2017 Capital Challenge Horse Show Expands to Ten Days, September 29 – October 8

Katherine Strauss, winner of the 2016 Private Tutoring Services North American Junior Equitation Championship. This year, more riders than ever before will have a chance to vie for an indoor finals equitation victory with the addition of the USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Finals. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

​Upper Marlboro, Maryland – The 24th edition of the Capital Challenge Horse Show, presented by the World Equestrian Center, returns to the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, on September 29 through October 8, 2017. The popular, ever-growing horse show will feature a newly expanded ten-day schedule.
 
Equitation Weekend, presented by BigEq.com, now offers three full days of competition and will host the new United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final for the East Coast.
 
“The Jumping Seat Medal Finals were created to provide a 3'3" level finals, as well as an introduction to the 3'6" finals and a stepping stone to the Talent Search Finals,” said Robin Rost, chair of the USHJA Joint Equitation Task Force. “We are thrilled that the Capital Challenge Horse Show has agreed to host the inaugural event, as they host a very successful show with a weekend dedicated entirely to equitation.”

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The weekend of equitation championships will also include the Palm Beach International Academy North American Junior Equitation Final, the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships, and the Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal Finals. The addition of the 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final rounds out the impressive list of equitation championships at Capital Challenge and gives another group of riders the opportunity to qualify for and compete at a prestigious indoor final. 

“The 3’3” [Final] is something that’s needed,” said trainer Troy Hendricks of Kimber-View Stables in Glenmoore, PA. “It’s a great stepping stone for young riders in the equitation. The 3’6” can be very difficult, and this really gets them in the ring and gives them the opportunity for a final. It gives them something to work for. Not all riders are 3’6” medal contenders, so maybe that’s not their niche. This is a really good niche, and it’s really good for our industry as a whole.”
 
Jumper competitors also have their turn in the spotlight at Capital Challenge. New for 2017 is the Low Junior/Amateur Jumper division, which features a $10,000 classic. Additional jumper highlights include the $10,000 North American Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Classic, sponsored by Johnson Horse Transportation, and the $10,000 Children’s/Adult Amateur Jumper Classic. 

Sandra Zimmerli and Zaza, winners of the 2016 $10,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup. New for 2017, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will also offer a Low Junior/Amateur Jumper division. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

Following the conclusion of the expanded equitation weekend, the Capital Challenge Horse Show is proud to again host the nation’s best hunter horses and riders for the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Finals. Throughout the week, the show will offer WCHR Hunter Challenges for amateurs, juniors, children, ponies, developing professionals, and the highlighted $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge on Wednesday, October 4. Spectators will also get to watch the top six hunter riders in the country go head-to-head in the $5,000 WCHR Professional Finals on Friday, October 6.
 
Also unique to the Capital Challenge Horse Show, and a special part of the hunter competition each year, is the $25,000 3’ and 3’3” Green Hunter North American Championship, sponsored by the Wheeler Family and to be held Wednesday, October 4.