Upper Marlboro, MD – When the Capital Challenge Horse Show kicks off on September 25 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, exhibitors can expect to find the same top-level competition, prestigious finals, and high-quality exhibitor experience for which the year-end horse show has become known, in addition to important new protocols put in place for their safety.

“Prince George’s Equestrian Center has been our home for the past 26 years, and we’re looking forward to welcoming exhibitors there again this fall,” said show manager Oliver Kennedy. “In order to do that, we are working closely with both the facilities team at Prince George’s and with local and state government officials on protocols and guidelines that will allow us to host a safe competition.
 

“With a number of safety protocols in place, some things are going to look a bit different than they have in the past, but the level of competition, the finals that we offer, and the prestige of doing well at Capital Challenge are all the same,” continued Kennedy.

The 10-day Capital Challenge Horse Show is largely unique from other horse shows, in that it regularly utilizes both indoor and outdoor rings, as well as a covered arena simultaneously throughout the show. 

This year, as part of the event’s rigorous effort to adhere to coronavirus health and safety guidelines, the covered arena and outdoor ring will house many of the under saddle classes previously held in the indoor arena.

“By using the covered arena, we can allow riders to enter through one in-gate and go out a separate exit gate to allow plenty of distance between themselves and other riders, rather than having a situation where riders are congregating on the ramp to the in-gate where they all come in and out,” explained Kennedy. 
 

The open-air, outdoor barns and stabling tents at Prince George’s Equestrian Center are also advantageous for providing safe conditions for exhibitors, and spaces will be left empty between neighboring barns.

Exhibitors at the 2020 Capital Challenge Horse Show will also notice changes to the show’s prize-giving procedures.

“We won’t be conducting our prize-giving ceremonies in the same way that we usually do. If anything, they’re going to be even better!” said Kennedy.

To keep up with the latest protocols, updates, and news from the Capital Challenge Horse Show, find the show on Facebook here or visit www.CapitalChallenge.org. 

WCHR Qualifying Guidelines

Capital Challenge will again welcome the country's top hunter horses and riders for the year-end finale of the WCHR Program. Photo by Jump Media

The Capital Challenge Horse Show will again welcome the country’s top hunter horses and riders for the year-end finale of the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Program, to be held on September 28 – October 4, 2020. 

Due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic, adjustments have been made to the WCHR Program’s qualification requirements at Capital Challenge Horse Show and regional and national standings protocols for 2020 only. 

As in the past, WCHR members – including Professionals, Developing Professionals, Amateur Owners, Adult Amateurs, Juniors, Children’s, and Pony riders – will continue to qualify for national and regional awards by earning points at member events held throughout the country. The top nationally and regionally ranked riders in each category will qualify and come together to compete in year-end challenge classes, which are held annually at Capital Challenge.