The 2009 Capital Challenge Horse Show was a great success this year with fantastic competition in hunters, jumpers, and equitation. The show was held at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Equitation Weekend Highlights, presented by BigEq.com
Cayla Richards of Calabasas, CA, was a big winner on the first day of Equitation Weekend after she took the 15-Year-Old Equitation Championship and outlasted top riders to win the Flat Championships.

Richards won the North American Junior Flat Equitation Championships, sponsored by Caraneen Smith, over 14 other riders from the five other equitation divisions. Second place went to Amber Henter, and Diederique Vander Knapp was third.

The reserve champion in the 15-Year-Old Equitation division, which is sponsored by Caraneen Smith, was Theo Boris of Culver City, CA. Boris rode Du Calme to first and second places over fences.

The champion of the 17-Year-Old Equitation, sponsored by Caraneen Smith, was Morgan Hale of Odessa, FL. Hale was the reserve champion last year in the 16-Year-Old division and was happy that she improved from last year. Hale rode Urco, a horse she has shown for a year, and she trains with Don Stewart. They placed first and second over fences and were fourth on the flat. The 17-Year-Old reserve champion was Jacqueline Lubrano of Glenmoore, PA. She and Golou II finished first, second, and sixth.

Jessica Springsteen continued her success at Capital Challenge this year with the championship in the 16-Year-Old Equitation, which is sponsored by Frank Madden Show Stables. She rode Papillon over fences to a blue ribbon indoors and Class Action to second place on the flat and first place in the outdoor over fences class. The 16-Year-Old reserve champion was Amber Henter of St. Petersburg, FL. Henter rode Triumph to first on the flat and to two fourths over fences.

Caroline Spogli made her debut in the equitation weekend count when she won the 13-/14-Year-Old Equitation championship, sponsored by Erin Duffy, Laurie Derosa, Newmarket, and Tammy Provost. Spogli, who is from Rancho Santa Fe, CA, is 14 years old and trains with Ken and Emily Smith. She rode Superfly to two first places, one over fences and one under saddle. Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, FL, was the 13-/14-Year-Old Equitation reserve champion. She rode Almost Famous and placed second, third, and fifth.

The final equitation championship of the day was in the 12-Year-Old division, sponsored by Caraneen Smith. Sydney Callaway of San Diego, CA, captured the championship when she and her mount Cassius were first and second over fences. Callaway trains with Erin Duffy at Newmarket Stables. The 12-Year-Old Equitation reserve champion was Hannah von Heidegger of Chatsworth, CA, on Ambassador. They placed first, third, and fifth in the division.

Chase Boggio of Canton, GA, rose to the top of 87 competitors to win the 2009 North American Equitation Championships. Sixteen-year-old Boggio rode Graphiq, a 12-year-old gelding, to victory. Boggio led through the entire class, scoring an 88.6 in the first round and an 89.45 in the second round. Sara Green and Samson made a jump up the standings from eighth to third place with a strong second-round score of 86. Laura King had two steady trips on Uno to score 85.6 and 86.8 for second place.

Sylvia DeToledo of New York, NY, won a work-off for victory in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children's Medal Finals. In the THIS National Children's Medal Finals, it came down to the two top riders after two rounds of competition. They were separated by only two-tenths of a point, which mandated a work-off to be held. Sylvia DeToledo and Lion King had a near-perfect work-off for the win. In second place, also with a very strong work-off, were Sydney Callaway and Cassius.

In the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships, Charlene Graham of Rochester, NY, finished on top with her horse Only You.

Jessica Springsteen was honored in a presentation as the Best Equitation Rider of the weekend by Jonathan Rabon of EMO Agency.

Professional Hunter Highlights
The first championship of the week went to Rumba and John French in the Second Year Green Working Hunters. The nine-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding is owned by Mountain Home Stables of Woodside, CA. Rumba and French won both over fences on the first day of competition and were third in the under saddle. They picked up second places in the handy and stake classes.

Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA, rode Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler's Lone Star to the championship in the Regular Working Hunters. They started out the week with a win and second place over fences and were second under saddle. They won the first class and added a third-place ribbon. The reserve champion in the division was On Top, ridden by Keri Kampsen for Laurel Ridge Sport Horses of Temecula, CA. They placed second, third, and fourth over fences.

