Last year's Ariat National Adult Medal Finals winners, Kristi Siam and Krosus

Upper Marlboro, MD – The 2012 Capital Challenge Horse Show, presented by The Gochman Family, looks forward to once again welcoming Ariat International, Inc. and the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals during this year’s competition. Held at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, the show will begin with its Equitation Weekend presented by BigEq.com on September 29-30 and will continue through October 7. The competition will highlight the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals on Friday, October 5.

A devoted member of the sport, Ariat International, Inc. has been involved with the Capital Challenge Horse Show since its inception 19 years ago. Ariat is committed to continuing their support of the horse show and the National Adult Medal series.

Susan Alcala, vice president of partnership marketing for Ariat International, Inc. noted, “The Ariat National Adult Medal is a unique opportunity for adult amateur riders to participate in a national medal and to have the opportunity to go to the Finals at Capital Challenge, which is a spectacular venue. Capital Challenge is one of the premier indoor venues in the country. It is very special to show there.”

The Ariat National Adult Medal Finals host approximately thirty riders, including the high point rider in each of the regional series, along with additional riders working from the top down on the National Standings list for the qualifying period. Riders show all year in order to qualify for the Finals, and it is a great honor to compete.

“The Ariat National Adult Medal Finals is more than just something we sponsor - it is something we developed and started 19 years ago,” Alcala stated. “We are proud of how it has grown and of how prestigious it has become. It is wonderful for riders to be able to have a goal, and for Ariat to be able to recognize their accomplishments.”

Last year’s class saw an exciting win for west coast rider Kristi Siam aboard her horse Krosus. Hosting one of the top horse shows in the country, the management at Capital Challenge looks forward to another great competition in 2012 as the show date quickly approaches.

Ariat is the leading performance footwear and apparel brand for equestrian athletes around the world. Ariat was founded in 1993 by Beth Cross and Pam Parker with the simple objective: To create the most advanced performance footwear and apparel for the world's top equestrian athletes. Ariat is driven by world-class design, innovation and technology - all focused on delivering the highest-quality, authentic Western and English footwear and apparel. Today, Ariat is America's number one English and Western performance footwear brand. For more information on Ariat International, Inc., please visit www.ariat.com.

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The Capital Challenge Horse Show will be streamed live in its entireity on the SmartPak Live Feed at www.equestriansport.tv, so log on to watch if you can't attend. Don't miss a minute of the action!