Upper Marlboro, MD – October 13, 2010 – The 2010 Capital Challenge Horse Show has come to a conclusion, and show managers Oliver Kennedy and Billy Glass have deemed it a great success. In its 17th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition.

Kennedy noted, “We were extremely pleased with this year’s Capital Challenge. We had a great turnout and fantastic competition. We owe a big thanks to our exhibitors and sponsors for their support. We work hard to produce the highest-quality horse show, and it is satisfying to see the results of these past nine days.”



Glass pointed out that through nine days and thousands of rounds of horse showing, there was not one ambulance call at the horse show. “That was an awful lot of jumping and activity to be that lucky. It’s a credit to the level of horsemanship of our exhibitors there and our staff’s ability to take care of the environment for the horses,” Glass said. “That’s something I’m always pushing to achieve.”

The hunter and equitation courses for the show were designed by Michael Rheinheimer of Willoughby, OH, and the jumper courses were designed by Philip DeVita of Apopka, FL.

Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend Results, presented by Bigeq.com – Saturday and Sunday

In the North American Junior Flat Equitation Championships, Molly Braswell of Ocala, FL, won over Lauren Fabiano and Samantha Smith. Braswell rode Tenacious, owned by Ann Braswell, to the Junior Flat Championship. She also picked up the reserve championship in the 16 Year Old Equitation division, sponsored by Frank Madden Show Stables, winning the division’s under saddle class and placing third in the over fences class.

The champion in the 16 Year Old division was Chase Boggio of Canton, GA. Meg O’Mara, of Rumson, NJ, won the championship in the 15 Year Old division, sponsored by Over the Hill Farm and Bill Schaub. She rode War Eagle, a horse she has ridden since February of this year. They won an over fences and the under saddle class. The reserve champion was a tie between Hasbrouck Donovan, who placed first and fifth over fences and fifth under saddle, and Schaefer Raposa, who was second over fences and second on the flat.

The 17 Year Old division, sponsored by Frank Madden Show Stables, was the opening division of the day and Samantha Harrison of La Canada, CA, was the winner. She placed second and third over fences and was first on the flat. There was another tie for reserve champion, with Kelsey Bernini, who was first over fences and fourth on the flat, and Amber Henter, who was second over fences and second on the flat.

The champion in the 13/14 Year Old division was Naomi Wierens, who won both over fences classes. Lauren Fabiano was the reserve champion and she received second over fences. Victoria Colvin was the 12 Year Old champion after she swept the blue ribbons. Madelyn Keck, who picked up second place ribbons over fences and under saddle, won the reserve championship.

Victoria Birdsall of Topsfield, MA, beat 77 other competitors to win the 2010 North American Junior Equitation Championships. Birdsall led the class from start to finish on her horse Baheera. They had a flawless test for the win over Barnhill, Abby O’Mara, and Amber Henter.

In the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals, no work-off was necessary when the top two riders were separated by 2.45 points and the judges did not request further testing. Molly Peddicord of Malibu, CA, moved up in the second round to take the victory with her horse Loupino. Second place went to Maggie Savoie on Danico.

In the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships, Sara Green finished as the winner. Green of Sherborn, MA, was second in the first round and moved up to first with a great second round score of 91. Adrienne Dixon and Vincenzo were just behind by 1.6 points, so the judges brought her and Green back for a work-off. Green excelled in the test for the win.

Professional Hunters – Monday to Wednesday

The professional hunters began competition on Monday, and two rated divisions awarded championships on Tuesday, along with the Future Hunter divisions. The champion of the $9,000 Second Year Green Working Hunters was Small Affair, ridden by John French for Iwasaki & Reilly.

This is the second year in a row that French has won the championship in the Second Year Green Working Hunters; he led the division last year with Rumba. This year, Small Affair won three over fences classes and was third under saddle. The reserve champion was Way Cool, ridden by Scott Stewart for Dr. Betsee Parker.

In the $10,000 Regular Working Hunters the championship was awarded to Rosalynn, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare and ridden by Kelley Farmer. They were first, first, and second over fences and finished sixth under saddle. Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, was the reserve champion with a first, two seconds, and fourth over fences and fourth under saddle.

French also won the Future Hunter 3’3″ championship with another Iwasaki & Reilly-owned horse, Small Collection. Kelley Farmer and Crown N Scepter, owned by Larry Glefke, were reserve champions. The Future Hunter 3’3″ division is sponsored by Christa and Michael Endicott/Pegasus Show Stable, Inc. and Mr. and Mrs. Hunt Tosh.

