The Capital Challenge Horse Show - News & Press
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Press Releases
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Written by Michelle Bloch and Jennifer Wood Media Inc.
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Sunday, 09 October 2011 15:59 |
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The Capital Challenge Horse show wrapped up another year of fantastic competition today and finished with younger junior and children's hunters. Victoria Colvin swept the junior hunter awards today by winning all four tricolors. She and Scott Stewart's Ovation were awarded the Grand Junior Hunter Championship sponsored by Lochmoor Stables/Mindy and Greg Darst, while the Grand Children's Hunter Championship went to Rosebud and Audrey Layman. The Capital Challenge Horse Show is held at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.  Colvin and Ovation won through their championship performance in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division. They were also the High Point Junior Hunter 15 & Under, sponsored by Susie and Weatherly Stroh. Colvin swept the Small Junior Working Hunter 15 & Under division sponsored by Cynthia Williams/New England Farm; she was also reserve champion on Sanzibar, owned by Karen Long Dwight and Barbara Ridder Irwin. Ovation jumped to two blue ribbons and a fourth place, and he won the under saddle class. Sanzibar finished second, third, and fifth over fences and was sixth under saddle. Ovation, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, competed at Devon with Colvin and they were champions at Lake Placid, but both horse and rider have taken a break from showing for the past few weeks. Colvin described Ovation as having “the best canter.” She added, “It's like a couch and it's perfect. He jumps good, but it doesn't feel like it, so you don't get popped out of the tack and you don't fall off.” For their win, Colvin and Ovation were presented with The Spontaneous Perpetual Trophy donated by the Listrani Family. Colvin was named the Best Junior Rider, an award sponsored by Karen Healey and Karen Healey Stables. The EMO Junior Trip of the show went to Small Affair and Olivia Esse, who were champions in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter division yesterday. The champion in the Large Junior Working Hunter 15 & Under division sponsored by Oscany Inc, was Dr. Betsee Parker's Way Cool, a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Embassy. They placed first, first, and second over fences. Inclusive, owned by Scott Stewart, was second, second, and third for the reserve championship. |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 09 October 2011 16:26 |
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THE DAILY UPDATE
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Written by Michelle Bloch
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Sunday, 09 October 2011 08:26 |
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A Look Inside the Daily Update: * For The Laughter Grand Pony Coverage * Vendor Spotlight: Charles Ancona's Technical Equestrian Apparel * Kaitlin Campbell Grabs the Ariat Cup * Stars Go Blue Takes WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge * Brighton Sketch and Ruppel Take Children's Tri Color * Saturday's Full Results 
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Last Updated on Sunday, 09 October 2011 09:35 |
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Press Releases
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Written by Jennifer Wood Media Inc.
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Saturday, 08 October 2011 22:36 |
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The $10,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup Final Round, presented by The Oken Family, highlighted the evening session today at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Kaitlin Campbell (20) of Washington, D.C., and Rocky W jumped to the win. Earlier in the day, the Grand Pony Hunter Championship was presented to For the Laughter, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, and Meredith Darst. The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George's Equestrian Center, will run through Sunday, October 9.  There were 29 entries in tonight's final round, which was held in jump-off format. There were eight clear rounds, and they went for speed over the shortened course, designed by Ken Krome. The fastest time was set by winners Campbell and Rocky W with no faults in 35.830 seconds. Victoria Colvin rode Waminka for Rivers Edge to second place in 36.917 seconds. Tracey Weinberg and Larone placed third in 38.267 seconds. Campbell studies at American University in Washington, D.C., and despite taking tests this week, she was able to commute to the horse show. She had taken a month off from showing to be at school, and this was their first show back since they won a grand prix in Kentucky. “He was a little fresh yesterday, which worked out since it was a speed class. Today he went in there and after he jumped the first jump, I thought, 'Yeah, he's got this today.' He felt amazing,” she said. Campbell returned last in the jump-off, but had her plan set before she walked in the ring. “I didn't see Tori, but I heard her time and figured she went inside to the vertical,” she explained. “I knew my horse could handle that, and he covers ground pretty fast.” In the turn to the final gallop to an oxer, Campbell and Rocky W turned on the afterburners and flew over the final jump. When asked what she thought of the last obstacle, she laughed, “Just kick! Sometimes you have to hope you get lucky and leave them up!” Campbell showed in the Challenge Cup as a junior rider with Rocky W, but this time the result was different. “ When I did Capital Challenge as a junior, (I) won the first day and I couldn't hold it together for the second day. So this year, after I won the first day, I really wanted to make sure I kept it the second day.”
