Bigeq.com, Taylor Harris Insurance Services, Private Tutoring Services,
and Ariat Return for 2014 Competition
Upper Marlboro, MD – September 3, 2014 – The Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS) is proud to once again bring together many of the best equitation riders in the country as it hosts its 21st annual competition September 27 – October 5 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. One of the country’s premier indoor equestrian competitions, CCHS provides riders at every level some of the sport’s most sought-after equitation finals. CCHS has several fantastic sponsors to thank for supporting these important events that give riders valuable show experience as they move through the ranks.
CCHS competition begins with its Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com, held on September 27-28, followed by USEF “AA” rated competition through October 5. The equitation competition offers divisions for all age groups, including 12 and under, 13 and 14 year olds, 15 year olds, 16 year olds, 17 year olds, and Open Equitation at the 3′ and 3’6” levels. In addition to the regular divisions, the show hosts the Private Tutoring Services North American Junior Equitation Championships, the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships, as well as two extremely prestigious finals. The first, the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Final (NCM), is held on Sunday, September 28th. The Ariat National Adult Medal Final (NAM) is held on Friday, October 3rd.
CCHS prides itself in offering classes for every level of rider so that everyone can have the special indoor show experience, and Bigeq.com helps make that possible with their support. Bigeq.com has partnered with CCHS to sponsor the Equitation Weekend since 2009 and looks forward to another great year of competition.
“Sponsoring the Equitation Weekend has been a great fit for Bigeq.com from the start,” stated Bigeq.com’s Caranine Smith. “We love equitation and how the show approaches the division, by encouraging participation at all levels, and giving lots of different types of riders the chance to compete in a top-notch setting.”
“We see equitation as the heart and foundation of our sport in America, and the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend represents the perfect balance of top quality competition with an atmosphere of sportsmanship and fun,” Smith said. “Between the junior, children’s and adult equitation championships, riders of varying ability levels and goals may compete, whether it’s a top level junior preparing for the highest levels of the sport to the children’s or amateur rider working to ride their best. We likewise work to provide a good service for the variety of participants on the show circuit: trainers, owners, and riders, who can find or sell their horses, whether a grand prix show jumper or a trustworthy 3’ equitation packer.”
As CCHS hosts its 21st year of competition, the show will also be celebrating the 21st anniversary of its innovative National Children’s Medal series, a competition that has been a stepping stone to the 3’6” equitation for many young riders.
The National Children’s Medal is a series of equitation classes held throughout the year in which junior riders collect points in order to qualify for the year-end finals. The concept of the series was developed by CCHS managers Oliver Kennedy and Billy Glass in order to give young riders the opportunity to gain equitation experience at the 3′ height before moving into the 3’6” divisions. Junior riders compete in over 600 classes across North America in an attempt to qualify as one of the top 40 invited to Capital Challenge.
This year marks the seventh year of sponsorship by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, Inc. in the NCM series. THIS is committed to supporting young riders in the sport, and knows that providing this series is an important building block in their development. NCM classes around the country give riders great experience and help to prepare them for future competition. As a result of these finals, many competitors have gone on to reach the top echelon of the sport.
Thanks to the generosity of Taylor Harris Insurance Services, the NCM Final hosts a fantastic welcome reception for finalists, parents, and trainers on the weekend of the final competition. Each finalist gets the opportunity to speak in front of their fellow competitors to introduce themselves and thank those that support them. Many have also thanked THIS representative Michael Taylor, who enjoys being a part of the reception to see the sport’s up-and-coming talent.
“I am a huge fan of supporting youngsters,” Taylor said of his sponsorship. “I have learned through my own experiences. I have four sons and I know that sports, particularly anything to do with teams, are very good for the development of one’s pathology. I think it is a great sport for kids because you have to think of your horse very much. It is very much teamwork between your parents, your horse, yourself, and your trainer. You have to get all of that right in order to succeed.”
“The (THIS National Children’s Medal) final is a great first step, and then you can go on to the junior level and then further on from there,” Taylor acknowledged. “In order to succeed, as the NCM Final incorporates a national championship, you have to be disciplined and dedicated and determined. If you follow those three D’s, then you are in good shape. That is why we do it really. It is a great stepping stone to the next chapter.”
As riders move out of the children’s divisions, CCHS provides the next step with the Private Tutoring Services North American Junior Equitation Championships. This 3’6” final serves as excellent preparation for juniors heading to the major indoor equitation finals each fall.
“For years, the students we have tutored have been participating at this show. We had supported them in tutorials remotely, and then around three years ago decided to have a presence at the show,” said Private Tutoring Services’ Joanne Weiner. “This is our first year as a sponsor at this level, and we are thrilled to be a part of the show.”