Farmer also swept the Future Hunters – Colts and Geldings division, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Tim Goguen/Boggs Hill. She was champion on Amadeo, owned by Louise Graves, and reserve champion with Ashton Chewning’s On the Hour. The Future Hunter – Five & Under champion was Triton Z, ridden by Kate Conover and owned by Redfield Farm. Habana, owned by Spencer Ranch and ridden by Kelley Farmer, won the reserve championship.


Scott Stewart won two divisions in the Future Hunters. He rode his horse Inclusive to the championship in the 6 & Over division, sponsored by Ruth and Hal Douglas/Stonebrook, and his own Passionate to the top tricolor in the Mares division, sponsored by Penelope Ayres and Ravens Wood Farm. Balou, ridden by Amanda Steege and owned by Lisa Arena, was the reserve champion in the 6 & Over division and Patina, ridden by Laena Romond and owned by Hannah Baumann, won the reserve championship in the Mares division.

On Wednesday, French and Small Affair won the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. They earned the win over Kelley Farmer with Rosalynn and Katie Gardner on Parker.

In the $20,000 Added Future Hunter North American Championship, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler/Cismont Manor Farm and Kocher Tack, John French rode horses to the first two places. With Small Collection, he collected the first place ribbon and won the Beverly Brooks Solter Memorial Trophy, donated by Hilary Scheer Gerhardt and Zan Martin Dillon. He finished second with Small Kiss. Both horses are owned by Iwasaki & Reilly. Scott Stewart and his own State Hill  were third.

Molly Sewell got the win in her third time out in the $5,000 WCHR Emerging Pro Challenge. She rode Maddox, owned by Porter Allen, and was awarded the Bittersweet Perpetual Trophy, donated by Rachel B. Kennedy. Sewell placed second in the first year of the class, and she was third last year. Sewell and Maddox, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, scored 84.5 in the first round and 88.3 in the second round. Miranda Scott and Valentine finished second, while Jordan Siegel on Black Tie Affair was third.

The Grand Future Hunter Championship, sponsored by Lochmoor Stables, Inc./Greg and Mindy Darst, went to Amadeo, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Louise Graves. The seven-year-old Mecklenberg gelding was champion in the Colts and Geldings division after winning two and placing second in the over fences classes. For their Grand win, they were awarded the “A Rare Diamond” Perpetual Trophy donated by “The Friends of Mickey.”

Hunt Tosh rode the aptly named Tosh to the win in the $1,000 WCHR Senior Under Saddle Class, sponsored by Arcadia Farm. They won the Hollywood Challenge Trophy, donated by Paula Polk Lillard.

Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, TX, dominated the First Year Green Working Hunters. She and To The Nines, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ken MacKenzie, were champions in the A section, while Showman, ridden by Sandy Ferrell and owned by Krista and Alexa Weisman, were reserve champions. Fenney and To The Nines were also victorious in the WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge.

In the B section, Fenney rode MTM Bragging Rights to the championship for owner Taylor Sutton. Good Humor and Hunt Tosh, who rode for Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, were the reserve champions.

The Grand Hunter Championship went to Listen, ridden by Kelley Farmer for Jane Gaston. Farmer was named the Best Hunter Rider of the show. Despite being only six years old, Listen steps into any ring without fear. “He might be the bravest young horse I’ve ever ridden,” Farm remarked. “He went into the derby in Palm Beach at night and moved from tenth to fourth. He walked into the derby finals. He doesn’t think that anything could go wrong. He doesn’t think there’s a jump too big to jump, that anything is too scary, or that he should be nervous about anything. It’s a blast to ride.”