In three weeks, Campbell and Rocky W will contest the open jumpers at the Washington International Horse Show, known for its strong field of international show jumpers. Winning here has given her great preparation going into her next indoor show. “This was definitely a nice show to come back into. I'm glad I got a good show in beforehand,” she said. “My trainers help run the horse show, so it's always good to bring one home for the home team. This is a great show. I've done it since I was on ponies. It's nice to be able to do it on the bigger jumpers now.”  For their win in the final round, Campbell was presented with the Remy Martin Perpetual Trophy donated by Rolling Acres and Melanie Wright. By winning the overall Challenge Cup, she was awarded the Ariat Congressional Cup. The Best Junior Jumper Rider Award was given to Victoria Colvin, while Campbell won the Best Amateur Jumper Rider Award sponsored by Lyman T. Whitehead and Eight Fences, LLC.
Ponies Pop For Division Tricolors The Grand Pony Hunter Championship sponsored by Lochmoor Stables/Mindy and Greg Darst was awarded to Meredith Darst and Dr. Betsee Parker's For the Laughter, who picked up the championship in the Large Pony Hunters sponsored by Heritage Farm. They won all four over fences classes and were second in the under saddle. The reserve championship went to West Side and Barbara Ann Merryman, who rode for Scott Stewart. They placed second and third over fences and were third in the under saddle. |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 09 October 2011 08:26 |
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THE DAILY UPDATE
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Written by Michelle Bloch
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Saturday, 08 October 2011 10:09 |
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A Look Inside Today's Daily Update * Kristi Siam Tops Ariat Medal * Fogel Finishes First - WCHR Adult Amateur Challenge * Leading Rider Buckles * French Finds the Win - WCHR Pro Finals * Friday's Full Results  |
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WCHR Press Releases
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Written by Tricia Booker for the USHJA
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Saturday, 08 October 2011 05:56 |
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For Immediate Release
Upper Marlboro, MD —Oct. 7, 2011 – In the closest finish ever in the 18-year history of the $7,500 WCHR Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals, John French claimed the title by just .08 points over Hunt Tosh in a nail-biting finish. The class, presented by the John R. Ingram Fund, was a featured event of the Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. It all came down to the fourth and final handy round. Tosh, who had led the class for the first three rounds, posted a solid score aboard Sheila Motley’s Ostentacious, taking several inside turns. He then watched and waited to see if any of the three remaining riders could catch his score. French, who had last won this class in 2006, had the luck of the draw in his favor. His final mount, VIP Z, ended up earning the Far West Perpetual Trophy awarded to the high-score horse of the competition. “Well, Hunt was definitely in the lead after the first three rounds. I just thought in the handy, since I was in second place, I [would] be safe,” explained French. “I made a couple of the turns, but there were a few turns that other people did that I didn’t want to try. I didn’t want to blow it. I thought the only place to really show off was the hand gallop—I really tried to hand gallop that jump. Maybe that would be good enough. So that was my plan.” In the end, his strategy succeeded perfectly. He topped a star-studded class in which the top six contenders in the WCHR Professional National standings face-off to determine the national champion. In the unique format, the riders bring a mount of their own and trade horses each trip according to a predetermined list, with no chance to school between rounds. French finished with 351.57 points, followed by Tosh (351.49), Kelley Farmer (346.64), Scott Stewart (344.99), Liza Towell Boyd (344.98) and Jenny Karazissis (339.15). When asked where he thought he might have made up that .08 points in the handy, Tosh said: “I questioned whether to go inside after the in-and-out back to the oxer. I was ahead after the first three rounds, and I was hoping for the best. Like I said, John rides too good! Looking back, maybe I would have gone inside there, but other than that I don’t know. It’s one of those things.” This year’s horses were generously donated by: Havens Farm (Mamba); Kristen Abbatiello-Neff (Kennzo De Conte); Sheila Motley (Ostentacious); Karen Healey (Capilin II and Serendipity); and Scott Stewart (VIP Z). Towell, Camden, SC, earned the class high-score for her performance in the handy aboard Haven Farm’s Mamba, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood. The pair earned a 90.66 from the