Greg Crolick and Grey Street. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
Upper Marlboro, MD – October 5, 2013 – The World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Developing Professional Challenge saw 28 talented entries, but there was one pair that stood out from beginning to end. Greg Crolick and Grey Street finished both rounds of the two-round class with average scores of 88 for a total of 176 points, earning them a well-deserved victory gallop around the indoor ring at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.
Crolick and the 10-year-old Brandenburg gelding’s impressive first round ride shot them straight to the top of the leaderboard going in to round two. One by one the top twelve riders returned in reverse order of their rankings to compete over the second round course. That put Crolick and Grey Street, owned by Adrienne Marciano, as the last to return and made for a climatic finish to the class.
Just two trips before Crolick, Jamie Taylor and Cipraiani turned in a seamless round, earning them an overall score of 175.66 and setting the bar to beat. In order to earn the championship cooler and ribbon, Crolick and Grey Street had to earn at least an average score of 87.66 from the three judging panels. Thanks to a meticulous second round ride, the pair did just that, earning an 88 average and clinching the win.
“Grey Street is a wonderful horse, and he really rose to the occasion,” Crolick said. “This class really catered to him. He has that beautiful lope across the ground that is consistent and organized, and he was really able to showcase that.”
Crolick may fit the developing professional class criteria, but the Bloomfield Hills, MI native has in fact been moving his way up the professional ranks quite successfully over the past years, earning a number of top honors along the way.
“There was some banter among my friends because it used to be called the emerging professional challenge, and they all said ‘haven’t you emerged by now?'” joked Crolick.
Crolick has definitely emerged, and he continues to develop a top string of horses. Grey Street is among that top lineup that will be heading with Crolick to the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA before he heads back home for another exciting development – the birth of his and wife Jessica’s second child.
Greg and Jessica Crolick own and operate Top Call Farm, a full service riding and training program located at the beautiful Bloomfield Open Hunt Club. Top Call Farm offers training of the show horse and rider, as well as riding instruction for those just starting out. Top Call can also aid in the purchase or sales of your show horse. For more information, please visit Top Call Farm on Facebook.
Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Liza Boyd and Crack On. Photos copyright Shawn McMillen Photography.
Haleigh Landrigan Tops the ARIAT Adult Medal Finals
Upper Marlboro, MD – October 4, 2013 – Professional riders gain points all year in order to be the top six in the country and qualify for the WCHR Professional Finals, sponsored by the John R. Ingram Fund, at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. This year, the top six were Liza Boyd, Kelley Farmer, John French, Peter Pletcher, Amanda Steege, and Scott Stewart, and it was Liza Boyd who finished the competition with top honors. In the afternoon session, Haleigh Landrigan was awarded as the winner of the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals sponsored by ARIAT International. The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, will run through Sunday, October 6.
This year’s WCHR Professional Finals had a change in format. It was shortened to three rounds, with riders switching on two donated horses for the first two rounds, then bringing a horse of their own for the third and final handy round.
In the first round, Boyd rode Crack On to a score of 88.33 and was sitting in third place. She had the high score in round two of 91.33 on Corduroy, but still sat in third place behind Scott Stewart and John French.
The third handy round, which included a trot jump, bounce, and hand gallop, was what made such a huge difference for her. Riding Quatrain, a horse her family’s Finally Farm owns with Janet Peterson, she laid down a fantastic round. She was rewarded by the judges with equal scores of 95 across the board from the three judges’ positions, giving her a total of 274.66. However, she would have to wait and see what French and Stewart would do.
As it turned out, both French and Stewart had bobbles that landed them into the bottom two positions at the end of the class.
Stewart explained, “I chose Declaration (for the handy), who I’ve had for a really long time. He’s usually really, really good in the handies… until tonight. I don’t know what set him off. He’s usually perfect. He’s done really well in a lot of derbies so far. I’ll have to try again.”
French wasn’t worried about the handy part of the course with Sander, who has had experience at major equitation finals as well as in the hunter ring. “I brought him knowing that if there were any tricky things, bounces or whatever, in Missy Clark’s barn he’s seen all that before,” he said with a smile. But a slip off of his lead brought the scores down.
Amanda Steege and Crack On
Moving up in the final round as well from fourth to second place was WCHR Pro Finals rookie Amanda Steege of Far Hills, NJ. Steege rode Susan Darragh’s Zidane in the final round and scored 88.33 for a total of 265.49.
Third place went to Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX. He finished with a total of 262.49, while Kelley Farmer of Wellington, FL, was fourth with 261.16. John French of Woodside, CA, was fifth with 257.83. Stewart, of Wellington, NJ, placed sixth with a total of 257.66.
Boyd, who is from Camden, SC, spoke about the format and how it helped her. “I obviously am a really big fan of the new format. I was from the very beginning,” she said. “I think that bringing your own horse in the end was very much in my benefit. If you picked a horse you knew really well you could really shine, and it definitely was in my favor.”
Boyd said that it was a “no brainer” for her to bring Quatrain to this class after his handy hunter victory this week in the High Performance Hunters. “He goes smooth through the turns and is easy to stay with like an equitation horse. But he jumped in beautiful hunter style. He was definitely the right pick for sure,” she confirmed.
While the riders enjoyed riding a familiar horse, they also remarked about the true hunters that were donated. “I loved my donated horses. They were perfect and perfectly prepared and fun to ride,” said Steege. Boyd added, “It’s great for sales horses; it’s great for promoting horses. Hopefully in the future there will be more and more of those.”
Pletcher had to make a last minute change to his horse for tonight’s class. “I chose a different horse, but he wasn’t right today so I had to quickly grab the sane, safe adult hunter from Eva Bisso, which was very nice of her to let me all of a sudden at the last minute use that horse. She marched right in there and couldn’t have given a better try. I was really happy with her.”
Farmer said that a decision to make a tricky inside turn in the handy course was a make-it-or-break-it moment. “I was in a position where if I tried it and it worked, great. I was low enough that in order to move up, I was going to have to do something. We have to try something,” she pointed out.
Farmer was also very appreciative of those owners that brought horses to the class. “That’s very generous of all of them,” she remarked.
This was the fourth time that Boyd has competed in the WCHR Pro Finals and, she said, the first time she was relaxed going into it with a “good mindset.” Steege, in her first year, was “shockingly relaxed.” She continued, “The thing I didn’t expect about this class was how much camaraderie there is between the riders and show management. So many people have pulled me aside to say ‘Make sure you have plenty of help. If you need help, we can help you,’ and all of these guys really helped show me the way. I had a great time.”
Geoff Teall, WCHR Task Force Chairman, noted that the new format “kept everyone in the playing field.” He continued, “The new format really allows for top hunters and allows for strategy.”
For her win tonight in the WCHR Professional Finals, Boyd was presented with the “All the Way” trophy. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by the Karazissis Family was given to Contelido as the Best Horse.
ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals
The ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals welcomed 29 competitors in today’s competition. Since its inception in 1994, the ARIAT National Adult Medal has given adult riders the opportunity to compete in a competitive equitation class over fences 3′ in height. The classes are held at select shows across the country and riders collect points to qualify for the Finals.
Haleigh Landrigan and Acovibu
The top 10 from the first round returned for the second round. From there, the top four tested since all were within two points of the lead. With a .15 point margin of victory, Haleigh Landrigan of Marshfield, MA, rode Acobibu, a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Acorado I—Siena) owned by Nancy Vinal.
Landrigan sat in seventh place after round one and moved up to third place for the test, eventually putting in a solid test with a bold hand gallop to move up to the win. “I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be for the first round. Once I got past the first round, it was a huge relief and really, my goal was to make the second round. I went in there knowing I had a ribbon regardless. I knew if I moved up, great. It was the same with the test. I just wanted to give it my all; surprisingly didn’t have that much stress!”
Landrigan got the ride on “Abu” through her friend Vinal. She started riding him in Florida this winter, and while Vinal rode him in the summer while out of college, Landrigan got back the ride when school went back into session a month ago. During the summer, Landrigan qualified on the generosity of borrowed horses from Annie Dotoli. She trains with Greg Prince and Cookie DeSimone and had help preparing for the Finals with Alex Schwartz.
This was Landrigan’s third time competing in the ARIAT Finals. “I did the equitation as a junior, and it never went that well, so that’s why I love being an adult. I feel like I can go around and be happy,” she related.
Round 1 of the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup sponsored by Kate Considine/Willow Brook Stables kicked off this afternoon with a speed class. For the second year in a row, Victoria Colvin and Monsieur du Reverdy were the fastest to win. There were 29 entries in the class and 12 were clear, but Colvin’s time of 48.952 seconds took the top spot. One second behind was Cloe Hymowitz on VDL Wardorette in 49.970 seconds. Third place went to Colvin on Don Juan in a time of 50.476 seconds, while Kelsey Thatcher recorded a time of 50.828 seconds for fourth place on Everything. Kalvin Dobbs and Winde’s time of 51.139 seconds slotted them in fifth place. The jumpers will return tomorrow night for their final round, the $10,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup.
