For 51 weeks of the year, a traveler along the Mosby Highway can easily drive right through the small village of Upperville and, if otherwise deep in thought, miss it.

Upperville is only eight miles west of Middleburg, but culturally and physically, the two towns are vastly different. Unlike the ‘business’ of Middleburg, Upperville clearly has a quieter, less hurried character. The townspeople of Upperville want it this way: Quiet, peaceful, undisturbed. In fact, it was not too long ago that many Uppervillians sported bumper stickers that said “Don’t Middleburg Upperville.”

This by no means suggests a quick drive-through. A slow drive or a short stop, with open eyes, will reward a visitor with unique historic architecture, interesting shops, and a nice meal.

Every year for one week in June, the village of Upperville is transformed from a sleepy little village along a moderately busy highway to a world-class equestrian exhibition that draws thousands of visitors and competitors, hundreds of horses and ponies, and uncountable trucks and trailers.

I hesitate to admit that while I’ve lived in this area for over 30 years, even though I have a strong admiration for everything related to horses, I had never been to the famous Upperville Colt and Horse Show. I’d seen the sign at the oak grove along Route 50 many times, but until this year I’d never traveled in this area during the special week in June. I’m glad I finally did. I hope the gallery of pictures below encourages you to visit the Village of Upperville, come see the horses next June, watch the many competitions, and enjoy great sights of horses and riders doing (and looking) their very best.

Regards,

Jim

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I took all the photographs in this gallery along the John S Mosby Highway (US Route 50) from Greengarden Road to Trappe Road. Images so marked are copyright 2011, J.Riley Stewart, all others have unrestricted use. Link to my website Please Contact me for high resolution digital images or fine art prints.