$9,000 Green Conformation Hunter, sponsored by Lisa A. H. Cudahy
Champion: Listen, Kelley Farmer, Jane Gaston
Reserve Champion: Humor Me, Havens Schatt, R. Bruce Duchossois

$3,000 Regular Conformation Hunter, sponsored by Hidden Hollow and Ginny Edwards; Joie Gatlin and Morley Abey Show Jumping Inc.
Champion: Garfield, Samantha Schaefer, K&S Show Services
Reserve Champion: Quintin, Havens Schatt, Tracy Scheriff Muser

Grand First Year Green Hunter Champion, sponsored by Hap Hansen Stables. Awarded the Magda and George Z. Lefton Memorial Trophy, donated by Stacey Lefton Glick: MTM Bragging Rights, ridden by Tracy Fenney and owned by Taylor Salton
 
Grand Green Hunter Champion, sponsored by Kennedy Farm: Small Affair, ridden by John French and owned by Iwasaki & Reilly
 
Grand Conformation Hunter Champion, awarded the Kenneth M. Wheeler Perpetual Trophy, donated by B.J. Meeks and Pablo Perez: Listen, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Jane Gaston

Grand Future Hunter Champion, sponsored by Lochmoor Stables, Inc./Greg and Mindy Darst, awarded the “A Rare Diamond” Perpetual Trophy donated by “The Friends of Mickey”: Amadeo, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Louise Graves

Grand Hunter Champion, sponsored by RSB Farms, Inc., Rob Bielefeld and Chrystal McKnight, awarded the Janet Polk Read and Margaret Hough Sabbatini Memorial Trophy, donated by the Goguen Family: Listen, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Jane Gaston

The special awards given were:

Tribute Perpetual Trophy, donated by Scott Stewart, awarded to the horse earning the highest cumulative numerical point total in a single professional division: Listen, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Jane Gaston

Derby Down Trophy, donated by Louise Serio, awarded to the highest scoring hunter round by a professional rider in the professional hunter divisions:  To the Nines, ridden by Tracy Fenney and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ken MacKenzie

Leading Hunter Rider Award, sponsored by Kate Gibson and Shadyside Farm, awarded the B.J.’s Hunt Room Trophy, donated by B.J. Meeks and Pablo Perez:  Kelley Farmer

Best EMO Future Hunter Trip of the Show, sponsored by EMO Agency, Inc.: Amadeo, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Louise Graves, with a score of 90.5

Best EMO Professional Trip of the Show, sponsored by EMO Agency, Inc.: To the Nines, ridden by Tracy Fenney and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ken MacKenzie, with a score of 91

WCHR Professional Finals

Scott Stewart captured his fourth win this year in the WCHR Professional Finals, presented by the John R. Ingram Fund. Stewart persevered through four rounds against the five other best hunter riders in the nation to set the record number of wins in the 18-year history of the class.

Stewart set impressive scores on the final two horses he rode. In the first round, he scored an 85 with his own horse Blessed, who is just six years old. The judges felt that the rail he had down at the last jump was not entirely his fault, and were able to score accordingly. “I was really relaxed because I didn’t think I had chance,” Stewart said of his feelings after the first round. “So after
going and having a rail, it was the most relaxed I’ve ever been. It’s the best time I’ve had doing the class.”

His second-round mount was MTM Off the Cuff, owned by Therese Peck, whom he rode to a score of 86.33. In the first two rounds, Stewart sat in fifth place, and he moved up to fourth place after a fantastic third round round on Venlo, owned by Susan Grange, and received a 92.33. His final round was on Welcome, owned by Oscany, Inc., where he was able to lay down a fantastic handy round. With a very forward hand gallop to the final oxer, the crowd roared and the judges rewarded him with the highest score in the final round, a 93.66, which propelled him to the win.

Stewart has been in the WCHR Professional Finals 11 times, and this is his fourth win, more than any other rider in the history of the class. He joked after the class that he would retire from the finals now, but the other riders had a hard time believing that he would live up to that promise. He remarked, “It’s really an honor to be included in this great group of riders. So it’s nice to stay at that level and to keep up and try to put your best game on.”

For his win, Stewart was presented with the All The Way Perpetual Trophy, donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan.

Hunter and Equitation Results – Thursday through Sunday

In the $9,000 Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunters, sponsored by The Hallman Family and MerryLegs South, Jane Gaston and Lumiere led the way to victory. Their championship came from two firsts and two seconds over fences in the division. Ellen Toon and Invincible were the reserve champions. They were second, fourth, fourth, and sixth over fences and fourth under saddle.

Thanks to their top ribbons, Gaston and Lumiere were named the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champions, which was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Will Roberts, and were awarded the Dr. Harold M.S. Smith Trophy, donated by Dr. Suzanne Smith and Dr. Peter Craig. Gaston was named the Best Amateur-Owner Rider, an award sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare. She received the So Many Ways Challenge Trophy, donated by Karen Kramer.

