​October 9, 2022 – Upper Marlboro, MD – On the final day of the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show on Sunday, October 9, at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Skylar Wireman, of Bonsall, California, and Bonne Starlight shone brightly as Grand Junior Hunter 3’6” Champions.
 
Wireman and Bonne Starlight first earned the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division championship, sponsored by Three Ships LLC, with a clean sweep of all four classes. Their stellar performance propelled them to Grand Junior Hunter 16-17 Champion, sponsored by Somerset Farm, and the overall Grand Junior Hunter 3’6” Championship, sponsored by Shadow Ridge. For earning the overall title of Grand Junior Hunter 3’6” Champion, Wireman was presented with the Spontaneous Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Listrani Family. She was also given the Best Junior Rider Award, sponsored by Karen Healey.

​“It means a lot,” said Wireman after picking up her many accolades. “This is my fourth time coming to Capital Challenge, and this is my first time ever getting any sort of grand champion. To be all three- 16-17, overall grand, and high score - is really amazing, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner to do it with.”
 
Bonne Starlight and Wireman paired up just over a year ago. They started off in the baby greens and have worked their way up the ladder. Before this week, the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Bonne Chance had only been to two indoor shows and was making his Capital Challenge debut, so Wireman was impressed with his composure in the elevated atmosphere of the Show Place Arena.
 
“I thought he felt great, and he jumped beautifully both in the indoor and in the outdoor,” reflected Wireman, who trains with her mother, Shayne Berridge Wireman, as well as the team at Heritage Farm in Katonah, New York. “I thought he was a star. I can always count on him. He’s so brave, and I can trust him and know that he’s always going to perform for me. It’s a really great feeling to ride him because he’s so reliable and he’s so fun. I just love him.”

​She continued, “I’d just like to thank the owners, Cathy, Steve, and Lilly Muzzy at MZ Farms, for the ride on Bonne Starlight.”
 
Wireman has had a banner week with top placings in the equitation, jumpers, and now hunters, but she’s also enjoyed the experience of being at the show and watching the other horses compete.
 
“I think Capital Challenge is just a really special horse show,” she stated. “It’s all the top hunters from around the country, and there’s a great environment in the ring with beautiful jumps and nice courses. There’s a lot of action and there’s a lot of big important classes. I really liked watching the [WCHR] Professional Challenge, especially, because I have dreams to do that someday.”
​
Finishing as the reserve champion in Small Junior Hunter 16-17 was Ella Bikoff aboard Bikoff Equestrian LLC’s Commentary.

​The champion of the Small Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 and Under division and the Grand Junior Hunter 15 and Under Champion, sponsored by Courtyard Farm, was Ariana Marnell on Babylon, owned by Marnell Sport Horses. Clara Propp piloted Inquisitive, owned by Aquitaine Equine, to the reserve champion title in the division. Marnell also won the Best EMO Junior Trip of the Show for her impressive score of 91.5 with Babylon, who also topped Wednesday’s $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge, sponsored by The Gochman Family with John French in the irons.
 
“I think Capital Challenge is the most prestigious hunter show, and it’s an honor to win here,” expressed Marnell. “This has been a big goal of mine, and Babylon really deserves it. He’s just one of those horses that can win any class, and I’m glad I didn’t let him down.
 
“John made Babylon the horse he is since when he came over [to the U.S.] at four and now he’s seven, but that’s a product of John French,” she continued. “Thanks go toJohn and my parents for getting me Babylon and letting me show at these shows. I’m so excited.”

​Raina Swani rode Shadowfax Equestrian LLC’s Trademark to champion in the Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 and Under division, sponsored by New England Farm. Sterling Malnik and her own In Writing received the reserve champion honors in the division.
 
Stella Wasserman and Donald Stewart’s G.Eleven earned the Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17 championship title, sponsored by Beacon Hill Show Stables. Lauren Little rode Little Brook LLC’s Paisley Park to reserve champion.
 
Later in the day on the heels of their division success, Wireman and Bonne Starlight continued their reign in the $5,000 WCHR Junior 3’6” Challenge, sponsored by Nicole Lyvere & Finally Home Farm, where they scored the high 89.66 to claim yet another victory.

​Junior Hunter 3’3” horses took over the outdoor arena on the final day of competition, where Cecelia Perry of Boynton Beach, Florida, with her own Tiesto emerged as the Grand Champion Junior Hunter 3’3”, sponsored by Aubrey Hill Equestrian.
 
Perry and Tiesto notched a win and third-place finish over fences. Their third-place ribbon in the under saddle gave them the Section A Junior Hunter 3’3” 15-17 division championship as well as the highest point total of any rider from the Section A, Section B, and the Junior Hunter 3’3”, 14 and Under division, sponsored by Hesslink*Williams, for the overall Grand Champion honors. In addition, Perry was presented with the Best Junior 3’3” Rider Award, sponsored by Deer Creek Farm LLC.

​“Oh my gosh, I’m so excited,” said Perry smiling. “This is unreal. This is crazy. This is not what I expected at all. This was definitely the goal, but definitely not what I expected. This was all a shock.”
 
Piloted by Lexy Reed, Tiesto got his week at Capital Challenge started with a champion ribbon in the Section A Green Hunter 3’3”, sponsored by Hunt Tosh, Inc. The seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Cordess continued to put his best hoof forward.
 
He’s still a baby, so he’s still learning,” explained Perry. “He walks in the ring like he’s been doing this for years even though he hasn’t. This is his first big show, so I’m really excited for him. He was a very good boy, and he felt great. I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t nervous or anything. I’m really proud of him.”

​Reserve champion in the Section A Junior Hunter 3’3” 15-17 went to Notorious, owned by West Coast Equine Partners LLC and ridden by Katherine Simonds. Simonds earned the top prize in the $2,500 WCHR Junior 3’3” Challenge, sponsored by Noelle Wolf Stables LLC. The duo earned a score of 86.33 to win the class.

​In Section B, champion was C’est Jolie, owned by B R Farms LLC and ridden by Sofia Baiker. Shannon Maguire rode her own Chance of a Lifetime to reserve.

​Champion of the Junior Hunter 3’3” 14 and Under division went to Anna Markcrow aboard her own Aubergine. Reserve was Brooke Hagerty and The Hagerty Family’s Casino Cash.
 
The Best EMO 3’3” Junior Hunter Trip of the Show was presented to Olivia Sweetnam after the rider scored an 88.5 with Hobbs Lane in the 14 and Under handy stake class.

​In the covered arena, Chloe Cairns and Blueper were unbeatable to claim the Grand Champion Children’s Hunter award, sponsored by Mary Jane King.
 
Cairns and Blueper had a perfect day of competition on Saturday, October 8, during the Children’s Hunter Pony division, scoring blue ribbons in all three classes for the division championship. They had to wait until the children’s horses showed on the final day of the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show on Sunday, October 9, to see if anyone could match their results. In the end, their 30-point total gave them the Grand Championship title out of more than 100 children’s riders, including the Children’s Hunter 14 and Under, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Gary Duffy and Little Brook Farms, Inc., the Children’s Hunter 15-17, sponsored by Katie Kappler LLC, and the Children’s Hunter Pony.

​“He’s just so good,” said Cairns of the 12-year-old Welsh Pony Cross by Jef Sir Lancelot. “He knows everything. He’s the best pony, always friendly, and he never does anything bad. He’s just perfect.”
 
The 12-year-old rider from Amagansett, New York, has been partnered with Blueper for about a year. With Cairns gearing up to focus on horses and Blueper in line to take his next kid from cross-rails to Pony Hunters, this show marked their last competition together.
 
“It felt really good. I’m really pumped. Having a clean sweep, it was amazing,” commented Cairns. “I came here last year, and I had a good show, but no major results. I just really wanted to come back and show something for all the years I’ve done with ponies.”
 
With their goal achieved, Cairns could appreciate the significance of her achievement.
 
“I love that all the best riders come to Capital Challenge,” noted Cairns of the experience. “There’s a lot of competition, so you really can see how good you are.”
 
For her Grand Champion Children’s Hunter award, sponsored by Mary Jane King, Cairns was presented with The Laura Pickett Memorial Trophy, donated by Julie Karpan. She was also named the Best Children’s Hunter Rider, sponsored by Wild Sky Farm & The Nelson Family.
 
Grace Majoros rode Emilie Rucci’s I Spy a Rainbow to the reserve championship in the Children’s Pony Hunter division.

​In the Children’s Hunter 15-17, champion was Everglow, ridden by Electra Ford for Gerald Ford. Reserve champion was Avery McCracken and Midas, owned by Paul McCracken.

