Heather Briggs Returns to Her Roots as Show Secretary for Upperville Colt & Horse Show

Upperville, Va. – Feb. 20, 2019 – The organizers of the esteemed Upperville Colt & Horse Show (UCHS) are proud to welcome Heather Briggs to the team as show secretary. The UCHS is looking forward to this year’s event, scheduled to take place June 3–9, with Briggs on board.

Briggs’ riding career originated in Virginia, where she first competed in hunter, jumper and American Saddlebred competitions. She brings an eclectic and diverse resume, from telecommunications and art restoration to technical training and equestrian entrepreneurship.

In 2008, Briggs started work in performance sport horse sales, training and breeding as the owner and operator of Belle Grey Farm in Upperville, Virginia. Traveling the world in search of horses broadened her knowledge and contacts in the equine industry. Her jumpers have had success at the Young Jumper through Nations Cup team levels.

Her love of history drew her to the driving sport, where she has had both national and international success. Spending two years training in the Netherlands and Germany, she has served as owner, sponsor, groom and navigator for two U.S. team members at the 2013 and 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs. Briggs moved into the role of chef d’équipe in 2017 for the Italian team at the same event and in 2018 for the U.S. team at the FEI World Driving Championships for Singles. She holds a “R” combined driving course designer license, was a member of the US Equestrian (USEF) Driving Sport Committee and has created and taught the chef d’équipe combined driving training program for USEF.

Returning to her Upperville roots in 2014, Briggs was asked to serve on the UCHS board of directors.

“After being on the board for the past few years, I saw a lot of new growth, development and energy in the event and I liked the direction that it was heading,” said Briggs.

With her well-versed background in multiple areas of the industry at the highest levels of the sport, along with her business acumen, practical horse knowledge and horse show management experience, Briggs is undoubtedly qualified for the position and looks forward to being a part of the continued success of the UCHS.

“Showing has changed in the United States and abroad,” said Briggs. “We want to bring Upperville to the next level, while protecting its heritage. We are a dynamic and energetic team and have a lot of strong people on our board of directors who are bringing their own flare and passions into the show.

“Personally, I see strong parallels between Upperville and driving,” continued Briggs. “Both have changed a great deal in the past 100 years but their essence and traditions remain constant. I’m looking at trying to help balance cutting-edge sport for competitors and horses with the dignity and tradition of days past. It’s been nice to be able to come back home and focus a little bit more on the grass, well actually it’s world-class footing, in my own back yard.”

To learn more about the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, please click here.

About the Upperville Colt & Horse Show:

The Upperville Colt & Horse Show, founded in 1853, is the longest running horse show in the United States. Held June 3–9 in picturesque Upperville, Virginia, under the oaks, this iconic seven-day event has been highly regarded as a boutique attraction and a fixture on the schedules of Virginia locals as well as world-class equestrians. Featuring an FEI CSI4* rating and World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) designation, this is a can’t-miss event for both competitors and spectators alike.

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