The Capital Challenge Horse Show continues tomorrow with championships for the 16-17 sections of the junior hunters, the pony hunters, the Children’s Pony Hunters, the WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge, and the final round for the junior/amateur-owner jumpers.
For full results, more information, or to watch the SmartPak live webcast, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org.
About Capital Challenge In its 20th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show will take place on September 28 – October 6.
Top competitions include the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. In addition to these prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes.
Sambalino and Becky Gochman. Shawn McMillen Photography.
Kirby and Winter White Win $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Challenge
Upper Marlboro, MD – October 3, 2013 – The 2013 Capital Challenge Horse Show continued today with competition for the amateur and adult hunter riders, along with an evening session final for Children’s/Adult Jumpers. Grand Championship ribbons were pinned on the bridles of Sambalino and Becky Gochman, Q and Susan Baker, and Sutton Place and Katie Robinson in the Amateur-Owner and Adult Hunter divisions. In the evening session, the fastest jump-off round came from Elizabeth Kirby and Winter White for the win in the $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Challenge.
The remaining highlight class of the week for the professional hunter riders is the $5,000 WCHR Professional Finals, presented by the John R. Ingram Fund, for the top six hunter riders in the country on Friday, October 4. The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, will run through Sunday, October 6.
The Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter 36 & Over champion, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare, was Sambalino, ridden and owned by Becky Gochman of New York, NY. They won two classes and were second over fences, and they placed third under saddle. The reserve champion was Lyn Pedersen, who rode Silhouette to second, third, and fourth places over fences and the victory under saddle.
For their top finish, Gochman and Sambalino, an 11-year-old Brandenburg gelding by Samba Hit, won the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter Championship, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Will Roberts. They were presented with the Dr. Harold M.S. Smith Trophy, donated by Dr. Suzanne Smith and Dr. Peter Craig. Gochman was named the Best Amateur-Owner Rider, which was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare. She was presented with The So Many Ways Challenge Trophy, donated by Karen Kramer. They also won the Amateur-Owner 3’6” EMO High Point Trip of the Show with an 89.37.
After a small injury in April, Sambalino was brought back into work slowly, but Gochman made the decision not to ride him. This week was her first time back on him, and she explained, “Samba’s the kind of horse that you can have total faith in him to get the job done, even if you haven’t practiced. I feel like we’re such good friends now.”
It took a short time for them to get to know each other, but Gochman said it’s a great partnership after four years. “I was a little scared of him when I first got him because his jump feels so different,” she recalled. “He just has such a long, beautiful stride, but that stride can shorten in an instant. All you have to say is the littlest whoa and he’ll shorten that stride up and make any distance look good and jump the heck out of it. With his kind of adjustable stride, he can make anything happen. He gets plenty of opportunity with me to use his athletic ability to cover things up. I think he enjoys the challenge of that.”
Gochman, who trains with Peter Pletcher and Steve Weiss, had never been champion at Capital Challenge before today. “This is a really special show for us. He is by far the best horse I’ve ever sat on. There is no way that any horse in my mind will ever compare to him,” she expressed.
In the Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter 18-35 division, sponsored by The Hallman Family and MerryLegs South LLC, the championship went to Kingston, ridden by Jazz Johnson Merton of Oldwick, NJ, and owned by Jamie Johnson. They placed first, second, and second over fences. Lexi Selldorff and Stone Horse Farm LLC’s Soulja Boy were the reserve champions after they won a jumping class and the under saddle.
Johnson Merton and Kingston, a 16-year-old Warmblood gelding, were previous Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champions at Capital Challenge, and to return again and win was exciting for her. “It’s a wonderful horse show and it’s obviously very competitive, so I’m thrilled to be getting champion again. I’m so fortunate to have my horse. At the end of the day, he does all the real hard work!” she said.
She has been paired with Kingston for eight years. “He’s just amazing and he takes great care of me. My trainer, Sandy Lobel, with whom I’ve been riding since I was four years old, has an amazing ability to match a rider and a horse,” she said.
Calling Kingston “extremely opinionated” about the distances she finds to jumps and his sugar treat routine before going into the show ring, Johnson Merton is happy to do what it takes for him, which includes lots of cross-country riding between shows. “He has a whole system that we try to follow as a team,” she explained. “He really does step up to the plate and perform like a real showman when we’re at the big shows.”
The WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’6” Challenge, sponsored by Serenity Farm and Tangarae Farm, victory went to Laura Wasserman on Back in the Game. Nancy Hooker place second, while Krista Weisman rode Reality to third.
Q Keeps On Winning
The Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter 45 & Over division, sponsored by Wood Run Farm/The Tredennick Family and Woodland Way, Inc., had its championship ribbon pinned on the bridle of Q, ridden by and owned by Susan Baker of Argyle, TX. They placed first, third, and third over fences. Daryl Portela and Winner were reserve champions with first and second-place jumping ribbons.
Q and Susan Baker. Shawn McMillen Photography
Q and Baker were also named the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3” Champions, sponsored by Augusta Pines, and Baker was honored with the Best Amateur-Owner 3’3” Rider Award, sponsored by Team Rakowsky. Their EMO Trip of the Show for the 3’3” division was a score of 91.
After watching her seven-year-old Warmblood gelding by Quite Easy win a Future Hunter division championship and triumph in the $20,000 North American Future Hunter Championship, Baker felt a little pressure walking into the ring yesterday. “You feel like everybody is watching and expecting the same thing from you. But I’m an amateur and I do silly things!” she said. “I was glad yesterday when that first class couldn’t have gone any better. I think it was the best trip I’ve ever had in my entire life.”
It has been a big turnaround for Baker since this winter, when her mare passed away and her jumper tore a suspensory. When friends told her about a jumper she needed to see in Florida, Baker wasn’t sure until she saw him standing on the cross-ties. “He had this look and presence,” she said. Since then, she noted, “It’s just been an incredible year with him. He’s exceeded any expectations we could have possible have. He’s one of those horses where you’re very, very lucky they come into your life. I feel very fortunate.”
She added, “It’s been an unbelievable show and an absolute dream week. I just kept thinking I’m going to wake up at some point.”
In the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 18-44 Hunters, sponsored by Doug and Missy Smith, Kathryn Haefner of Buffalo, NY, rode Kathryn Haefner LLC’s Columbus to the championship. They won an over fences class and placed second in the under saddle. The reserve champion was Crusader, ridden and owned by Jaime Auletto. They placed second, second, and third over fences and was sixth under saddle.
Haefner has been riding Columbus, a seven-year-old Westphalian gelding, for two years. They moved up to the 3’3” this year. Columbus was originally purchased to be a sale horse, but his sweet personality has made him a possible “permanent fixture” in the barn.
“He’s a little bit like a pony,” Haefner described. “You just loop the reins and he’ll just go around. If you ride him a little bit more, he gives you a really nice jump. That’s what taken me a little while to get used to, is making him go a little bit, and then he always gives you a nice jump. He’s super smooth. His canter is really comfortable, and he has a perfect lead change. To hack him around at the barn, he’s one of the best to ride.”
As a full-time student at the University of Miami, Haefner isn’t able to ride very often, so she thanked the group that takes care of her horses, including trainer Stewart Moran. This is the third time that Haefner has competed at Capital Challenge. Although she has won a class each previous year, she related, “This was definitely our biggest moment so far at Capital Challenge. I really love coming to this horse show. There are always so many nice horses. There were almost 40 horses in our division, and I knew it was going to be tough. Being champion here is quite an accomplishment.”
In the $2,500 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3” Challenge sponsored by Milestone, LLC and Havens Schatt, Jane Gaston rode Amarillo to the win. Didi Mackenzie and MTM Inside Scoop was second, and Elizabeth de Golian placed third on Quite Simply.
Another Future Hunter Steps Up in the Adult Divisions
Sutton Place and Katie Robinson. Photo copyright Parker/The Book LLC
At only five years old, Sutton Place has certainly proven that he has what it takes to be a top hunter. The Hanoverian gelding by Valentino was the champion of the Adult Amateur 36-50 Hunters after a championship performance earlier in the week in the Future Hunter 5 & Under division. Sutton Place and Katie Robinson of Bronxville, NY, won both over fences classes and were fifth in the under saddle. The reserve championship went to Brad Wolf’s Winterplace, ridden by Laura Karet. They received two third places over fences and won the under saddle.
Robinson and Sutton Place also won the Grand Adult Hunter Championship, which is sponsored by Steve Martines. They were presented with the Equus Entries Challenge Trophy, donated by Equus Entries and Sue and Ralph Caggiano. Robinson won the Best Adult Amateur Rider Award, sponsored by Phoebe Weseley and River Run Farm, LLC. Robinson’s trainer, Brady Mitchell, was presented with the Gail Knieriem Memorial Trophy, donated by Lynley Reilly and Randy Johnson.
