Junior riders often wonder what life will be like on the back of a horse after they reach eighteen. No more junior hunters. No more Medal and Maclay classes. The amateurs at Capital Challenge proved that the competition is just as tough once you cross over into the adult world.
Krista Weisman, 20, rode the talented hunter Chopard to the younger amateur owner and grand amateur owner championships.
“It’s awesome to be champion here, especially with him,” said Weiman. “A lot of times I’ve had a little trouble being consistent. I’ll win one class here or there, or I’ll win a couple classes but not be champion or reserve. To be consistent in four classes was really awesome.”
Winning at Capital Challenge was a goal for Weisman. She believes that this year has been a growth year. She said, “I’ve had him for long enough. I think especially this year I’ve kind of grown with him enough and I feel more confident.
“When I first got him, Scott was champion on him everywhere. I was a still a junior then and it was a little intimidating, but now he’s mine.”
Weisman got Chopard four years ago and it was an instant connection. She said, “I love his personality, and I’ve always liked him. I jumped three jumps on him, and I already knew that I wanted him. I think he’s the smartest horse in the whole world. He’s so sweet about it too. At the same time, he knows he’s Chopard, and he acts like sometimes too.”
The young adult has ridden with Stewart for many years and feels she has a good program that helps her to succeed. She said, ““Everyone is part of the team: Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kate Cardalico, Jen Sutfin, everyone at the barn - especially since I have to be at school. I get to ride at the horse shows, but not that much (otherwise), so it’s really important that they all work really hard.”
Weisman wasn’t the only student coming in for the show between college classes. For Stephanie Barnes, 19 of Seattle, Wash., the Capital Challenge was her first time back riding since she started her freshman year at Bryn Mawr (Pa.).
“I’ve hardly ridden the last month and a half and so I’m really rusty. The first day here was a little iffy. Nothing really bad happened. I just felt a little off and out of practice. After spending a day on the horses and I’m sort of back in my element.”
Barnes may have had to get her riding legs back but her 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding named Carnaby Street gave her a good enough ride in the WCHR amateur owner challenge to take a blue ribbon back to school.
Although Barnes roe Carnaby Street in the junior hunters before aging out, Capital Challenge was the young rider’s first time riding on the east coast.
“This is my first show away from the west coast,” said Barnes. “We came a long way and we got done what we wanted to get done. So I’m really happy about that.”
It is a great way to finish up. This was probably the last time I rode my horse. This was my last chance, my shot, and he was great for me.”
In the 36 and over amateur owner division Caroline Clark Morrison picked up the championship ribbon with 21 points riding Milan. The 11 year old Hanoverian has been with Morrison for two years and was purchased from Archie Cox in California. Her trainers Jack Towell and Liza Boyd found the amateur owner hunter for her. She said, “They saw him at the National Horse Show two years ago and loved him. He’s just a great horse. He’s pretty much the same every day. He likes to kind of rise to the occasion.”
Nicknamed “Cookie,” the friendly gelding has been champion at the Washington International Horse Show with Morrison but this was their best finish at the Capital Challenge. Morrison was happy with the win said, “It feels great because here there are so many that it is the hardest show. They come from all over. It is a fun ring to ride in. He just felt great.”
Although Cookie stumbled in the first class on Thursday the pair bounced back to collect the blue in the stake class with an 89.5 and the championship.
One of the things Morrison loves most about Cookie is that he looks like a Thoroughbred. She said smiling, “I’ve been doing this since I was 12 years old and that was the day of the thoroughbred. I like that. All of my junior hunter’s were thoroughbreds.”
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