judging panel of Scott Hofstetter, Brian Lenehan, Mark Jungherr, Jimmy Clapperton, Shane George and Mike Rosser, which was all the more impressive because Mamba is a first year green horse. With this victory, French, San Juan Bautista, CA, has won this class three times and will have his name engraved once again on the All The Way Perpetual Trophy. He also won an Arc De Triomphe saddle, donated by Jean Pierre and Rebecca Bissilliat, along with prizes from USHJA/WCHR sponsors Blue Ribbon Blankets by Royal Riders and UlcerGard. “Well, I think this is great group of riders. Every year is good, but this year the group was especially good. I almost don’t think it was fair that I won by that much,” said French laughing. “I loved the handy and loved that there was no trot jump. It was a great class.” In other awards tonight, Alex Benson, of Lebanon, OH, and Mara Mazar, of Dublin, OH, earned the USHJA Junior Hunter Challenge awards for the Central Region, while Chloe Bellerive, of Keedysville, MD, and Rebecca Edelman, of Reisterstown, MD, earned the awards for the Southeast Region. The Western Region award winners, Hannah Lerner, of Los Angeles, CA, and Paxton Sullivan, of Castaic, CA, were not able to attend. David Seymour Clark earned the WCHR David Peterson Perpetual Trophy, donated by Kavar Kerr and Jim Anderson, for a person who exemplifies dedication and commitment to the care and well being of the horse. Clark is a long-time groom for Phoebe Sheets. Geoff Teall will have his name engraved on the WCHR Old Springhouse Perpetual Trophy for the WCHR Lifetime Achievement Award. Junior rider Maddie Darst earned the Charles Johnson Memorial Perpetual Trophy for the second consecutive year as the high-point rider from the Midwest region. South Carolina-based professional Elizabeth Towell Boyd received the WCHR Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award awarded by a WCHR membership vote to the person who best exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship. Judge Linda Andrisani received the Daniel P. Lenehan Perpetual Trophy for the person who exemplifies dedication and a lifetime commitment to judging show hunters. Other WCHR Award winners this week included: • Derbydown Perpetual Trophy: Betsee Parker’s Rosalynn ridden by Hunt Tosh • Jeffery Katz Memorial Trophy: Douglas Wheeler’s Cold Harbor ridden by Hunt Tosh • Rox Dene Perpetual Trophy: Elizabeth Reilly’s Small Affair ridden by John French • Alabama Clay Conformation Hunter Award: Becky Gochman’s Empire ridden by Scott Stewart • USHJA/WCHR Course Designer Perpetual Trophy: Steve Stephens
Action continues at the Capital Challenge Horse Show this weekend with the $5,000 WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge (Oct. 8) and the $2,500 WCHR Pony and Junior Challenges (Oct. 9). Professional, Junior and Amateur Riders are invited to compete at the Capital Challenge Horse Show by qualifying through the WCHR National program throughout the year. A rider's top four WCHR shows count toward awards in these divisions: Professional and Emerging Professional, Junior, Amateur Owner (3'6" and 3'3"), Adult Amateur and Pony. Riders are then invited to contest WCHR Challenge Classes, and the WCHR presents its national awards for 16 divisions at the Capital Challenge. Regional awards are also decided. For live scoring please visit www.equestrianlive.com. For full results please visit www.capitalchallenge.org. |
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Last Updated on Saturday, 08 October 2011 06:04 |
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WCHR Press Releases
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Written by Tricia Booker for the USHJA
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Saturday, 08 October 2011 05:51 |
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Dawn Fogel earned the top call in the $2,500 WCHR Adult Amateur Challenge with spectacular performances aboard her Royal Oak.
Fogel, Louisville, KY, piloted the 10-year-old chestnut Westphalian to the best scores in both rounds of the Challenge (178.33) for an eight-point victory over second-placed Chiara Parlagreco with Paris North (170.32) and defending champion Lindsay Evans-Thomas aboard Music Street (169.50).
Fogel was thrilled to have Royal Oak back in action this year after he spent 18 months recovering from an injury. They now have four shows under their belt in the adult amateur section, and their two second-placed ribbons over fences at Capital Challenge in the 36-50 age group qualified them for today’s Challenge.
“He’s a pleasure to ride. I’m so happy to have him back,” said Fogel. “Knowing how much time he had off, I’m so appreciative that I get to jump any jump with him. I’m really appreciative every time I walk through the gate to be on him and doing it again.”
Fogel’s first-round performance had her .33 points ahead of Evans-Thomas going into the second round. Then, when Parlagreco and Paris North posted a beautiful second round to move into the lead, the pressure was on.