“I’m glad I didn’t let the team down. That would have been a real bummer,” Robinson said with a smile. “He was just a dream. He’s a real team player and I think that’s what it’s all about. He makes it fun for everyone. He’s not a bummer for the groom or anyone. He’s just an all-around good horse. And the fact that he’s so young only means he’s going to get better. I’m excited.”
Looking into the future was important for Robinson. “I figured I should take the time and find a young one and have some fun with it,” she remarked, “and grow together. Hopefully we’ll have lots of days like today.”
Polly Sweeney of Pasadena, CA, rode Karen Long Dwight’s Pimm’s Cup to the championship in the Adult Amateur 51 & Over Hunters sponsored by R. Bruce Duchossois and H n’ D Stables Inc. They place first and fourth over fences. Patricia Raynes and Rockford, owned by John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC picked up the reserve championship after they were first and fourth over fences.
Sweeney, who is 71 years old, has been riding since the age of three. She laughed, “I feel like I’m 30 years older than everyone else here and I’m in the 51 and Older section! But I wear it as a badge of honor.” Although she has had a “few hiatuses” from riding for her career and children, she has been riding regularly since 1990 and now trains with Archie Cox. She debated coming to Capital Challenge, but was assured that she could get the ride on Pimm’s Cup, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding by Silverstar, from Long Dwight. In the end, she also brought her mare Duet, who she also rode in the division.
Of her catch ride, she said, “He was just a machine. I’m a violinist by profession, and I told Karen it was like playing chamber music with people you really understand. You just look at each other and you get it. I could read where I was coming to a fence, and he knew that I knew and I knew that he knew.”
Sweeney’s daughter, Alison, is the host of “The Biggest Loser” on television, and she is aware of the fitness it takes to ride. “Riding is a very good, vigorous sport. If you do it right you don’t just lounge around. It’s very good for your body and keeping fit. It’s so much more fun than running!” she exclaimed.
The championship in the Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunters, sponsored by Lainie Wimberly and Brigadoon Show Stables, Inc., went to Willow, ridden by Andrea Huber of West Chester, PA, and owned by Bryan Baldwin. They placed first and second over fences and were fourth under saddle. The reserve champion was Scott Stewart’s Content, ridden by Alexa Weisman. They placed first over fences.
This was only the third show for Huber and Willow, a seven-year-old Oldenburg mare by Last Man Standing. Huber, who is 19 years old and studies at Centenary College, rides with Louise Serio. This was her first time at Capital Challenge. “Louise gave me the opportunity to show Willow. She asked me if I wanted to show her at Middleburg and Capital Challenge and I was ecstatic about that,” Huber said. “The fact that it was my first time here and Willow is a relatively new ride for me, it’s really incredible. I haven’t had the opportunity to show at many big shows across the country, so this is probably my biggest win.”
She described the mare as “really easy-going, quiet, (with a) sweet personality.” She continued, “She’s very straight forward and easy to get along with. You’d never know she was a mare. I couldn’t have asked for better trips. She was very consistent.”
The WCHR Adult Hunter Under Saddle victory went to Manhatten, ridden by Katie Cook.
Winter White and Elizabeth Kirby Are Fastest
Out of 54 entries in the $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Challenge, six of them were clear over Steve Stephens’ course to advance to the jump-off, and three of those were double clear. It was Elizabeth Kirby of Mendham, NJ, who was able to speed through the timers on Winter White for a 2.7 second margin of victory. They finished the jump-off in 32.106 seconds.
Kirby was presented with the Best Adult Amateur Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Mead Grove Farm and The Belfield Trophy, donated by Julie Karpan. The Best Children’s Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Memorial Park Hunters, went to John Darst.
Second place went to Hope Batchelor on Orlando, who turned in a time of 34.890 seconds. Charlene Graham and Capricette were third in 36.021 seconds with a clear round. With four faults and a quick time of 33.884 seconds, Abigail Walker and James T. Kirk finished fourth. John Darst and Underberg placed fifth with four faults in 38.210 seconds.
Kirby has had Winter White, or ‘Patches’ as she’s known due to her distinct coloring, since May of 2012. Today’s win was somewhat bittersweet for Kirby as she recalled how she found the 10-year-old Selle Francais mare by Modesto (NL). “My trainer Gary Zook found her for me the day before he passed away,” she said. “He went to McLain Ward’s with me to pick her up and we went back home. I was supposed to have a lesson with him the next day, and he just never showed up.”
Although Zook has never been there to see Kirby and Patches compete, it’s clear he chose the right horse for her. “She’s been wonderful ever since day one. I never thought I’d get this far, especially with her. It’s been a blessing because I wouldn’t have been able to do this without Gary,” she expressed. “He picked her out for me, and I tried her and he said, ‘You need to get this horse now.’ The next day I bought her.”
Kirby also gives credit to her trainer Kelly Wilson for figuring out the horse for her. Patches as a “great work ethic,” Kirby said. “’No’ is not in her vocabulary. She is very indifferent. She does her work and doesn’t like to be pet. She likes her treats and that’s it. She goes in, does her job, and goes out. It’s another day for her. I’m blessed, and I love her so much,” she added.
Kirby last competed at Capital Challenge in 2010. Since she graduated college in May, she was able to make time to come this year. She remarked, “I was just happy to even go clear. There are so many great people here. Just being in the top six to make the jump-off, I was so happy. To win, I was shocked.”
The Capital Challenge continues tomorrow with the start of the junior and pony hunters and will host the WCHR Adult Amateur Finals, the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals, and the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup Round 1. The evening session includes one of the highlight classes of the week, the WCHR Professional Finals.
For full results, more information, or to watch the SmartPak live webcast, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org.
About Capital Challenge In its 20th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show will take place on September 28 – October 6.
Top competitions include the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. In addition to these prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes.
Small Affair and John French. Photos copyright Shawn McMillen Photography.
Crolick Named Winner of Developing Pro Challenge, Pletcher and Q Win North American Future Hunter Championship, Stewart and Farmer Share Top Hunter Honors
Upper Marlboro, MD – October 2, 2013 – The Capital Challenge Horse Show, presented by The Gochman Family, featured the best hunters in the country as well as up-and-coming talent in both horses and riders. The day was full of competition, but the highlight class was the $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. John French took home the win for the third time in class history on Small Affair.
The $5,000 WCHR Developing Pro Challenge victory went to Greg Crolick riding Grey Street. Peter Pletcher rode Susan Baker’s Q to the win in the $20,000 Added North American Future Hunter Championship. After the final four professional hunter divisions finished competition today, the Grand Hunter Champion and Leading Hunter Rider honors were awarded as well. Don’t forget, you can watch all of the winning jumping rounds by clicking on the “Individual Rounds” button at www.capitalchallenge.org.
The remaining highlight class of the week for the professional hunter riders is the $5,000 WCHR Professional Finals, presented by the John R. Ingram Fund, for the top six hunter riders in the country on Friday, October 4. The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, will run through Sunday, October 6.
The $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge, sponsored by Pony Lane Farm, had 23 entries, and 12 of those returned for a second round in the evening session. Coming back on top for the second round was John French on Iwasaki & Reilly’s Small Affair, the winner of this class in 2010 and 2011. In the first round, they scored 90.33, and they returned to score 88.08 for a total of 178.41 for victory. Second place went to Kelley Farmer on Mythical. They scored 88.50 and 89.33 for a total of 177.83. Hayley Barnhill and Fonteyn were third with a total score of 175.66. Jennifer Bauersachs and Avignon placed fourth with a score of 173.91, while Havens Schatt and Bacardi scored 171.66 for fifth place.
French said of his rounds, “His first round was exceptionally great. He just jumped high and it was super smooth. I think I had enough of a lead coming into the second round. I’m not sure where I ended up in the second round, not the top, maybe third or fourth. But when you add the two scores together, it was enough to win. That was good having that cushion coming in. He had a rub in the second round, but otherwise he was great.”
“Third time’s a charm,” French said with a smile. “He loves this class. It’s pretty hard to win it three times on the same horse. Those are the best horses. Most professionals bring in their heavy hitters, their top horses.”
It was a redeeming class for French, who has had a tough year of injuries. In a fall in January, he broke his foot and had major tendon and ligament damage. It has not healed as well as he hoped, and in June, he underwent shoulder surgery as well. “It was kind of an off year, but I got well enough to come to indoors,” he acknowledged. “At first, it was nice to take a little bit of a break. Then when these kinds of shows come, you want to be better and back riding again. I love this horse show and what they do for the World Hunter rider awards.”
