Newly Named Equitation Showcase Presented by BIGEQ.com Features Four Days of Championship Classes at 2024 Capital Challenge Horse Show

July 11, 2024 - Upper Marlboro, MD

Grace Shipman won the 2023 EMO/USHJA 3’3 Jumper Seat Medal Finals – East.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Faith Schuttemeyer rose to the top of the 2023 THIS National Children’s Medal Finals.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Tessa Downey led the victory gallop at the 2024 PBIA North American Junior Equitation Championships.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Brendan Weiss was honored as the winner of the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

The 2024 Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS) will feature four days of equitation championships on September 26-29, which have been renamed the CCHS Equitation Showcase presented by BIGEQ.com. As the kickoff to 11 days of elite competition at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center (PGEC), the Equitation Showcase presented by BIGEQ.com hosts age-level divisions for junior and adult equitation riders, the EMO Insurance Agency/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final – East, the Taylor, Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Final, the Palm Beach International Academy (PBIA) North American Junior Equitation Championships, and the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships.

“As the Capital Challenge Horse Show has grown in popularity with equitation riders, we have increased our traditional Equitation Weekend to four days,” said CCHS horse show manager Oliver Kennedy. “It allows us to feature these riders in their own event and make each championship class a special occasion. We look forward to welcoming all of our equitation riders to the CCHS Equitation Showcase in 2024 and thank BIGEQ.com for their continuing support.”

Equitation Showcase Info

Feature Classes in the CCHS Equitation Showcase Presented by BIGEQ.com:

EMO/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final – East: This year marks the eighth edition of this final held at CCHS and gives young riders an opportunity to hone their equitation final skills over three phases of competition on the flat, through gymnastics, and over fences. The class is modeled after the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals and starts the show with a bang on Thursday, September 26, with the flat and gymnastics phases then wraps up with the jumping phase and testing on Friday.

USHJA Medal Final Info

About EMO: Your horse and farm are valuable assets. Protecting those investments has been EMO's specialty since 1983. EMO has earned a reputation for providing horse owners with the highest quality of insurance coverages through many of the best A+ rated companies at competitive premium prices. EMO is an agency of horse insurance specialists who are also horse people who ride, compete, and fox hunt, and that's why horse owners, instructors and trainers, and horse farm and event managers nationwide trust their insurance needs to EMO.

THIS National Children’s Medal Final: This three-foot equitation final has qualifying classes at shows throughout the country all year and only the top 40 riders in the nation are invited to participate. With a fun and inviting atmosphere, the THIS National Children’s Medal Final on Saturday, September 28, highlights the talent of the future.

THIS Info and History of Winners

About THIS: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services (THIS) was founded in 1987 to provide specialized insurance for all types of equine risk. THIS places policies with the highest-rated and most-secure carriers, meticulously selected for reliability and prompt claims settlement. They are proud of their worldwide reputation for responsive and courteous service and welcome the opportunity to discuss your equine insurance needs and provide you with a quote. THIS offers: access to multiple underwriters, is a leader in the U.S. and European markets, customized policies provide you with a choice, trusted advisors in the equestrian industry, direct access to insurance professionals, and policies that cover every breed and discipline across all 50 states in the U.S.

PBIA North American Junior Equitation Championships: This class is considered the start of the indoor equitation final season, with many of its past winners going on to garner accolades in the biggest junior equitation finals of the year. The two-round final is held on Sunday, September 29.

About PBIA: PBIA has been developing educational programs focusing on the individual learning styles, academic needs, and unique lifestyles of students of all ages. Their mission is to provide educational programs that foster curiosity, instill knowledge, and promote cultural awareness in positive, innovative, and caring environments, while focusing on the unique learning styles and needs of each student. PBIA offers a full-time K-12 curriculum, traditional tutoring, test prep and college counseling, and are the premier educational provider for equestrians and athletes.

North American Adult Equitation Championships: This championship is one of two for adult equitation riders at CCHS. Held in the outdoor arena on Thursday, September 26, it gives adult riders an opportunity to prepare for the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals on Friday, October 4.

About BIGEQ.com: BIGEQ is the premier online platform for buying and selling quality hunters, jumpers, equitation horses, and ponies. They offer an innovative, comprehensive platform for showcasing quality show horses with an easy-to-use and mobile-friendly website and a massive, loyal following; a popular iOS app; a huge following across social media channels; a private selling group, BIGEQ+; and multiple advertising options to accommodate seller needs. Launched in 1999, BIGEQ was a pioneer in creating digital content, horse show coverage, and online advertising for sale horses. In 2003, BIGEQ focused exclusively on providing a top-notch advertising platform for quality hunter/jumper show horses, connecting buyers and sellers across the globe.

CCHS Program and History of Winners

Additional major classes held during the CCHS Equitation Showcase presented by BIGEQ.com are the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Children’s Hunter Finals, presented by Charles Ancona, which sees the top 12 riders return for a second round in the Show Place Arena on Saturday, September 28, and the $10,000 NAL Adult Hunter Finals, presented by R&R Hunter Horses on Sunday, September 29. 

Following the CCHS Equitation Showcase presented by BIGEQ.com, Capital Challenge continues with hunter, jumper, and equitation competition on Monday, September 30, through Sunday, October 6, 2024.

Don’t miss a moment of competition throughout the CCHS Equitation Showcase presented by BIGEQ.com this year – visit PGEC to watch in person or watch the wall-to-wall coverage presented by C. Jarvis Insurance Agency online from anywhere.

For more information on the 2024 Capital Challenge Horse Show and to check out the new website, please visit www.CapitalChallenge.org. Additional information, photos, and coverage can be found on Facebook or Instagram. For winning rounds and rider interviews, check out the Capital Challenge Horse Show YouTube channel.

About the Capital Challenge Horse Show


The Capital Challenge Horse Show, an official USEF Heritage Competition, has a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter and equitation competition. The 2024 edition of the Capital Challenge Horse Show will take place from September 26-October 6. The 11 days of competition include prestigious equitation events, jumper divisions, the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Finals, the Green Hunter North American Championships, and more, with many of the country’s best horses and riders competing in junior, amateur, and professional divisions.