Julia Rose Rossow and Chantilly Claim $5K WCHR Developing Pro Challenge at Capital Challenge Horse Show

Julia Rose Rossow of Calabasas, CA, emerged victorious in the $5,000 WCHR Developing Pro Challenge. She and Chantilly, a warmblood mare owned by Malibu Valley Farms Inc., were best out of 30 entries in the class.

Julia Rossow on Chantilly. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Rossow and Chantilly were the last to go in round one, claiming a tie for the lead with a score of 88.16. The added pressure of a tied score proved to help the young professional, as she added a second-round score of 88.66 to record a total winning score of 176.82.

“Winning the WCHR Developing Pro Challenge has been a goal of mine for a while, and to have it happen this year, riding Chantilly, a horse I know very well and really love and enjoy riding, means the world,” said Rossow. “To have achieved it is really special, especially with this mare. It’s been really special to see her development as a horse and a competitor.”

Julia Rossow on Chantilly in their presentation ceremony. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Chantilly was acquired three years ago for a junior client, and Rossow has helped to develop the horse and rider together while still showing the mare, moving up to the Performance Hunter division.

“I knew I could trust her, and she was going to be there for me,” Rossow said of Chantilly. “She has a lot of heart. She always gives her all, but she really knows when it’s a special class. As soon as I stepped into the ring, I knew that we were going to be there for each other.”

Rossow, 29, grew up riding in Santa Barbara, CA, and has been working as an assistant for Chad Mahaffey for four years in Calabasas, CA. Rossow also receives generous support and guidance from Chris Iwasaki and Liz Reilly, whose horse Illusion was her first ride at Capital Challenge in 2017.

Geoffrey Hesslink took second in the class after riding Shadowfax Equestrian LLC’s Small Occasion to scores of 88.16 and 87.25 for a total of 175.41, while Evan Coluccio guided High Society, owned by Alexa Elle Lignelli, to third place with scores of 85.83 and 87.50 for a total of 173.33.

About the Capital Challenge Horse Show

Now in its 27th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show, presented by the World Equestrian Center, sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter and equitation competition. Held each autumn, the 2020 edition of the Capital Challenge Horse Show continues through October 4 at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, OH. The 10 days of competition will include prestigious equitation events, jumper divisions, the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Finals, the $25,000 3’ and 3’3” Green Hunter North American Championships, and more, with many of the country’s best horses and riders competing in junior, amateur, and professional divisions.