French said that his five-year relationship with Small Affair, a 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Elf d’Or, is what leads to their success, even if French doesn’t compete with him very often. “I think there are some horses that you just have a partnership with,” he expressed. “I know what upsets him, what he likes, how much work he needs. I wouldn’t have wanted to ride any other horse in the class tonight because I know him so well. He always gives and tries to jump a beautiful jump every time.”
French and Small Affair were presented with the “Little Brook” Perpetual Trophy donated by Gary Duffy.
Greg Crolick and Grey Street Rise to Top of Developing Pro Challenge
Twenty-eight entries lined up to compete in the $5,000 WCHR Developing Pro Challenge. With equal scores of 88 in both rounds, Greg Crolick and Adrienne Marciano’s Grey Street jumped to victory with a total 176. Close behind in second place was Jamie Taylor on Cipriani. They received scores of 87 and 88.66 for a total of 175.66. Taylor Adams and Taken were third with a score of 174.99, while Jennifer Bliss rode Poker Face to 171.83 and fourth place. Fifth place went to Trentino and Megan Young, who scored 170.50.
Grey Street and Greg Crolick
Crolick hails from Bloomfield Hills, MI, and admitted that he doesn’t fit the typical expectation of a “Developing” professional. “This year it was weird to be qualified as a Developing Professional because I’m 41 and have been doing this a while,” he said with a laugh, “but I met all of the qualifications. Hopefully, next year I’ll be in the Professional Challenge.”
Staying relaxed was on the game plan for this class, since it was more of a hunter classic-style course. Crolick explained, “I have a tendency to get aggressive when I’m in there, like a handy derby. So in this type of classical hunter round, you need to be a little quieter and be a little more subdued.”
He has been riding Grey Street, a 10-year-old Brandenburg gelding, since January. The horse was originally imported from Europe to be a jumper by Seth Vallhonrat. When he knew he was qualified for tonight’s class, Crolick chose Grey Street immediately.
“He’s a wonderful horse,” Crolick said. “Just the way he canters across the ground, he’s so pretty between the jumps. The whole picture looks so consistent and nice. And I know his mind-frame walking in there will be dependable. I know him the best.”
Crolick was happy to be a part of the class. “I think this class really highlights the rider and how the rider goes in the ring. It’s nice to have your peers at the gate whooping for you and congratulating you and you’re in competition with them,” he related. “Outside of that, this helps for your profile as a professional moving forward.”
He continued, “Even though I’ve been teased this whole week about why I’m in the Developing Professionals, it’s all fun banter. It means a lot (to win). Last year I was here watching it and this year I’m doing it. I’m glad I was here and had a great outcome. It worked out really well.”
Q Is Letter Perfect in North American Future Hunter Championship
Q and Peter Pletcher
The country’s best Pre-Green horses gathered for the $20,000 Added North American Future Hunter Championship, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, Kocher Tack, Corrine Bevis/San Marcos Training, and Makoto Farm, Inc., in the Show Place Arena this morning. The top Future Hunters from six divisions went head-to-head in the indoor arena, and it was Peter Pletcher on Susan Baker’s Q who took the title. They scored 89.80 in the first round and improved to 90.80 in the second round for a total of 180.60.
Havens Schatt and Kaepernick, owned by Deborah Perkins, were second with scores of 85.40 and 87.40 for a total of 172.80. Third place went to Louise Serio on Lulu, owned by Merrylegs South, who had a total score of 170.90. Hunt Tosh rode Kenneth and Douglas Wheeler’s Crisp to a score of 170.10 for fourth place. Fifth place went to Truman, ridden by Chris Payne and owned by Maypine Farm. They scored a total of 166.05.
Pletcher and Q, a seven-year-old Warmblood gelding by Quite Easy, were the Future Hunter 3’3” champions yesterday and while he mentioned that usually it takes Q a round to get used to a new environment, he easily adapted in today’s class. “It was unbelievable. He was game on, ready. The jumps were little, and that helped me a lot. If he had to walk in there and do a true 3’3” (course), I think he might have been a little more impressed,” Pletcher pointed out. “This is the third day he’s shown. Taking all that into consideration, he was a superstar.”
Pletcher said the second round was even better, “He’d been in there once and he was all business. He was like, ‘I got it.’”
For their win, Q and Pletcher were presented with the Beverly Brooks Solter Memorial Trophy donated by Hilary Scheer Gerhardt and Zan Martin Dillon. The EMO Trip of the Show for Future Hunters went to Scott Stewart and Classical, who scored a 90.5.
Professional Hunter Divisions Wrap Up Competition
The First Year Green Working Hunter Section A championship, sponsored by Peter Pletcher/PJP Farm, went to Bacardi, a seven-year-old KWPN gelding by Casco, ridden by Havens Schatt for Caroline Moran. Bacardi placed first in two classes and second in two classes over fences. The reserve champion was Avignon, ridden by Jennifer Bauersachs and owned by Francesca Migliore. They placed first, second, and fourth.
Bacardi is no stranger to Capital Challenge, having been Grand Future Hunter Champion in 2011 and victorious in the North American Future Hunter Championship in 2012. This year, going from the indoor arena to the outside ring was a benefit, Schatt thought. “Today woke him up a little bit. I think he jumped the best today of the three days because it was something new. He was fresh and it was a new place,” she added.
Having two years of solid competition under his belt has made Bacardi a solid campaigner. “He’s always been a show horse. He loves it here. He was a bit of a quirky horse when he was younger, and now you can count on him when you need him,” Schatt said. “He’s just such an amazing horse. When they win at Pre-Green as much as he did, you hope that they can go on and do it in their First Year because the competition is just so much stronger. He was consistent in every class here. I’m very proud that he’s maintained his top level of competition through three years of showing.”
Bacardi was also presented with the Grand First Year Green Hunter Championship, sponsored by Summer Hill Farms, Jordan Gilchrist, & Laura Hightower and was presented with the Magda and George Z. Lefton Memorial Trophy donated by Stacey Lefton Glick. In addition, they won the Tribute Perpetual Trophy donated by Scott Stewart for the highest cumulative numerical point total in a single professional division. They tied with Victoria Colvin and Way Cool for the EMO Trip of the Show with a score of 90.5
Kelley Farmer picked up two championship ribbons today. The first came in the First Year Green Working Hunters Section B, sponsored by the Sadrian and Kellogg Families, with Mythical, owned by Larry Glefke and Dr. Kenneth Garber. They placed first in three over fences classes. Fashion Farm’s Loyalty, ridden by Scott Stewart, was the reserve champion with first, second, third, and third place ribbons.
Farmer has been riding Mythical, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding by Cornet Obolensky, just over a year and he immediately stepped up to the winner’s circle. They are on track to win the USEF Horse of the Year award, they won four USHJA International Hunter Derbies, and finished second at the derby finals. “He’s done nothing but be a great horse for me. When it goes wrong, it’s because of me,” she said with a smile. “He’s the smartest horse I’ve ever had. He really believes there’s nothing he can’t do, and he’s probably right.”
She and Quotable were the Green Conformation Hunter champions, sponsored by Lisa A.H. Cudahy, as well as the Regular Conformation Hunter reserve champions. In the Green division, they won the model and three over fences classes, and they finished third in the remaining jumping class. They were also second in the under saddle. In the Regular division, they won the model, were second, second, and fifth over fences, and were second under saddle. Farmer also rode the Green Conformation reserve champion, Backstory, who is owned by Tia Schurecht. They were second in the model, first, fifth, and sixth over fences, and they won the under saddle.
Quotable is an eight-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Larry Glefke and Dr. Kenneth Garber. Although he was ridden by Holly Orlando this winter, a change of rider was no problem for the young horse. He has been champion or reserve every time out in 2013. “He’s unbelievable to ride; there are no tricks to him. He’s not a hard horse,” Farmer said.
Quotable also won the Grand Conformation Hunter Championship and was presented with the Kenneth M. Wheeler Perpetual Trophy donated by BJ Meeks and Pablo Perez.
Having two such great horses in their first year of major competition is fun for Farmer. “They’re like a little and big version of each other. But we don’t do Quotable in the derbies. Mythical is the derby horse. Quotable is the pretty boy and Mythical is the tough boy,” she laughed.
She continued about her young stars, “We’re lucky enough to have one of them, let alone a barn full of them. You always have to look for the next one. If you’re just looking for ‘the one’ or just waiting for one, then that’s all you’ll have.”
The Regular Conformation Hunter champion for the second year in a row was Showman, ridden by Scott Stewart and owned by Alexa and Krista Weisman. They won three over fences classes along with the under saddle, and they placed second in the model. The division was sponsored by Hidden Hollow LLC & Ginny Edwards and Joie Gatlin/Morley Abey Show Jumping Inc.
Thanks to a light showing schedule, Showman, an 11-year-old Westphalian gelding by Showstar, always arrives at Capital Challenge fresh. He is a successful product of the Future Hunter division, having won a Grand Future Hunter championship here in 2009, the First Year Green championship in 2010, the Second Year Green championship in 2011, and last year’s Regular Conformation win.
As a veteran competitor, Showman makes Stewart’s job easy. “It’s nice to have him and Everly. They’re easy horses. They try to do their best, and there are no tricks to them. He’s really simple and he never tries to do anything wrong. It’s nice to fall back on them.”
Showman was one of three horses that finished with 40 points in a division and tied for the Grand Hunter Championship, which is sponsored by RSB Farms, Inc. and Rob Bielefeld. Scott Stewart had two mounts in the presentation in Dr. Betsee Parker’s Everly and Showman, owned by Alexa and Krista Weisman. Kelley Farmer and Quotable joined them in the presentation, and all three were presented with the Janet Polk Read and Margaret Hough Sabbatini Memorial Trophy, donated by the Goguen Family. Stewart and Farmer also shared Leading Hunter Rider honors, which were sponsored by the Gibson Family and Shadyside Farm and Hobby Family Foundation. They were presented with the BJ’s Hunt Room Trophy, donated by BJ Meeks and Pablo Perez.
There was also a tie for the Grand Future Hunter Championship between Knob Creek, ridden by Jocelyn Martin and owned by Dana Nifosi, and Crisp, ridden by Hunt Tosh for Kenneth and Douglas Wheeler. The championship was sponsored by David Belford and Christopher Payne/New Hope LLC & Susan Moriconi. They were presented with “A Rare Diamond” Perpetual Trophy donated by “The Friends of Mickey.”
The Grand Green Hunter Championship is sponsored by Balmoral Farm Inc. and Traci & Carleton Brooks. This year the award went to Queen Lattifa, ridden by Hunt Tosh for Kenneth and Douglas Wheeler.
The Grey Slipper Award and Perpetual Trophy, donated by Bridget Hallman, was awarded to Stephanie Riggio’s Indian Summer and Fiddler’s Bridge for excellence in the professional and amateur hunter divisions.
The $1,000 Senior WCHR Under Saddle victory, sponsored by Arcadia Farm, went to Andover, ridden by Alicia Saxton and owned by Savannah Stuart. They were presented with the Hollywood Challenge Trophy donated by Paula Polk Lillard.
Correction: Yesterday’s release included the incorrect reserve champion for the Performance 3’6” Hunters. The reserve champion was Small Affair, ridden by John French for Iwasaki & Reilly.
The Capital Challenge Horse Show continues tomorrow with championships for the Amateur-Owner 3’3” and 3’6” Hunters and three sections of Adult Amateur Hunters. The WCHR Amateur-Owner Challenge 3’3” and 3’6” will be held in the afternoon, and the $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Challenge will wrap up the evening festivities.
For full results, more information, or to watch the SmartPak live webcast, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org.
About Capital Challenge In its 20th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show will take place on September 28 – October 6.
Top competitions include the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. In addition to these prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes.
Queen Lattifa and Hunt Tosh. Photo copyright Shawn McMillen Photography.
Upper Marlboro, MD – October 1, 2013 – Nine championships were awarded today at the Capital Challenge Horse Show presented by The Gochman Family, honoring the best hunters in the country. Along with the Second Year Green Working and High Performance Hunter divisions, championships were given in six Future Hunter divisions and the Performance Hunters 3’6”. The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, runs through Sunday, October 6. Don’t forget, you can watch all of the champions’ jumping rounds by clicking on the “Individual Rounds” button at www.capitalchallenge.org.
The professional hunters will wrap up their divisions tomorrow. The highlight classes of the week for the professional hunter riders are the $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge, sponsored by Pony Lane Farm, on Wednesday, October 2, and the $5,000 WCHR Professional Finals, presented by the John R. Ingram Fund, for the top six hunter riders in the country on Friday, October 4.
In the Show Place Arena, the first championship awarded went to Queen Lattifa, ridden by Hunt Tosh for Kenneth and Douglas Wheeler. The pair received two firsts and two seconds over fences and were sixth in the under saddle. John French and Oscany, Inc.’s Small Celebration picked up the reserve championships after a first, third, and fourth over fences and a win under saddle.
Tosh, of Milton, GA, has a new ride in Queen Lattifa, an 11-year-old Westphalian mare, and this was their fourth show together. After winning a championship at the Devon Horse Show, Kenneth Wheeler “fell in love with her,” Tosh said. He added with a smile, “(He) spontaneously bought her without me ever riding her. He came to me and said, ‘We have a new horse!’ He saw her and had to have her.”
Tosh described, “She’s a great horse. She’s careful and super brave. You can walk in any ring and she’ll go out and put in a great effort. She’s really fun to ride (and) is a beautiful jumper. She’s good about turning back and jumping. She’s really scopey, which gives you a little extra room to make an error. She’s been really good.”
The High Performance Hunter championship went to Everly, ridden by Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL, for Dr. Betsee Parker. They won three over fences classes as well as the under saddle class. Another Dr. Betsee Parker-owned horse, Lonestar, won the reserve championship with Hunt Tosh. They received three second places as well as a fourth over fences and were fourth under saddle.
Everly was previously owned by Spy Coast Farm, and she competed in the 1.50m jumpers with grand prix rider Shane Sweetnam. The nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Malito de Reves has settled perfectly into her new hunter role, Stewart said. “The first week in Kentucky she maybe jumped too high in the in and outs, but at the Hampton Classic she had 92s in every round. She’s the easiest horse,” he said.
The pair was Grand Hunter Champions at the Hampton Classic, and this is only her third show as a hunter. “She’s unbelievable. The scope is easy. She’s quite quiet and she took to it so easy. It was amazing,” Stewart expressed.
The Performance Hunter 3’6” division, sponsored by Nicole Kane/South Shore Farms, was swept by Victoria Colvin, who rode Dr. Betsee Parker’s Way Cool to the championship (they won both over fences classes) and Dr. Parker’s Ovation to reserve champion honors after two fourths over fences and the win under saddle.
Future Hunters Show Their Potential
The Future Hunter Thoroughbred division, sponsored by Take 2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, was added to this year’s schedule and saw a solid group of competitors. The champion was Knob Creek, a seven-year-old gelding by Run Softly, ridden by Jocelyn Martin and owned by Dana Nifosi of Alexandria, VA.
The path to their victory was marked by injury and accidents in the three years that Nifosi has owned him, so being able to come home with a champion ribbon at Capital Challenge was something very special. For Nifosi, who has a full-time job as a federal attorney, even the opportunity to see her horse in the show ring brought tears to her eyes. “I was literally in tears when he went around yesterday. Yesterday he just sparkled. I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s my horse?’”
Nifosi is on furlough from her government job, and not only did she get to see her horse show, she got to ride him in the under saddle class. Calling him “the most accident-prone horse” and “usually kick-along quiet,” Nifosi was proud of her project horse. She asked Martin to ride him after her trainer, Katie Huber, suffered a broken hip in the spring. “Fingers crossed we’re on our way to good health. That’s why we’re even more delighted that he could step up and be mature. Jocelyn did a fantastic job,” she said. While he was not sure of the jumbotron in the Show Place Arena during his championship presentation, Nifosi commented, “I think he’s going to be an ideal amateur horse, jumbotron notwithstanding!”
Willow CBF and Phillip Cillis. Photo copyright Parker/The Book LLC
The Future Hunter Mares division, sponsored by Penelope Ayres and Ravenswood Farm, pinned the championship ribbon on the bridle of Willow CBF. Willow and rider Phillip Cillis, who took the reins for owner Julie Hancock, placed first, fourth, and fifth over fences and was second under saddle. Kelley Farmer and Connotation, owned by Larry Glefke and Dr. Kenneth Garber, were the reserve champions. They placed first over fences and third under saddle.
Cillis and Hancock found Willow CBF, a five-year-old Hanoverian mare by ES Widmark, in November at a dressage barn and started in the Pre-Green Hunters in April. “She just moved really well. We had seen her free jump, and she jumped really well and soft and nice,” Cillis remembered. “She had such a great temperament and we were hoping she’d make up to an amateur horse, but already as a Pre-Green horse she’s also doing the low Amateurs with Julie. She’s got the best brain.”
While Cillis worked for Hap Hansen for 20 years and had brought equitation riders to Capital Challenge before, it had been “years and years” since he showed here last. “We had a fun one and we thought, ‘Let’s do it!’” he said.
Coming all the way from San Diego, CA, Cillis remarked, “We just didn’t have any expectations, so it couldn’t be more fun. It was so worth it!” Hancock added, “It’s such a thrill to be in this level of competition and to see the quality of horses that were here. I would have been happy to have had a ribbon. To end up like this is a fairy tale.”
The Future Hunter 5 & Under division, sponsored by Randy Johnson and Greener Pastures Equine, had a championship performance from the talented Sutton Place, ridden by Brady Mitchell for KJ Robinson LLC. They won two over fences classes for the tricolor. Hunt Tosh rode Crimson Tide for Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler for the reserve championship after they were first, third, and fourth over fences and sixth in the under saddle.