Elle Boyd rode Profound, owned by The Rein Family LLC, to the championship of the Children’s Hunter 14 and Under. Colin Sweetnam earned the reserve honors with Sweet Oak Farm’s Coppertone.
 
Boyd also had a resounding victory in the $1,500 WCHR Children’s Hunter Challenge, sponsored by Stephanie Bulger and MeadowView, scoring an impressive 91 with Katherine K Ellis’s Kensi.
 
Sweetnam won the Best EMO Children’s Hunter Trip of the Show with an 86.5, and was presented with the Stewart-Warner Cup for Children’s rider. It is given in memory of Laurie Gilbert Stewart and Mary Warner Brown by Donald E. Stewart, Jr. and Louise W. Serio.
 
The Leading Hunter Trainer Award, sponsored by South Haven Farm, went to Geoffrey Hesslink and Brendan Williams.

​October 8, 2022 – Upper Marlboro, MD – Ponies stormed the Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on Saturday, October 8, at the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show. Olivia Sweetnam and Take 3 LLC’s Goldmark bested a field of more than 100 small, medium, and large ponies for the Grand Pony Hunter Champion title, sponsored by Pegasus Show Stable & The Endicott Family.
 
Sweetnam, of Wellington, Florida, piloted Goldmark to third place in the under saddle and conformation over fences classes, which took place in the outdoor arena on Friday, October 7, the first day of the Large Pony Hunter division. On Saturday in the indoor, the pair turned in two blue ribbon performances, scoring 88 and then 89 in the handy stake class. The 28-point total from their placings boosted them to the championship honors in the Large Pony Hunter division, sponsored by Laurel Crown Farms, and was also the most points earned of any Pony Hunter to claim the Grand Champion title.

​“He felt great,” said Sweetnam of the seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. “He handled the atmosphere of the indoor ring just as well as outside. He was so perfect.”
 
Goldmark lives at Shadow Ridge Farm with trainers Samantha Schaefer and Kate Conover, and Sweetnam meets up with him at shows. They first got together when Goldmark was imported in the spring of 2021 and have had a winning partnership from the get-go. 

​“Right from the start he was a winner,” stated Sweetnam, who trains with her parents, Ali Sweetnam and Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam, and the team at their Sweet Oak Farm in Wellington, Florida. “Every show we’ve gone to we’ve won classes. In all except one show we’ve been champion or reserve.  He’s just so amazing, and he really wants to do his best always. He’s such a good boy.”
 
This year’s division championship is a repeat of last year, when Sweetnam and Goldmark were also named champions. Last year, however, it wasn’t quite enough for the coveted Grand Championship title.
 
“I’ve been kind of knocking on the door for Grand,” explained the 14-year-old rider, who has been competing at Capital Challenge since she was just six years old. “Two years ago, I was champion and I missed Grand by a half-point. Then last year, I missed it by two points. This year it just feels really great to get it now.”
 
The Best Pony Rider Award, sponsored by Archibald Cox and Brookway Stables was awarded to Sweetnam for her Grand Pony Hunter Championship. For this honor Sweetnam was presented with The Kitty Borissoff Memorial Trophy, donated by her many friends.
 
In addition, Sweetnam was presented with the Tampa H.S. Trophy, donated by Dr. Suzanne Smith, for being champion of the Large Pony Hunters. The reserve championship in the division went to Ava Barnes aboard her own Prestige, repeating last year’s success. Barnes and Prestige also earned the Best EMO Pony Trip of the Show for their high score of 89.5 in the conformation over fences class.

​The Medium Pony Hunter division championship, sponsored by Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club, was presented to JJ Torano and Paris Charm, owned by Megan D’Amico. Reserve champion was received by Kenzie Smith who rode GHF Hamptons LLC’s Empire’s Strikes Blue.

​Kathryn Padilla earned The Harper Taskier Wright Memorial Trophy, given in memory of Harper by her loving parents Michael and Alexandra Borisoff Wright, friends, and family whose lives she touched, for her championship in the Small Pony Hunters with Heavenly Patch of Blue. The reserve championship of the Small Pony Hunter division, sponsored by Cheryl Olsten, was Ella Tarumianz with Sprucedale Inc.’s So Enchanted.
 
Also sponsored by Cheryl Olsten, The Bright Star Award was given to Eric “Rhys” Edson-Merlau for being the pony rider who spreads joy and positivity to their ponies and competitors, who may not be the winning rider, but makes every day brighter for all those who come in contact with them.
 
Vivian Golden won the $2,500 World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Pony Challenge, sponsored by Sweet Oak Farm, with Brixton, owned by Betsee Parker, and Sweetnam and Goldmark picked up another top placing, finishing in reserve.
 
Elle Boyd was presented with the Stewart-Warner Cup for pony riders, which is given in memory of Laurie Gilbert Stewart and Mary Warner Brown by Donald E. Stewart, Jr. and Louise W. Serio.

​Charlotte Clivio of Miami, Florida, and her own WT Scorsese bested a field of 31 competitors to take top honors in the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Final, presented by HorseFlight.
 
Fourteen riders produced a clear first round to qualify for the jump-off over a course designed by Ken Krome. Clivio and WT Scorsese stopped the clock at 29.349 seconds to take the win. Campbell Brown of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and MMK Equestrian LLC’s Diamond finished second with a time of 29.557 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Katie Triantos of McLean, Virginia, and her own Casilla, after they stopped the timers at 30.855 seconds. 

​“The course was really nice for my horse,” explained Clivio. “He has a big stride, so it was really just about keeping him together. He is almost 18 hands, so being in that small indoor arena I had to keep him managed and together, but it worked out in my favor.”
 
Clivio was one of the last three riders to return for the jump-off and felt the pressure with several quick and clear rounds ahead of her. 
 

​“I knew that a few had gone clear, and it was a fast jump-off,” commented Clivio. “Last year I did the [NAL] Children’s Jumper Final and I went a little safe. I think this year I wanted to give it my all. It’s my last junior year, so I just decided to leave it all out there.”
 
Clivio has been paired with the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding for two and a half years. The duo started their partnership showing in the meter jumpers and have moved all the way up to the Low Junior Jumper division.
 
“Tiffany Morrissey and Maggie Gould give their all into what we do,” said Clivio of her trainers at East Wind Farm. “They work so hard day in and day out keeping the horses fit and keeping me working at my best. Once it comes all together, it’s really nice.”
 
Brown was awarded the Best Low Junior Jumper Rider, sponsored by Bunker Show Stables. Laurel MacAllister was named the Best Low Amateur Jumper Rider.
 
The North American League Finals are the culmination of the NAL’s year-long Series that includes classes at hundreds of horse shows across the United States and Canada. The NAL offers year-long series in five divisions: Children’s Hunter, presented by Charles Ancona; Adult Hunter; Children’s Jumper, presented by EquiFit; Adult Jumper, presented by SmartPak; and Low Junior/Amateur Jumper, presented by HorseFlight. The NAL series conclude with year-end finals for those who accumulated the most points in their divisions over the course of the season.

​The $10,000 1.30-1.35m Medium Junior/Amateur Classic, sponsored by Turnham Green, closed out the evening competition, with 15 starting horse-and-rider combinations. Eight managed to jump clear to advance to the jump-off, where Stella Wasserman, of Los Angeles, California, and Karen O’Connor’s Clear Water turned in an electrifying performance, victoriously crossing the timers in 29.655 seconds.
 
“I thought the course was great,” commented Wasserman of the Ken Krome-designed track. “I thought it all rode really nicely. The jump-off was super fun. My horse is a very good turner, so it was nice for me to do that, because that’s where he excels, so I thought I could really show that off today.”

​Clear Water has a decorated history, with success in the eventing world as well as wins up to the international jumping CSI5* level. Wasserman just picked up the ride on the 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Clearway x Come On only a few months ago, but knew he was “the one” from the moment she first sat on him.
 
“It’s so nice to be able to sit on a horse with that much experience, because you can always put your trust in them and have faith that they’re going to put their best foot forward,” explained Wasserman. “It’s amazing to have a partner that is so accomplished and has done this so many times. He’s just a really lovely horse, so it’s so great to do this all with him.”

​For her awards presentation, Wasserman’s team excitedly ran in to join her, and the talented junior rider emphasized their contribution to her success. 
 
“Shadow Ridge is amazing,” she expressed. “They always support me in everything I do and accomplish, and they always have the horses looking ready and prepared to go in the ring. It’s so nice to be confident in my team and how they’re going to back me up every day.”
 
At the end of the night, with medals around her neck, Wasserman’s smile said it all.
 
“It’s very exciting to win this class, because obviously Capital Challenge makes it feel very special under the lights and with all the presentation,” she said. “I’m very grateful to be able to do compete here.”
 
