Upper Marlboro, MD – September 18, 2003 – The nation’s best junior and adult riders will converge on The Capital Challenge Horse Show for the opening weekend’s prestigious equitation classes. The Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine North American Equitation Championships will be held Saturday, September 27 and Sunday September 28 and will include flat and over fence classes for multiple age categories.

The junior riders will also be challenged with the Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine North American Flat Equitation Championship, the highlight of Saturday’s classes. Held in the annex, beginning at 8:30am, riders will perform individual dressage tests in a standard size dressage arena according to the USA Equestrian Dressage Rule Book.

On Sunday, September 28, only two classes are scheduled and held in the Show Place Arena. The first is the Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine North American Equitation Championship for junior riders and the second is for Amateur riders. Both classes are scored under the open numerical scoring system by a panel of five judges with the scores averaged and posted on the scoreboard. Riders will perform a first-round course and the top twenty will return for a second phase over a shortened course. The scores from both rounds will be totaled to determine the top four riders overall. Additional testing is optional. If required, judges’ scores from the final round will be added to the total from rounds one and two, each phase to count equally.

Celebrating their tenth anniversary, The Capital Challenge Horse Show will take place September 27 – October 5 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The Capital Challenge Horse Show not only offers exhibitors the highest level of competition and numerous year-end finals in one of the finest equestrian venues on the east coast, it is also a spectator-friendly event. The public is invited to watch these top horses and riders free of charge. Classes begin at 8am and run throughout the day. Evening classes are held in the Show Place Arena Tuesday through Saturday.

The horse show also offers some of the best in equestrian shopping. The boutique areas are located inside and out, with the expanded shop area on the concourse featuring over twenty vendors. Pick up your holiday gifts early from shops offering unique gift items, artwork, the finest jewelry and a variety of quality equestrian equipment.

Admission and parking are free throughout the week. The schedule and results can be found on the Capital Challenge website: www.capitalchallengehorseshow.com or on www.ryegate.com. For more information on the Capital Challenge Horse Show call (301) 260-2467 prior to the show or (301) 952-7944 during the show.