By Jackie McFarland
Back in the day the Indoor Circuit was Harrisburg, Washington, New York. Those days are gone and the fall indoor season on the East Coast is now Upper Marlboro, Harrisburg, Washington, Syracuse. The shows affiliated with those cities are the Capital Challenge, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, the Washington International Horse Show and the Syracuse Invitational.
A Little History
In its 16th year, Capital Challenge is a relatively young event, but with all its unique offerings has certainly become the essential first stop of the Indoor season. Harrisburg, hosting the traditional USEF Medal Finals and more, is presenting its 64th annual event in 2009. Washington is in its 51st year. The standing North American indoor Puissance (high jump) record of 7 feet 7 1/2 inches was set at Washington in 1983 by Anthony D’Ambrosio and Sweet N’ Low. The newest addition to the Indoor roster is the Syracuse Invitational. Taking over where The National Horse Show (126th year) left off, this event not only hosts the ASPCA Maclay Finals but presents a fabulous horse show for exhibitors, spectators and sponsors alike.
Not just anyone can enter into these top shows – a certain number of points and/or money won are required to qualify for Harrisburg, Washington and Syracuse in the hunter divisions and jumper divisions.
September 26th – October 4th: CAPITAL CHALLENGE
Begins with an Equitation weekend
Location: Prince George Equestrian, Upper Marlboro, MD
Managers: Billy Glass & Oliver Kennedy
Special Classes:
$40,000 North American Junior/Amateur Jumper Challenge Cup
$20,000 Added Future Hunter North American Championship
$15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge
$16,000 Green Working Hunter Sections
$5,000 Emerging Pro Challenge Ariat National Adult Medal Finals
THIS National Children’s Medal Finals
Capital Challenge North American Equitation Championships
Numerous Special Awards & Trophies
Web site: www.capitalchallenge.org
Webcast: www.equestriansport.tv
October 8th – 17th: PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL
Begins with a Junior weekend
Location: PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, Harrisburg, PA
Managers: Ryegate Show Services
Special Classes:
$75,000 Grand Prix de Penn National, World Cup Qualifier
$25,000 Pennsylvania Big Jump
$25,000 NAL Open Jumper Speed Finals
$15,000 Cavalor Show Jumping HOF A/O Jumper Classic
$12,500 Prix de States Team Championship
$10,000 ‘Gem Twist’ Sprint, Gamblers Choice
$10,000 NAL Children’s Jumper Finals
$10,000 NAL Adult Jumper Finals
$10,000 NAL Children’s Hunter Finals / NAL Adult Hunter Finals Pessoa / USEF Hunter Equitation Medal Finals
Numerous Special Awards & Trophies
Web site: www.panational.org
October 20th – 25th: WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL
Location: Verizon Center, Washington, DC
Managers: David Distler & Robert Ridland
Special Classes:
$100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, World Cup Qualifier
$30,000 International Open Jumper
$25,000 Puissance High Jump
$20,000 Open Jumper – Gambler’s Choice Custom Class
$15,000 Open Jumper Pair Relay
$15,000 Hunter Classic Derby
$15,000 Junior Jumper / Amateur-Owner Jumper Sections
$10,000 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championships
$10,000 Adult Hunter Championships
$10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championships
$10,000 Adult Jumper Championships
WIHS Equitation Finals / WIHS Pony Equitation Finals
Numerous Special Awards & Trophies
Web site: www.wihs.org
October 28th – November 1st: SYRACUSE INVITATIONAL
Location: Oncenter Complex, Syracuse, NY
Manager: David Distler
Special Classes:
$100,000 Budweiser World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse
$50,000 Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup – a three phase event
$35,000 Syracuse Corporate Team Challenge
$25,000 Pasmore Stables Horsemans’ Cup
$15,000 CN Gambler’s Choice
$15,000 TK99 Speed Derby
$5,000 Empire Tractor Ride & Drive
National Horse Show ASPCA Maclay Championship
Numerous Special Awards & Trophies
Special Events: SI Horseman’s College / Insider’s View / Used Tack Sale
Webcast: www.equestriansport.tv