Sunday, September 29, 2002, was devoted to the National Hunter Jumper Council equitation finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The NHJC Junior Medal was the first event with eighty-three starters. Fourteen states were represented from seven zones of the NHJC and USA Equestrian as well as two riders who came from Canada to ride in the finals competition. California sent the largest contingent with twenty representatives. Next came Florida with ten riders and Connecticut with nine.

The NHJC Medal classes were held at horse shows around the country beginning in January, 2002. First and second place finishers in the NHJC classes qualified for the final ride-off. In addition, ribbon winners in each equitation age group at the Capital Challenge, not previously qualified, were eligible to compete. Both classes were scored under the open numerical scoring system by a panel of five judges, and the scores were averaged. Mike Rheinheimer designed the course with eleven obstacles including two combinations. The juniors competed at 3'6" while the amateurs jumped the same course at 3'3".

The top twenty came back for a second round. In the Junior Medal, Randy Sherman, winner of last year's USA / Pessoa & Millers Hunter Seat Equestrian Medal Finals in Harrisburg, PA, came back as the leader. He posted an impressive second round score of 92.9. The judges decided that no further testing was necessary and pinned the class as follows:

Sixteen amateur riders comprised the class for the inaugural NHJC Amateur Medal Finals. After the round two, the judges concluded once again that there was no need for further work, and they awarded ribbons to the top ten as follows: