The professional hunter divisions at the 2018 Upperville Colt & Horse Show (UCHS), presented by St. Bride’s Farm, concluded on Wednesday with Scott Stewart taking home the top honor of Grand Champion Hunter with Dr. Betsee Parker’s Lucador. They were presented with the Sallie J. Sexton Challenge Trophy, donated by Sallie’s family, after acquiring the greatest number of points in one or more of the rated hunter divisions.
“He’s a beautiful horse, a beautiful mover and a beautiful jumper — he really has it all,” Stewart said of Lucador He’s probably one of the best movers we’ve ever had.”
Lucador, with Scott Stewart (right) and owner Dr. Betsee Parker (left), received the Sallie J. Sexton Challenge Trophy as the 2018 Grand Champion Hunter at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show. Photo by Phelps Sports
He continued, “He’s always been really brave and has all of the good qualities. He’s grown up a lot and has really matured under saddle. He used to be a little fresh sometimes. He’s still a little bit like that. He has a little bit of character to him for sure.”
Additionally, Stewart also claimed the Leading Hunter Rider award and the Charlie Weaver Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Pamela Vance, Brian Simonson and his friends and family, for his top finishes throughout the start of the 2018 UCHS. As part of his prize, Stewart received a Journeymen custom bridle leather belt and name plate.
Stewart, who is based out of his own Rivers Edge Farm in Flemington, New Jersey, campaigned the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding in the High Performance Conformation Hunter division, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare, where the pair won five out of the division’s six classes for the championship tricolor and the Weather Permitting Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mr. August A. Busch, Jr. and Cismont Manor Farm, for the second year in a row. Lucador’s championship cooler was graciously donated by Mr. and Mrs. Sydney D. Hall.
Ken Berkley (left) and Scott Stewart (right). Photo by Phelps Sports
“It’s exciting!” Stewart exclaimed regarding the acquisition of this title. “We’ve been making this a goal for us. The horses went really nicely [this week] and it’s always great to show here. I was really happy with my horses, Lucador especially. This is only his third horse show of the year. He did Week Six in Florida, then Devon, where he was reserve champion to Private Life, and now here. He won’t show again until the Hampton Classic probably and then indoors.”
In conjunction with the Leading Hunter Rider award, Stewart’s partner and trainer Ken Berkley was presented the Leading Hunter Trainer award and the Eggie Mills Memorial Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Drunagel and friends.
Prior to Wednesday’s awards presentations, Stewart also secured the High Performance Hunter championship with Dr. Parker’s Cameo, where the division and championship cooler were sponsored by the Gochman family. The pair claimed the Beau Mac Perpetual Award, donated by Mr. Charles R. McGinnes, after winning two of the over fences classes and the under saddle class, and placing third in the handy round. Reserve champion went to Samantha Schaefer and Madeline’s In The Know.
Scott Stewart and Cameo. Photo by Phelps Sports
The Huntland Conformation Hunter Challenge Series, sponsored by Dr. Parker and Huntland, was won by Chris Wynne, who also won the award in 2017, of Breckenridge Manor in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and his own Gus for accumulating the most points in the Green and High Performance Conformation Hunter divisions throughout the Lexington Spring Premier, Lexington Spring Encore, Keswick Horse Show and Upperville Colt & Horse Show.
Chris Wynne and Gus. Photo: by Teresa Ramsay Photography