Sutton Place, a five-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Valentino, was “very, very green” when Mitchell started riding him in March, with no real show career. He now does double duty with Mitchell and in the Adult Hunters with Katie Robinson. “Katie rides just as good as some of the professionals. We’re able to buy special horses like this and she rides him beautifully,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said that Sutton Place’s best attribute is his stunning jump. “He tries to jump a ’10’ every time he leaves the ground. He’s very, very careful, but the interesting thing about him is not only is he careful, he’s dead brave. You could aim him at a ring of fire. He would jump it very high, but he would always jump it,” he laughed. “We like everything about him. He’s fun in the barn, he’s brave, he’s easy to ride. He’s one of our favorites.”
Coming from Canada, Mitchell had not had the chance to ride at Capital Challenge before this year. He has worked for Heritage Farm for two years. “(Andre Dignelli has) provided me a lot of opportunity to show at nice places like this, which I’m very, very grateful for. I’ve always wanted to show here, so this is special for me to be champion in my first time showing here,” he related.
The Future Hunter Colts & Geldings division, sponsored by Boggs Hill, was the first to finish today, and it was Havens Schatt on Debbie Perkins’ Kaepernick who brought home the top tricolor. The pair was first, third, and third over fences and fifth under saddle. The reserve championship went to Cracker Jack, ridden by Morgan Thomas for Norgan, Inc. They placed first and second over fences.
Schatt brought Kaepernick into the barn from Europe in November, but he did not show until this past March. They had early success in Florida, and then he took time to get used to other show rings. They placed sixth in the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program Championship. The handsome bay gelding just turned six in September, and he wasn’t broke until he was four years old. “He’s come really far, quick,” Schatt said. “I’m really proud of him because he really is just like a baby. He’s still green; he’s either too up[hill] or down[hill]. At Blowing Rock it all clicked and I was able to get him to take the bit and take me to the jump. Before it was like riding a boat. Here, he’s decided he can man up!”
Schatt, who now resides in Lexington, KY, has been very successful in the Future Hunters in the past few years with such horses as Bacardi and Sons Souci. “The Future Hunters are where it all begins,” she pointed out. “If there’s not anybody to train those horses, get them broke, and bring them along, there are no horses for the amateurs or juniors. For me, it’s really, really important. I try to put my focus on this show. I use a lot of the other shows for training. It’s really special to me to have one that always wins here.”
The championship in the Future Hunter 6 Year Old & Over division, sponsored by David Belford, Chris Payne, and Susan Moriconi, went to Crisp, ridden by Hunt Tosh for Kenneth Wheeler and Douglas Wheeler. They placed first in two over fences classes and second under saddle. The reserve championship was awarded to Classical and Scott Stewart who received first, fifth, and sixth place ribbons.
Crisp, a seven-year-old Warmblood gelding by Carinjo, gained nationwide recognition after he won the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program Championship. Tosh has only been riding Crisp since August, and the horse showed very lightly before that with Terry Brown. Tosh and the Wheelers had been interested in him all year. Tosh remarked, “We kept asking about him. When she said I could have him, I snagged him as fast I could. He doesn’t have a lot of mileage, but he’s been quite good when we’ve asked him to go in big venues. I love him. He’s a beautiful picture and a fantastic jumper. He’s very elegant going around, a really pretty horse. He tries to win. He’s got good range and he studies the jumps. I’m really excited about him.”
For Tosh, the opportunity to work with owners like the Wheelers is special. “It really means a lot that they want to develop horses and bring along young horses,” he agreed. “I think it’s a bit of tradition with their family; their father and mother always did that. They really enjoy it I think, especially to have a young one like that and to kind of see what they can do. They’re very excited about him. They are very supportive of me and I’m very appreciative of what they both do for me.”
The Future Hunter 3’3” championship, sponsored by Hunt & Mandy Tosh and Christa & Michael Endicott, went to Q, ridden by Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX, for Susan Baker. They won two over fences classes and were fourth in the under saddle. Truman and Chris Payne, who rode for Maypine Farm, were the reserve champions with a win over fences and the under saddle victory.
Q, a seven-year-old Warmblood gelding by Quite Easy, changed careers from the jumper ring in March when Baker and Pletcher saw him. He has learned his job, but Pletcher said it does still take a class to get in the groove. “The first day he jumped the first jump and was so happy that he did about 30 lead changes after it. I stayed in and then he got a pair of 89s (in the second class). He doesn’t want to be bad; he’s just happy with himself. You can’t really get mad at him for that,” Pletcher said.
Pletcher praised his “amazing gallop” as well. He added, “He acts much older than he is. He doesn’t spook. He’s really straightforward. It might take him one round to get used to the place, but he’s pretty fun and right on.”
Competition for the professional hunters continues tomorrow with championships for two sections of the First Year Green Working Hunters, Green Conformation, and Regular Conformation. The Amateur-Owner Hunters begin their competition as well.
During the day, the Future Hunters will return for head-to-head competition in the $20,000 Added Future Hunter North American Championship, and the Grand Future Hunter Champion will be crowned. The best under saddle horses will compete in the World Champion Senior Hunter Under Saddle class. In the late afternoon, the first rounds of the WCHR Professional Challenge and WCHR Emerging Pro Challenge will be held. An awards ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m., which leads into the final rounds for the two Challenge classes in the evening session.
Highlights of the Capital Challenge Horse Show will include the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Developing Pro Challenge (Oct. 2), Future Hunter North American Championship (Oct. 2), the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup (two rounds held on Oct. 4-5), the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals (Oct. 4), and the WCHR Professional Finals (Oct. 4).
For full results, more information, or to watch the SmartPak live webcast, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org.
About Capital Challenge In its 20th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show will take place on September 28 – October 6.
Top competitions include the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. In addition to these prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes.
Upper Marlboro, MD – September 28, 2013 – The Capital Challenge Horse Show began today at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. This is the first day of the Capital Challenge Equitation Championship Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. The Capital Challenge Horse Show runs through Sunday, October 6. The equitation age divisions were held today with over fences classes in the outdoor and indoor rings, joined by a flat class indoors. There were seven age division champions rewarded.
Alison Cooney of Chappaqua, NY, was the 17 Year Old Equitation champion on Wittewa. The division is sponsored by Frank Madden Show Stables. Cooney placed first and third over fences and was second on the flat. The reserve champion was Abigail Johnston on Caden, who finished second over fences and first on the flat.
Cooney has ridden Wittewa, or “Leon” as he’s known in the barn, for two years. She described the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding as “a goofball.” She continued, “He was so soft today. He was on an open stride, and he helped me out. He’s a great horse.”
After finishing fourth in last year’s North American Junior Equitation Championships and riding in her final junior year, Cooney was excited to start out with a championship. “I’m so excited. It’s such a nice way to start out,” she acknowledged. “He feels good and I feel like we’re working well together, especially indoors. You have to adjust a little bit, adjust your eye. I feel ready, and he’s perfect.”
She added, “I really like this ring. There’s enough space to get going, and I like the footing. But it’s not too big that it’s not a challenge. You get ready for indoors, and it’s good preparation.”
The 16 Year Old Equitation division, sponsored by Old Salem Farm, saw Sydney Callaway of San Diego, CA, enter for the championship presentation. She and Van Radjah, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Radjah Z, placed first and third over fences. The reserve championship went to Hannah Showell on Axtrex, who placed first over fences and third on the flat.
This is Callaway’s third time at Capital Challenge. “Last year I was reserve champion in the 15 Year Olds, so it was fun to come back and redeem myself and move up,” she said with a smile. “This was fun and it was a good course.”
After finding Van Radjah last year and transitioning him from the jumpers to the equitation, Callaway has had continued success. “I’m really excited this year because we’ve qualified for all the medal finals. He seems really in the groove and ready to go,” she said. “It’s nice being solidified. Being a west coast rider and coming to the East Coast, you don’t really know all of the judges and the competition you’re looking at, so it’s nice to know where you stand.”
Bigeq.com sponsored the 15 Year Old Equitation division, and Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, won the championship. She rode VIP Z, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Hemmingway. Kelli Cruciotti and Monterrey were third in both over fences classes and won on the flat for the reserve championship.
In the few years that Colvin and VIP Z have been partnered, Colvin said that the handsome dark bay has become more accustomed to the show life. “We have a good partnership and finally understand each other,” she noted. “At first he was always fresh. Now he’s perfect. I ride him for 10 minutes and he goes in the ring.”
While some riders must find an adjustment when moving into the indoor arena, Colvin said she likes it better. “You can’t go too fast because it’s smaller and enclosed,” she laughed. “I think it’s easier.”
Of her victory, she said, “It’s great to start off with a win, but I’m not at ease for the rest of indoors! It doesn’t get any easier.”
