Capital Challenge Horse Show Returns to Prince George's Equestrian Center for 2021

Capital Challenge Horse Show will return to Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, from October 1-10, 2021.

For 26 years, the Prince George’s Equestrian Center has been home to the Capital Challenge Horse Show. In 2020, due to regulations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, management relocated the competition to the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio. Now that pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted in Maryland and are continuing to ease across the country, the 28th annual show will again be held in its hometown, with the expectation to operate at full capacity.

“We are very thankful to World Equestrian Center and the Roberts family for giving Capital Challenge a home in 2020 at their beautiful facility,” said Capital Challenge co-founder and show manager Oliver Kennedy. “We look forward to returning to Maryland and Prince George’s Equestrian Center this year and continuing to offer hunter/jumper competitors one of the best horse shows in the nation.”

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks added, “We are ‘Prince George’s Proud’ to welcome the Capital Challenge Horse Show back to the Prince George’s Equestrian Center this fall. The annual competition has been a premier horse show destination and event staple in our County for well over two decades.

“We are excited to be in a position to bring back large events like Capital Challenge, as they are a reminder of the significant progress that we have made in our fight against COVID-19,” she continued.

During the downtime in 2020, the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation invested considerable time and effort to update the facilities at Prince George's Equestrian Center. All of the stabling areas have been repainted and feature new wash racks, signage, and landscaping. The infield ring has been renovated with new footing and lighting upgrades have been made to the covered arena. The S Barn Temporary Stabling Area has also been renovated to include new water hookups, electric, lights, and a wash rack.

Inside the Show Place Arena, the main Concourse and Arena Bowl have been repainted, the Concourse flooring has been replaced, and the suites have been renovated.

“We are delighted to have the Capital Challenge Horse Show return to the Prince George’s Equestrian Center this year,” said Bill Tyler, Director of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, in Prince George’s County. “It’s a good start to our reopening and a sign that things are getting back to normal.”

The Capital Challenge Horse Show, recognized as a US Equestrian Heritage Competition, will hold the 2021 World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Finals, the $25,000 3’ and 3’3" Green Hunter North American Championships, and the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals, among other major classes. Three days of equitation competition during Equitation Weekend, presented by BigEq.com, will include the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3" Jumping Seat Medal Final, North American Adult Equitation Championships, the Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal Finals, and more. After a successful inaugural year in 2020, the North American League (NAL) Finals will once again be hosted by the Capital Challenge, along with the Medium Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship. By the end of the 10-day horse show, 17 National Champions will have been crowned and 45 division championships awarded.

Learn more at capitalchallenge.org.

About the Capital Challenge Horse Show

Now in its 28th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter and equitation competition. Held each autumn, the 2021 edition of the Capital Challenge Horse Show will take place on October 1-10. The 10 days of competition will include prestigious equitation events, jumper divisions, the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Finals, the $25,000 3’ and 3’3” Green Hunter North American Championships, and more, with many of the country’s best horses and riders competing in junior, amateur, and professional divisions.