Gaston and Lumiere also won the $2,500 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Challenge. Tracy Scheriff Muser and Absolut were second, and third place went to Best Man and Melissa Doddridge.

Gaston has owned Lumiere, a nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding, for five years. “He’s part of our family now,” she said. “He’s just progressed from Baby Green and Pre-Green all the way up to being an old guy now.”

Champion in the $9,000 Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare, was Sunny Moon, ridden and owned by Jaime Auletto of Blackwood, NJ. They won two over fences classes (including the final handy stake class) and placed fifth for the top tricolor. Tracy Scheriff Muser and Donovan were the reserve champions with first, second, and sixth place ribbons over fences.

The $6,500 Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter division is a new addition to the Capital Challenge and is sponsored by Bruce Duchossois/HnD Stables, Inc., Woodland Way, Inc., and Wood Run Farm/The Tredennick Family. The championship went to Showtime, ridden by Veronica Miller of Wildwood, MO. They placed second in the stake class, second in the handy class, and fourth in the over fences class. Ellen Toon picked up her second reserve championship, this time with Attache. They won the stake class, were third in the handy class, and received sixth over fences.

The winner of the $2,500 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Challenge was Sea Walker, ridden and owned by Nicole Olinyk. Second place went to Endo Fino and Lisa Arena, while Krosus 03, ridden and owned by Kristi Siam, was third.

In the outdoor ring, the Adult Amateur Hunters were the story of the day on Thursday. The Grand Champion Adult Amateur Hunter, sponsored by Steve Martines, was Music Street, ridden by Lindsey Evans-Thomas of Annapolis, MD, and owned by Krista and Alexa Weisman. They were awarded the Equus Entries Challenge Trophy, donated by Equus Entries and Sue & Ralph Caggiano. Her trainer, Sandy Ferrell, won the Gail Knieriem Memorial Trophy donated by Lynley Reilly and Randy Johnson. Evans-Thomas won the Best Adult Amateur Rider Award, sponsored by Golden Point Farm, LLC.

Evans-Thomas and Music Street were champions in the $4,500 Adult Amateur 36-50 division after they placed first and fourth over fences and they won the under saddle. The reserve champion in the division was El Raymond, ridden by Amy Brubaker for Jamie Donovan.

In the $2,500 WCHR Adult Amateur Challenge, winners Lindsey Evans-Thomas and Music Street, owned by Krista and Alexa Weisman, continued their reign of dominance. Second place went to Dawn Fogel on Patron, owned by Yarmony Creek Sport Horses. Hillary Jean rode Limoges, owned by Audrey Carlson, to third place.

The champions in the $4,500 Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 division were Tucker and Cara Cheska. Cheska picked up the catch-ride for Joy Harrington-Graue.  Rhythmical and Rachel Boggus won the reserve championship in the division.

The $4,500 Adult Amateur 51 & Over division was sponsored by Jeff and Keeley Gogul and Wind Dancer with Laura Lee Montross came away with the championship. Sandra Epstein was the reserve champion on Gisele.

Melissa Feller, of Lincoln Park, NJ, was able to hold off strong competitors in the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals for victory. Feller finished second two years ago and was sixth last year in the class. This year, she rode a green six-year-old horse, Tamber Bay, and without expectations she remained cool and collected. Going into the final round, Feller was leading over Tracy Mack-Gorin, who would finish second by 3.95 points with Fernway Park. Darby Mazzarisi and Lion King finished third.

The Grand Pony Hunter Championship, sponsored by Lochmoor Stables/Mindy & Greg Darst, went to For the Laughter, ridden by 13-year-old Victoria Colvin and owned by Dr. Betsee Parker. The pair were first, second, and second over fences and they won the under saddle class for the championship in the $9,000 Large Pony Hunters, sponsored by Heritage Farm. The reserve champion in the division was Center Field, ridden and owned by Louise Graves.

For their grand championship, Colvin and For the Laughter were awarded the VanderMoore Designs Trophy, donated by VanderMoore Designs. Colvin won the Best Pony Rider Award, sponsored by Archibald Cox and Brookway Stables, and she was presented with the Kitty Borisoff Memorial Trophy donated by her many friends.

For the Laughter, a nine-year-old Welsh cross gelding, is called “Bubbles” in the barn. Colvin said he was “perfect.”

