For Immediate Release
Upper Marlboro, MD – September 29, 2013 – There were three competitive equitation finals held today during the Capital Challenge Equitation Championship Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. Victoria Colvin was victorious in the North American Junior Equitation Championships on VIP Z. The win in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children's Medal Finals went to John Porter on Kennebec, while Conor Perrin and Gelato won the blue ribbon in the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships. The Capital Challenge Horse Show runs through Sunday, October 6, at Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

All three of today's finals were held in the Show Place Arena. Starting out, there were 78 entries in the North American Junior Equitation Championships, and the top 20 from the first round returned for the second round. It was a lead from start to finish for Colvin, who was the only rider in the class to score in the 90s in both rounds. She took the first round win with a 92.20, and topped that with a 93 for a total of 185.20 for victory.

Second place went to Megan McPherson on Great Expectations. She scored 91.20 and 84.53 for a total of 175.73 for second place. Alison Cooney and Wittewa were third with a total of 174.21 after scores of 88.29 and 85.92.

Due to Colvin's large margin of victory, no test was needed. Colvin was relieved that she didn't have to return for a test, but didn't know how many points she had won by. “That was nice that it was over after the second round. I like having two rounds and done!” she agreed. “I didn't really see the points. (The announcer) just said it was enough to not have to test. I think it's awesome and better than to win by .25 or something!”

For Immediate Release:
Upper Marlboro, MD – September 28, 2013 - The Capital Challenge Horse Show began today at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. This is the first day of the Capital Challenge Equitation Championship Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. The Capital Challenge Horse Show runs through Sunday, October 6. The equitation age divisions were held today with over fences classes in the outdoor and indoor rings, joined by a flat class indoors. There were seven age division champions rewarded.

Alison Cooney of Chappaqua, NY, was the 17 Year Old Equitation champion on Wittewa. The division is sponsored by Frank Madden Show Stables. Cooney placed first and third over fences and was second on the flat. The reserve champion was Abigail Johnston on Caden, who finished second over fences and first on the flat.

Cooney has ridden Wittewa, or “Leon” as he's known in the barn, for two years. She described the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding as “a goofball.” She continued, “He was so soft today. He was on an open stride, and he helped me out. He's a great horse.”

After finishing fourth in last year's North American Junior Equitation Championships and riding in her final junior year, Cooney was excited to start out with a championship. “I'm so excited. It's such a nice way to start out,” she acknowledged. “He feels good and I feel like we're working well together, especially indoors. You have to adjust a little bit, adjust your eye. I feel ready, and he's perfect.”

She added, “I really like this ring. There's enough space to get going, and I like the footing. But it's not too big that it's not a challenge. You get ready for indoors, and it's good preparation.”

For Immediate Release

Upper Marlboro, MD – September 24, 2013 – The 2013 Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS) presented by The Gochman Family is just days away, kicking off on Saturday, September 28, at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The show begins with its Equitation Weekend presented by Bigeq.com, and the fantastic competition continues through October 6 with top USEF “AA” rated events. The management team at Capital Challenge looks forward to welcoming many of the nation’s top horses and riders for its 20th year of exceptional equestrian sport.

Equitation Weekend Welcomes the Nation’s Top Young Riders

One of the highlights at Capital Challenge is the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals, which will be held during Equitation Weekend on Sunday, September 29. Following a year-long qualification process, the nation’s top children’s riders will compete through two rounds in an attempt to take the national title. Fifteen-year-old Avery Hinson of New Albany, OH, sits third in the standings coming into this weekend’s competition and looks forward to the opportunity to show.

This is Hinson’s third and final year competing in the children’s medal classes and her first year qualifying for the finals. Hinson rides with Angela Moore at Stealaway Farm in Dublin, OH, and will show Elaine, an 11-year-old Warmblood mare that she recently leased.

“It is quite surreal to finally be going to the THIS Finals and I’m so excited to have this opportunity,” Hinson noted. “Last year I was in the top 40, but was knocked out in the final week, so it is a relief that I made it this year! Even though it is my third year competing in the THIS medal classes, they didn’t get any easier.”

Hinson is happy to be sitting third in the country coming into the finals and explained that she tried to be as consistent as possible at every show this year.