It was a strong showing from the West Coast riders, as Skylar Wireman, of Bonsall, California, and Shayne Berridge Wireman’s Coolio 23 raced through the timers in 29.762 seconds for second place. Sterling Malnik of Ocean Ridge, Florida, finished in a time of 33.667 seconds with her own Galliano VM for third.
 
For her win in the $10,000 1.30-1.35m Medium Junior/Amateur Classic, sponsored by Turnham Green, Wasserman was presented with The Remy Martin Perpetual Trophy, donated by Rolling Acres & Melanie Wright, as well as The Congressional Cup. She was also named the Best Medium Junior Jumper Rider, sponsored by Rosemont Farm.
 
Stella Propp, of New York, New York, was awarded the Best Medium Amateur Jumper Rider honors.
 
Click here for full results of the $10,000 Medium Junior/Amateur Classic, sponsored by Turnham Green
 
Competition for the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show will conclude on Sunday, October 9, with the $5,000 WCHR Junior 3’6” Challenge, sponsored by Nicole Lyvere & Finally Home Farm, the $2,500 WCHR Junior 3’3” Challenge, sponsored by Noelle Wolf Stables LLC, and the $1,500 WCHR Children’s Challenge, sponsored by Stephanie Bulger & MeadowView. The final Junior Hunter and Children’s Hunter champions will also be crowned on Sunday.

​October 7, 2022 – Upper Marlboro, MD – On Friday, October 7, at the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Nick Haness of Temecula, California, made his debut in the $25,000 World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Professional Finals, sponsored by The Rein Family, a winning one.
 
The class featured seven of the country’s top professional hunter riders going head-to-head. Elizabeth Boyd, Michael Britt-Leon, Amanda Steege, Scott Stewart, Geoffrey Hesslink and Nick Haness qualified by being highest in the WCHR national standings. As the winner of the $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge, held earlier in the week on Wednesday, October 5, John French earned a wild card spot in the final as well.

​All seven riders competed in the opening Playoff Round over a handy hunter course set by Ken Krome on a horse of their choosing. Their scores from round one of Wednesday’s $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge served as their first-round scores for Friday’s WCHR Professional Finals.
 
“I didn’t really think this year I had a chance [to do this class] because I did break my leg and had a hip replacement, so I came in really low [in the standings], and I didn’t even know that there was a wild card,” described French of his challenging show season. “I had a great week here with Babylon and Milagro in the Playoff Round. It’s nice that we have those two rounds before [the Final Four]. It’s not just coming into the show based on how you did all year. You have two big classes here that sort of solidify who makes it into the Final Four.”

​Three teams of two judges oversaw the class, with Tom Brennan and David Beisel making up the first panel, Shane George and Bobbi Reber on the second, and Gavin Moylan and Dale Pederson sitting on the third. Each team awarded one score, and the average of those three scores represented the rider’s overall second-round mark. The riders with the four highest totals then advanced to the Final Four, where they took turns riding unfamiliar horses.
 
French was first to go in the Playoff Round with Kent Farrington LLC’s Milagro and set the tone with an average score of 89. Added to his 92.33 from Wednesday, he sat on a total of 181.33.
 
“It’s one of your goals of the year to come back here to this show and make that Final Four,” stated French. “You might say, ‘Oh no, I don’t want to do it again,’ but then when the time comes, it’s a really fun class to do.”

​Next in the ring was three-time winner of this class, Boyd, and Rebekah Warren’s MTM Hand Him Over. They notched the high score of the round with a 91.66. Boyd’s first round score of 80.41 gave her a total score of 172.07, which would just miss the cut off for the Final Four. Britt-Leon and Private I, owned by Kelly Sims, scored 89. With his 84.5 from Wednesday, that gave him a combined total of 173.5. Previous WCHR Professional Challenge winner Amanda Steege and her trusted partner Lafitte de Muze, owned by Cheryl Olsten, followed with an 83.66. Combined with her 85.71, their two-round total of 169.37 would also just miss out. Seven-time winner Stewart was competing for the 22nd time in the class. He rode Betsee Parker’s Nottingham to a score of 86.66, earning a total score of 173.82.
 
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to ride in the class still and to have a group of great horses and customers to get me here,” expressed Stewart. “I’m really thrilled to still be doing it.”
 
Hesslink and Trademark, owned by Shadowfax Equestrian LLC, scored 83.16 for a total of 162.82, which was not enough to advance. Last to go was first-timer Haness with Glade Run Farm LLC’s Jenkins. Their impressive score of 90.16 combined with their first-round score of 85 yielded a total score of 175.16.
 
“This has been an extraordinary year for my career, absolutely,” reflected Haness. “The WCHR program throughout the year and all the shows for qualifying were a lot. Obviously, it takes a lot of teamwork, great horses, trainers, owners, and sponsors, so this year I definitely have to thank all of them for all of that support leading up to this moment because without them that wouldn’t be possible.”
 
Britt-Leon, Stewart, Haness, and French returned for the Final Four on a clean slate, each jumping four courses, rotating turns on horses generously donated by their owners.
 
“I was super excited to do this format,” said Britt-Leon, who won this class in 2020 where they did not have to ride unfamiliar horses. “I came to this horse show really hoping to make the Final Four, because getting on at the gate and walking into the ring and the first trot step you take on the horse is in front of everybody and in front of the judges. It definitely tests us and can prove to be a little bit difficult.
 
“What I loved about tonight is everyone helps each other,” he continued. “We are communicating with each other on what we felt out there and what horse you’re going on next and watching them. It was pretty exciting.”
 
In the first rotation, Haness led the way after his ride on Etiquette, an eight-year-old Rheinlander mare by Cachassini provided by Elise Iafrate, garnered a 90.66 score. Haness then topped the second round with a 92.66 aboard Nabisco, a nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding also provided by Iafrate. His hot streak continued into the third round, earning 90.16 for his ride on Daniel Bedoya’s Singani, a seven-year-old Hanoverian gelding. As the only rider to score in the 90s with each ride, Haness capped off his evening’s performance with a 94.33 on Kynaz, a 12-year-old Warmblood gelding provided by Laura Shatzko. At the end of four rounds, Haness simply could not be caught, totaling 366.65.
 
“This is absolutely an incredible feeling,” commented Haness, who also finished the competition year as the WCHR Professional National Champion. “I feel very honored to be here amongst this group of riders and in this type of a finals. My expectations tonight were low, but I really wanted to do the class. I was excited to just make the top four after the stressful handy round tonight combined with Wednesday night’s performance. I really hadn’t thought this could be my outcome, but obviously I’m very excited and it's a dream come true.”
 
Second place went to Stewart, who earned scores of 88.33, 88.66, 90.66, and 91.33 for a total of 358.98. Third place went to four-time winner of this class, French, whose scores of 89.16, 91.66, 82.33, and 82.33 gave him a combined score of 345.48. Britt-Leon finished in fourth with scores of 89, 88, 55, and 89 for a final score of 321.00.
 
“I thought they were actually some of the best horses, really,” noted Stewart. “They were really all quite good. Thanks to all of the owners for letting us use them. They were super.”
 
Haness added, “Each one of them was super fun, and they were all nice horses. They jumped really well tonight. I think every horse went well for every rider for the most part, and I think we were all pretty grateful to have a nice time.”
 
For his win in the WCHR Professional Finals, Haness was presented with the All The Way Perpetual Trophy, donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lisa Burke Horkan.
 
Elise Iafrate’s Nabisco was honored with The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy as the horse with the highest cumulative point total in the four rounds of the WCHR Professional Final, carrying his riders to scores of 89.16, 92.66, 90.66, and 89.
 
A special honor and thanks were given to Rachel Kennedy for her hard work and dedication in finding the donated horses for the WCHR Professional Finals every year.

Duke of Argyll, owned and bred by Betsee Parker and ridden by Hunt Tosh, won the 2022 Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc. High Point American-Bred Horse Award.
 
Final Results: $25,000 WCHR Professional Finals, sponsored by The Rein Family
1.    Nick Haness – 90.66, 92.66, 90.16, 94.33 – 366.65
2.    Scott Stewart – 88.33, 88.66, 90.66, 91.33 – 358.98
3.    John French – 89.16, 91.66, 82.33, 82.33 – 345.48
4.    Michael Britt-Leon – 89, 88, 55, 89 – 321

​After 14 attempts, Tracey Gorin-Byrne of Wellington, Florida, clinched victory in the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals. Having competed in the class since she turned 18 and excepting the years she got married and had her son, Gorin-Byrne put in her dues and persisted, often catch-riding a new horse each year. She has placed second twice, but 2022 was her year after she piloted Ustica, owned by Sweet Oak Farm, to scores of 85.83 and 88 for a total of 173.83.
 
