The Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) title is one that is sought all year by top professional hunter riders throughout the country. The four riders who amass the most points at their top four WCHR shows, plus at the final WCHR event, the Capital Challenge Horse Show, then compete head-to-head in an unparalleled ride-off.

As Professional WCHR, the winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider, but he/she also receives a year-long publicity sponsorship and $2,500 cash reward from Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine, which is now in its fourth year of sponsoring this class after recently renewing its three-year contract.

“We have chosen to sponsor this event because this is an outstanding opportunity for the trainers to shine in their own class,” commented Jami Heidegger, Publisher of Show Circuit Magazine. “We also have a strong commitment and belief that these professionals are the backbone of the industry, and we will continue to nurture and support their goals.”

This year riders can look forward to even more. In addition to the prize money for the class, the winning professional will receive the $4,000 Pletcher Pro Incentive Award, presented by Claudine Pletcher, and a $1,000 cash award sponsored by Personalized Products.

The 2005 $5,000 WCHR Professional Finals Class (which is sponsored by Stillwell Hansen), is slated for October 7 at 8 p.m. at the Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. This event has a very unique format that allows the riders to really shine. “This class is like a World Cup for hunter riders,” explains Michele Perla, Executive Director of the American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF). The AHJF, which designed the Finals Class, is a non-profit member and sponsor supported organization that strives to promote the sport of hunter-jumper competition and address the needs of the sport’s participants.

Four horses, which none of the riders have ridden before, are generously donated for the class. The riders alternate riding these horses over four different courses set at 3’6”. Three or four pairs of judges, viewing the rounds from various vantage points, score each round numerically. The scores for each rider are totaled and the highest scoring rider is the winner.

In 2004, Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX, was ultimately victorious in this prestigious class, earning the Professional WCHR title for the second time. He has competed in the ride-off five times, also winning it in 2002. Pletcher, who again is in top contention to qualify for the 2005 Finals Class, explains that he still isn’t a shoe-in to make the ride-off. “A lot can change at the Capital Challenge because of the double points awarded there,” Pletcher emphasizes. “I really like riding in the WCHR Pro Finals Class-–it’s an honor and the epitome of our sport.” He adds, “The more times you do this class, the easier it seems to be. I guess it’s just less nerve-wracking with experience.”


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