To say that our day at the show was a success is an understatement. I had always loved Upperville, but I fell in love with the show all over again on Friday, June 8. To be honest, this show has been knocking my socks off ever since I knew about it, but it's different when you fall in love with your story's subject anew after all the years writing about it for a national magazine.

Upperville has come a long, long way. What's obvious is the outstanding dynamic that has developed to keep this venerable show growing. Show manager Tommy Lee Jones met his match when Michael Smith became the show's president: their combined passion for this historic reminder of Virginia's glorious past, founded in 1853 when horses ruled the roads and byways of the Piedmont, has brought the oldest horse show in the nation into a brilliant new era.

I'm a wannabe Virginian. I emigrated from Philadelphia's more rural 'burbs to Virginia in my mid-20s to work on a Thoroughbred farm near Doswell — no, not the birthplace of Secretariat, but nearby, and right around the time of his brilliant Triple Crown. A personal relationship resulted in a soft landing in Casanova where I was fortunate to re-do my childhood, so to speak, thanks to an Auntie Mame-like mentor: the late Gretchen B. Stephens, ex-MFH Casanova and really good sporting artist. In retrospect, Gret was an outstanding influence on my writing, but the point is that I developed all new roots because I dared to go after my dreams – to live in the heart of Virginia's horse country was my heart's desire from the time I was 12 when I joined the AHSA (now US Equestrian) as a junior and received a membership pin and year's subscription to the Chronicle of the Horse, which introduced me to Fauquier County, Virginia… I have always loved Upperville with hunters and jumpers each on their own side of John Mosby Highway — a multi-ring extravaganza of gorgeous equids and accomplished equestrians in the most spectacular setting (would make a glorious National Geographic cover). Upperville is a 7-day marathon that gains momentum and pace, like a good Thoroughbred turning for home, until the grand finale on Sunday: the FEI (International Equestrian Federation of Sport) CSI 4-star known as the Upperville Jumper Classic, worth $216,000 in prize money.

When I arrived at the Upperville showgrounds that Friday and met up with Bert on the jumper side, we started walking around. It was all so beautiful, everything from the ambience to the horses. We were delighted with everything. The people we encountered who were connected with the show, both paid and volunteer, were all so very nice and helpful. We went shopping and one of our first stops was the Dubarry booth to re-stock on leather care products for my signature boots (while I almost drooled all over a new design).

Shopping at Upperville Horse Show is outstanding with more than 100 vendors selling everything from farm equipment to tack, riding attire, jewelry, art – you name it, you can shop 'til you drop. And the food vendors – lots of variety of cuisine, and really really good. You have to experience all that the show offers to believe it.

There's so much to see and do at Upperville that even a jaded horse-junkie like myself felt that fresh excitement as if I were seeing the show for the first time.

It was a gazillion times more fun because Bert was so obviously enjoying herself. She was fun, and unintentionally funny with her observations, reminding me how lucky we are to live in this gorgeous area with a tradition like Upperville. Thanks to good friends, Mad Cap Farm's Jeanne Blackwell and Jennifer & Allen Richards, longtime supporters of the show, Bert and I experienced the hospitality of the 1853 Club. It was absolutely fabulous!

FYI: the incomparable Tutti Perricone and her Back Street Catering, based in Middleburg, provides the scrumptious array of edibles – both in the 1853 Club (RSVP in advance) and the hospitality tents. Don't attend Upperville on a strict diet, not with Tutti providing the food.

At Friday's FEI CSI4* Welcome Stakes held in Upperville's Jumper Ring 1 – possibly the most beautiful show ring and setting in the world – we enjoyed the hospitality tent behind the spectator stands on the west side of the ring. From there, you can photograph the action as horses and riders navigate the big painted fences, hoping to jump clear and within the time allowed. Some of my favorite photos from that ring have the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background.

Punkin Lee masterminds the hospitality with help from Diane Jones. Punkin owns Journeyman Saddlers in Middleburg; Diane is executive director of the Virginia Gold Cup Races and happens to be married to the show because Tommy Lee is her husband (the Joneses have been an amazing family in the horse world for many decades). Big shout-out to show secretary Ginny McCarty, who works year-round to make this show happen. Although there are paid personnel, the bottom line is that Upperville's army of volunteers keeps coming back every year because they love the show.

A few fast facts: Upperville's 1500 stalls were sold out with a waiting list, and more than 2,000 horse-and-rider combinations competed throughout the week. Tens of thousands of viewers around the world watched the live broadcast stream that featured more than 1,500 riders and 1,200 horses representing 40-plus states and five foreign countries. Big shout-outs to Upperville's presenting sponsor, St. Bride's Farm, located right around the country corner from the showgrounds, Buckeye Nutrition, Mars Petcare, Lugano Diamonds, and Palm Beach Masters, and to all the levels of sponsors who, year after year, keep this show alive and growing. More than 25 area charities have benefitted from the show.

It isn't too early to make plans for next year. You don't need to know horses to enjoy Upperville Horse Show. It's a great "field trip" for kids of all ages: you, your family, friends, co-workers, incoming relatives – bring your boss. It's good for your health – all that great exercise walking around the show complex – much more fun than a gym or treadmill – and spending a day surrounded by all that beauty: win, win.

Honestly, I fell head over heels in love with Upperville all over again.