Tosh also rode Rosalynn, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare of Warrenton, VA, to the reserve championship in the Second Year Green Working Hunters after placing sixth over fences, second in the handy class, and winning the stake class. Tosh has ridden the mare since last fall, sharing riding duties this year with Kelley Farmer.

In the Future Hunters, the champion of the Six-and-Over division was Showman, ridden by Sandy Ferrell for Alexa and Krista Weisman of Sherborn, MA. The pair won three of four classes in the division and was second under saddle. Scott Stewart and Too Cool finished as reserve champions. They placed second in all three over fences classes and were third under saddle.

Ferrell also finished as champion in the Future Hunter Mares division with Torrey Pines Stables' Prudence. They won three out of four classes. The reserve champion was Rosebud, ridden by Kelley Farmer for Spencer Ranch. They were first, third, and fourth over fences and fourth under saddle.

Hunt Tosh and Good Humor were champions in the Future Hunter Non-Thoroughbred division. They were first, first, and fourth over fences and fourth under saddle. The reserve champion was Summer Place, ridden and owned by Scott Stewart, who placed first and third over fences.

Scott Stewart picked up a Future Hunter championship with Nescio in the Thoroughbred/Thoroughbred-cross division. They were first, second, and fourth over fences and they won the under saddle class. The reserve champion was Listen, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Jane Gaston. They won two over fences classes and placed sixth in the remaining over fences class.

Tim Goguen and Tripoli, owned by Boggs Hill, won the championship in the Future Hunter Five-and-Under division. They placed first, third, and third over fences and won the under saddle class. Peter Pletcher and Vibe, owned by Becky Gochman, were reserve champions with first, third, and fifth places.

The final championship went to Premier and Ken Berkley in the Future Hunter Colts and Gelding division. Owned by Gina Day, Premier won three out of four classes in the division. Premier's barn-mate Crownpoint, ridden and owned by Scott Stewart, was first, second, third, and fifth for the reserve championship.

Scott Stewart and World Time won the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. After the first round earlier in the day, the top 12 were asked back for the second round. Scott Stewart and World Time won the first round with a score of 90.83 and won the second round with an 89.66 to score a total of 180.49 for the win over John French and Rumba, who scored 176.74, and Hunt Tosh on Rosalynn with 173.66.

Ken Berkley rode Sambalino to the Grand Hunter Championship after their Green Conformation Champion win. Berkley and Sambalino, owned by Gina Day, were champions in the Green Conformation Hunters, winning over Fashion Farm's Declaration and Scott Stewart. With their 37 points in the division, they were awarded the Grand Hunter Championship and Berkley was named the Leading Hunter Rider.

Katherine Newman guided Daydream to victory in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. In the evening session, the up-and-coming riders in the hunter/jumper industry showed their stuff in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. In the one-round class, it was all or nothing with one score determining the winner. Eighteen-year-old Katherine Newman rode a precise, smooth round on Daydream, owned by Mimi Abel-Smith, to score an 87.66 from the judges for the win. Newman is riding in her first year as a professional for her parents Gerry and Kathy Newman, and their farm, Allwyn Court.

Sandy Ferrell and Showman were the Grand Future Hunter Champions and won the Future Hunter World Championship. The $25,300 Future Hunter World Championship was held indoors, and Sandy Ferrell and Showman, who were crowned Grand Future Hunter Champions, carried away the World Championship with two scores of 90.2. Showman is owned by Alexa and Krista Weisman. They also collected the EMO Trip of Show for the Futures, with a high score of 91.

John Ingram of Nashville, TN, rode his horse Hush to victory in the World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Senior class. Hush is no stranger to the winner's circle, and he floated across the ground to win the blue ribbon.

In the WCHR Professional Finals, the top six qualified hunter riders in the nation went head-to-head in a four-round class to determine the 2009 Professional World Champion Hunter Rider. Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA, led the class from the beginning to win in his debut in the prestigious event.

Tosh started out the night with a bang when he scored a 93 in the first round on the horse he brought to the competition, Lone Star, who is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. In the second round, he rode Camira, owned by Melanie Barnes, brought to the competition by Peter Pletcher. They scored a 90.16 to raise Tosh's total to 183.16.

In the third round, Tosh and Lindsay Wolf's Lazy Sunday had a score of 89.33 for a total of 272.49. Tosh qualified as one of the top three riders to return for the final handy round. He piloted Fine Kiss, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare. They scored the highest round of the night with a 94.33 to give Tosh a total of 366.82 points for the win.

