Rising to the Challenge for 30 Years at Capital Challenge
June 30, 2023 - Upper Marlboro, MD
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
The Capital Challenge Horse Show will return to Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the storied event from September 28-October 8, 2023.
In the last three decades, Capital Challenge has grown exponentially and expanded its competition schedule to 11 days. Since its inception in 1994, Capital Challenge has established itself as a premier year-end horse show destination for competitors throughout North America.
“It is so remarkable to see how Capital Challenge Horse Show has grown over the past 30 years,” shared Capital Challenge co-founder and show manager Oliver Kennedy. “We are proud to showcase elite competition year after year with the support of our sponsors and loyal exhibitors. I am personally excited to see how we continue to build on this legacy in the years to come.”
The 2023 edition of the Capital Challenge Horse Show will begin with Equitation Weekend, presented by BIGEQ.COM, featuring four days of elite competition. Highlight classes will include the EMO Insurance Agency/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final for the East Coast, the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships, the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals, and the Palm Beach International Academy North American Junior Equitation Championships.
The 2023 schedule then turns to hunter and jumper competition where the country’s best horse-and-rider combinations vie for championship and final titles. Throughout the week, the show will offer World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Hunter Challenges for amateurs, juniors, children, ponies, developing professionals, and the coveted WCHR Professional Challenge. Exhibitors will also enjoy watching the top six hunter riders in the country go head-to-head in the WCHR Professional Finals.
The Capital Challenge Horse Show will also host the North American League (NAL) Finals. The six NAL divisions that will be showcased are the Adult Jumper, Children’s Jumper, Low Junior/Amateur Jumper, Medium Junior/Amateur Jumper, Children’s Hunter, and Adult Hunter.
Additional major classes will include the $25,000 KASK/Vogel 3’ and 3’3” Green Hunter North American Championship and the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals.
For more information on the 2023 Capital Challenge Horse Show, please visit www.CapitalChallenge.org, and find the horse show on Facebook or Instagram. For winning rounds and rider interviews, check out the Capital Challenge Horse Show YouTube.
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 2023 edition of the Capital Challenge Horse Show will take place from September 28-October 8. The 11 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.
