Michael Hughes looks to add the Maclay National Championship to his growing resume (Photo by Emily Riden)

Lexington, Ky. - The historic National Horse Show is just around the corner and junior riders are preparing to showcase their skills during the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay National Championship. Held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky on November 2, 2014, the top junior riders in the nation will compete under the watchful eye of judges McLain Ward and Chrystine Tauber to try and capture the coveted winning title.

Throughout the year, riders worked diligently to qualify for one of the eight regional finals, where only the top finishers earned the chance to advance to the championship finals. Leading the way for Region 2 for the second year in a row Michael Hughes, who took home the 2013 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals -East, and looks to add the Maclay National Championship to his growing resume.

Hughes will be facing stiff competition, including 2014 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals - West champion Sydney Hutchins, who captured the Region 8 title. Spectators can also expect top performances from Region 1's Ali Tritschler and McKayla Langmeier. Tritschler claimed the regional title, but last week Langmeier beat her out during the 2014 New England Equitation Championship, just days after earning the reserve championship at the Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Medal Finals.

The winner of the Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Medal Finals was Spencer Smith, whose parents Ken and Emily Smith, are top trainers and hope to see their son make this a banner year with two equitation titles. Spencer is not the only rider with parents who know how to find a winner, though. Caitlin Boyle's father Pat Boyle is the owner of Showplace Productions, and he has been helping his daughter every step of the way, including her winning the Region 4 Finals over Smith.

Already a winner at the grand prix level and winner at the 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, Victoria Colvin hopes to add one title that is missing from her resume, and that is an equitation championship. With the support of owner Dr. Betsee Parker, Colvin has spent the year focusing on equitation and hopes this will be her year.

The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), Stacia Klein Madden in 1987, and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2012 ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Jacob Pope, and in 2013 Lillie Keenan was named the winner.

You'll be able to watch the Maclay National Championship live at www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014national/