Upper Marlboro, MD – “I’d rather be second and judged right, than be first and be judged wrong,” said Jack Towell after watching his daughter Liza gallop into center ring aboard Onassis wearing the second-place ribbon. Onasis finished just behind Scott Steward and Cool Blue who turned up the heat and scored a 182.16 to win the World Champion Hunter Rider [WCHR] Professional Challenge at the Capital Challenge Horse Show on Wednesday night.
As the horses took their victory lap, Towell was all smiles, thrilled with the outcome of the Pro Challenge class. “That was perfect judging and that’s what we’re after in the hunters,” said Towell of Camden, SC. “[Scott] beat me and he did a good job beating me! I’m excited to be second.”
Stewart was also thrilled that he won. He said, “This was just for fun. It’s almost cheating he’s so easy.”
This show was the first time Stewart showed the hunter this year. Cool Blue is usually shown in just the junior hunter division with his owner Alex Stathis.
The two-round class narrowed the field of 25 riders who were invited to show, down to 12 who returned over a shortened course.
“I liked that round two was a little shorter, because you could be a little handier and gallop to the oxers,” said Stewart who is known for his ‘gallop and go’.
“He just jumped out of his skin,” said Stewart. “He tried every jump. He didn’t jump one jump casually.” His scores of 92.16 and 90 attested to it.
Earlier in the day, Stewart watched his student Krista Weisman ride her seven-year-old gelding Music Street to the blue in the WCHR Senior Under Saddle. The unique format of the under saddle makes for an exciting event. Fourteen horses began the under saddle and slowly horses are eliminated one by one and asked to line up in reverse order. The class continues to run until the final horse – the winner – trots in to collect the blue ribbon.
Weisman said smiling, “It is definitely tiring. I was dying out there.”
She added, “I think part of that class is stamina – who can stay at their prime the longest.”
The final horse up against Music Street was Gray Slipper – a strong contender for Weisman. Gray Slipper had already collected the grand hunter champion earlier in the day and also won every amateur-owner class with Bridgett Hallman. But it was a battle that Weisman was familiar with. She said, “[Gray Slipper] does the same division (A-O younger) as I do, and they are always back and forth with first and second.”
Today was just Music Street’s day for the win.
The 13th annual Capital Challenge Horse Show will run through October 8th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Thursday schedule includes the World Champion Hunter Rider Amateur-Owner Challenge as well as the Children’s/Adult Amateur Jumper Challenge.
In addition to the equestrian action running in two rings, the horse show also offers some of the best in equestrian shopping. The shopping areas are located inside and out, with a new Boutique Mall located on the concourse level. With over fifty shops on the premises early holiday shopping is made easy. You’ll find unique gift items, artwork, the finest jewelry, clothing, footwear and a variety of quality equestrian equipment.
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