Tosh was thrilled to win his first WCHR Professional Finals. "When you win in a class like this, it's an especially big victory, and it is fun to do. I've watched it in the past, and it's something that you always want to win and hope you can come back. I hope to do it again like these guys."

WCHR Professional Finals
1. Hunt Tosh 93+90.16+89.33+94.33=366.82
Lone Start owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler

2. Scott Stewart 87.66+85.66+91.66+89.66=354.64
Lazy Sunday owned by Lindsay Wolf

3. Kelley Farmer 88.33+88.00+87.66+88.00=351.99
Fine Kiss owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare

4. Ken Berkley 85.33+82.00+79.00=279.33
Rio Fino W owned by Wendy Hofmeister

5. Peter Pletcher 84.33+87.33+91.00=262.66
Camira owned by Melanie Barnes

6. John French 82.33+85.66+89.66=257.65
Illusion owned by Paige Dotson

The championships awarded for the professional hunter divisions are as follows:

First Year Green Working Hunter Section A
Champion: Ante Up, Sandy Ferrell, Ann Thompson
Reserve Champion: Triton, Peter Pletcher, Don Stewart Jr.

First Year Green Working Hunter Section B
Champion: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman
Reserve Champion: Travino, Patricia Griffith, Heritage Farm

Green Conformation Hunter
Champion: Sambalino, Ken Berkley, Gina Day
Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm

Regular Conformation Hunter
Champion: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare
Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm

Grand First Year Green Hunter: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman

Grand Green Hunter: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable

Grand Conformation Hunter: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare

Tribute Perpetual Trophy: Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler

Best Hunter Performance: tie: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable

Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler

EMO Trip of the Show: tie: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable
Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler

Hunter Highlights
The Amateur-Owner Hunters were split by age into two divisions. In the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, Erin Stewart of Ocala, FL, rode Quality Time to the championship for her father, Don Stewart. Quality Time and Stewart swept the division, impressively winning all five classes. Their incredible performance easily gave them the Grand Amateur Hunter Championship, and Stewart was named the Leading Amateur Hunter Rider. They also won the EMO Amateur Trip of the Show. The reserve championship went to Dawn Fogel on Royal Oak, who had two second places over fences and a fourth under saddle.

The championship in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 36 & Over division went to Stacy Arani and Bolero. Arani and Bolero earned a first, two seconds and a fourth over fences. Bolero is owned by Marigot Bay Farm of Dover, MA. The reserve championship went to John Ingram and his own Hush. Hush earned a first over fences and a first under saddle.

The World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Amateur-Owner Challenge immediately followed the championship pinnings. Tracy Scheriff of Wellington, FL, rode her own Absolut to victory. The refined pair had a graceful and faultless round collecting the high score of 85.66. The class featured the top amateur riders and their horses from both divisions in a one-round class.

In the outdoor arena, Annie Frazier and her horse Bijou took home the championship in the Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 division. The pair was first and third over fences and won the under saddle. The reserve champion was Lisa Arena aboard her own Endo Fino. They took home a first and a third over fences.

Frazier's top ribbons gave her and Bijou the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter title and Leading Adult Hunter Rider. The EMO Adult Trip of the Show award went to Bliss and Laura Beckworth, who scored an 88.5 in the Adult Amateur 51 & Over Hunter division.
In the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 division, Amy Brubaker and CR Franz Marc took home the champion tricolor. CR Franz Marc is owned by KAC Horses, LLC. Reserve went to Laura Beckworth and her own Bliss.

Marilou Case and her horse, Unwritten, were the Adult Amateur Hunter 51 and Over division champions. The reserve championship went to Motown ridden by Karen Long Dwight. Motown is owned by Karen Long Dwight and Barbara Ridder Irwin.

Amy Brubaker had a repeat performance in this year's World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Adult Amateur Finals. She won the Finals aboard Caitlin Zeigler's Relentless. The pair also won the National WCHR Adult Championship this year. The top 12 horses from the first round were invited back to compete in the second round. Brubaker and Relentless were in fifth place after round one with a score of 83.66. Coming back for round two, they put in a very consistent and composed round earning a high score of 87.00. The duo finished with a combined score of 170.66 to secure the win.

The Ariat National Adult Medal Finals was won by Jeanine Cash riding Calinka. The two achieved a first-round high score of 87.20. The top 10 horses from the first round returned to the ring for another go. Once again, Cash and Calinka took the high score of the round with an 86.60 for a final score of 173.80. Calinka is owned by Laura Gamino.

