Caroline Moran Holds The Lead In The Race for the WCHR Amateur Owner National Championship

Grey Slipper Collects A Second Championship at Capital Challenge

Upper Marlboro, MD – (October 6, 2005) Caroline Moran, 38, of Bedford, NY, always felt that wearing the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Leading Rider” armband coming into the Capital Challenge Horse Show was like “the kiss of death.” She had been the WCHR leading rider coming into the show several times in the past, but had never claimed the championship. This year Moran held onto the lead riding Pave and stood center ring to collect the WCHR Amateur Owner National Championship at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

The Capital Challenge Horse Show is the final qualifying show of the year whose points count toward the year-end awards. The WCHR national titles are presented after the last qualifying class.

“I was leading coming in and then after the amateur division finished I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know if I was tied with Avery Dimmig but Alex (Rheinheimer) told me I had to win a ribbon in this class (the WCHR Amateur-Owner Challenge) in order to win it. We just had to get a ribbon and thank God I got sixth!

“My little horse has been so good. He’s been unbelievable,” said Moran of her 15.3-hand gelding. Pave was her only ride through the summer because her other mount was sidelined in the spring. Pave, who was once her “second horse” stepped up to the plate and was champion at every WCHR qualifying show this summer.

Moran said of the WCHR program, “The WCHR means so much to me because I’m involved in the organization. I’m on the board of the organization, and I think that they do a wonderful job trying to promote the hunters. And it is something that people can keep track of and look forward throughout the year.”

Although Moran and Pave took the WCHR award they left the Capital Challenge grand amateur owner championship for Bridget Hallman of Oyster Bay, NY, and her stunning gelding Grey Slipper. In addition to the grand honors, the pair wore a sash for the younger amateur owner championship and Hallman also took the leading amateur owner rider award.

Last year Hallman was reserve champion in the younger division. She credits the time together with Grey Slipper for their improvement over the last three years. She said, “I’m really comfortable and confident with him, and hopefully, I think he’s confident with me now. “The hardest part (of riding him) is staying on. He jumps so good. It’s taken me awhile to feel real secure up there. And he still can jump you loose.”

She gives credit to her trainer Louise Serio who rides Grey Slipper in the regular working hunter division and picked up the tri-color yesterday. Hallman said, “Louise has done just such an amazing job having him prepared.”

Friday’s schedule will feature adult amateur classes including the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Adult Amateur Finals, which will decide the WCHR Adult Amateur National Champion. Following the WCHR class the top 30 adult equitation riders in the nation will vie for the championship title in the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals.

The Capital Challenge Horse Show runs through Sunday, October 9. The $50,000 Ariat Congressional Cup Grand Prix presented by Stillwell-Hansen Inc. and Arwen Stables is the highlight of the jumper action. Held at 7:30pm on Saturday, October 8 the FEI World Cup Qualifying class is a great opportunity to witness US Equestrian Team veterans tackle a demanding course. As always, admission to the show is free and classes run in two rings throughout the day. Evening classes are held Wednesday through Saturday. Results, photos and the time schedule can be found on the Capital Challenge website: www.capitalchallenge.org. For more information on the Capital Challenge Horse Show call (301) 952-7944.