Upper Marlboro, MD – October 3, 2011 – Class winners were honored today in presentations at the 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show. This was the start of the professional hunter divisions, and many beautiful pairs graced the ShowPlace Arena. While the more experienced horses competed indoors, the Future Hunters showed in the outdoor ring. The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, runs through Sunday, October 9.

The professional hunters will award championships on Tuesday and Wednesday. The highlight classes of the week for the professional hunter riders are the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge on Wednesday, October 5, and the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals, presented by the John R. Ingram Fund, for the top six hunter riders in the country on Friday, October 7.

The Green Conformation model class started out the day, and it was Hunt Tosh with Cold Harbor, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, who finished with the win. In the division’s jumping class, Sandy Ferrell and Moshi, owned by Stephanie Riggio, took the blue ribbon. The Green Conformation Hunters are sponsored by Lisa A.H. Cudahy.

Ferrell continued her winning ways in the Second Year Green Working Hunters with Showman, owned by Krista and Alexa Weisman. They won both over fences classes and set a high score of 91.

Showman and Sandy Ferrell

The First Year Green Working Hunters sponsored by Peter Pletcher/PJP Farm were split into two divisions, and the Section A winner was Cold Harbor, ridden by Hunt Tosh for Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Section B saw Tosh win again with Triton Z, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, who jumped to the top of the standings in the first class, while Come Monday and Christa Endicott, who rode for Davlyn Farms, won the second class.

The High Performance Hunters wrapped up the over fences portion of the day, and the win in the first class went to Garfield and Scott Stewart, who rode for Alexandra Crown. Clearly, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Jane Gaston, received a high score of 91.5 for the second class victory.

Garfield and Scott Stewart

There were five under saddle classes held in the afternoon. The winners were:
Second Year Green Working Hunter: Last Call, Cookie Beck, Lisa Cudahy
High Performance Hunter: Mamba, Jenny Karazissis, Haven Farms LLC
Future Hunter Colts & Geldings: Peron, Kate Conover, Redfield Farm
Future Hunter 6 & Over: Tivoli, Patricia Griffith, Lyn Pedersen
Performance Hunter 3’6″: Sin City, Jenny Karazissis, Heidi Kane

In the outdoor ring, the Future Hunter Mares sponsored by Penelope Ayers & Ravens Wood Farm kicked off competition. Iwasaki & Reilly’s Small Celebration and John French took the first win, while Scott Stewart piloted his horse She’s Cool to the second victory. The 5 & Under Future Hunters feature the youngest equine competitors at the show, but Havens Schatt and her mount Bacardi showed poise and talent to win both classes. Schatt also rode to the top of the Future Hunter Colts & Geldings class on Jackson, owned by Caroline Moran. The Future Hunter Colts & Geldings division is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Tim Goguen/Boggs Hill.

The Future Hunter 6 & Over division had one class today, and it was John French and Safe Haven, owned by Gail Morey, who took the win. To round out the Future Hunters, the 3’3″ division sponsored by Pegasus Show Stable, Inc./ Christa & Mike Endicott/Mr. and Mrs. Hunt Tosh finished the day over fences. It was Havens Schatt once again who took the blue ribbon, this time on Northstar, owned by Cece Williamson. Scott Stewart and Beholden, owned by Fashion Farm, won the other class.

The final over fences class outside was the Performance Hunter 3’6″ sponsored by Nicole Kane & South Shore Farms. Jimmy Torano and Winner, owned by James Pirtle Ent., received the blue ribbon.

The Capital Challenge Horse Show continues tomorrow with more professional hunter classes and championships for the Second Year Green, High Performance, and Performance 3’6″ Hunter divisions, plus championships for all of the Future Hunter divisions.

For full results, please visit www.equestrianlive.com, and for more information, visit www.capitalchallenge.org. If you can’t attend the Capital Challenge Horse Show, remember you can log on to www.equestriansport.tv to see all the action live.

In its 18th 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 1-9.



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!

Photo Credit: Sandy Ferrell and Showman won both over fences classes today in the Second Year Green Working Hunters. Garfield and Scott Stewart won an over fences class in the High Performance Hunters. Photo © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. These photos may only be used in relation to this press release and with full photo credit.