Hunters will dominate both rings on Monday, September 27, at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD, but it will be the outdoor arena that showcases the industry's future stars. The Future Hunters division has been a great addition to the Capital Challenge since its introduction nine years ago. Future Hunter horses may not be flawless, but that raw talent gives us a hint of what's to come in later professional hunter divisions.

The division has provided professionals with an opportunity to showcase their green horses and give them the experience of competing at a show like the Capital Challenge.

Professional rider Amanda Steege said last year, "I think it is a really great division, and it is important for the horse's education to come and do it. I try to gear their schedule for this horse show. They'll show four or five times in Florida and then show lightly in the summer. I'll pick a few special shows and then plan on coming here."

The division is split into six sections, which enables professionals to separate their rides. The sections are split as follows: Mares; Colts and Geldings; five-year-old and under; six-years-old and over; Thoroughbred; Non-Thoroughbred. The split gives riders the time to watch other young hunters from across the country compete, and enables them to compare their horse to similar horses depending upon age, sex or breed.

The Future Hunters will compete on Monday, September 28, and Tuesday, September 29. The top five horses from each section are invited to compete in the $20,000 Added Future Hunter North American Championship held on Wednesday, September 30, in the Show Place Arena.

Last year's blue ribbon in the championship class was awarded to Arabella who scored a 178.2 over two rounds. The six-year-old Hanoverian mare gracefully handed Scott Stewart his fourth win in the championship class. Stewart's other winning rides were on Dynamic, Sports Fan, and Thoughtful.

Make the time to watch these new hunters because it probably won't be the last time you see them. Steege, who will be attending the 2009 show, said, "It's always exciting to see them...It's a great predictor of who will go on and win."

The Capital Challenge Horse Show runs September 26-October 4 at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Indoor and outdoor events run each day and admission is free. For more information about the show, including photos, news, and schedules, visit the official website at www.capitalchallenge.org. Live streaming video of the event is also available at www.equestriansport.tv.