This year's Grand Pony Hunter Championship went to the winner in the Large Pony Hunter division, Franklin's Tower, ridden by Taylor Ann Adams for Meg O'Mara. They won three over fences classes and also placed third over fences. The reserve champion in the Large Pony Hunters was For the Laughter, ridden by Victoria Colvin for Scott Stewart. They won an over fences class and the under saddle. Adams was also named the Best Pony Rider and they won the EMO Pony Trip of the Show with a score of 90.

The Small Pony Hunter championship went to Elation and rider Meredith Darst. Elation is owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, and trained by Rob Coluccio and Richard Cunkle of Wellington, FL. Today, Elation and Darst won the first over fences class and the handy hunter class. The reserve championship in the Small division went to Prince Monticello, ridden by Kirklen Petersen for owner Ashley Delgado. They were second and third over fences and finished sixth in the handy hunter class.

In the Medium Pony division, Allison Toffolon aboard Heart's Desire, owned by Stone Ridge, took home the championship. Toffolon and Heart's Desire finished first and third over fences, first under saddle, second in the handy hunter and fifth in the conformation class. Reserve champion Meredith Darst and Chloe Hirtenstein's Champlain Treasure Me collected a first in the handy hunter, a second over fences and a second in the conformation class.

The Large Junior Hunter 16-17 champion was Sarah Sturges and her horse Sweet Addiction. The duo won twice over fences and took fifth under saddle. Reserve champion was Laura King and Pharrell, who had a second, sixth and third over fences and a first under saddle. Pharrell is owned by Blantyre Farm, of Irvington, NY.

In the $5,000 Handy Hunter Challenge, 13 competitors took on a course full of turns, a trot jump, hand gallop, and an option that included opening and riding through a gate. The first horse in the ring was Lyle, ridden by 17-year-old Abby O'Mara of Rumson, NJ, and they laid down a fabulous trip that no one could come near for a score of 88.66.

To finish Saturday in the outdoor ring, the Children's Hunter Pony division gave out their championship ribbons. Madelyn Keck rode Porter Allen's Tango to the champion tricolor, while Taylor Willever on Chase the Rain, owned by Kimber-view Stables was the reserve champion.

The Grand Junior Hunter Champion was Laura King aboard Heartfelt, the champions of the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Heartfelt is owned by Blantyre Farm of Irvington, NY. The pair finished with a first and two seconds over fences. Their top finishes also gave them the Grand Older Junior Hunter Championship. Alexandra Arute and Red Rooster secured the reserve championship with a first and sixth over fences and a first under saddle. Red Rooster is owned by Old Oak Farm of Los Angeles, CA. King was also presented with the best Junior Hunter Rider Award. The EMO Junior Trip of the Show was a tie with a score of 88.5 between Red Rooster and Alex Arute and Sarah Sturges with Sweet Addiction.

The Small Junior 15 and Under Champion was Victoria Colvin and Ovation. Ovation is owned by Scott Stewart and Colvin has been riding the nine-year-old Brandenburg since the beginning of Florida. Colvin and Ovation finished with a first under saddle, second in the handy hunter and fourth over fences. The reserve champion was Casey Green and her own Savannah. The pair was first in hunter stake, second over fences, and fifth under saddle.

The Large Junior 15 and Under Champion was Sambalino, another mount for Victoria Colvin. They earned a second, third, and sixth over fences and were first under saddle. Sambalino is a seven-year-old Brandenburg owned by Gina Day that Colvin started riding at the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Sambalino was also the Grand Champion Junior Hunter of the two younger divisions. The reserve champion was Hasbrouck Donovan aboard Quality Time for Don Stewart. They finished with a second over fences, third in the stake and fourth under saddle.

Kelly Cruciotti and Q were named the Grand Children's Hunter Champion and collected the EMO Trip of the Show along with the Children's Hunter 14 and Under Section tricolor. Q was first and second over fences and was first under saddle. The reserve champion was Chloe Johnson aboard Park Place. Park Place is owned by Tina Hubbard of Shaker Heights, OH. Johnson and Park Place finished with two thirds over fences and second under saddle.

