Day One - Upperville 2025!

Upperville, VA — June 2, 2025

The opening day of the 172nd Upperville Colt & Horse Show marks an exciting milestone for Wheatland Farm, as we proudly join the festivities with three riders competing under the historic oaks of Upperville for the very first time. This year, Wheatland Farm is thrilled to have Nikki Hvozda (Hunters) and Mackenzie Brown (Para Dressage) joining Coach Anthony Forrest in the show rings at one of America’s most prestigious horse shows.

At Wheatland Farm, we’ve spent years developing an inclusive, high-quality equestrian program designed to foster growth, confidence, and excellence—on and off the horse. Our mission has always been to create a space where riders of all abilities, including those with disabilities and their able-bodied peers, can train, compete, and thrive together. From therapeutic riding and Para Dressage to hunter/jumper, dressage, and foxhunting disciplines, Wheatland Farm is proud to offer a comprehensive training program that blends sport with purpose. We believe in the transformative power of the horse—not only as a partner in competition, but as a source of healing, joy, and opportunity.

This year at Upperville, for the first time ever, we will be showcasing riders from both our Para Dressage program and our inclusive training board program. Nikki Hvozda began riding at Wheatland Farm through our inclusive training program, which welcomes non-disabled community riders into our competitive disciplines. As her talent in the jumper ring emerged, Nikki transitioned from our lesson horses to owning her own horse, Freddie—a promising young Thoroughbred. Under the guidance of Head Instructor Anthony Forrest and with support from our training board program, Nikki and Freddie have had a successful spring season, competing at Culpeper HITS and Swan Lake. Their Upperville debut is the next exciting step in their journey together.

Joining Nikki is fellow Wheatland Farm rider Mackenzie Brown, representing our Para Dressage program in Saturday’s inaugural Showcase & Celebration of Adaptive Riding & Para Equestrian Dressage at 2:00 p.m. in the Parker Ring. Mackenzie began therapeutic riding at Wheatland Farm in 2016, and quickly demonstrated a natural aptitude for dressage. She became a USEF Classified Para Dressage rider in 2017 and earned her FEI classification in 2021. Her long-time partner, Chip (Tollhouse), has been her faithful mount for nearly a decade. Chip—owned by Coach Anthony Forrest and a familiar face at Upperville in the hunter and jumper rings—will make his second appearance this week, having also competed in the Irish Hunter Hack class earlier in the show.

We are deeply honored to showcase these exceptional riders and their equine partners at this historic event. Their stories reflect the heart of Wheatland Farm’s mission: inclusion, excellence, and the incredible bond between horse and rider.

We invite everyone to join us on Saturday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m. at the Parker Ring for a very special celebration of Para Equestrian Dressage and Adaptive Riding. Come experience the beauty, strength, and unity that horses bring to all who ride!

Wheatland Farm coaches Anthony Forrest, Catherine Conway, and Kristin Prompol, joined by young rider Quinn Prompol, celebrate opening day at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show! A special thank you to our trusted builders, B&D Builders, whose craftsmanship brought our beautiful Wheatland Farm indoor arena to life.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the week as we celebrate our riders’ progress and share their stories from the 172nd Upperville Colt & Horse Show!