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Equitation finals are some of the most anticipated classes on the fall calendar. For many young riders, the Capital Challenge Horse Show marks their first taste of the pressure and prestige that comes with competing at this level. Course designer Ken Krome understands both the opportunity and the responsibility that comes with setting these tracks. His job is to create courses that separate the very best from the rest, while still offering every rider the chance to walk out of the ring with a sense of accomplishment.
Building with Balance
Krome explains that the first round of any equitation final is about pacing the questions. He intentionally designs courses that start friendly, adding more technical elements later in the track. “You want to make sure that the harder parts of the course aren’t at the beginning,” he said. “We try to start them off friendly, maybe have a little harder section, then ease up a little bit, and then maybe finish with a harder section.”
That rhythm helps riders settle into the ring and show their skills without being overwhelmed right away. At the same time, the course must still be effective in drawing out differences between riders. For Krome, the true challenge lies in creating tracks that test ability without punishing inexperience.
The Art of the Second Round
If the first round sets the stage, the second round must raise the bar. With fewer jumps, the challenge is engineering a course that is more difficult but not repetitive. Krome explained, “You want it to be more difficult than the first round, but you do it a little more succinctly with less jumps.”
This balance requires creativity. Riders should encounter new tests that measure adjustability, decision-making, and overall polish. For many competitors, this is where courses reveal who is truly ready for the highest levels of equitation.
Building Confidence on a Big Stage
Two of the most notable equitation finals at Capital Challenge, the Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal and the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final, often serve as stepping stones to the bigger stages. Krome emphasizes that for many riders, these are the first championship experiences of their careers.
“You get the very top riders, but you also get people who, it might be their first year coming to finals,” he said. His goal is to ensure that everyone leaves with a positive experience. For the stars, the courses provide opportunities to shine. For first-timers, they offer challenges that build confidence rather than destroy it.
Multiple rounds provide a natural arc of development. Riders who are successful in the first round earn the chance to test themselves further in the second. That progression helps riders learn to manage nerves, adapt to feedback, and adjust to different types of questions.
Krome sees this as essential preparation for the bigger finals later in the season. “It’s neat to see people come in and really step up and have a great experience just tackling their first finals,” he said. “I think it leads you to keep wanting to do the equitation and shoot for the higher ones as well.”
Designing Opportunity
At its core, Krome’s philosophy reflects a respect for the riders who enter the ring. He designs courses that challenge, inspire, and encourage—knowing that each round is a learning experience that extends beyond ribbons and rankings.
For the equitation riders at Capital Challenge, the lessons they take away will carry into bigger finals, into jumper classes, and into their future careers. That is the mark of a thoughtful course designer: building more than fences, but building opportunities for growth.
Want to hear more from Ken Krome about the art of course design? Listen to episode 451 of The Plaidcast for the full conversation, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from equestrian sport’s leading voices.