Gorin-Byrne was in second place after the first round and tried not to let nerves sink in. “I was second last year coming back, and I ended up second,” she recalled. “I would have been just as happy to be second, but when the last person went, it made me really nervous. I couldn’t watch or be inside at all, just waiting to see what happened.”

​Relying on Ustica’s talent, Gorin-Byrne picked up her second win of the 2022 Capital Challenge, having already piloted Checker 69 to the win in the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championship.
 
“I was lucky enough to get to hop on and borrow her for a couple Ariat classes this summer and get to show her this week,” said Gorin-Byrne of the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding by Ustinov that is the usual equitation mount for Olivia Sweetnam. “She’s a lot improved every time I get to ride her, so sometimes it’s a little like a different horse, but she’s just learned so much. It’s really fun to see how she’s improved every single time.

​“She’s just really brave, and she helps a lot,” continued Gorin-Byrne of Ustica. “She kind of covers mistakes, and she’s super rangy and really adjustable so you can come out of the corner and she’ll help you do whatever it is you want to do.”
 
It was the culmination of many years of hard work and tenacity, but Gorin-Byrne got to stand in the winner’s circle.
 
“I absolutely love Capital Challenge,” she expressed. “[The Ariat Finals are] a big deal, and I look forward to it all year, every year. I’ve always dreamed of winning it.”
 
Full results for the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals can be found HERE. 

​Young show jumping athlete Brian Moggre has been a star on the rise since his early days in the sport where he proved he had the talent, grit, and dedication to make it as an elite athlete. As a junior competitor, Moggre participated in a number of US Equestrian’s (USEF) High Performance Pathway Programs, including the 2017 North American Youth Championships (NAYC) where he won a team gold medal, before progressing to the international ranks.
 
By 2019, Moggre had become a household name in the show jumping world after he clinched his first FEI grand prix wins on some of the largest stages in North America, and that same year earned the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s prestigious Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy, an honor presented annually to a Junior/Young Rider in an Olympic discipline who exemplifies the USET’s ideals of sportsmanship and horsemanship.
 
His brilliance in the show ring earned him a spot on the short list for the rescheduled 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, and shortly thereafter he was named to the U.S. team for the Mercedes Benz Nations Cup CSIO5* at the 2021 CHIO World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany. In an undeniably dazzling fashion, the 20-year-old and his partner of one year, Balou du Reventon, owned by Ann Thompson, jumped clear in all five of their rounds at the show, helping the U.S. team clinch a historic win in the Nations Cup competition and placing second individually in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen. 

​While Moggre is a talented athlete, he’s also demonstrated that he has the business acumen to make it as a well-respected professional by enlisting the support of experts that help him protect his horses and his livelihood. For Moggre, one of the cornerstones to doing right by all of his horses and protecting his business is having comprehensive insurance. However, between determining the type of coverage needed and identifying an insurance carrier offering the right coverage, the topic of insurance can be complex one.
 
In all aspects of his business, Moggre believes it is important to work with professionals he trusts. He notes this is particularly true when it comes to insurance coverage. He works with Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc., an insurance agency that partners with A-rated insurance carriers and has a team of individuals that are also horse people who understand and relate to their customers. We spoke briefly with Moggre about his experience enlisting an insurance agency. Read on to hear his advice for navigating this often-complex topic.
 
How does insurance give you peace of mind as a professional?
 
As a young professional, I’m building my business each and every day. Having expansive insurance coverage gives me the confidence that if something unexpected happens to one of my horses that I haven’t budgeted for or I’m not prepared for, I’m still going to be able to support myself and my other horses without being overcome with medical bills and expenses. I think a core foundation of building a strong operation is that you’re able to protect yourself and your assets and ensure you’re capable of providing the best possible care to your horses. To me, that’s why having good insurance is so important, especially when you’re competing at the top levels and working to grow yourself as a professional athlete.
 
How do you determine that an insurance agency is well equipped to support your needs?
 
Having the reassurance that you have a fully supportive and knowledgeable team behind you is really comforting, especially if and when you have to make hard decisions or are pressured to make quick decisions depending on your circumstances. That’s what makes Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc. so unique and great at what they do. As a young professional, it’s important to have the right people supporting you so that if and when you do get into those potentially difficult situations, you are given the proper guidance and are able to clearly understand the process and next steps, which is where Laura Connaway and her team really excel.
 
What piece of advice would you give to any horse owner about insuring their horses and identifying the best coverage for their needs? 
 
When you’ve dedicated your life to this sport, you need to be able to protect and care for what matters most, which is our horses. They’re absolutely essential, as is their care, and having insurance coverage provided by agents who you trust and truly care about you and your horses has always been very important to me and is a key part of how I choose to operate my business.
 
Moggre is quick to acknowledge that working with animals creates a lot of unknowns. Horses, like people, can have good and bad days and may not always be feeling their best. As someone who has recently begun to build a business, having a partner that is knowledgeable about both the insurance industry and intricacies of the sport horse world gives Moggre peace of mind that he will be able to provide the best possible care for his horses in the event that something unexpected happens. It’s also something that Moggre doesn’t take for granted.

​The 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, got everyone’s adrenaline pumping on Thursday, October 6, as riders raced over the course for wins in the North American League (NAL) Jumper Finals, and two champions were crowned.
 
In the $10,000 NAL Children’s Jumper Final, presented by EquiFit, Emma Brody of New York, New York, turned and burned with Nicarmargue to claim the top prize in 26.254 seconds. Lindsey Tomeu of Wellington, Florida, and her longtime partner, Gold Lux, ran away with the win in the $10,000 NAL Adult Amateur Jumper Final, presented by SmartPak, in 25.995 seconds.

​Child riders were the first to tack to the course, with 29 riders contesting the first-round track designed by Ken Krome. Fifteen found the clear path to advance to the jump off, where Brody was ultimately victorious. Close behind them was second-place winner Maya Rahaim of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, who rode Renaud Farm LLC’s Whiskey Business across the timers in 26.519 seconds. Capri Truesdale of Greenwich, Connecticut, and her own Remmits Delphi rounded out the top three, stopping the clock in 27.366 seconds.
 
“I was a little nervous in the first round, but I always get more excited in the jump offs because that’s what I’m best at,” relayed Brody. “The jump-off course was good. My horse is quick, big-strided, and he can turn easily. He doesn’t care about any mistake you make, so he’ll do any course perfectly.”

​Brody, who trains with Eleanor Kunsman at Glen Eden in Chester, New Jersey, has been paired with the 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Carmargue x Leendert) for two years. As the rider’s first jumper horse, Nicarmargue has been charged with taking Brody through the year’s indoor finals.
 
“I’m so grateful for such an amazing horse,” expressed Brody. “He’s so good in the barn. He’s a little quirky, but he’s always been like that. My mom gets to ride him too, which is nice.”
 
In her victory, Brody was appreciative of the moment and the supportive people around her.
 
“I’m so excited to win at Capital Challenge,” she said. “We’ve been working for this all year, and I’m thankful for my whole team that got me here. I love being in indoors. I feel like ‘rising to the challenge’ is always so fun, and just being able to ride at such an amazing event is special enough.”
 
Click here for the full results of the NAL Children’s Jumper Final, presented by Equifit
 
Of the 23 horse-and-rider combinations in the NAL Adult Jumper Final, presented by SmartPak, Lindsey Tomeu put the pedal to the metal for the fastest time of the night of 25.995 seconds aboard Gold Lux. 

​Tomeu had two rides in the class, first piloting Just Noble, owned by Sweet Oak Farm, to a clear first round, and then replicating the result with her own “Goldie.” 
 
“Of course, being an amateur, I was a little nervous about the triple-bar,” laughed Tomeu of the first-round course. “I left a little long on my first horse, [Just Noble,] and with Goldie I just knew that if I rode out of the turn and sat up, she got me straight to the base and had no problem. Everything else, I never worry about her ever. It’s only me. I worry about myself, but her, she’s a gem.”
 
In the jump off, Tomeu returned first with Just Noble and posted a time of 26.877 seconds, eventually finishing in fourth. With Goldie, they were the penultimate duo, so Tomeu knew what she had to do for the victory.

​“I was trying to not leave anything on the table and just run,” explained Tomeu, who has trained with the team at Sweet Oak Farm for more than a decade and considers them family. “I knew Goldie would take care of me, and if a mistake happened it happened. I can usually trust her to pull through, especially in big venues like this.”
 
Goldie, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Lux Z, has been with Tomeu for many years, and Tomeu regards their partnership to be extremely special.
 
“I get goosebumps,” said Tomeu of her relationship with Goldie. “We call her the queen and an angel. She is the safest animal. A lot of people have learned how to do the jumpers on her. I leased her out in the barn while I continued to show my other horse, and now it’s finally her time to be mine and shine. She’s just the best animal on the planet. You literally trust her with your life.”
 
