Sydney Hutchins and Gaudi. (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Upper Marlboro, MD – Forty-one qualifiers contested this year's THIS National Children's Medal Finals. After the initial round, the top 10 returned for a second round. Thirteen-year-old Sydney Hutchins of Westlake Village, CA, led from start to finish on Gaudi, owned by Taylor Harris (who, coincidentally, is not related to the sponsor). She scored a 90.5 in the first round and an 86.7 in the second round for a winning total of 177.2.

Hutchins said of the courses, “The courses were great. They were a lot of fun. The previous medal finals (in California) have been great practice for this. These (courses) were challenging. The lines were set a little long, so I needed to make sure I landed and got up to the next fence.”

Coming back in first place for the second round was daunting, but Hutchins handled it with aplomb. “I just needed to make sure the nerves didn't get to me,” she recalled. “My trainers told me that it's just another round, forget about the first one. Ride as if nothing happened before.”

Second place went to fellow West Coaster Savannah Dukes on Alicante. They had an overall score of 172.85. Alexandra Worthington and Romina 58 were third in 169.3, while Madison Goetzmann rode Sirius Black to a total of 168.5 for fourth place. Morgan Ward and Broadway were fifth with a total score of 166.65.

Hutchins has been riding Gaudi for just over a month, but has known the horse for years as owner Taylor Harris is her barnmate. “He's just been amazing,” she said. “I had another horse who unfortunately couldn't make it to some of my medal finals, so we got him to take his place and he's been fabulous for the past few shows.”

Hutchins has been riding with Jim Hagman and Katie Gardner at Elvenstar for 10 years. Although she has competed hunters at Capital Challenge twice before, this was her first time at Equitation Weekend. She said of her win, “It feels amazing! I'm so excited and happy for my horse and trainers. They're amazing and so supportive. They're with me every show and very helpful.”

Annie Finch Receives Birthday Present of Win in NA Adult Amateur Equitation Finals

The North American Adult Amateur Equitation Finals saw 37 entries, and the top 10 from the first round were back for a second round to find the winner. Annie Finch came back on top of the class and kept her lead for the perfect birthday present, a win in the finals.

Finch, of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, rode W.C. Swing to a final score of 176.75. Nicole Lyvere and Drumline were second with 170.2 points. Raven Weinlein and La Vita finished third with 169.5 points, while fourth place went to Quinn Traendly on Parcheesi (167.85). Kristen Russomanno and Starbuck were fifth with 166.6 points.

Finch, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow, was at Capital Challenge as a birthday present thanks to her mother. This is her first time competing here. “It's my version of the Olympics!” she laughed. “It was amazing. I had the best time just lessoning, I hadn't even shown! It's everything you think it is. It could be scary when you go in there, but it's not intimidating when everyone is so nice.”

Having owned W.C. Swing for two years, she has come to know her horse and what she needs to do to accomplish her goals. She admitted, “If you don't win, it's basically your fault! Swing is mine for life. Everyone wants to lease or buy him, but I'm like oh no! He knows what to do. I can just be really soft. Basically my trainers tell me no leg and no hand and I go around.”

Finch took time to acknowledge the trainers that have helped her get to this point. After a 20-year break from riding, she has been on the show circuit for 10 years, starting out with Tara Metzner. When she moved to New York, she rode with Andre Dignelli at Heritage Farm, and after moving back to California two years ago, she started working with Chance Arkelian. “He's amazing and very patient with all the adults. He takes it so seriously and works so hard,” she said.

The Groom's Award sponsored by Holly Hill Farm went to W.C. Swing's groom, Efrain Ramirez.

For full results and more information, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org. If you can’t attend the Capital Challenge Horse Show, remember you can log on to www.equestriansport.tv to see all the action live.

Highlights of the Capital Challenge Horse Show will include the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Emerging Pro Challenge (Oct. 3), Added Future Hunter North American Championship (Oct. 3), the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup (two rounds held on Oct. 5-6), the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals (Oct. 5), and the WCHR Professional Finals (Oct. 5).

Final Results: THIS National Children's Medal Finals

1   GAUDI           SYDNEY HUTCHINS       ?              
91    90    90.5  88    93      90.50
88    86    86    88    85.5    86.70 177.20
2   ALICANTE        SAVANNAH DUKES        ?              
86    88    90    79.25 87      86.05
89    87    88    86    84      86.80 172.85
3   ROMINA 58       ALEXANDRA WORTHINGTON     ?              
79.5  81    86    84    85      83.10
82    86    87    91    85      86.20 169.30
4    SIRIUS BLACK    MADISON GOETZMANN     ?              
87    86    89    86    84.5    86.50
79    81    84    85    81      82.00 168.50
5    BROADWAY        MORGAN WARD           ?              
79.75 82.5  82.5  83.5  86      82.85
83    83    80    87    86      83.80 166.65
6   NELSON          DELANEY HAMILL        ?              
76    82.75 84    85    85.5    82.65
85    79    85    84    83      83.20 165.85
7    S & L PLAY IT AGAIN JORDYN ROSE FREEDMAN     ?              
82    83.5  84.5  77.75 80.75   81.70
77    73    76    77    82      77.00 158.70
8   CAMORA          EMILY PEREZ           ?             
85    85    87.5  80    88      85.10
71    70    78    71    78      73.60 158.70
9   STING           SUNNY DRESCHER      
8?5.5  81.5  89.5  84.5  89      86.00
68    55    72    68    70      66.60 152.60
10   ALCHEMY         ADAM RITTENBERG       ?              
80    83    85    76    82      81.20
63    65    69    67    65      65.80 147.00

Final Results: North American Adult Amateur Equitation Finals
1 W. C. SWING ANNIE FINCH – 176.75
2 DRUMLINE    NICOLE LYVERE – 170.2
3 LA VITA    RAVEN WEINLEIN – 169.5
4 PARCHEESI    QUINN TRAENDLY – 167.85
5 STARBUCK    KRISTEN RUSSOMANNO – 166.6
6 VIBRANT    CAMI PEASE – 163.7
7 LION KING    ASHLEY TICE – 163.65
8 COOL BOY    RACHEL BOGGUS – 162.3
9 SPYGLASS    AMY COOPER – 146.5
10 RICHTIG    ASHLEY CEDILLOS – 144.8