CRising APITAL CHALLENGE:
to the Challenge by Providing a Safe Season Finale
As equestrian competitions began to resume in early summer,
after months of unprecedented cancellations due to the coronavirus
However, the hunter/jumper year-end finale shows
– including the Capital Challenge Horse Show, held annually
at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper
Marlboro, MD – referred to colloquially as “indoors,” present
a concern that the majority of summer events do not. As
their popular nickname suggests, they take place primarily
indoors, which continues to be a challenge during these
uncertain times.
Capital Challenge, though, has adapted to the changes
necessary to run a safe and successful year-end horse
show amid continuing COVID-19 concerns. With guidance
from state and local government officials as well as the
show facility management, the Capital Challenge team is
ready to “rise to the challenge.”
When the 2020 Capital Challenge Horse Show kicks off
September 25 and runs through October 4, exhibitors can
expect to find several important new protocols in place.
Show manager Oliver Kennedy is confident, however, that
the event will be able to deliver on its reputation for featuring
top-level competition and a great exhibitor experience.
“Prince George’s Equestrian Center has been our
home for the past 26 years, and we’re looking forward to
welcoming exhibitors there again this fall,” said Kennedy.
“In order to do that, we are working closely with both the
facilities team at Prince George’s and with local and state
government officials on protocols and guidelines that will
allow us to host a safe competition.
“With a number of safety protocols in place, some things
are going to look a bit different than they have in the past,
TRAINING & Showing
38 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
By Emily Randolph
Jump Media
l h
pandemic (COVID-19), many took it as a positive sign that
the impact on the fall show calendar, still months away, might
only be limited.
but the level of competition, the finals competitions that
we offer, and the prestige of doing well at Capital Challenge
are all the same,” continued Kennedy.
As the host of the World Championship Hunter Rider
(WCHR) Program’s year-end finals and challenge classes,
Capital Challenge attracts more of the nation’s top hunter
horses and riders than any other stop on the “indoors” tour.
Highlight events on this year’s WCHR schedule at Capital
Challenge include the $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge,
the WCHR Developing Pro Challenge, and the
$10,000 WCHR Pro Finals, in which the country’s top professional
hunter riders go head to head in a uniquely formatted
class that sees them taking turns catch-riding unfamiliar
mounts.
The featured WCHR classes at Capital Challenge are
coveted feathers in their caps for many hunter professionals,
including 2019 WCHR Pro Finals winner Victoria Colvin.
A win identifies them as one of the best of the best.
“The WCHR Pro Finals has meant a lot to me,” said
Colvin following her 2019 victory. “I’ve been watching it
since I was riding in the juniors, and I’ve seen Scott Stewart
win it a lot, so to be able to be someone who won it is
amazing.”
Capital Challenge also hosts WCHR challenge classes
for Amateur Owner, Adult Amateur, Junior, Children’s, and
Pony riders.
For young horses, the $25,000 North American Green
Hunter 3’ and 3’3” Championship is the highlight event of
the 10-day horse show. In 2019, more than 140 entries
Scott Stewart and Regent won the 2019
$25,000 North American Green Hunter 3’ and 3’3”
Championship, beating out more than 140 entries
from across the Green Hunter 3’ and 3’3” divisions.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com