In their enduring partnership, Tomeu and Goldie have picked up numerous wins at major venues up and down the east coast. Now they can add Capital Challenge NAL Jumper Final Champion to the list.
 
“Capital Challenge is great because it’s the start of the indoor season, and everything from the ribbons to the presentations are amazing,” commented Tomeu. “They really put an effort in to make it special.”
 
Alexis Mierzwa of Winchester, Virginia, piloted her Glynnwood Mer Calido to a second-place finish in 26.299 seconds. Alyson Gurney of Washington D.C., came in third with her own Black Friday in a time of 26.690 seconds.
 
Click here for the full results of the NAL Adult Jumper Championship, presented by SmartPak
 
The Best Children’s Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Memorial Park Hunters, went to Rahaim. Tomeu earned the Best Adult Amateur Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by MeadowGrove Inc. For this award, Tomeu received the Belfield Trophy, donated by Julie Karpan.
 
The North American League Finals are the culmination of the NAL’s year-long Series that includes classes at hundreds of horse shows across the United States and Canada. The NAL offers year-long series in five divisions: Children’s Hunter, presented by Charles Ancona; Adult Hunter; Children’s Jumper, presented by EquiFit; Adult Jumper, presented by SmartPak; and Low Junior/Amateur Jumper, presented by HorseFlight. The NAL series conclude with year-end finals for those who accumulated the most points in their divisions over the course of the season.

​As they cantered their first course together this week, Martha Ingram of Nashville, Tennessee, knew that she could depend on Romeo. The pair swept the blue ribbons in the three over fences classes and added another third place under saddle to win the Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 3’6” division championship, sponsored by The Hallman Family & MerryLegs South LLC, as well as the Grand Champion Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter honors, sponsored by Finally Farm. 
 
They were presented with the Dr. Harold M.S. Smith Trophy, donated by Dr. Suzanne Smith & Dr. Peter Craig. The reserve championship in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 3’6” division went to Casanova Royal and Stephanie Danhakl. Ingram was named the Best Amateur-Owner 3’6” Rider, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest M. Oare and awarded The So Many Ways Challenge Trophy, donated by Karen Kramer. 

​“Until yesterday I had never jumped a line or a course on him,” related Ingram. “It was surprising, because I am quite a chicken. But Tom [Wright] just knew how special that horse was and knew that he was going to be amazing in there. He’s super brave, super attentive, and really my ride.”
 
Ingram picked up the ride on Romeo after her father, John Ingram, had an unfortunate recent fall and he is unable to ride. “I’m very grateful that he and my mom allowed me to show him here,” she expressed. “This is my first time doing the 3’6” at Capital Challenge, I believe, since I was a junior. This is one of my favorite horse shows. The best of the best come here. Everybody wants to do well here, and it’s not easy; that’s why it’s called Capital Challenge. Winning doesn’t ever get old. I just feel so honored and lucky.”
 
The Amateur-Owner Hunter 36 & Over 3’6” championship, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest M. Oare, went to Wayland Square, ridden by Tara Dow-Rein and owned by Rein Family LLC. Irene Neuwirth and her own Guess Who finished as reserve champions. 

​The first grand championship awarded on Thursday went to Stephanie Bulger of New York, New York, on Hemingway. The pair won the division championship in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 36 & Over 3’3” division. Their ribbons of first, first, and third also garnered the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Champion award, sponsored by Missy Luczak-Smith. Bulger won the Best Amateur-Owner 3’3” Rider Award, sponsored by Spring Mill Farm.
 
“It means the world to me to be grand champion here,” expressed Bulger. “I’ve been champion here once before, and I’ve won classes here before, but never to win back-to-back classes and then be champion and then be grand champion. It’s kind of boggling my mind right now. I’m a little overwhelmed!”

​Bulger has had Hemingway for seven years and watched him grow up. “Hemingway felt extraordinary today,” she said of the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding. “He was really on his game. I felt him jumping so well. He’s a performer, and he loves to go in the indoor and really show off his scope and athleticism. I’m just glad I could stay calm, stay with him, and ride that extravagant jump.”
 
The reserve champion in the Amateur-Owner Hunters 36 & Over 3’3” was Belgravia, ridden and owned by Tracy Treace. The champion of the Amateur-Owner Hunters 18-35 3’3” was Churchill, ridden by Jamee Crawford and owned by Legado Farms LLC, while Stephanie Danhakl and her own First Light were reserve champions.

​With a sweep of the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 division, sponsored by LifeVac, Julie McDonell of Caledon, Ontario, Canada, picked up the championship; the Grand Champion Adult Amateur Hunter award, sponsored by Steve Martines; was presented with The Equus Entries Challenge Trophy, donated by Equus Entries & Sue and Ralph Caggiano; and the Best Adult Amateur Rider Award, sponsored by Phoebe Weseley & River Run Farm LLC. Trainer Brady Mitchell was presented with The Gail Knieriem Memorial Trophy, sponsored by Evermore. The reserve championship in the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 went to Hundred Acre, ridden and owned by Laurie Barna.
 
“He’s a dream,” said McDonell of Moore Park, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, owned by Rein Family LLC. “He’s like a rocking horse. You just have to get him within in range, and he tries his heart out.”

​McDonell received a call from Mitchell, her friend of 20 years, that Moore Park needed a rider at Capital Challenge, and McDonell was able to make her first trip to the horse show. 
 
“I don’t think it could have gone better,” said McDonell. “I think I just needed to keep all of Brady’s instructions in my head and execute the plan as instructed, and that’s what happened today. It was incredible to have the opportunity to come to such a fantastic national horse show here, and to come out on top and win all three was pretty amazing. It was absolutely a dream come true.”
 
Two other adult hunter divisions awarded championships. In the Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35, sponsored by Lainie Wimberley & Brigadoon Show Stables, Inc., Ashton Alexander rode Dinner At 8 for John and Stephanie Ingram LLC to the championship, while Michael Baum and Park City, owned by Privet Farm LLC, were reserve champions. Laura Karet rode Glade Run Farm LLC’s Queen Celeste to the championship in the Adult Amateur Hunter 50 & Over, sponsored by Ocean Echo, and the reserve champion ribbon went to Bonaparte, ridden and owned by Louisa Attenborough.
 
Competition will continue on Friday at the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show with junior hunter divisions, pony hunter divisions, the $2,500 NAL Junior/Amateur Owner Welcome, presented by Voltaire Design, and the $2,500 Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Welcome, sponsored by Wolf Creek Equine Hospital. The highlighted classes on Friday will be the WCHR Adult Amateur Challenge, sponsored by Kate Considine & Willow Brook Stables, the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals, and the $25,000 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Final, sponsored by The Rein Family.
 

​October 5, 2022 – Upper Marlboro, MD – John French rode Marnell Sport Horses’s Babylon to victory for the second year in a row in the $25,000 World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Professional Challenge, sponsored by The Gochman Family, at the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show. The class was the highlight of the schedule on Wednesday, October 5, at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Rounding out the evening’s competition, Jared Depermentier and Sebastian, owned by Brad Wolf, triumphed in the $10,000 WCHR Developing Pro Challenge, sponsored by John R. Ingram Fund. 
 
Earlier in the day, Scott Stewart and Florian, owned by Betsee Parker, won the $25,000 KASK North American Green Hunter 3’ and 3’3” Championship, sponsored by The Wheeler Family.

​Riders qualified for the $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge by finishing in the top four in professional hunter classes at the show or ranking in the top 10 nationally. The class consisted of a first round for all 26 competitors and a second round for the top 12 horse-and-rider combinations.
 
French and Babylon, a seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Crumbie, led from the start with an average of 92.33 from the three judges’ positions. They returned to better that position and win by more than nine points when they received scores of 95, 95, and 94 in round two for an average of 94.66 and a total of 186.99. 

​“We had a pretty good lead, so I didn’t want to take any daring risk and run or hand gallop really fast to the last jump,” French related of his second-round ride. “I sort of played it safe. I just counted on him jumping the way he did, and I think the judges rewarded him for how smooth and well he jumped.”
 
Circumstances have changed for both French and Babylon since their victory in 2021; French had hip surgery following a severely broken femur in May, and Babylon has been competing in the junior hunters with owner Ariana Marnell. French did not show Babylon in the professional hunters this week, choosing to just compete in the WCHR Professional Challenge since the horse will show in the junior hunters later this week.
 
“Ariana is a very good rider. It was good for me to see somebody else ride him,” said French, who has been riding Babylon since the horse was four years old. “It made me realize that he’s all grown up now, and I don’t have to worry about any of the things that happened in the beginning, a little bit of his greenness. He’s just a confident, seasoned contender now.”
 