Colvin was also victorious in the $9,000 Medium Pony Hunters. She and Ever Luvin, owned by Scott Stewart, were the champions after they placed first and second over fences. The reserve champion was Macy Grey, ridden by Meredith Darst for Wild Sky Farm.

Meredith Darst received the top tricolor in the $9,000 Small Pony Hunters with Elation for Dr. Betsee Parker. They placed in every class, with two firsts, a second, and a fifth over fences, as well as fifth under saddle. The reserve championship went to Ballou, ridden by Daisy Farish for Victoria Colvin. Ballou and Farish won the EMO Pony Hunter Trip of the Show when they scored a 91.

The Stewart Warner Cup for a pony rider went to Emma Kennedy, given in memory of Laurie Gilbert Stewart and Mary Warner Brown, by Donald E. Stewart, Jr. and Louise W. Serio. This award is given to up-and-coming junior riders who, in the opinion of the panel of judges, exhibit the best hunter style and show potential as a young hunter rider.

It was a good week for seventeen-year-old Hannah Goodson-Cutt of Los Angeles, CA. She and her horse Caretano swept the major awards in the junior hunters, and it was a vindication of their hard work. Their championship in the $9,000 Small Junior 16-17 Hunters, sponsored by Meridian Farm and Meridian Riding Club, helped them capture the Grand Junior 16-17 Hunter Championship, sponsored by The Clothes Horse, and the overall Grand Junior Hunter Championship, sponsored by Lochmoor Stables/Mindy and Greg Darst. Goodson-Cutt was named the Best Junior Rider on a horse.

Caretano won two over fences classes and placed third under saddle. The reserve champion in the division was Fern Gully, ridden by Taylor Ann Adams for Don Stewart and Meg O’Mara. They placed second, second, and third over fences and fourth under saddle.

For their Grand Junior Hunter Championship, Caretano and Goodson-Cutt were awarded The Spontaneous Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Listrani Family. Goodson-Cutt was named the Best Junior Rider, sponsored by Karen Healey and Karen Healey Stables.

In the $9,000 Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters, sponsored by Cynthia Williams/New England Farm and Treesdale Farms, the championship went to Coffeetalk, ridden and owned by Whitney Downs. The reserve champion was Confidential, ridden by Hasbrouck Donovan for Don Stewart.

Coffeetalk and Downs tied for the Grand Younger Junior Hunter Championship with the winners of the  Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter division, Walk the Line and Meg O’Mara, who rode for herself and Don Stewart. It was a day of close finishes as Walk the Line won a hack-off over Way Cool and Victoria Colvin, who finished as reserve champions in their division. Way Cool, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, and Colvin placed first and second over fences, as did Walk the Line and O’Mara. The Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter division is sponsored by Oscany, Inc.

The Large Junior 16-17 Hunters, sponsored by Beacon Hill, Stonehenge Stables, and RC Stables, finished yesterday, and the champion was Poetic, ridden and owned by Maggie Boylan. They placed first and fifth over fences and second under saddle. The reserve championship went to Azlan, ridden by Gabbi Langston and owned by Fastball Farm, who won an over fences class.

Red Panda and Hayley Barnhill, who competed in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunters, won the Junior and Overall EMO Trip of the Show with a 91.5.

The Children’s Hunters competed in the outdoor ring, and the Grand Championship, sponsored by Mary Jane King, went to Mactier, ridden and owned by Bella Cramer. They won the division championship in the Children’s Hunter 15-17 division after they won both over fences classes and placed second under saddle. Cramer was also named the Best Children’s Hunter Rider, which is sponsored by Wild Sky Farm and the Nelson Family. The reserve champion was MTM Halo, ridden and owned by Micah Gentry. They were second over fences and second under saddle.

Bella Cramer, who is 16 years old, and from Chelsea, MI, trains with Amanda Lyerly and Mike Rheinheimer. She’s been riding Mactier, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, for a year and a half.

The Children’s Hunter 14 & Under champion was Best Of, ridden and owned by Gabriella Conte. They won an over fences class and tied with reserve champion Escara, ridden and owned by Paige Weisberg. A hack-off decided the championship. Escara and Weisberg won the EMO Trip of the Show with a score of 88. The Children’s Hunter 14 & Under division is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Gary Duffy and Little Brook Farm, Inc.

