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.”