A native of Maryland and now a resident of Wellington, Florida, French enjoys coming back to Capital Challenge Horse Show every year. He noted, “There’s so many special classes for hunters here, and it really showcases the hunters.”
 
Second place in the $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge went to Blink, ridden by Jennifer Bauersachs and owned by Lee Kellogg Sadrian. They scored 89 in round one and 88.83 in the second round for a total of 177.83. Scott Stewart and Nottingham, owned by Betsee Parker, placed third with scores of 87.16 and 87.33 for a total of 174.49.
 
It was a banner day for Elizabeth Boyd and Guess Who, owned by Irene Neuwirth. The pair picked up the overall Grand Hunter Championship title, sponsored by RBS Farms, Inc., Rob Bielefeld, and Chrystal Knight; the Grand Green Hunter 3’6” Championship, sponsored by Memorial Park Hunters; and the Grand Green Hunter Championship, sponsored by Balmoral – Traci and Carlton Brooks. For the Grand Hunter Championship, Boyd received the Janet Polk Read and Margaret Hough Sabbatini Memorial Trophy, donated by The Goguen Family. They were given the Tribute Perpetual Trophy, donated by Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, and Rivers Edge.
The Leading Hunter Rider Award, sponsored by the Gibson Family and Shadyside Farm, was also awarded to Elizabeth Boyd. 
 
Can Can and Christopher Payne earned the Grand Champion Conformation Hunter award, sponsored by Snowfield Farm and were presented with the Kenneth M. Wheeler Perpetual Trophy, donated by BJ Meeks and Pablo Perez. Jennifer Hannan was awarded the Professional American Style of Riding Award, while Halie Robinson won the Developing Professional American Style of Riding Award, both sponsored by Bill Rube. 
 
Click here for the full results of the $25,000 WCHR Pro Challenge, presented by The Gochman Family.

​Redemption for Jared Depermentier came in the form of the champion ribbon and leading the victory gallop in the $10,000 WCHR Developing Professional Challenge, presented by John R. Ingram Fund. After a second-place finish in 2021, Depermentier returned with Sebastian, owned by Brad Wolf, to take the win.
 
Depermentier started out round one with the high score of 89.16, putting on the pressure when he was last to go in round two. The pair stayed consistent, scoring 89 for a total of 178.16 for victory.

​“I’ve got to be honest, that has been eating at me all year,” said Depermentier of his reserve finish last year. “I knew exactly what I needed to do last year to win, and I was not going to make that mistake again. We came back with vengeance, and I’m really, really happy it panned out the way it did.”
 
The 31-year-old rider, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and now based in Nashville, Tennessee, has been working for the Ingram family and Brad Wolf for two years, since he turned professional.

“When I turned pro and started riding with Tom [Wright], there was a huge learning curve, and I just tried to soak in as much as I could,” he said. “They’ve been incredibly patient with me. I feel like every day at work is like a lesson, and I don’t know how I got that lucky. It’s fun, and it doesn’t even feel like a job.”
 
Depermentier started riding Sebastian, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cancara, one year ago and felt that their evolving partnership is what led to victory this year.
 
He acknowledged, “We know each other so much better. He’s super straight forward. He’s a character in the barn, and he’s very spoiled, but he deserves to be. He’s a unicorn.”
 
The WCHR Developing Pro Challenge was “not really on my radar,” said Depermentier, until Tom Wright and Torrey Hardison pushed him to compete in the class.
 
“This is the biggest honor, award, class – ever – for me,” he expressed. “It was totally out of my realm, but it means a lot. It means everything.”
 
For his victory, Depermentier was presented with the Bittersweet Trophy, presented by Rachel B. Kennedy.
 
Second place in the WCHR Developing Pro Challenge went to Vivian Yowan aboard Belle, owned by Tracy Treace. They scored 88.33 and 88.66 for a total of 176.99. Ashley Foster and Chivalry, owned by Little Brook LLC, received scores of 88.08 and 87.50 for a total of 175.58 and third place.
 
Click here for the full results of the $5,000 WCHR Developing Pro Challenge, presented by John R. Ingram Fund.

​Earlier in the day, 26 horse-and-rider combinations entered the Show Place Arena for the $25,000 KASK/VogelGreen Hunter 3’ and 3’3” North American Championship. After posting scores of 87.16 in round one, and 88.50 in round two, Scott Stewart, of Wellington, Florida, and Betsee Parker’s Florian came out on top with an overall score of 175.66.
 
“I love these special classes at Capital Challenge,” expressed Stewart, who won this class last year with Betsee Parker’s Ackergill Castle. “The best riders are here with their best horses, so I think it’s a spectacular horse show.”

​The class was overseen by three panels, each with two judges. Tammy Provost and Dale Pederson sat on the first panel, while David Beisel and Gavin Moylan made up the second, and Tom Brennan and Bobbi Reber were the third. Each panel awarded a score with the average representing the rider’s overall mark. Horses competing at either the 3’ or the 3’3” heights were scored equally, and the top 12 returned in reverse order for the second round. 
 
Stewart noticed the six-year-old Westphalian gelding by Like Angel x Lupicor on a video and called René Tebbel in Germany to purchase him, but at the time, he wasn’t for sale. With some persistence, Parker was able to buy the handsome bay during the winter show season, and the horse made its U.S. horse show debut in the spring. Now in just their fourth competition together, Stewart was able to make it memorable, tacking this win onto the championship title they picked up in the Green Hunter 3’ Colts and Geldings division, sponsored by Boggs Hill/Mr. & Mrs. Tim Goguen.

​“He is really a confident horse,” noted the seven-time WCHR Professional Final winner. “He’s quiet but he’s a little bit alert, so I wasn’t sure about the weather. He ended up being really good outside all week.
 
“You can count on him at the jump all the time,” continued Stewart. “He is a little bit green, like sometimes he looks outside the ring, but he’s really straightforward to jump.”
 
In a very competitive group, the reserve championship went to Duke of Argyll, also owned by Betsee Parker and ridden by Hunt Tosh of Milton, Georgia, with a final score of 173.66. Third place was awarded to Liza Boyd of Camden, South Carolina, and Irene Neuwirth’s Coconut Grove for their 173.24 score.
 
For his win, Stewart was presented with the Beverly Brooks Solter Memorial Trophy, donated by Hilary Scheer Gerhardt and Zan Martin Dillon.
 
Vivian Yowan, of Darien, Connecticut, was the recipient of the William “Bill” Ellis Sportsmanship Award, dedicated in memory of Bill Ellis for his exceptional commitment to horsemanship. The award is presented to the rider of the best turned out horse in the $25,000 KASK/Vogel Green Hunter 3’ and 3’3” North American Championship.

​Nick Haness of Temecula, California, and Circa, owned by Glade Run Farm LLC, won the Grand Champion Green Hunter 3’ & 3’3” award, sponsored by David Belford and Christopher Payne of New Hope LLC with 31 points. For the award, Orlando was presented with the “A Rare Diamond” Perpetual Trophy donated by “The Friends of Mickey.” They were also the winners of the EMO Green Hunter 3’ & 3’3” Trip of the Show with a score of 92.

​The 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show continues Thursday, October 6, with the North American League (NAL) Children’s Jumper Final, presented by Equifit, and the NAL Adult Jumper Final, presented by Johnson Horse Transportation.

​October 4, 2022 – Upper Marlboro, MD – Competition at the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, continued on Tuesday, October 4, with many of the professional divisions awarding championships. The star of the evening, though, was Kathleen Mathews, who was crowned the winner of the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Adult Hunter Finals after two rounds aboard her own Downtown Brown.
 
Riders qualified for this year-end final by accumulating points in the NAL Adult Hunter competitions throughout the year. Of the 28-horse-and-rider combinations, Mathews piloted “Dewey” to the first-round high score of 88. When the top 12 were called back for the second round, Mathews kept her composure, receiving an 86 from judges Gavin Moylan and Shane George for a winning two-round total of 174.

​“When I went in for the second round, I just wanted to trust that Dewey was going to be there for me, because he always is, and not second guess any of the choices that I made,” explained Mathews, who trains with the team at Caves Farm in Owings Mills, Maryland. “He really stepped up to the plate and was super. He was jumping well and going around really nicely, so I was very happy with him.”
 
Hometown hero Mathews hails from Davidsonville, Maryland, just 20 minutes from the show grounds. Even with the close proximity, this is only her second time as a competitor at Capital Challenge.
 
“Growing up, I would always come and watch the show, and it was always such a fun experience and atmosphere,” said Mathews. “All the decorations and everything are so beautiful, so it’s been super fun to be here competing.”

