More Than 425 Entries to Vie for Titles During BIGEQ.com Equitation Weekend at Capital Challenge Horse Show

Grady Lyman of San Diego, CA, winner of the 2018 Palm Beach International Academy (PBIA) North American Junior Equitation Championship during BIGEQ.com Equitation Weekend. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

Upper Marlboro, MD – The Capital Challenge Horse Show will kick off in a big way on September 27 with three days of equitation competition during BIGEQ.com Equitation Weekend at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

​This year, more than 425 entries have registered to compete in the popular equitation classes to be held from Friday, September 27, through Sunday, September 29, including the:
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-  Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals
- EMO Insurance/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Final – East
- Palm Beach International Academy (PBIA) North American Junior Equitation Championship
- North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championship
- Age-group equitation divisions

​“Equitation provides a wonderful foundation for riders of all ages to develop horsemanship skills through years of training and hard work,” said Caraneen Smith of BIGEQ.com. “Many young riders who compete in equitation go on to support the industry as professional trainers, barn managers and grooms, and breeders, or as amateur competitors at all levels."​

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“It's really a foundational part of our industry, and Capital Challenge offers a unique experience for junior, children's, and adult equitation riders,” continued Smith. “We're proud to sponsor the weekend, which blends an enjoyable atmosphere in a terrific facility with top-notch competition for junior and amateur riders alike. It's the best!” ​

Previously held over two days, BIGEQ.com Equitation Weekend expanded to three days in 2017 with the introduction of the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Final – East.

Riders qualify for the USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Final after they have accumulated a minimum of 10 points in USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal classes from Dec. 1 of the current competition year to 60 days prior to the Finals.

This year, more than 120 riders are entered to compete in the final to be held at Capital Challenge on September 27 and 28. The two-day final will consist of a flat phase, a gymnastics phase, and a jumping phase, all sponsored for the first time this year by EMO Insurance.
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“We are delighted to welcome EMO Insurance as the title sponsor of the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal," said Kevin Price, executive director of the USHJA. "The series and finals for this program have grown in popularity since they started just a few years ago, and we look forward to another great year of competition for equitation riders nationwide."

The USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Final, sponsored by EMO Insurance and to be held September 27-28, will test riders through a flat phase, a gymnastics phase, and a jumping phase. Photo by Jump Media

Each year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show also welcomes the top qualifiers in the THIS National Children’s Medal to vie for the year-end championship title in the popular series. This year’s THIS National Children’s Medal Final will be held on Sunday, September 29, with approximately 30 eligible riders invited to compete.
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“Capital Challenge is one of my favorite shows,” said Avery Glynn, winner of the 2018 THIS National Children’s Medal Final. “It’s just so special because it really brings the top horses and riders out of the whole country, and it’s just such a special experience to be able to compete with people that I don’t always compete with that are sometimes much better than me. It really challenges me.”

Michael Taylor (far left) and the 2018 Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children's Medal Finalists. The 2019 THIS National Children’s Medal Final will be held on Sunday, September 29, with approximately 30 eligible riders invited to compete. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

Junior 3'6" and amateur equitation riders also have the opportunity to vie for major championship titles in the PBIA North American Junior Equitation Final and the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championship, to be held on Sunday, September 29 and Friday, September 27, respectively.
All of the classes throughout BIGEQ.com Equitation Weekend are made possible thanks to the support of generous sponsors including (but not limited to) BIGEQ.com, EMO Insurance, THIS, and PBIA.