The Children’s Hunter Pony division finished on Saturday, and the champion was Crimson Sky, ridden and owned by Chelsea Cohn. They placed first and third over fences and third under saddle. The reserve champion was Ramblin’ N’ Gamblin’, ridden by Bernadette Louise Chungunco, owned by Iain Robins, who won an over fences class.

The Stewart Warner Cup for Children went to 12-year-old Victoria Press of New York, NY, who also won WCHR Children’s Hunter Challenge on her horse Notoriety, owned by Lexi Maounis. The Stewart Warner Cup for Juniors was awarded to Shawn Casady.

The WCHR Pony Hunter Challenge winner was One More Time, ridden and owned by Anna Rossi, while Taylor Ann Adams and Rosalynn captured the WCHR Junior Hunter Challenge with a high score of 90.33. First place in the World Champion Junior Hunter Under Saddle went to Q, ridden by Kelli Cruciotti, who were also second in the WCHR Children’s Hunter Challenge.

Scott Stewart was presented with the Leading Hunter Trainer Award, sponsored by Kim Stewart and Glen Willow Inc.

Jumper Results – Thursday through Saturday

The $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Challenge drew an enormous amount of competitors to the Show Place Arena on Thursday night. Seventy-four entries contested the first round, and 29 of those were clean to come back for a timed jump-off. Out of those, nine were clear and it came down to who was the fastest in the jump-off.

Seventeen-year-old Samantha Selldorf of Farmington, CT, piloted Rocket Man, a seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, to a time of 27.100 seconds for the win. Close behind in second was Meredith Darst on Hidden Creek’s Kendall, who crossed the timers in 28.708 seconds. Taylor Ann Adams rode Power Point to third place with a time of 29.020 seconds.

Selldorf won the Leading Children’s Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Memorial Park Hunters. The Best Adult Amateur Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Meadow Grove Farm, went to Elizabeth Kirby, who placed fifth on Amelia. Kirby was presented with The Belfield Trophy, donated by Julie Karpan.

Kirstie Dobbs took the lead in the first phase of the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup, sponsored by Kate Considine/Willow Brook Stables. In the opening speed class, she and Eso posted the fastest clear round in 57.454 seconds and will have the enviable last position in tomorrow’s final round starting order. Second in the class was Hayley Barnhill on Coral Z, who was also clear but slower in 58.810 seconds. Meg O’Mara was third on Mianta in 59.642 seconds.

O’Mara thought when she had a rail in the jump-off of Saturday night’s final round for the $15,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup, that would be the end of her day. It turned out that her second and third places in the two rounds of the Challenge Cup left her tied with Kirstie Dobbs and Treesdale Farms’ Eso, and another jump-off would be needed to determine the overall winner of the Challenge Cup, sponsored by ARIAT. With a clear round in the second jump-off, O’Mara and Mianta owned by Quiet Winter Farm and Redfield Farm, sealed their victory. The winner of the $10,000 Final Round, sponsored by The Oken Family, was Hayley Barnhill on Scotch, owned by Boggs Hill.

In Friday’s $5,000 First Round, sponsored by Kate Considine/Willow Brook Stables, Dobbs and Eso had the fastest speed round for the win. With that win and a fifth in the final round, Dobbs had 45 points, which tied her with O’Mara and Mianta, who finished third in the speed round and second in the final round.

For her Time First Round victory on Saturday night, Barnhill was presented with the Remy Martin Perpetual Trophy, donated by Rolling Acres and Melanie Wright. Seventeen-year-old Barnhill, from Collierville, TN, has only ridden Scotch at one other show, but noted, “The horse is awesome. We don’t know him that well, but he’s so cool. He’s so scopey.”

O’Mara won the Best Junior Jumper Rider Award along with the ARIAT Congressional Cup, while Dobbs was named the Best Amateur Jumper Rider, sponsored by Lyman T. Whitehead and Eight Fences LLC.

Fifteen-year-old O’Mara has only ridden Mianta, a top grand prix horse previously ridden by Callan Solem, for the past three months and has picked up the ride on her and other horses owned by Carol Thompson of Quiet Winter Farm. Regarding her win, O’Mara expressed, “It’s amazing to win here. Last year I watched the High Juniors and thought, ‘I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do this.’ I thought maybe in two years I could start. Now that I’ve been riding Carol’s horses, it’s really stepped me up a level.”

In its 17th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show takes place on October 2-10. Top competitions include the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. In addition to these prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes. For more information, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org or visit the Capital Challenge Horse Show page on Facebook!