The Capital Challenge Horse Show is proud to open the 2008 show with the prestigious Monarch International Equitation Weekend. The Monarch International Equitation Weekend will take place on Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28, kicking off the nine-day show held September 27-October 5 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

The best hunt seat equitation riders in the country will come together to compete in flat and over-fence classes. Saturday’s events will feature divisions for each age group and will take place indoors and out. Sunday’s three featured classes will begin at 8 a.m. in the Show Place Arena. The Monarch International’s North American Junior Equitation Championship kicks off the schedule of events. The Junior Equitation Championship is a challenging multi-phase event over fences at a height of 3’6. The class requires accuracy, consistency and communication between horse-and-rider in order to navigate the technical course.

In 2007, 92 riders vied for the blue ribbon. The title was awarded to Maria Schaub and reserve went to Sara Green. Both riders have gone on this year to compete successfully in the jumper divisions, adding credence to the belief that the equitation division is necessary preparation for our young riders.

The second class on Sunday’s schedule is the Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal (NCM) Finals. This class is for riders under the age of 18 who have competed throughout the year in qualifying shows. The Taylor Harris Insurance Services NCM is a competitive stepping-stone into the 3’6” equitation division. Riders collect points throughout the year for placing in each class in an effort to qualify for the NCM Finals.

The top 37 riders in the country were invited last year to compete in the NCM Finals to jump a course of three-foot fences. The panel of five judges numerically scored the riders and the top 10 were asked to return over a shortened course. The winner of the 2007 class was the highest-scoring rider, Taylor Ann Adams.

Taylor Harris Insurance Services is looking forward to hosting the finals this year at the Capital Challenge as it has been a very competitive qualifying year with over 600 classes held across North America.

The final equitation class held on September 28 in the Show Place Arena is the Monarch International’s North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championship. The class is open to adult riders who will navigate a course of fences 3’–3’3” in height. A panel of five judges will numerically score riders in the two-round class. The winner of the class is the highest-scoring rider.

In addition to attracting the best hunt seat riders from across the country, the horse show also offers some of the ultimate in equestrian shopping. The boutique areas are located inside and out, with the expanded shop area on the concourse featuring over twenty vendors. Pick up your holiday gifts early from shops offering unique gift items, artwork, the finest jewelry and a variety of quality equestrian equipment.

Admission and parking are free throughout the week. The schedule and results can be found on the Capital Challenge website at www.capitalchallenge.org. Be sure to tune in to live streaming video of the entire show on www.equestriansport.tv. For more information on the Capital Challenge Horse Show, call (301) 260-2467 prior to the show or (301) 952-7944 during the show.