The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held this year from September 26-October 4 at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, brings together the best equitation riders from across the country for two national medal finals. A panel of judges will score the nation's best riders as they are tested over courses designed by Michael Rheinheimer of Willoughby, OH.

The Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children's Medal Finals is the first on the schedule, which will take place on Sunday, September 27. Junior riders competed in over 600 classes across North America in an attempt to qualify as one of the top 40 invited to Capital Challenge. Thanks to the generosity of the series sponsor, the Children's Medal Finals has no entry fee for riders.

Alexa Bayko, 17, of Salisbury, MA, earned the first invitation after leading the point race nationally and finishing with 2,617 points. Bayko will be riding a seven-year-old grey Belgian warmblood named Crespo in the finals.

Last year's winner of the THIS National Children's Medal Series Finals was Kristen Mohr of Long Valley, NJ. The 11-year-old rider followed in her sister's footsteps by winning the Finals on their horse, Lion King.

The second year-end equitation championship class on the schedule is the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals to take place on Friday, October 2. For adult riders, the Ariat Medal Finals are a great goal for the year.

Leading the 2009 national race with 1,195 points was Miranda Lekacos of Norwich, CT. Lekacos was the first of approximately 30 riders who were invited to compete in the finals. The invited riders included the high-point rider in each USEF Zone and Canada, along with additional riders working from the top down on the National Standings List for the qualifying period.

In the Finals, riders are scored by a panel of judges and the top 10 riders from the first round of competition will be asked to return over a second course of jumps before the final pinning of ribbons.

Last year's winner of the Ariat Finals was Eileen McNamara of Weston, MA, who rode RMW Gumaro to the honors.

For more information on the THIS Children's Medal Series Finals and the Ariat Adult Medal Finals, and to keep updated on the latest Capital Challenge Horse Show news, please visit the official website at www.capitalchallenge.org. To watch footage of last year's show jumping action visit www.equestriansport.tv. For more information, call (301) 260-2467.