Upper Marlboro, MD - The 18th Annual Capital Challenge Horse Show looks forward to once again hosting the future of equestrian sport during its approaching 2011 competition. Pioneering new ideas in the sport, the Capital Challenge Horse Show is proud to support the nation's up-and-coming equestrians by featuring classes for emerging professionals and future equine stars. ??

This year's competition runs October 1-9, 2011, held at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The week will feature the $5,000 World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Emerging Professional Challenge sponsored by Seashore Acres Products and the $25,000 Added Future Hunter North American Championship sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, Cismont Manor Farm, and Kocher Tack.

??Capital Challenge show manager Billy Glass is proud of the innovation and unique nature of the show's classes, including the Future Hunter divisions, which he led the way in creating.

??Glass stated, "Each year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show has the distinct honor of hosting many of the sport's future stars, and we are very grateful for the support that these classes have received. The Future Hunter divisions have grown greatly since they first began and we are pleased to provide the opportunity for young horses to display their talents as they begin their careers. The classes are a great showcase for pre-green hunters and it gives the horses the experience of showing indoors before stepping up to the big divisions. We welcome all competitors this year and look forward to another great show."

??The Capital Challenge Horse Show caters to the success of the country's emerging young horses and riders. The show first introduced the Future Hunter division twelve years ago and the majority of winners have gone on to be extremely successful in their careers. Each year the nation's top professional hunter riders travel to Capital Challenge to compete with their most promising young horses.

??In 2010, young professional rider Kate Conover earned the Future Hunter Five & Under championship riding Triton Z for owner Redfield Farm. Conover is based in Ocala, FL, and rides for Redfield Farm and trainer Emil Spadone. Conover views the Future Hunter classes as a great experience for her top mounts.??

"I look at Capital Challenge as an opportunity to showcase our young horses and get them on a big stage," she explained. "We import so many horses when they are young and at the start of their careers, and we always end up selling horses at that show. It gives us a chance for people from the west coast and all over the country to see our young horses. The horse I won on last year, Triton Z, got sold to Douglas Wheeler right after that show. Our big market is sales, so for us to get to go to these big shows with our young horses and have opportunities to win is great."

Conover has been riding professionally for nine years and enjoys riding alongside many of the best pros in the sport, including John French, Kelley Farmer, and Scott Stewart, who all had championship wins in last year's Future Hunter divisions as well.

??"I have so much respect for them and I think that over the years I have earned their respect," Conover stated. "The fact that they look at me as more an equal now and not as much of a kid anymore makes me feel really good. I have really grown up in this business. I enjoy competing with so many great riders. I like riding against them and I like selling horses to them; I like every aspect of it."

This year Conover will return to Capital Challenge with five pre-green horses to show in the Future Hunters. She hopes to have more great success as she showcases Redfield Farm's top young stars.

??Each year the Capital Challenge Horse Show has increased opportunities for Future Hunters. This year's divisions will include: $4,000 Future Hunter 3'3", 4,000 Future Working Hunter - 5 & Under, $4,000 Future Working Hunter - 6 & Over, $4,000 Future Working Hunter – Mares, and $4,000 Future Working Hunter - Colts & Geldings. ??The Future Hunters will compete on Monday and Tuesday, October 3-4. On October 5, the top six horses from each section are invited to compete in the Show Place Arena in the $25,000 Added Future Hunter North American Championship sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, Cismont Manor Farm, and Kocher Tack. ??

As the Future Hunters gain great experience showing in their divisions, the young professional riders will also have the opportunity to experience something new in the Emerging Professional Challenge. In 2010, the Capital Challenge Horse Show saw rider Molly Sewell ride to victory in its $5,000 World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Emerging Professional Challenge riding Maddox. The class is held to identify new professionals or those that have not consistently won at the upper levels of show hunter sport.??

Sewell, originally from Winter Park, FL, got the win in the class in her third time out. She placed second in the first year of the class, and she was third in 2009. Sewell has been a professional for ten years now and rides for Over the Hill Farm and Bill Schaub. This year, Sewell hopes to compete in the WCHR Professional Finals.??

"This year has been great for me after winning the Emerging Professional class," Sewell noted. "Winning a class like that really boosts your confidence and gets your name out there in the professional ring, and it is a good memory to have.??

"I think it is a really important class for young professionals because it is tough riding against all the pros that have been around for so many years," Sewell added. "They all started from the bottom too, but they have had a lot of years working their way up. It is helpful to be in your own spotlight. That helps you grow and it really helps get your feet wet."

??Sewell feels that winning the Emerging Professional Challenge has been a stepping stone in her career. "I have had a lot more horses to ride this year; a lot of young horses. This was definitely the most mounts I have ever had, and I have had a few other big wins this year that I never had before, so winning the class definitely helped with that."

??The popular $5,000 WCHR Emerging Pro Challenge sponsored by Seashore Acres Products will consist of two rounds this year, held on Wednesday, October 5. In addition to their Challenge class, Emerging Professional riders will have the chance to compete for the $1,500 Future Hunter Emerging Pro Bonus Awards. ??

Highlights of the 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show will include the North American Equitation Championship (Oct. 2), the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children's Medal Finals (Oct. 2), the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Emerging Pro Challenge (Oct. 5), the Future Hunter World Championship (Oct. 5), the WCHR Professional Finals (Oct. 5), the $2,500 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3'3" Challenge (Oct. 6), the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup (two rounds held on Oct. 7-8), and the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals (Oct. 7).??