginia Bonnie and her two relatively new jumpers Wishful Thinking and Captiva had good ribbons in the Low and High Children's jumper divisions, respectively, and Kaylin Dines and her High Adult Jumper earned ribbons as well. Colleen Hahn and HJ Vasco made a super appearance in the Low Adult Jumpers after a year-long hiatus, and they were great considering such a long break!"All in all, the Skyland group had a super show," said trainer Denice Perry. "The horses jumped beautifully, and the riders were great. I'd like to thank the entire Skyland team for making this show so successful for everyone. We have one more big week to go, and best of luck to our team competing at this week's Loudoun Benefit Horse Show!"