The champion of the B Section of the Children's 14 and Under Hunters was Independence, ridden by Alyson Jacoff for Rach Schaeffer. The reserve championship in the section went to Limoges, ridden by Megan MacPherson for Audrey Carlson. Talie Lynch and Sunfest won the Children's 15-17 Hunter championship over Phoebe Hersh and One Up, who were awarded the reserve championship.

The WCHR Children's Final victory went to Silas V and Brianne Link, while the WCHR Pony Challenge was won by Madelyn Keck and Tuscany. Tuscany is owned by West End Stables of Los Angeles, CA. They had a smooth and consistent round earning the high score of 83.00. Red Rooster and Alexandra Arute won the WCHR Junior Challenge with a score of 88.66. Red Rooster is owned by Old Oak Farm in Los Angeles, CA.

The award for Leading Trainer of Capital Challenge went to Ken Berkley of Flemington, NJ. Hayley Barnhill was given the Stewart Warner Cup for junior riders. Parker Wright was the recipient of the Stewart Warner Cup. The Cup is given to an up-and-coming junior rider who exhibits the best hunter style and show potential.

Jumper Highlights
In the $10,000 Children's/Adult Jumper Challenge, 52 entries went to post, but only 17 were able to find the path to a clear round. These 17 returned for a jump-off against the clock. The eight-fence jump off was a fast track offering up long galloping lines, yet tested riders with a tight roll-back to an in and out. Eleven riders kept the rails from hitting the dirt and the chase for the blue came down to speed.

The last rider on course was Katherine Edgell on Miss Kitty. They were the fastest fault-free round, stopping the clock in 34.755 seconds. They beat the next fastest time by more than two seconds as the last horse in the ring. Second place went to Joann Williams on Weekend Warrior, who was double clean in 36.949 seconds. Jeanine Cash and Turbo were third with a clear round in 36.979 seconds. Edgell was named Leading Adult Jumper Rider, while Colleen Lewis on Orlando was named Leading Children's Jumper Rider.

The North American Junior/Amateur Challenge Cup kicked off on Thursday evening with a Time First Round class. There were 27 entries in the class, and there were eight clean rounds. This was the first round of three in the Challenge Cup, which awards $40,000 in total prize money and was sponsored by Heritage Farm and Kate Considine/Willow Brook Farm. Tim Hooker of Wellington, FL, rode Sirius 127 to a very quick round of 53.734 seconds to win over Tracey Weinberg, who finished second on Larone in 54.483 seconds and third with Cromwell in 58.459 seconds.

In the $10,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup Round Two, only eight managed to go clear over the speed course designed by Conrad Homfeld. Last to go was Thursday night's winner Tim Hooker and his own Sirius 127. Hooker rode the course impeccably with quick turns and shaved time off the clock by leaving out a stride in the first line. Hooker tried to leave out a stride again in the last line but got into a tight spot to the last oxer. The ever-athletic Sirius 127 made a great effort to easily clear the jump. They finished with a time of 54.574 seconds, 0.552 seconds faster than Lauren Crooks and Endeavor, who finished second with a time of 54.997.

Early leader Tim Hooker on Sirius 127 was able to retain the lead for the series win in the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup. Hayley Barnhill and Toucan Tango won the $25,000 final class. In the final round of the $40,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup, 15-year-old Hayley Barnhill from Memphis, TN, rode Toucan Tango, a seven-year-old Holsteiner/Selle Francais gelding, to the win. The Time First Jump-off course was designed by Conrad Homfeld, and the class was presented by the Oken family and Hi Hopes Farm.

Out of 24 entries in the class, there were eight clear rounds. Barnhill returned fourth in the order and put in a quick, clear round in 38.669 seconds. Every rider after her had faults, which gave Barnhill the win.

For Hooker, his plan of taking the early lead in Thursday night's speed class came to fruition. Hooker and Sirius 127, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding, won the first two speed phases of the Challenge Cup. In the final round, they had four faults and placed ninth. Hooker had to wait and see how Tracey Weinberg did in the jump-off to determine whether he would lead the victory gallop. If Weinberg had won, she would have repeated her victory from last year. If she was second, she would have had to jump-off against Hooker. When Weinberg had a rail on her final mount, it gave the win to Hooker.

Along with winning the Ariat Congressional Cup, Hooker was named the Best Amateur Jumper Rider. Barnhill was named Best Junior Jumper Rider.

Full results for the show can be found at www.capitalchallenge.org, and high-resolution images can be downloaded at www.phelpsmediagroup.com.