Also sponsored by Bigeq.com, the 13/14 Year Old Equitation division awarded the champion ribbon to 14-year-old Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY. Strauss split victories on two horses. She rode Atlantic, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, to the win in both over fences classes, and then got the ride on Abigail Johnston’s Caden for victory on the flat.
Strauss explained her switch, “I’m 5’9 1/2”, and Atlantic is a very small horse. Caden is about 18 hands, so I fit him better. I showed (Caden) at a one day horse show to get some points before. The horse I was showing colicked and we also won there. He has been so great for me, and Abby has done such a great job bringing him along. I’m so grateful that she let me ride him.”
This is Strauss’ fifth year competing at Capital Challenge. She revealed, “Capital Challenge has always been my worst show all year because I’m riding every day all summer and then I go back to school and can only ride after school on one horse and on the weekends. So I always struggled here. I’m so happy that I finally pulled it together!”
She knew that coming into the indoor arena wouldn’t be a problem. “Atlantic is such a brave horse; I can trust him a thousand per cent. At Old Salem with Frank Madden and Jen Griffiths, we have a beautiful indoor there. We practiced and I felt really confident there that he’d be 100% in the indoor,” she remarked.
The reserve champion in the division was Thomas O’Mara, who rode Kaskade. They placed second over fences and second on the flat. O’Mara was also victorious in the North American Junior Flat Equitation Championship. The North American Junior Flat Equitation Championship is a fun and competitive class only found at Capital Challenge. O’Mara was the last rider to return into the lineup in first place. The reserve champion ribbon went to Melanie Selleck on Presidio.
The final junior equitation age division of the day were the 12 Year Olds, sponsored by Bigeq.com. The championship for the second year in a row went to Emma Wujek of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. She rode La Duc to first and fourth places over fences and won on the flat. The reserve champion was Daisy Farish on Santorini, who was second and third over fences and third on the flat.
While Wujek was successful here last year, she had a disadvantage coming into today’s show. After a riding accident and a broken tibia, she had two months off. Today’s classes were just her fourth day back riding. “It feels really good!” she said.
Wujek gave credit to “Duck,” an eight-year-old Warmblood gelding that she has been riding for a year. “He’s a sweetheart. He’s been off since I haven’t ridden him. He’s a really, really good boy,” she said.
Bigeq.com also sponsored the Adult Amateur Equitation division, which was split into two sections. The champion of Section A was Meredith Combs of Harvard, MA, on Cassius. They placed fifth and first over fences. The reserve champion was Nicole Lyvere on Drumline, who finished second and fifth over fences and third on the flat.
Combs has been riding Cassius, a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding, for three and a half years. The pair competed in the junior equitation together before moving into the Adult divisions this year. “His nickname in the barn is ‘Perfect Horse.’ He’s a doll,” she effused. “If I can get it together and ride really well, he’ll do it perfectly. He’s super sweet and very forgiving. I love him.”
They plan to show in tomorrow’s North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships and the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals on Friday. “It’s really exciting to start off on the right foot and feel confident in my rides. I feel really ready for ARIAT Finals,” Combs said. “It’s my first year as an adult, and it’s meant a lot to me to get to the ARIAT Finals. Being so successful is a really great introduction to my week here at Capital Challenge.”
The Section B champion in the Adult Equitation was Conor Perrin from Orange, CA. He rode Gelato, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Cavalier, to first and sixth places over fences and a win on the flat. The reserve champion was Julia Gildea on Manchester, who was first and second over fences and third on the flat.
Perrin and Gelato have been paired together for five years. They started out in the Children’s Hunters and have progressed through the 3’6” equitation in Perrin’s junior years. Now that he is an adult, Perrin is happy to have Gelato. “He’s amazing. I’m able to do him in some of the hunter classes because he’s just very versatile. I want to keep him as long as I can,” he said.
The two learned together as they moved up. “He jumped very round at that point, and I wasn’t a very good rider at that point in my career. As he became less and less green, I was able to get better and more in sync with him,” Perrin described. “When I first got him, he was hard to change leads on and jumped very round because he was a jumper. He was very young and green. He’s become a lot braver. He’s definitely made me a lot more confident. He’s the type of horse that I can always rely on. I always know he’s going to take the jump no matter what mistake I may make.”
Perrin is excited to contest the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships tomorrow afternoon.
The Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal division championship went to Brett Burlington on Sunman, while the reserve champion was Haley Davis riding Captain Jack. Burlington was second and fourth over fences and won on the flat. Davis received first, third, and fifth place ribbons.
Tomorrow’s schedule concludes the Capital Challenge Equitation Championship weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. The day starts with the North American Equitation Championships of two rounds. Following that is the Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal Finals and the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Finals.
For full results, more information, or to watch the SmartPak live webcast, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org.
About Capital Challenge
In its 20th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show will take place on September 28 – October 6.
Top competitions include the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. In addition to these prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes.
Avery Hinson and Elaine. Shawn McMillen Photography.
Upper Marlboro, MD – September 24, 2013 – The 2013 Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS) presented by The Gochman Family is just days away, kicking off on Saturday, September 28, at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The show begins with its Equitation Weekend presented by Bigeq.com, and the fantastic competition continues through October 6 with top USEF “AA” rated events. The management team at Capital Challenge looks forward to welcoming many of the nation’s top horses and riders for its 20th year of exceptional equestrian sport.
Equitation Weekend Welcomes the Nation’s Top Young Riders
One of the highlights at Capital Challenge is the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals, which will be held during Equitation Weekend on Sunday, September 29. Following a year-long qualification process, the nation’s top children’s riders will compete through two rounds in an attempt to take the national title. Fifteen-year-old Avery Hinson of New Albany, OH, sits third in the standings coming into this weekend’s competition and looks forward to the opportunity to show.
This is Hinson’s third and final year competing in the children’s medal classes and her first year qualifying for the finals. Hinson rides with Angela Moore at Stealaway Farm in Dublin, OH, and will show Elaine, an 11-year-old Warmblood mare that she recently leased.
“It is quite surreal to finally be going to the THIS Finals and I’m so excited to have this opportunity,” Hinson noted. “Last year I was in the top 40, but was knocked out in the final week, so it is a relief that I made it this year! Even though it is my third year competing in the THIS medal classes, they didn’t get any easier.”
Hinson is happy to be sitting third in the country coming into the finals and explained that she tried to be as consistent as possible at every show this year.
“The THIS Finals are very hard to qualify for because you have to place well in almost every class you show in to stay in the top 40,” she detailed. “Because the barn I ride with tends to travel to the larger equestrian destinations, I have had the opportunity to compete at the Winter Equestrian Festival, all the way up to the Lake Placid Horse Show in New York where I have gained a lot of experience, which I think will help me greatly. I look forward to the Finals this year and can’t wait to see what it has in store for all of us. I also can’t wait to reunite with my friends that live all over the country that will be there.”
New Artwork by Michael Tang Revealed for 2013 Show Program and Official Poster
Every year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show’s program and official poster feature new artwork by artist Michael Tang. This year’s cover art is a beautiful painting of 2012 World Championship Hunter Rider champion Scott Stewart and one of his top mounts, Dedication, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker.
The process that goes into creating the cover art each year is a great challenge for artist Michael Tang, and he is meticulous in his research and planning.
“Each year, as I begin to think about rendering the painting for the Capital Challenge poster, there is anxiety,” Tang expressed. “Will I be able to find a suitable photo to use as inspiration, one that flatters both horse and rider? In the last eighteen years or so that I’ve created the painting for the poster, there have been only one or two times that I’ve found a photograph that I can utilize straightaway.”
Tang explained, “As one might imagine, there is never one photo that is perfect. There might be good shot of the rider in which his equitation is exemplary, but then he or she is riding a different horse. Little by little, answers are found and forms take shape and there is always relief when the end is in sight, in other words, when I know instinctively how to finish the final painting.”
Father Michael Tang is a professor, priest and an artist who paints large watercolors reflecting his interest in religious subjects, his life in California, and of course his love of horses. Tang received his bachelor’s degree in studio arts from Loyola Marymount University in 1981, as well as a Masters of Fine Art in painting from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1983. He earned two other master degrees in theology and divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.
He is a Professor of Art and Art History at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. The award-winning artist specializes in brilliant watercolors and his sporting art has appeared on the covers of The Chronicle of the Horse, Horse Show, The New York Times Magazine, and Dressage Today, as well as many other publications. When not teaching or painting, Tang enjoys bringing along young show hunters.
Posters will be available for sale at the souvenir stand located on the concourse of the Show Place Arena at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center.
About Capital Challenge In its 20th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show will take place on September 28 – October 6.
Top competitions include the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. In addition to these prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes.