Dewey has been with Mathews and her family for about nine years, and they’ve been showing together for the last five years. Mathews’s mother also rides the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding, and the family have brought him along together to this point.
 
“He’s the first horse that my family and I owned, and our whole family loves him,” stated Mathews. “I didn’t start crying today until my mom walked over, and she was crying because she knows just how much work we’ve put into him. He is just a super special horse.
 
“He is probably the most chill horse I’ve ever ridden,” she continued. “It takes a little bit of the pressure off of me, because I can always go in and know that he is going to do his job and be right there for me. He’s a really good boy.”
 
The reserve championship went to Jodi Lennox of Clarkston, Michigan, with First Blue LLC’s Better in Blue. Lennox, who trains with Greg Crolick, scored an 84 in the first round and the high score of 88 in the second round, for a combined total of 172. Rounding out the top three was Glenda Monkarsh of Las Vegas, Nevada, whose consistency paid off for a first-round score of 85 and a second-round score of 84.5, totaling 169.5. It was a good night for Monkarsh, who trains with Peter Lombardo, as she also picked up the seventh-place ribbon with her other mount, Speechless.
 
Click Here for the full results of the NAL Adult Hunter Championships
 
Competition on Tuesday at Capital Challenge also included championships for 12 professional hunter divisions.
 
The North American League Finals are the culmination of the NAL’s year-long Series that includes classes at hundreds of horse shows across the United States and Canada. The NAL offers year-long series in five divisions: Children’s Hunter, presented by Charles Ancona; Adult Hunter; Children’s Jumper, presented by EquiFit; Adult Jumper, presented by SmartPak; and Low Junior/Amateur Jumper, presented by HorseFlight. The NAL series conclude with year-end finals for those who accumulated the most points in their divisions over the course of the season.
 
The 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show schedule on Wednesday, October 5, is action-packed, featuring the $25,000 KASK/Vogel Green Hunter North American Championship, sponsored by the Wheeler Family, as well as the $25,000 World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Professional Challenge, sponsored by The Rein Family, and the $10,000 WCHR Developing Pro Challenge, sponsored by John R. Ingram Fund. Grand champions will also be named for the professional divisions, while competition continues through October 9.
 
High Performance Conformation Hunter
Sponsored by New Vintage Farm & RPW Show Horses LLC
Champion: Can Can, ridden by Christopher Payne and owned by Stephanie Ring
Reserve Champion: For Always, ridden by Scott Stewart and owned by Dr. Betsee Parker
 
Green Conformation Hunter
Sponsored by Joie Gatlin & Morley Abey Show Jumping
Champion: Only Always, ridden by Nick Haness and owned by John & Stephanie Ingram, LLC
Reserve Champion: Whimsical, ridden by Scott Stewart and owned by Gochman Sport Horses LLC
 
High Performance Hunter
Sponsored by Windsor Show Stables & Michael Britt-Leon & Kelly Sims
Champion: Lafitte de Muze, ridden by Amanda Steege and owned by Cheryl Olsten
Reserve Champion: Autograph, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Ceil Wheeler
 
Green Hunter 3'9"
Sponsored by Lannie Lipson
Champion: Paisley Park, ridden by Geoffrey Hesslink and owned by Little Brook LLC
Reserve Champion: Laskano, ridden by Jimmy Torano and owned by Isalou, Inc.
 
Green Hunter 3'6" Section A
Sponsored by Peter Pletcher & PJP Farm
Champion: Guess Who, ridden by Elizabeth Boyd and owned by Irene Neuwirth
Reserve Champion: Casanova Royal, owned by Stephanie Danhakl and ridden by Scott Stewart
 
Green Hunter 3'6" Section B
Sponsored by Lee Sadrian & the Kellogg Family
Champion: Jenkins, ridden by Nick Haness and owned by Glade Run Farm LLC
Reserve Champion: Juan Carlos, ridden by Elizabeth Boyd and owned by Irene Neuwirth
 
Green Hunter 3' Colts & Geldings
Sponsored by Boggs Hill/Mr. & Mrs. Tim Goguen
Champion: Florian, ridden by Scott Stewart and owned by Dr. Betsee Parker
Reserve Champion: Roper, ridden by Christopher Payne and owned by New Hope LLC
 
Green Hunter 3' 7 & Over
Sponsored by David Belford & Christopher Payne, New Hope LLC
Champion: Kyoto, ridden by Geoffrey Hesslink and owned by Brendan Williams
Reserve Champion: Golden Goose, ridden by Holly Orlando and owned by Privet Farm, LLC
 
Green Hunter 3' 6 & Under
Sponsored by Jennifer & Roger Smith
Champion: Circa, ridden by Nick Haness and owned by Glade Run Farm LLC
Reserve Champion: Divine Romance, ridden by Patricia Griffith and owned by Hallowell Lane Farm LLC
 
Green Hunter Mares 3'&3'3"
Sponsored by Aquitaine Equine
Champion: Arosa B, ridden by Amanda Steege and owned by Samantha Kramig
Reserve Champion: Avila, ridden by Elizabeth Boyd and owned by EMO Stables
 
Green Hunter 3'3" Section A
Sponsored by Hunt Tosh, Inc.
Champion: Tiesto, ridden by Lexy Reed and owned by Cecelia Perry
Reserve Champion: Coconut Grove, ridden by Elizabeth Body and owned by Irene Neuwirth
 
Green Hunter 3'3" Section B
Sponsored by Hunt Tosh, Inc.
Champion: Kuba Libre, ridden by Nick Haness and owned by Jaime Auletto

​October 3, 2022 – Upper Marlboro, MD – The 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show continued on Monday, October 3, at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The day concluded with all eyes on the Show Place Arena as Isabella Fioretti of Marietta, Georgia, guided Counselor over two beautiful rounds for the top overall score of 172.75 in the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Children’s Hunter Finals, presented by Charles Ancona. 
 
“I’m really excited to be here,” expressed Fioretti. “This is my first time coming to Capital Challenge and my first time being in a final like this, so it’s really surreal to win. Coming here was definitely more about having a good first experience, so I did not expect to win and I’m definitely still a little bit in shock.” 

Thirty riders qualified for this year-end final by accumulating points in the NAL Children’s Hunter competitions throughout the year. After the first round, the top 12 returned in reverse order, where Fioretti was carrying the high first-round score of 86. Her second-round mark of 86.75 from judges Patrick Rodes and Tammy Provost sealed the deal for the win.
 
“I was incredibly nervous today, especially for my second round,” admitted Fioretti. “I felt a lot of pressure since I was coming back on top. Everyone in this class is a great rider, so I really tried not to make any mistakes and be consistent.”
 
Fioretti has been paired with “Calvin,” Arden Stromnes’s 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding,
for about a year and knew she could rely on him in the amplified atmosphere.

​“We’ve worked really hard to get here, and there were a lot of bumps along the way,” explained Fioretti. “Calvin is just perfect. He’s super friendly and so good-hearted. When I get on him, I’m never scared or worried. He takes care of me all the time, and I trust him completely.”
 
In addition to her appreciation for her mount, Fioretti, who is 15 years old, was quick to credit the team around her for the evening’s success.
 
“The courses tonight were great, especially with what we practiced at home. Our trainer sets great courses to prepare us for the shows,” noted Fioretti, who trains with top professional hunter rider Michael Britt-Leon at Windsor Stables in Alpharetta, Georgia.
 
She continued, “I love everyone on the team. We have a great friend group, and the grooms and everyone who make this possible are just amazing.”
 
It was a good night for the Windsor Stables team with barnmate Ansley Sparks of Decatur, Georgia, and Spectre 007 earning a total score of 170.50 for the third-place honors. Alexa Anastasio of Wayne, Illinois, and Legacy jumped to the reserve championship title with a final score of 172.00. 
 
Click here for full results of the NAL Children’s Hunter Finals
 
The North American League Finals are the culmination of the NAL’s year-long Series that includes classes at hundreds of horse shows across the United States and Canada. The NAL offers year-long series in five divisions: Children’s Hunter, presented by Charles Ancona; Adult Hunter; Children’s Jumper, presented by EquiFit; Adult Jumper, presented by SmartPak; and Low Junior/Amateur Jumper, presented by HorseFlight. The NAL series conclude with year-end finals for those who accumulated the most points in their divisions over the course of the season.
 
The 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show proceeds on Tuesday, October 4, with several professional hunter division champions being awarded throughout the day. Tuesday’s schedule also features the $10,000 NAL Adult Hunter Finals, and competition continues through October 9.

​October 2, 2022 – Upper Marlboro, MD – On the final day of the Capital Challenge Horse Show’s Equitation Weekend, presented by BIGEQ.com, 148 riders rode into the Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center for the Palm Beach International Academy (PBIA) North American Junior Equitation Championships. After a callback for the top 20 and a work-off for the top three, Carlee McCutcheon of Aubrey, Texas, emerged victorious.
 