“Oh, I definitely felt the pressure. I was glad to get it over with,” said Fogel with a laugh. “He gave me every chance, and that helped calm me down. He was very, very good for me.”
After nailing the two single fences that started the second course, Fogel cantered confidently down to the two-stride, and Royal Oak gave her two beautiful fences. Fogel said she knew then that her round was going well. “His canter allows you to move up [to the distances]. He goes with his neck down and out, and it allows the jumps to come up nicely,” she said. “He’s my favorite type of horse to ride.”
Their scores of 90 from all three judges left them at the top of the class.
“I’m really excited to have done well in this class today,” she added. “I was second last year [aboard Patron], and I was third in 2006. This is my third year doing it, so I’m excited to win. The class is very well done; there are very good riders and very good horses. It’s a privilege to do well in this class and to even participate.” |
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Last Updated on Saturday, 08 October 2011 05:55 |
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Press Releases
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Written by Jennifer Wood Media Inc.
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Friday, 07 October 2011 23:54 |
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The best six hunter riders in the country this year - Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer, John French, Jenny Karazissis, Hunt Tosh, and Elizabeth Boyd - competed in the WCHR Professional Finals presented by the John R. Ingram Fund. The head-to-head unique competition saw John French of San Juan Bautista, CA, jump to the top of the leaderboard for their third win in the history of the class. Earlier in the day, Kristi Siam led the victory gallop in 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 9.  John French was the picture of consistency as he rode through four rounds with no score lower than 87.33. In his first round, he posted an 87.33 riding Kennzo De Conte, owned by Kristen Abbatiello-Neff. He received the same average score from three panels of six judges in the second round, riding Mamba owned by Haven Farm LLC. His third round score of 88.25, riding Kaile Rudy's Serendipity, put him in second place going into the final handy round. French may have had the luck of the draw in the handy round, riding Scott Stewart's VIP Z. He received his highest score of the night, an 88.66. This gave him a total score of 351.57. VIP Z was named the High Score horse of the night. “Hunt was definitely in the lead after the first three rounds,” French said. “I was in second place so I just thought, 'Be safe, make a couple of the turns,' but there were a few turns that other people did that I didn’t want to try and sort of blow it. I thought the only place to really show off was the hand gallop. Maybe that would be good enough. So that was my plan.” Hunt Tosh barely missed the win, as French beat him by just 8/100ths of a point. Like French, Tosh had consistently high scores, starting with an 87.83 on Serendipity. His second round received an 87.66 on VIP Z, and he rode Capilin II, owned by Georgie Maskray Segesman, to a score of 89. His final handy round on Ostentacious, owned by Sheila Motley, scored an 87 for a total of 351.49. Tosh noted, “We’re all obviously competitive and want to win. But we’re out there having a great time. I want to thank Karen Healey for giving me a horse this morning and all of the owners.” |
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Last Updated on Saturday, 08 October 2011 00:18 |
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THE DAILY UPDATE
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Written by Michelle Bloch
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Friday, 07 October 2011 11:20 |
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A Look Inside Today's Daily Update: * Kingston Jumps to the Grand - Amateur Owner Coverage
* Invincible is Just That - WCHR 3"6" Amateur Owner Challenge Coverage by Tricia Booker for the USHJA
* Winner Lives Up To His Name - WCHR 3'3" Amateur Owner Challenge Coverage by Tricia Booker for the USHJA
* Full Results from Thursday, October 6th
* A Look at the Life of Equine Athletes: Cantano
* Music Street Rocks the Adult Amateurs  |
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Last Updated on Friday, 07 October 2011 11:41 |
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Press Releases
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Written by Michelle Bloch
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Thursday, 06 October 2011 21:56 |
Show
Music Street and Evans Thomas Win Grand Adult Hunter Championship for Second Year in a Row, Pratt and Shane Victorious in $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Challenge In a day full of amateur competition, the Capital Challenge Horse Show awarded seven championships and two grand championships. Jazz Johnson Merton of Pottersville, NJ, won the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship aboard Kingston. The Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champions were Music Street and Lindsey Evans Thomas. The evening session hosted the $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Challenge sponsored by Jan Agardy Metzer and Sea Shore Partners LLC. Kaley Pratt and Shane were the fastest in the jump-off for the win.
