October 3, 2006

Louise Serio and Scott Stewart Start Strong In the Race For the Regular Working Championship

Upper Marlboro, MD – October 2, 2006 – The Capital Challenge Horse Show opened its week of rated hunters with the high quality that the show has become known for as some of the nation’s best horses jumped around the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Louise Serio, the 2005 World Champion Hunter Rider [WCHR] Professional Finals winner, had a successful day riding a familiar mount. Piloting Gray Slipper, Serio collected two blue ribbons in the regular working hunters. Owned by Bridget Hallman, the grey gelding has a successful history at the Capital Challenge dating back to 2001 as a future hunter. In 2004 and 2005 Serio, of Kennett Square, Pa., rode Gray Slipper to the regular working hunter championship and last year Hallman piloted her horse to the grand amateur-owner hunter championship.

Serio said of her trips on Gray Slipper, “I think the first round went pretty awesome. He had a light rub behind, but he felt fantastic. He showed last week at Middleburg, but hasn’t shown, other than that, since winning the double grand championship at Devon. The second round actually felt awesome too. He’s just riding beautifully, and he is just the most awesome horse.”

It will be a close race to the regular working hunter championship. Serio and Scott Stewart both collected good ribbons toward the tricolor. Stewart rode High Noon to the second-place finish in both jumping classes. Stewart said, “I’ve been riding High Noon all year, and he went great. He was so relaxed and jumped so high. I think it’s the best round I’ve ever had on him.”

Stewart also collected a blue in the regular working division, riding Carlino. He said, “This is the first time I’ve ridden Carlino. He is really easy. I over rode him in the first round, but the second round I just let him do it on his own.”

At The Capital Challenge, the ribbons won in the professional hunter classes don’t only accrue points toward division championships. Professional riders are also collecting points throughout the week in the hopes of competing in the WCHR Professional Finals class on Friday evening. They will add their points collected this week to those they accumulated at designated WCHR shows throughout the year.

Coming in to Capital Challenge, Stewart, of Wellington, Fla., led with 1559 points. Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, Tex., was in second with 1548 points and Havens Schatt of Ocala, Fla., was in third with 1451 points. Serio held the fourth-place position with 1395 points. Each of these riders will hope to hold on to one of those top four spots for a chance to be one of the “Final Four” eligible to compete in the WCHR Pro Finals.

The 13th annual Capital Challenge Horse Show will run through October 8th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Aside from the equestrian action running in two rings, the horse show also offers some of the best in equestrian shopping. The shopping areas are located inside and out, with a new Boutique Mall located on the concourse level. With over fifty shops on the premises early holiday shopping is made easy. You’ll find unique gift items, artwork, the finest jewelry, clothing, footwear and a variety of quality equestrian equipment.

As always there is no charge for admission and parking is free. The schedule and results can be found on the Capital Challenge website: www.capitalchallenge.org For more information on the Capital Challenge Horse Show call (301) 260-2467 prior to the show or (301) 952-7944 during the show.