Last year the Capital Challenge Horse Show offered a new event to the schedule—the Emerging Pro Challenge. The Challenge class was designed for professionals who may be knocking on a door that is typically opened by riders like Scott Stewart, Louise Serio, Peter Pletcher and a handful of other hunter riders who have graced the Show Place Arena with top scores on numerous horses.

The $5,000 Emerging Pro Challenge was designed to give riders competing in the professional divisions (future hunter, green working, green conformation, regular working, regular conformation) the opportunity to showcase their ability. Seasoned professional riders who have won a champion or a reserve champion in a professional division at Capital Challenge; Devon; Pennsylvania National; Washington International and the National Horse Show are ineligible and will have to remain on the rail to cheer for the "rising" professionals who will step into the limelight. Additional restrictions can be found in the prize list.

Last year the challenge class was a big success and was won by Megan Edrick of Ocala, FL. Because of the class's popularity, the Emerging Pro division has been enhanced with $1,500 in bonus prize money. This money will be awarded to the top Emerging Pro riders competing in the Future Hunter division.

Since its inception, the Capital Challenge Horse Show has been built on innovation. Each year management strives to build a better horse show and to provide exhibitors with what they need. They have created classes to give junior riders indoor ring time before finals or young horses valuable ring experience. Management has always strived to offer substantial prize money, and creating an exhibitor-friendly time schedule has always been a high priority.

This year's new additions to the schedule include the Amateur Owner 3'3" division, which will be held in the outdoor arena on Wednesday, September 30, and a $5,000 Handy Hunter Challenge Class, which will be held in the Show Place Arena on Saturday, October 3. The Handy Hunter Challenge is open to the top four riders in each of the handy hunter classes at the Capital Challenge. The class will be judged and scored numerically by three teams of two judges. The qualified rider may show any horse over the obstacles that will simulate those found in trappy hunting country.

This year's Capital Challenge Horse Show will run September 26-October 4 at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The horse show is conveniently located off of Route 4, just seven miles east of the Capital Beltway.

For more information about the Capital Challenge Horse Show, including photos, news, and results, visit the official web site at www.capitalchallenge.org.