The remaining highlight class of the week for the professional hunter riders is the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals, presented by the John R. Ingram Fund, for the top six hunter riders in the country on Friday, October 7. The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George's Equestrian Center, will run through Sunday, October 9. Johnson Merton and Kingston were champions in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters sponsored by The Hallman Family and MerryLegs South. They won two over fences classes and were fifth in another, and they added a fifth in the under saddle class for the top tricolor. The reserve champion was Thoughtful, ridden and owned by Keri Guanciale. They placed second and fourth over fences and won the under saddle class.
This was the first time that Johnson Merton and Kingston have been champions at the Capital Challenge, but they have stepped into the winner's circle before. They have been champion and reserve champion at the Devon Horse Show, and they were named champions at the Washington International Horse Show.
Johnson Merton acknowledged, “It feels pretty good. He's such a great horse. I make mistakes all the time and he saves me. He's 15, but he still jumps well enough to get me around and cover up for any faults that I have.” |
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THE DAILY UPDATE
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Written by Michelle Bloch
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Thursday, 06 October 2011 09:49 |
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An Inside Look at today's Daily Update * Bacardi Wins North American Future Hunter Championship
* John French's Victory in the WCHR Professional Challenge
* Tara Metzner Wins WCHR Pro Challenge on Rumba
* Full Results from October 5th
* Gray Slipper Award 
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Last Updated on Thursday, 06 October 2011 10:00 |
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Press Releases
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Written by Jennifer Wood Media Inc.
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Wednesday, 05 October 2011 22:54 |
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 Tara Metzner Wins Emerging Pro Challenge, She's Cool and Stewart Take Added Future Hunter Championship, Bacardi and Schatt Are Grand Future Hunter Champions
In a day full of exciting classes, John French and Small Affair, owned by Iwasaki & Reilly, repeated their victory in the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. Victory in the $5,000 WCHR Emerging Professional Challenge sponsored by Seashore Acres Products went to Tara Metzner of Los Angeles, CA, riding Dogwood Hill LLC's Rumba.
To watch an interview with John French about his second straight win, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pljcS4UNZXU.
To hear Tara Metzner discuss her victory, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-nhedlqOCU.
Scott Stewart and She's Cool jumped to the win in the $25,000 Added Future Hunter North American Championship, while Havens Schatt and Bacardi captured the Grand Future Hunter Championship. The Grand Hunter Championship and Leading Hunter Rider awards were shared between Hunt Tosh and Sandy Ferrell on Cold Harbor and Moshi. The remaining highlight class of the week for the professional hunter riders is the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals, presented by the John R. Ingram Fund, for the top six hunter riders in the country on Friday, October 7. The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George's Equestrian Center, will run through Sunday, October 9. Defending champion John French was the final rider to return for the second round in the WCHR Professional Challenge. He knew Scott Stewart and Declaration, owned by Fashion Farm, had a great trip and led the class with a two-round total of 179.32 that would finish in second place. But French didn’t let the pressure get to him. Instead he and Small Affair posted a 90.33 for a total of 182.66 to win the class for a second consecutive year. Third place went to Parkland and Patricia Griffith riding for Catherine Cowie.
“I love this class because you can show off a great horse,” said French who admitted one of the toughest things about the class is the time between rounds. He said, “You have to wait around two hours thinking ‘Oh my god, I’m on top. I hope I don’t blow it.’ Normally you get on and it’s over with. You don’t have two hours to think about it.”
French said the gelding “felt fresh but good.” He added, “Normally he’s done a division and he’s a little bit cranky, but in the first round he had his own motor. I’m glad we saved him for this class.” The win was bittersweet for French who choked up when he admitted that the ride might be his last on Small Affair.
The partnership between French and Small Affair, an eight-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Elf D'Or, goes back a number of years. “I’ve always loved the horse since he was a Pre-Green horse,” said French. “I thought that he was going to be a great horse. Scott Wilson was the trainer at the time and I told Scott, 'That’s going to be the best horse one day.' And a couple of shows later he asked if I wanted to ride him.”
Small Affair went on to be first in the country in the First Years and last year he was second in the country in the Second Years. This year he has been doing the 3’6” Performance Hunters. Small Affair will do the junior hunters later in the week at Capital Challenge and will go on to show at Harrisburg and Washington.
Tara Metzner made her first year actively competing in the hunters count as she won the $5,000 WCHR Emerging Pro Challenge. She had the enviable task of competing with Rumba, the winner of the inaugural USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals. Metzner rode the 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Carano to a satisfying win. Second place went to Jamie Taylor on Weatherly, owned by Erin Bland. Christa Endicott and All That, owned by Don Stewart, finished in third. |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 06 October 2011 00:23 |
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