June/July 2026 Issue

June/July 2026 | EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN 26 Following spring milestones into the heart of summer, with highlights from Upperville, Lake Placid, Tryon, Saratoga, steeplechase, eventing,dressage,showjumping,Thorough- bredaftercare,biosecurityandthepeopleand programs shaping the season ahead. ### Upperville Opens The Summer Show Season TheUppervilleColt&HorseShowcarriesEast Coastridersfromspring intosummer,with its 2026 edition running June 1–7 in Upperville, Virginia. As an FEI CSI4* and USEF Premier Hunter/Jumper Level 6 competition, Upper- ville remains one of the region’s defining hunter/jumper fixtures. This year’s added hook is the debut of the $25,000 Thorough- bred Hunter Derby, scheduled for June 2 in the Parker Ring, giving the historic show a timely crossover story tied to Thoroughbred versatility and aftercare. ### Lake Placid Takes The Northeast Hand- off As Upperville closes, Lake Placid picks up the Northeast summer circuit. The Lake Placid Horse Show runs June 23–28, followed by the I Love New York Horse Show from June 30–July 5. Together, the two weeks remain a recognizable summer destination for hunters, jumpers and equitation riders. With FEI competition, strong amateur and junior participation, and the Adirondack setting, the event bridges serious competition and summer tradition. ### Tryon Builds A Summer Hub In The Southeast Tryon International continues to position itself as one of the most active multi-disci- pline venues on the East Coast. Its summer schedule includes national and international hunter/jumper competition, dressage, po- ny-focusedcompetition,SaturdayNightLights programming andmajor regional champion- ship opportunities. The venue’s strength is its ability to host riders, families, spectators and sponsors. For the Southeast, Tryon has become a summer gathering point for sport, entertainment and youth development. ### Ethos Award Names 2026 Honorees Ethos Award Equestrian, Inc. has announced the six recipients of the 2026 Ethos Award: Zoie Brogdon, Sophie Gochman, Berry Porter, Rob Van Jacobs, Geñay Vaughn and Dr. Miguel Wilson. Founded to elevate the contributions of Black and Brown equestri- ans, the Ethos Award recognizes leadership, achievement and lasting impact. The honor- ees will be recognized during a champagne brunch gala at the Washington International Horse Show on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Tickets go on sale July 1 at etho- sawardequestrian.com . ### Saratoga Steps IntoTheRacing Spotlight Saratoga isagaincentraltothesummerracing conversation,withtheBelmontStakesreturn- ing to Saratoga in June while Belmont Park redevelopment continues, followed by the Saratoga summermeet in July. For East Coast horsemen and racing fans, Saratoga is one of the sport’s most important marketplaces, social stages and proving grounds. This year, it also sits inside a larger conversation about Triple Crown scheduling and historic tracks. ### Preakness Deal ReshapesMarylandRac- ing — But Not Maryland Control In case you’re wondering about the behind the scenes details: Churchill Downs Incorpo- rated’s agreement to acquire the intellectual property rights to the Preakness Stakes and Black-EyedSusanStakesfrom1/STRacingfor $85 million remains one of the year’s major Thoroughbred business stories. The deal covers trademarks and associated rights, not day-to-day Maryland racing operations. The MarylandStadiumAuthorityhassaidthetrans- fer does not affect state or Maryland Jockey Club operational control for the Black-Eyed Susan and Preakness, expected to return to Pimlico in 2027. ### Steeplechase Spring Sets Up The Sum- mer Storylines The National Steeplechase Association’s spring season delivered the timber and hurdle storylines that define East Coast horse country. Virginia Gold Cup, Iroquois, Willowdale and Radnor all added depth after earlier cards in Aiken, Camden, Unionville, Maryland and Virginia. Little Trilby won the Grade1CommonwealthCupatVirginiaGold Cup, Keys Discount reinforced his timber credentials,andZabeelChampioncontinued his comeback with a major Iroquois victory. ### Mr. Fine ThreadsGivesMarylandTimber A Homebred Star TheMarylandtimberseasonbelonged,atleast through the spring, to Armata Stables’ Mr. Fine Threads. The 13-year-oldMaryland-bred won the $50,000 Grand National at Butler, Maryland, then returned one week later to capture the $100,000 Maryland Hunt Cup at Glyndon by six lengths under C. Marshall for trainerJosephDavies.TheHuntCupremains oneofthesport’smostdemandingraces,and the feed June/July 2026 Continued on page 30