Hunters Score High During First Day at Capital Challenge

Upper Marlboro, MD  - People travel across the Atlantic to find a talented horse to show, but to witness the best in this country you only need to sit ringside at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD.

The horse show, which runs until Sunday, October 8th, draws the nation’s top horses and riders and on the opening day of the hunters there were high scores being awarded in both rings.

In the outdoor arena, professional hunter rider Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX, guided Elle to the top of the future hunter mares class, posting an 88 on the scoreboard.  Elle, owned by Susie Hogarty, is just six years old and was imported from Europe.  Pletcher said, “She was just 30 days broke when we found her. I started her last year in California. She has a fabulous jump.”

Another high-scoring young hunter was Vegas who took the blue in first jumping class in the five and under future hunter division. Tim Goguen of Lexington, KY, piloted the fancy grey to an 87.5. It was an exciting day for Goguen who decided to make Capital Challenge the gelding’s first show. Goguen said, “I didn’t know what he was going to do. We’ve really only jumped some rails at home, and I thought, well, I might have to circle. But he jumped outrageous.” 

Matching Goguen’s 87.5 finish was Sandy Ferrell who loped around the non-thoroughbred future hunter class guiding Significant to a blue ribbon. The flashy chestnut is a six year old Hanoverian owned by Jesse Capolla.

In the rated hunter classes Kirsten Coe was successful riding a number of horses.  Coe won a class in the second year green division posting an 88.12 with Heartfelt and also collected the second place with Fiyero who scored an 87.75. Fiyero later went on to win the under saddle class as well.

Fiyero, a nine-year-old owned by Katharine Press, is a fairly new ride for Coe who has only been paired with the seasoned mount for half a year.

Earlier in the day Coe posted one of the highest scores, a 90, riding Tchaikovsky in the first year green division.  The seven-year-old gelding owned by Teri Kessler came in second, missing the lead by only a half a point.  The blue ribbon was awarded to John Bragg and Genuine who scored 90.5.

Coe said of Tchaikovsky, “He was great today in the second class. He’s a wonderful jumper and has a great temperament.”  

Tchaikovsky is no stranger to the winner’s circle at Capital Challenge. Last year he earned a championship in the future hunter division.

Coe talked about riding the many horses she shows at Capital Challenge saying, “They all ride differently. I have to catch myself and say, ‘take a second, remember, this one is a little faster than the other,’ because it goes so quickly.  But their common trait is that they are all excellent jumpers.”

Over the course of the next seven days juniors, amateurs and professionals will compete in a variety of hunter and jumper classes. Highlights will include the Ariat Adult Medal Finals, World Champion Hunter Rider finals and the $50,000 Ariat Congressional Cup Grand Prix.

Spectators can enjoy the show jumping action as well as the many boutiques offering unique gift items, artwork, the finest jewelry and a variety of quality equestrian equipment. 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!

Admission and parking are free throughout the week. The schedule and results can be found on the Capital Challenge website: www.capitalchallenge.org.  For more information on the Capital Challenge Horse Show call (301) 952-7944.