The Capital Challenge Horse Show will celebrate its 15th year when it kicks off on September 27 and runs through October 5 in Upper Marlboro, MD. The prestigious event launches the indoor show season where the elite go head-to-head in year-end finals.

Since its inception, the Capital Challenge Horse Show has drawn the sport’s best hunter, jumper and equitation riders from across the country. Last year the show attracted competitors from over 40 states and Canada, and in past years riders have traveled from as far away as Alaska to compete.

Once again, featured events will include: World Champion Hunter Rider challenge classes; the Ariat Adult Medal Finals and the $24,000 Future Hunter Championship. The horse show is pleased to welcome Taylor Harris Insurance Services as the 2008 Children’s Medal sponsor. The Children’s Medal finals will take place on Sunday, September 28, during the Equitation Weekend following the North American Junior Equitation Championship.

Hunter classes will begin on Monday, September 29. The highlight of the hunter week will take place on Friday night when the top six professionals vie for the World Champion Professional Hunter Rider title.

Taking center stage on Saturday night will be the $25,000 Junior/Amateur Prix, replacing the grand prix in the time schedule. This year the junior/amateur jumper division will be held in a modified World Cup format totaling $45,000 in prize money.

This year’s course designer for the jumper division will be Conrad Homfeld, the Team Gold and Individual Silver medalist at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, as well as the Team Gold and Individual Silver medalist at the 1986 World Championships in Aachen, Germany. Homfeld was also a two-time winner of the World Cup Finals and has designed the courses at two World Cup Finals.

Classes at the Capital Challenge are held indoors as well as outdoors and begin each morning at 8 a.m. Evening classes will run in the Show Place Arena Tuesday through Saturday. Sitting in the stands, spectators can watch junior, amateur and professional riders test the ability of the top equines in the country as they are piloted over professionally built courses. If you can’t attend, remember you can log on to www.equestriansport.tv to see all the action live.

Beautiful flowers and freshly painted jumps are the scenery in the ring, but step to the rotunda and the view is much different. This is where the shopping is. Hand-painted furniture, jewelry, leather products and clothing are just some of what the boutiques carry.

Admission and parking are free throughout the week. Anyone who has a love of horses will appreciate the quality of equine showcased at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. For more information, please visit the horse show website at www.capitalchallenge.org or call (301) 260-2467 prior to the show or (301) 952-7944 during the show.