“So many of our students compete in the equitation championship, and we wanted to show our support of our students,” Weiner noted. “We are really proud that our students are able to compete at this level while maintaining a high level of academics. Supporting students at the show is a really great way for them to stay current with school and homework, so that when they return to school from Capital Challenge, they are on par and even ahead in school.”
“This is a special and important show because it gives our students a solid amount of time to prepare for the finish of the fall circuit, end of the equestrian year, and the beginning of the winter circuits,” Weiner added. “Scholastically, the show falls right in the middle of the fall semester of most schools, so having a presence here is important for our students to be able to stay current at school.”
The Ariat National Adult Medal Final provides the final stepping stone for those riders graduating out of the 3’6” junior classes, giving them an opportunity to vie for a highly prized title in the next stage of their amateur riding careers.
The Ariat National Adult Medal Final started during the second year of CCHS competition and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. These championships provide a great goal for riders to pursue throughout the season as they compete all year to qualify for a coveted position in the final. Ariat has been a loyal sponsor of the Capital Challenge Horse Show and the National Adult Medal series since their inceptions.
“Ariat has been a proud longtime supporter of Capital Challenge,” stated Susan Alcala, Vice President, Partnership Marketing at Ariat International. “All of the riders work very hard to get to Capital Challenge, and we commend their determination and drive. Ariat started supporting the National Adult Medal Finals because we wanted to get involved with the equitation riders riding all over the country.”
“The NAM Final gives riders the opportunity to compete at the amazing Prince George’s Equestrian Center and ride against the top finalists from around the country,” Alcala added. “This is such a great way to celebrate riders from all over the country who have worked so hard to get to this show. It is an honor to ride at Capital Challenge, and we love to support that determination and drive. Many famous riders have shown there, and it is becoming a mainstay in the horse show world.”
The 2014 Capital Challenge Horse Show looks forward to hosting its 21st annual competition from September 27 – October 5 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Please visit www.capitalchallenge.org for more information, prize list, and full schedule.
ABOUT CCHS
In its 21st 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 will take place on September 27-October 5.
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 and on Twitter at @capchallenge!
ABOUT BIGEQ.COM
Founded in 1999, Bigeq.com is the premier website for buying and selling quality hunter/jumper show horses and ponies. Bigeq.com offers targeted classified advertising and a website custom designed for its loyal customer base of hunter/jumper trainers, owners, and riders. With a powerful search engine and a user-friendly interface, buying and selling on Bigeq.com is simple, efficient and effective. Bigeq.com is first in hunter/jumper sales online! For more information, please visit www.bigeq.com.
ABOUT PRIVATE TUTORING SERVICES
For over 25 years PTS has been working with the equestrian community in supplying customized academic programs that meet the individual needs of our students. Working with students from k-12, plus university levels, we organize, create and oversee our students academic and intellectual needs and persuits. We work with students’ schools or create our own programs using fully accredited and NCAA approved diploma programs. We focus on the athletic communities of equestrian, tennis, hockey, dance, golf, swimming, and others creating programs that fit the lifestyle of our students and families. No longer do athletes have to choose their sport over their schooling. For more information, please visit www.privatetutoringservices.com.
ABOUT TAYLOR HARRIS INSURANCE SERVICES
Taylor Harris Insurance Services, Inc. (THIS) is an equine insurance agency based in Middleburg, VA, that provides specialized insurance services for all types of equine risks. THIS policies cover show hunters and jumpers, event and dressage horses, and thoroughbred racing and breeding stock. THIS also offers farm package (property and liability insurance) care, custody and control insurance, and liability insurance for equine operations. Taylor Harris works with their clients to make sure they are equipped with the insurance coverage that’s right for each individual case. THIS places all policies with the highest rated and most secure insurance carriers, which are also selected for their prompt and reliable claims settlement. Their goal is protection for your horses at all stages of life and peace of mind for you. As horsemen themselves, the directors, staff, and agents of THIS have a wealth of experience in all facets of the horse industry. For more information, please visit www.taylorharris.com.
ABOUT ARIAT
Ariat International, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of innovative performance equestrian footwear and apparel. Featuring a patented technology designed to deliver stability, durability and comfort, Ariat pioneered the application of advanced athletic shoe technology into English riding boots and authentic Western boots. Ariat products are sold in a network of retail outlets throughout the world. For more information about Ariat products or for the Ariat retailer nearest you, contact Ariat at 800.899.8141 or visit www.ariat.com.