Warrenton Horse Show Association

06/02/2026

That day in 2025 when Christopher Web won the Leading Handler at the Warrenton Horse Show Association! Thank you, Snowden Clarke, for being the ever-gracious presenter. pc: Only 92 days till everyone's "Favorite Labor Day Tradition".

05/26/2026

Only 99 days till the best Labor Day Tradition begins. Make sure you mark your calendars for September this year. You won't want to miss a minute. https://www.warrentonhorseshow.com/new-page-1

05/21/2026

The excitement for this class is so impressive. Thanks, The Chronicle Of The Horse, for this article.

With nearly 70 entries as of this week, a new $25,000 Thoroughbred Hunter Derby scheduled for this upcoming Upperville C**t & Horse Show seems to show that, if you build it, they will come. More at link in comments.
📸 Lindsay Berreth

05/18/2026

Bill Graves Memorial Thoroughbred Challenge Offers Major Bonus to Upperville & Warrenton Horse Show Top Thoroughbreds

Momentum continues to build for Thoroughbred show hunters with the introduction of an exciting new incentive—the Bill Graves Memorial Thoroughbred Challenge. Created to bring opportunity to Thoroughbreds, the Challenge will award a $5,000 bonus to the horse earning the highest cumulative score across two premier derby events at the Upperville C**t & Horse Show and the Warrenton Horse Show. In addition, a $1,250 bonus will be presented to both the top junior ridden and top amateur ridden Thoroughbreds.

These inaugural bonuses are generously sponsored by Muirfield Insurance owned by Mike and Meg Levy—close friends of Bill Graves. The initiative is designed to further promote demand for Thoroughbreds beyond their racing careers, highlighting their success and adaptability in the show ring.

The first leg of the Challenge will take place at the Upperville C**t & Horse Show which will debut its $25,000 Thoroughbred Hunter Derby on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in the main hunter ring. This class is supported by prominent sponsors, including Ann Hormel, Jacqueline Mars, and Tisbury Stud, among others.

The second leg will be held at the Warrenton Horse Show during its 127th annual event. The $7,500 William E. “Bill” Graves Memorial Thoroughbred Hunter Derby, generously sponsored by Gainesway Sale Company, will take place on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Both derbies will be conducted as two-round hunter classes at a height of 3 feet and are open to Thoroughbred horses of all backgrounds.

Bill Graves, a beloved member of the Virginia Horse Shows Association Hall of Fame and Senior Vice President at Fasig-Tipton for more than 25 years, dedicated his life to the Thoroughbred industry. Like many horsemen of his era, he began by retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds into successful show horses. A highly respected rider and horseman, Graves competed at the highest levels nationwide, with deep ties to Warrenton. His passing in 2018 left a lasting void in the equestrian community, but his legacy continues to inspire through initiatives such as this Challenge.

Muirfield Insurance is a full-service equine insurance agency located in Lexington, Kentucky. Their knowledgeable staff has over 100 years of experience working in the equine industry and is dedicated to putting that experience to work to help protect all of your equine-related investments.

For more information about these Derbies go to www.Upperville.com and www.WarrentonHorseShow.com.

04/09/2026

Longtime Warrenton Horse Show and Warrenton Horse Show Foundation Board member Robin Caskie Gulick passed away on March 29, 2026, at the age of 73, surrounded by his family.
A lifelong resident of Fauquier County, Robin’s legacy is deeply tied to the Warrenton Horse Show—an enduring agricultural landmark in the Commonwealth of Virginia for 126 years. For most of his life, Robin was part of its fabric, offering steady, quiet leadership that helped sustain and protect what generations have built.

He believed in the horse show not just as an event, but as a reflection of community, land, and tradition. His commitment carried forward into the creation of the Warrenton Horse Show Foundation, helping ensure its future for years to come. Robin was an integral part of both—his presence constant, his influence lasting.

By profession, Robin was a respected attorney and founding member of Gulick, Carson & Thorpe, P.C., known for his integrity and thoughtful approach. He served on many other community Boards in addition to the WHS and WHSF.

The Warrenton Horse Show and the Warrenton Horse Show Foundation are deeply grateful for Robin’s service. He represented the very fabric of this community—its generosity, its steadiness, and its deep connection to land and tradition. His life reflected so much of what the horse show stands for, and his presence will be felt there for years to come.

Thank you, Robin, for all you did to make the Warrenton Horse Show so special. You will be so missed.

03/18/2026

NEWS FLASH!!!! Iconic Warrenton Horse Show Teams Up With Gaineway Sales To Celebrate Thoroughbred Show Hunters

Warrenton, Virginia’s historic Labor Day Tradition, The Warrenton Horse Show, is proud to announce its first annual $7,500 William E. “Bill” Graves Memorial Thoroughbred Hunter Derby, thanks to a generous sponsorship by Gainesway Sale Company. The Derby will be held on Thursday, September 3rd during the 127th Annual WHS, held this year from Wednesday, Sept. 2nd to Sunday, Sept. 6th, and will be a two-round hunter derby class at the 3 foot height, and open to any thoroughbred horse.
A beloved member of the Virginia Horse Shows Association Hall of Fame, and Senior Vice President at Fasig-Tipton for over a quarter of a century, Bill Graves started his career like most horsemen of that era, remaking thoroughbreds off the track into show horses. He was a sought-after rider at the highest levels, and competed all across the country, often at Warrenton, and there was no aspect of the Thoroughbred industry that he did not master. His passing in 2018 left a big hole in the Thoroughbred horse world.
In 2006, The Warrenton Horse Show joined The Upperville C**t & Horse Show in offering classes limited only to Thoroughbreds. WHS held the Back from the Track Hack, an Under Saddle class and a Hunter Hack class (two jumps), as well as the Thoroughbred Development class - an over fences competition. In 2007, WHS added the Too Slow To Go, an under saddle class for those Thoroughbreds that didn't find their way to the track.
This year, 2026, WHS will again feature Thoroughbred horses during our five-day long show on Thursday, September 3rd. WHS will hold the Back From the Track hack, the Too Slow to Go hack, the Thoroughbred Hunter Division- 2’6’” or 2’9”, the Take2 Thoroughbred Division at 3’, and the new feature class, the $7,500 “Bill” Graves Hunter Derby. To kick off our Thoroughbred celebration, The Virginia Thoroughbred Yearling Futurity will be held during the show this year on Wednesday afternoon, September 2nd. Here in Virginia in the heart of horse country, we are grateful to see many thoroughbred horses in second careers - foxhunting, steeplechasing and eventing, and are excited to see them returning to the show ring. The Warrenton Horse Show is proud to welcome and celebrate these special horses.
Gainesway Sale Company, where Bill’s son, Brian, is the managing partner, has consistently ranked among the top consignors over the last 14 years. In 2025, Gainesway sold over $116 million worth of bloodstock, with a record 17 yearlings having surpassed the 7-figure mark. Gainesway has been leading consignor by average, 12 of the last 13 years. Gainesway’s 2025 yearling average topped $333k and their cumulative sales average was over $253k. The sales company is proud to have sold over 28 G1 Winners to date.
For more information about the Warrenton Horse Show and Derby, go to www.WarrentonHorseShow.com.

Forensic File with Erin Gill in the stirrups. 📸 Hannah Jones Photography