Upper Marlboro, MD – October 2, 2010 – The Capital Challenge Horse Show opened up competition today at the Show Place Arena. This is the first day of the Capital Challenge Equitation Championship Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. Today there were championships for equitation divisions split by age, as well as the North American Junior Flat Equitation Championships. Molly Braswell of Ocala, FL, won the Junior Flat Championship 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.

Braswell has been riding Tenacious since he was five years old, and the ten-year-old gelding helped her to her biggest win this year in the ASPCA Maclay class at the Devon Horse Show. “He’s the most comfortable and the most beautiful. It’s more of a feat to win on him because he’s younger. It’s more of a big deal to win on him,” she said.

The North American Junior Flat Equitation Championship is a fun and competitive class only found at Capital Challenge. “I think it’s nice because it gives you a bit of a challenge on the flat,” she remarked. “I like riding without stirrups, so that was fun for me. I think flatwork is a really good thing to get your horse supple and ready to jump. On Tenacious, it’s my favorite thing!”

Molly Braswell

Braswell also feels that Capital Challenge is a great way to start the indoor season. “It’s great to see where you are when getting ready for the other finals, against other riders, if you have the right horse, if you need to be tighter in the tack, practice lines, that sort of thing,” she said.

The champion in the 16 Year Old division was Chase Boggio of Canton, GA. Boggio rode Massimo, a horse his family purchased in January. He explained, “We got him in Europe last November. I’ve been showing him in the equitation since then to get some mileage on him. He’s eight years old. We got him from Jos Lansink in Belgium and he was doing some 1.40m classes, but he wasn’t careful enough for that. They thought he would make a good equitation horse, so we went over and tried him and bought him. He’ll keep doing the equitation, and I also do him in the hunter derbies sometimes.”

He described of Massimo, “He’s got a really powerful jump and a really big stride. He’s very adjustable; you really don’t have to worry if you get a little close or a little long. For being so inexperienced, he really knows the job already.”

Boggio won last year’s North American Equitation Championship, so he cannot compete in the class again this year. “I’m looking forward to not having to deal with the stress of that. I can sit back and watch,” he said with a smile.

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.

She said of War Eagle, “He’s extremely fun, really slow, and has a really long stride. I can leave out strides and show his scope. His jump is really slow. He sets my leg in a good position.”

O’Mara first competed at Capital Challenge six years ago when she showed in the Small/Medium Children’s Pony Hunters, and she said that it is one of her favorite shows. “I love it because the weather is finally getting cooler. I love the indoor so much; it’s one of my favorite rings to ride in,” she expressed.

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.

Tomorrow’s schedule concludes the Capital Challenge Equitation Championship weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. The day starts with the North American Equitation Championships of two rounds. Following that is the Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal Finals and the North American Amateur Equitation Finals.

For full results and more information, please 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.

Highlights of the Capital Challenge Horse Show will include the North American Equitation Championship (Oct. 3), the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals (Oct. 3), the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Emerging Pro Challenge (Oct. 6), Future Hunter World Championship (Oct. 6), $2,500 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Challenge (Oct. 7), the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup (two rounds held on Oct. 8-9), the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals (Oct. 8), and the WCHR Professional Finals (Oct. 8).

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 will take 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!

Photo Credit: Molly Braswell won the North American Junior Flat Equitation Championship at the 2010 Capital Challenge Horse Show. Photo © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. These photos may only be used in relation to this press release and with full photo credit.