Professionals Ride for Tricolors At Capital Challenge

Upper Marlboro, MD - Kirsten Coe of Katonah, NY, was a busy rider on Tuesday at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, piloting five horses in the second year green division alone.  Coming out on top was Heartfelt who accrued 29 points and the championship leaving the reserve to John French and Andiamo with 24 points. 

Coe went into the final jumping class knowing that Heartfelt had a chance to collect the tricolor but tried to put that out of her mind. She said “It was going to work out the way it was going to work out, and I just had to put in some nice rounds.”

Coe was relieved when the division was over.  She said, “I’m just glad that all the horses went well, especially him.”

Coe has been showing the nine-year-old gelding since May and knows how she has to ride him to get the most out of him.  She said, “I always have to take my time on the entrance, and I have to be very calm.  He does it very easily and I just have to make sure I’m taking my time.”

Heartfelt is owned by Laura King Kaplan and also shown by Kaplan in the amateur owner division. Pleased with her day Coe said, “He’s off to a wonderful indoor start.”   

The battle for the regular working hunter champion came down to the final over-fence class.  When Liza Boyd of Camden, SC, posted an 87 to win the stake class aboard Brunello, it secured the championship.

Boyd knew that the final round was the deciding factor and enjoyed the competition. She said, “I think that kind of pressure makes everyone ride better because you just grit your teeth and go for it.”

Future hunters made a second appearance at the Capital Challenge and collected their championships. Elle, ridden by Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX, picked up a second over fences and an eighth under saddle to take the tricolor. 

The last two division champions pinned on Tuesday evening were awarded to Scott Stewart and two of his future hunters.  The first tricolor went to Way Cool, a five-year-old Stewart has owned for three years.  Way Cool has proven himself as a hunter throughout the year, picking up champions at a handful of shows.

Stewart’s second mount was a thoroughbred crossbred named Thoughtful. The five-year-old gelding was purchased last fall in Virginia and the following spring was sold to his customer Molly Ohrstrom.  Thoughtful was shown once in Palm Beach last winter and didn’t show again until August. Although Capital Challenge was his first big show, and his first time indoors, he marched around the rings. Stewart said, “He’s pretty automatic. He’s straight forward.”

Wednesday the top five future hunters in each of the six future hunter sections  will return to the Show Place Arena to compete in the $20,000 Added Future Hunter North American Championship sponsored by Bainbridge Farm and presented by Cismont Manor Farm.  Wednesday also marks the first of four evening performances. The World Champion Hunter Rider Professional Challenge will take place at 7:30pm.

The Capital Challenge will run through Sunday, October 7th, and 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.