Exhibitors at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, to be held September 25 – October 4, 2020, at the World Equestrian Center – Ohio, will be the first to enjoy newly completed major updates to the Wilmington, OH, facility.
In preparation for hosting the year-end finale horse show, the World Equestrian Center team has accelerated their work plan, adding 53 “Home Away From Home” units to the facility, as well as installing Dutch doors in each stall of two of the main barns, expanding the horse trailer parking area, adding additional RV camp sites, and more.
The World Equestrian Center – Ohio team has added 53 “Home Away From Homes” to the Wilmington, Ohio, facility in preparation for the 2020 Capital Challenge Horse Show. Photo by World Equestrian Center.
The interior of one of the “Home Away From Homes” that has been fully furnished and decorated. Photo by World Equestrian Center.
The Capital Challenge Horse Show will also mark the debut of the World Equestrian Center’s Wilbur Estate, which will offer five luxury suite rentals. The addition of the new lodging options was slated to be completed in the coming months, but the World Equestrian Center’s staff jumped into action to move the projects forward in advance of Capital Challenge. With the addition of the 53 new units, the facility now offers 125 total two- and three-bedroom “Home Away From Homes.”
The new Wilbur Estate will offer five luxury suite rentals with full kitchens plus washers and dryers. Photo by World Equestrian Center.
Similarly, the Dutch door installation project was completed early to help address concerns about air ventilation related to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s going to allow a lot more air flow in those barns,” explained TJ Campbell, general manager of the World Equestrian Center – Ohio. “With the Dutch doors, the horses will be able to stick their heads out the window, and for people who may not want to walk down the aisle way, they can walk a horse in and out from the outside of a good number of the stalls without having to actually go in the barn.”
Dutch doors installed in two of the barns. Photos by World Equestrian Center.
In addition to the major capital improvements, the World Equestrian Center crew has refreshed the footing in all of the rings, mixing rings and adding additional sand where needed. Other projects completed in preparation for Capital Challenge include expansion of the outdoor vendor area, creation of a new tent pad area, and paving of numerous parking lots and driveways.
Learn more about the World Equestrian Center – Ohio’s facilities here.
Additional Updates: 2020 Program Artwork
Each year since 2016, renowned equestrian artist Sharon Lynn Campbell has created the stunning poster, prize list, and program artwork for the Capital Challenge Horse Show, and Campbell has now unveiled the 2020 program cover painting.
Artwork by Sharon Lynn Campbell.
The striking portrait depicts Spotlight (left) and Black Label (right), owned by Dorothy Attwood and ridden to great success at the 2019 Capital Challenge Horse Show by Jacqueline Attwood-Dupont.
With Black Label, Attwood-Dupont topped the 2019 North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships, and aboard Spotlight, she won the WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’6” Challenge. The impressive showings of both horses throughout the 2019 Capital Challenge Horse Show earned them the distinction of gracing this year’s program cover.
Additional Updates: Entries and Rules
The Capital Challenge Horse Show management team has extended the exhibitor entry deadline for this year’s horse show.
With the move to a new location, Capital Challenge management made the decision to continue accepting entries beyond the original closing date of August 28. Competitors are encouraged to send in their entries as soon as possible, as limited spaces remain in many classes and divisions.
Entries can be completed online here, and the full schedule and prize list are available here.
The following rules, pertaining to the number of horses a rider may enter, have also been adjusted as follows:
- Junior Hunter 3’3″ competitors may now ride up to four horses (two small and two large).
- The Adult Amateur Hunter division now has no limit to the number of horses a rider may show.
- Performance 3’6” riders may now show up to six horses.
To change entries, please contact Michele Markward at secretary@capitalchallenge.org or call +1 (305) 340-7554.
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 will take place September 25 – 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. To learn more, click here.