Maverick Helmer Wins Inaugural USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Finals – East at Capital Challenge

The Capital Challenge Horse Show hosted two major equitation championships, as well as five age group equitation divisions, on Saturday, September 30, at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Clinching equitation final victories on the second day of the Bigeq.com Equitation Weekend were Maverick Helmer of Roanoke, VA, the inaugural winner of the United States Hunter Jumper (USHJA) 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Finals, and Ashley Foster of Brookeville, MD, winner of the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships.

Helmer secured his USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Finals-East victory after three phases of competition and a challenging work-off. 

Judges Linda Andrisani and Chance Arakelian presided over the class, which attracted 39 entries over two days of competition. Following the Flat, Gymnastics, and Jumping phases, Helmer and Rachael Davis were fewer than five points apart. Therefore, they were required to work off over a second, shortened course with a tight time allowed, designed by Kenny Krome.

Davis went first and accrued five time faults, scoring a 79, and providing Helmer with the opportunity to consider his strategy. In the end, Helmer’s tighter turns and quick pace scored an 80 and clinched the title without time faults.

“The work-off was really fun,” Helmer said. “It tested your ability to ride at a quick pace but still required you to think and execute really well. I thought my work-off was decent. I wasn’t overly pleased, but I went for it and tried to make it work as best I could. I did realize the time allowed was tight, and I saw Rachael go in and go a few seconds over the time, so I really wanted to make an impression that being under the time was really important.”

Helmer, 16, credited his horse Canterbury and trainer Stacia Madden and the team at Beacon Hill for helping him to achieve success this year. He finished with a score of 477 points, with Davis as reserve champion with 474.5.

“As an inaugural class, I think it’s absolutely awesome that I’m the first to win,” said Helmer, a high school junior who attends Stanford University’s online high school. “It’s something special to keep, and of course, it’s my first major championship win, so that will always be close to my heart.”

Alexandra Worthington, who placed third overall, won the Jumping Phase with a base score of 92. Contelido, ridden to sixth place overall by Sophie Gochman, received the Best Equitation Horse Award.

Ashley Foster Rides to North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships Title   

The win in the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships went to Ashley Foster of Brookeville, MD, riding Carlsberg.

The 21-year-old rider was awarded scores of 86.33 in both rounds of jumping to finish on a cumulative score of 172.66. At the conclusion of the two rounds, Caroline Ingalls of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, sat just behind Foster in the standings with a cumulative 173.33 score, after earning scores of 86 and 87.33.

With less than a point separating the top two riders, the judging panel – comprised of Linda Andrisani, Chance Arakelian, Brian Lenehan, Bobbie Reber, Danny Robertshaw, and Steve Wall – asked Foster and Ingalls to return for additional testing, before ultimately awarding Foster with the win.

“It was extremely nerve-wracking! I feel like such an old lady, because I cannot tell you how nervous I was before going in there,” joked Foster following her victory.

Foster trains with her mother, Patty Foster, out of Rolling Acres Farm and is no stranger to success at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, having grown up competing at the prestigious event and earning numerous accolades there throughout her junior career. However, this year marked Foster’s first time showing at Capital Challenge Horse Show since 2013, when she began attending Auburn University to study Horticulture and to ride on the school’s National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) team.

“It’s a lot different going into a final like this,” Foster said. “There are a lot of different pressures, and I haven’t done a test in awhile. It’s nice to get back in there and practice a little bit more. And it’s fun being here at Capital Challenge.

“I love how many people get to watch,” Foster continued. “I love that there’s live streaming because it’s really fun to know that my friends are watching me back in Auburn. I think that’s a really great thing about this horse show. I love all the enthusiasm, all the decorations, and the prizes – I think it makes it fun to show.”

With Foster clinching the win, Ingalls took home the second place honor, while Allyson Blais of Boynton Beach, FL, finished in third with a cumulative score of 168.33.

Saturday's competition also included five age group equitation divisions with champions including: 

• Mimi Gochman in the 12 & Under Equitation 
• Ellie Ferrigno in the 13 & 14-Year-Old Equitation 
• Paige Matthies in the 15-Year-Old Equitation 
• Emma Kurtz in the 16-Year-Old Equitation 
• Haley Redifer in the 17-Year-Old Equitation 

Equitation weekend, presented by Bigeq.com, at the Capital Challenge Horse Show continues on Sunday, October 1, with the Palm Beach International Academy North American Junior Equitation Championships beginning at 8 a.m. and immediately followed by the Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal Finals.

Learn more about Capital Challenge online at www.capitalchallenge.org.