The Capital Challenge hosted Equitation finals for children and adults this past weekend as the big opener to two full weeks of national showing. In the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships, it was Allison Fithian of Monterey, CA, who was victorious riding her longtime mount Lucky D’ Etenclin.
Fithian led through both rounds and won by an impressive margin of more than 11 points after earning scores of 88.83 in the first round and 91.00 in the second for a 179.83 total.
Allison Fithian and Lucky D’ Etenclin joined in their winning presentation photo by Oscar Aguillara who received the North American Adult Equitation Champion Groom’s Award, sponsored by Holly Hill Farm. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
For the New York University (NYU) graduate, competing Lucky D’ Etenclin at Capital Challenge is a happy reunion and, as trainer Stacia Madden explained, like taking care of “unfinished business.”
“She has a chemistry with this horse that is just second to none,” Madden said. “I felt a little bit bad for her in her last junior year because he got a little bit injured. She was third at Medal Finals that year which was unbelievable. Then she had to use a different horse for Maclay Finals.”
Following her last junior year, Fithian pursued her degree in hospitality management and Lucky D’ Etenclin, a seven-year-old Selle Francais gelding, was leased out to junior riders.
Allison Fithian and Lucky D’ Etenclin, winners of the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
“I got him back this year to ride him, so it’s really just so special to come back and bring it all together!” Fithian said.
Fithian has her sights set next on the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals on Friday, October 7, at Capital Challenge.
Finishing in second was Helen Voss of Versailles, KY, on Prosecco 24. Voss earned scores of 84.00 and 84.66 for a 168.66 total. Finishing just half a point behind Voss for third were Tracey Gorin-Byrne and Sunman with a first round score of 84.33 and a second round score of 83.83.
The North American Adult Equitation Champion Groom’s Award, sponsored by Holly Hill Farm, went to Lucky D’ Etenclin’s groom, Oscar Aguillara.
Monday’s schedule will see the start of professional hunter competition at Capital Challenge with the Green Hunter classes beginning in the indoor arena at 7:30 a.m. and the Future Hunters competing in the outdoor ring starting at 8 a.m.
Highlights of the 2016 Capital Challenge Horse Show will include the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Professional and Developing Professional Challenges and the $25,000 Future Hunter North American Championships, both on October 5, as well as the $15,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup on October 7-8, and the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals and WCHR Professional Finals on October 7.
For additional information, full results, and live stream coverage from Capital Challenge, please visitwww.capitalchallenge.org. For behind-the scenes photos, videos and more, find Capital Challenge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagra
Final Results: North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships
1 ALLISON FITHIAN LUCKY D’ETENCLIN
88.00 92.00 86.50 88.83
92.00 91.00 90.00 91.00
179.83
2 HELEN VOSS PROSECCO 24
83.00 83.00 86.00 84.00
85.00 85.00 84.00 84.66
168.66
3 TRACEY GORIN-BYRNE SUNMAN
86.00 84.00 83.00 84.33
84.00 86.00 81.50 83.83
168.16
4 JAIME KRUPNICK CONUX
85.50 87.00 85.00 85.83
79.00 84.00 82.50 81.83
167.66
5 ALLYSON BLAIS CAPTAIN DARCO HELDENLAAN Z
82.00 80.00 87.00 83.00
82.00 82.00 83.00 82.33
165.33
6 HALEIGH LANDRIGAN DILLEM
84.00 79.00 78.00 80.33
88.00 83.00 82.00 84.33
164.66
7 TONYA JOHNSTON BACK IN BUSINESS
84.50 80.50 83.50 82.83
81.00 78.00 81.00 80.00
162.83
8 MICHELLE NEWMAN DEVITO
85.00 86.00 76.00 82.33
77.00 81.00 79.00 79.00
161.33
9 LAURA OWENS VANCOUVER
81.00 76.00 84.00 80.33
80.00 80.00 80.00 80.00
160.33
10 LINDSAY MAXWELL WAY OUT WEST
83.50 85.00 88.00 85.50
55.00 50.00 55.00 53.33
138.83