“It’s an honor to win this class,” emphasized McCutcheon. “I’ve never been to Capital Challenge before, so to win this class and to be here with such an amazing and supportive team is really amazing. It’s a great feeling.”

​Similar to Saturday’s Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals, three panels composed of two judges each awarded scores, and the average of the three resulted in the rider’s overall mark. The first panel was made up of Tom Brennan and Bobbi Reber. Shane George and Gavin Moylan sat on the second panel, and the third duo was Dale Pederson and Tammy Provost.
 
McCutcheon was 25th in the order of go with Kennedy McCaulley’s Chacco Star and shot right to the top of the leaderboard with an average score of 89.33. That lasted until Skylar Wireman of Bonsall, California, rode MKT Investments LLC’s Famous into first-place with an equal score, but a higher mark from the panel one judges. Eight trips later, Isabella David of Holmdel, New Jersey, broke out of the 80’s, notching an average score of 90 aboard Castlefield Spartacus.
 
“I think the first round was definitely a test,” noted McCutcheon of the challenging Ken Krome-designed track. “I thought the lines rode short. My horse has a huge stride, and in a small ring it can be hard to get galloping and have that nice, out-of-stride equitation look.” 
 
The top 20 riders then returned in reverse order based on their first-round scores. While the first course featured several bending lines, the callback track had more twists and rollback turns. McCutcheon kept her composure and delivered the high score of the round, 90.83, for an overall score of 180.16, moving her into the lead.

​“Going into the second round ‘Chacco’ felt amazing warming up,” said McCutcheon of the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Chacco-Blue x Caretano Z) that she’s been paired with since February 2022. “I can be a little bit timid sometimes when I go in the show ring, but he helps make me brave. I know I can trust him.
 
“I actually preferred the course in the second round, because when you get Chacco going, he has an amazing jump, so I was excited,” she continued.
 
After the second round, Wireman was .67 points behind the lead with an overall score of 179.49 and David was just .16 points behind that, scoring 179.33. Because the scores were so close, the judges tested the top three. McCutcheon, Wireman, and David were called into the arena away from their trainers while the test was read aloud. The test included a hand gallop to an oxer to a trot fence, as well as a counter canter off a short turn to the same bounce combination from round two. No scores were announced, and riders had to wait to hear the results.
 
When the dust settled, it was McCutcheon who triumphed, with David awarded the reserve championship honors, and Wireman finishing in third. Following her win, and with her parents cheering her on over FaceTime, McCutcheon was elated but was quick to give credit to the appropriately named Chacco Star.
 
“He definitely knows he’s a star,” she stated. “He knows that he is amazing, and he’s spoiled and wants attention and snacks all the time. He is just the sweetest horse with the best personality. He’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden, so it’s so much of a confidence booster knowing that I have such a special partner.”
 
For her win, McCutcheon was given the Best Equitation Rider Award, sponsored by Karen Healey, and trainers Max Amaya and TJ O’Mara of Stonehenge Stables in Colts Neck, New Jersey, were given the Leading Equitation Trainers Award, sponsored by Leslie Steele and Acres West.
 
Wireman, who trains with her mother Shayne Berridge Wireman in Bonsall, California, as well as with the team at Heritage Farm in Katonah, New York, was awarded with the EMO Equitation Trip of the Show, sponsored by EMO Insurance, for having the highest scoring equitation round in the age group equitation division, a 90.5 in the 17-Year-Old Equitation Section B.
 
The Glena Wirtanen Sportsmanship Trophy was also awarded on Sunday to Nicolette Perry of Medford, New Jersey. This honor is given to a junior Equitation Weekend competitor, selected by the stewards and schooling supervisors, that exemplifies qualities of a true horseperson, sportsmanship, horsemanship, and turnout of both horse and rider.
 
While Equitation Weekend, presented by BIGEQ.com, has come to a close, the Capital Challenge Horse Show continues through October 9.
 
 
PBIA North American Junior Equitation Championships Results
Place / Rider / Horse / Overall

1 / Carlee McCutcheon / Chacco Star / 180.16
2 / Isabella David / Castlefield Spartacus / 179.33
3 / Skylar Wireman / Famous / 179.49
4 / Nicole McMillion / Vagrant Z / 175.54
5 / Augusta Iwasaki / Attendu De Lannois Z / 175.34
6 / Ariana Marnell / Showcase / 174.27
7 / Madison Nadolenco / Caracas 89 / 174.01
8 / Sterling Malnik / Cornell 22 / 172.41
9 / Grace Shipman / Attendu De Lannois Z / 172.39
10 / Reese Merna / Ucatoni / 171.21
11 / Kyla Sullivan / Kenan / 171.04
12 / Annalise Manoog / Carollo / 169.58

​Equitation Weekend, presented by BIGEQ.com, at the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, continued on Saturday, October 1, where seven more championships were awarded. Lily Epstein of Coral Gables, Florida, led the final victory gallop in the Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center after winning the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals with a score of 172.16. Emma Brody of New York, New York, piloted Lolita to the reserve championship honors, and Violet Tatum of Pacific Palisades, California, rounded out the top three.

​Riders spend the year earning points towards qualification of the finals with only the top 40 invited to compete at Capital Challenge. Three panels each composed of two judges oversaw the class, where riders contested the Ken Krome-designed course in reverse order of qualification. Shane George and Dale Pederson made up the first panel, while Gavin Moylan and Bobbi Reber sat on the second panel, and Robin Rost Brown and Sissy Wickes represented the third panel. Each panel provided one score, and the average of the three resulted in the rider’s overall mark. The top 10 then returned for a second round in reverse order of their first-round scores. Epstein came back second to last, carrying an 86.16 with the lead only .42 points away.
 
“I walked the first course, and it looked pretty manageable,” said Epstein, who trains with Hanae Leeman at Forever Equestrian as well as with the team at Sweet Oak Farm in Wellington, Florida. “I liked how there were bending lines, and you had to pay attention to the tracks. I just wanted to have a confident round and make it to the second round.”

​Epstein and her mount Cumano Boy Z, Ainsley Wade’s 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Cumano, paired up during the 2022 winter show season and quickly formed a strong partnership through the challenging qualification process. Because of the difficulty to get into the top 40 and compete at Capital Challenge, Epstein noted she did feel a little extra pressure.
 
“I was a little nervous for this because I’ve been preparing all year,” she conceded. “For the second round, I didn’t want to do anything crazy, but I knew I had a chance to move up. Right before I went in, my trainer said, ‘Ride on the rhythm, have fun, and trust your eye.’”

While Epstein will be busy in the coming days showing in the Children’s Hunter Horse and Pony Hunter divisions, for now she can savor being a Capital Challenge Horse Show Champion.
 
“This win is a really big one,” she reflected. “I’ve been working so hard to qualify for this, doing all these classes to get here, so it’s just amazing that I even got here and then was able to win. I’m super grateful. It was so fun.”
​
In the outdoor arena, Annalise Manoog of Centerville, Massachusetts, bested a field of 26 for the title of North American Junior Flat Equitation Champion. Manoog, who trains with the team at Grazing Fields Farm in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, rode her longtime partner and “heart horse,” Carollo.

​“I really enjoy doing the flat on him,” commented Manoog of the 11-year-old Brandenburg gelding. “He goes into a really nice shape, and he’s super comfortable. He really does put his whole heart into every round.”
 
She continued, “When the judges were calling the final riders, I was trying not to freak out and just focus on my basics. I’m so grateful for my trainers who have instilled in me the importance of good flat work.”
 
Earlier in the day, five Section B age group equitation division champions and reserve champions were named as follows:
​

• Champion Marielle Walrath of Locust Valley, NY, and Reserve Champion Mimi Maddock of New York, NY, in the 12 & Under Equitation

Equitation Weekend, presented by BIGEQ.com, concludes Sunday, October 2, and competition at the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show continues through October 9.
 
 
THIS National Children’s Medal Finals Results
Place / Rider / Horse / Overall
 
1 / Lily Epstein / Cumano Boy Z / 172.16
2 / Emma Brody / Lolita / 168.66
3 / Violet Tatum / Cento Chico / 167.99
4 / Camilla Jerng / Hurricane / 167.74
5 / Talia Kirson / Dundee / 167.49
6 / Kennedy Teasdale / Tahoka / 164.66
7 / Jordyn Scelsa / Any Given Sunday / 159.32
8 / Erin Morera / Chagall / 157.16
9 / Faith Schuttemeyer / Blackjack / 156.33
10 / Anna Markcrow / The Diplomat / 145.99