Upper Marlboro, MD – September 10, 2013 – The 2013 Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS), presented by The Gochman Family, would like to alert all exhibitors that specific biosecurity protocols have been put in place for everyone’s safety at this year’s show and will be strictly enforced. Biosecurity forms are mandatory for all competitors and can be found along with all other competition forms on the competitors page of the Capital Challenge website.
The Capital Challenge Horse Show will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2013 dates are Saturday, September 28, through Sunday, October 6. The show opens with the Equitation Weekend, presented by BigEq.com, and continues Monday, September 30, through Sunday, October 6, with the USEF “AA” rated event.
The complete prize list is available for download on the official horse show website, www.capitalchallenge.org. In addition to the entry blank, also available for download are: the feed and bedding pre-order forms, stabling request forms, and the Biosecurity Protocols.
All necessary precautions are being taken to ensure that competitors arrive healthy and happy, and horse show manager Oliver Kennedy is working hard to make the process as easy as possible.
“Horses arriving to the show will not be allowed off their trailers without the necessary paperwork,” Kennedy stated. “The horse show has added knowledgeable staff to help with the process and create a quick system of checking and unloading. We ask that all exhibitors be prepared with up-to-date vaccinations and paperwork so that things can move quickly and easily.”
Regarding Biosecurity Protocols for horses arriving at Prince George’s Equestrian Center, it is Mandatory that all horses have the following paperwork dated no earlier than September 22, 2013. Proper paperwork will need to be presented prior to horses unloading. Horses will not be allowed into their stalls until paperwork is presented.
This includes:
A Statement of Health signed by a licensed veterinarian dated no earlier than September 22, 2013. It MUST certify that the horse has:
* Been enrolled in a regular and consistent program of vaccination against EHV-1 and EHV-4 with the most recent booster being within 120 days (since June 6, 2013);
* Has not shown symptoms of, nor been treated for, EHV-1 and/or EHV-4 within the past 28 days; and
* Has not been exposed to any horses that have been treated for or shown symptoms of EHV-1 and/or EHV-4 within the past 28 days.
A separate CCHS statement of health for each horse is required, including a temperature log of the seven days prior to arrival. A form for this purpose is available online at www.capitalchallenge.org.
Please check the Capital Challenge website prior to shipping for arrival procedures and any updated requirements and paperwork.
In its 20th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show will take place on September 28 – October 6.
Top competitions include the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. In addition to these prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes.
Rick Fancher and Osczar were the subjects of a painting by Michael Tang in the year following their incredible success at CCHS.
Upper Marlboro, MD – July 24, 2013 – The 2013 Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS) is quickly approaching and there are many exciting highlights to look forward to as the competition celebrates its 20-year anniversary. The show runs September 28 through October 6 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.
The Capital Challenge Horse Show has a great variety of competition this year, including the popular Developing Pro Rider Challenge and Future Hunter divisions for young horses. The show will also highlight the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals. The week will feature the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Professional Finals, the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup, and much more. New for 2013, the Capital Challenge Horse Show is very excited to host the presentation of the TAKE2 Thoroughbred High-Point Hunter Award.
The management team at CCHS is excited to celebrate 20 years of tremendous success and innovation in the equestrian industry and looks back on their history fondly. This year will be a celebration of all of the people and horses that have made the show special.
Over the years, there have been many fantastic moments at CCHS and horse show managers Oliver Kennedy and Billy Glass each recently recalled some of their favorites. Kennedy will never forget the moment in 1997 when rider Rick Fancher and Osczar, owned by Dawn Fogel, made hunter history by scoring the first ever perfect 100 in a Regular Working Hunter class.
“That was a real standout moment,” Kennedy remembered. “It was the first time anybody had ever gotten a score of 100. I didn’t even see the round; I saw it later on a video. Billy and I were by the outside ring and all of a sudden everybody came running up the ramp. Then everybody ran back in because that was Rick’s first round and they wanted to see what he scored in the second round. Half of the people who were by the outdoor ring, if they weren’t in the ring, they were in there trying to see his next round.”
“Most of my favorite moments tend to sportsmanship and competition,” Glass noted. “One of my fondest memories is watching Jack Towell applauding for Scott Stewart after he won over Liza (Towell) Boyd in the Pro Finals. I thoroughly enjoyed that.”
When Prince George’s Equestrian Center broke ground in 1993, Kennedy and Glass had a vision to create a top competition that would lead the indoor show season in North America. Kennedy reserved the dates in advance and ran a warm-up show in the brand new Show Place Arena that December. Kennedy and Glass hosted the first official Capital Challenge Horse Show in October 1994, and together they have run one of the nation’s top horse shows for the last 20 years.
“The whole basis of success for CCHS is the level of competition and bringing everyone together to compete,” stated Glass. “We host many of the best horses and riders in the industry and we are lucky that we have a great facility to attract them. People come from California, the Midwest, the Southwest, year in and year out. We have the highest level of hunter competition.”
“Once we got to 1997 and beyond, people were looking at it like it was an actual indoor show and embracing it that way,” Glass said of the show’s early development. “We offer the best conditions for the horses. We have a history of extremely high-level competition, so the numbers have taken care of themselves. Winners compete at Capital Challenge. I must say, since the beginning we have seen the most amazing quality of horses. Every horse that comes there is capable of placing. I think that is the basis of our success. We have so many good quality horses and that is what attracts the people. They don’t want to do it every week, but once a year they want to prove they’re the best of the best.”
A success right from the start, the Capital Challenge Horse Show has grown immensely over the years. The show started out as a five-day competition with around 500 horses and has expanded to nine days and over 1,000 horses. There is a long wait list of competitors each year who hope to earn a coveted spot to compete.
Along with the competitors came many businesses, groups and individuals who supported the show from the beginning. Ariat International, for instance, is the longest running corporate sponsor of the show. They sponsored the grand prix that was held the very first year and this will be their 20th year of sponsorship at the horse show.
Capital Challenge is the premier indoor show because of the support of its many dedicated exhibitors. Three-time World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) champion Peter Pletcher was one of the show’s first sponsors and has been a huge supporter for all 20 years. Many of the industry’s best equestrians from across the country jumped on board in the show’s first years as they learned of the exciting plans for this new competition.
Kennedy and Glass wanted to become another premier show on the indoor circuit, and they had some innovative ideas to draw in the competitors. In addition to the regular line-up of hunter/jumper classes, the show began adding new equitation finals, exciting new hunter championships, and new divisions for the exhibit of young horses.
The divisions and classes have evolved over the years, and what they have now are some of the nation’s most popular events. From the Developing Pro Rider Challenge and Future Hunter divisions for young horses, to the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Professional Finals, Capital Challenge boasts a strong schedule of prestigious classes.
As the Capital Challenge Horse Show looks forward to its 20th year, the goal is now to keep the best of the best coming to Upper Marlboro each fall and keep the competition fresh and original. Kennedy is not sure what the future will bring, but he plans stay ahead of the curve.
“When we originally started the show, Billy and I decided that we wanted to do a show the way we thought it should be done,” Kennedy stated. “We didn’t want a cookie cutter horse show. We didn’t want it to be just like the next week or the week before that. We wanted ours to stand out and I think the hardest thing is to stay current and keep your ideas fresh. I think our horse show spearheaded a lot of change in the industry and now the most important thing is staying ahead of the curve and fresh with new ideas.”
The 2013 Capital Challenge Horse Show runs September 28 through October 6 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. More details and news will be released as the show draws near. For more information, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org.
In its 20th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show will take place on September 28 – October 6.
Top competitions include the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. In addition to these prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes.
Upper Marlboro, MD – October 2, 2011 – Hayley Barnhill, of Collierville, TN, earned an exciting victory today as she topped the North American Equitation Championships at Capital Challenge. Barnhill’s win was followed by a top finish for Pilar Flournoy, of Topanga, CA, in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals. The day concluded with the North American Amateur Equitation Championships with a victory for Adrienne Dixon, of Hillsborough, CA. This weekend’s equitation competition at the Show Place Arena was presented by BigEq.com. The 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show will continue through October 9 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.
Sunday’s competition began with the North American Equitation Championships with two rounds of competition. Nearly eighty competitors started out the day over fences, but the field was sharply narrowed to only twenty who were invited back for a second round. Riding Cayla Richards’ Asparagus, a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Hayley Barnhill posted scores of 90.20 and 90.05 for a two-round winning total of 180.25.
“I’m very excited!” Barnhill beamed after her win. “It was a last minute thing to get to come here, and I love this horse show. I was second in this class last year; I was so close, so it is nice to win it.”
Yesterday’s flat winner, Morgan Geller, rode her gelding Fabricio to second place. Sarah Milliren and War Eagle, owned by Don Stewart, finished third. Conor Perrin and Nat King Cole earned fourth place honors. Alicia Gasser rode Schubert, owned by KMG Equestrian, to fifth place and Oliva Esse guided Oscany, Inc.’s Fernway Park into the sixth position.
