Monday, May 18, 2026
By Leland Schwartz
Beverly Equestrian’s inaugural rated show—sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)—will be held Saturday and Sunday for both hunters and jumpers in The Plains, Virginia.
The “hunters” are judged by the horse’s grace, movement, style and form over the fences; the jumpers a test of speed and agility. The hunter’s goal is to look elegant and effortless; the jumpers, fast-paced and thrilling. The show is still taking riders and is open to the public.
Beverly Equestrian’s owner, Darrin Mollett, said the show was created to make it easier for riders in Virginia to remain on the “rated” competition circuit without having to travel far.
“Our goal is to extend the rated season in Virginia — to make early summer and late fall viable options for riders who would otherwise face a gap. You shouldn’t have to leave the Commonwealth to keep competing at a quality level,” she told The Georgetowner.
“One of the real barriers to staying in this sport is the weight of it — the cost, the travel, the time away,” she says, so the Beverly show program was designed with those pressures in mind.
“There is a version of this sport that asks everything of you — every weekend, every dollar, every arrangement you can make,” she said. “We don’t think that’s the only way it can work. Well-run local shows exist precisely to give riders a more sustainable path forward.”
Beverly Spring Classic is May 23rd and 24th, 7120 Beverly Lane, The Plains, Virginia (Rt. 66 West, exit 31).
For more information and registration instructions, click here.