PRESS RELEASE
October 8, 2017 – Upper Marlboro, MD – The Capital Challenge Horse Show, presented by the World Equestrian Center, came to a close on Sunday, October 8, with the awarding of the final Junior and Children’s Hunter championships. The Grand Junior Hunter Championship went to Augusta Iwasaki of Calabasas, CA, riding Small Affair, owned by Lyn Pedersen.
Iwasaki, 13, and the 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding claimed two victories and a fourth place finish over fences to take the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter Championship. The pair’s top finishes also secured them the Grand Junior 15 & Under Hunter Championship, sponsored by Sherri Geddess Geddaway, and ultimately, the Overall Grand Champion Junior Hunter Championship, sponsored by Shadow Ridge Farm, and, for Iwasaki, the Best Junior Hunter Rider award, sponsored by Karen Healey and Amanda Hood.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I’ve always wanted to be a champion at a place like this. [Small Affair] is amazing; he’s so much fun to ride, and you can just feel how nice of a horse he is when you’re riding him.” – Augusta Iwasaki
Finishing behind Iwasaki and Small Affair as the reserve champions of the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunters were Emma Wujek of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, and Casallo, owned by Erin McGuire.
Following their grand championship win, Iwasaki and Small Affair returned to the ring to also claim victory in the $2,500 WCHR Junior Hunter 3’6” Challenge.
The Small Junior 15 & Under Championship, sponsored by Cynthia Williams, went to Sophie Gochman of Palm Beach, FL, riding Dominik, owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC. The pair earned first, second, and fourth over fences to take home the tricolor, while Brian Moggre of Flower Mound, TX, finished in a close reserve with first, second, and fifth over fences riding MTM Fashion, owned by MTM Farm.
Henry Healy and Best of Me Are Best of Children’s Hunters
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Henry Healy of Cincinnati, OH, rode Best of Me, owned by Blue Mountain LLC, to the Grand Children’s Hunter Championship, sponsored by Mary Jane King. Healy also received the Best Children’s Hunter Rider award, sponsored by Carlye Byron-Nelson and the Nelson children.
Healy, 12, and Best of Me finished first and second over fences and second under saddle to earn the Children’s 14 & Under Hunter Championship.
“I’m just really proud of [Best of Me]…She always tries her best, and if I make a mistake she’s forgiving. She doesn’t make mistakes too much, but when she does, it’s okay because she’s just learning.” – Henry Healy
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED MAKE THE 2017 CAPITAL CHALLENGE HORSE SHOW SUCH A SUCCESS!
