Capital Challenge Horse Show management has announced that this year’s competition will be held at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio, on the original dates of Sept. 25-Oct. 4, pending approval from the U.S. Equestrian Federation.

For the past 26 years, the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, has been home to the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Due to the Prince George’s County Parks Department’s tightened regulations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its decision to decrease the number of horses allowed at the facility, management made the difficult decision to move the horse show.

“We have been grateful for the Roberts family’s continued support of Capital Challenge,” said Capital Challenge show manager Oliver Kennedy of the owners and operators of the World Equestrian Center. “When things were looking difficult recently, they stepped right up to the plate. This was not an easy decision to make, but it will be a way to still have the Capital Challenge Horse Show that everyone knows and loves, in a format and venue that will provide the best experience possible.”

Capital Challenge will continue to host all slated classes, with the North American League Jumper Finals and medium junior/amateur-owner jumpers to be held on Monday, Sept. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 29. A revised schedule and prize list will be released this week, so that exhibitors can make plans that work best for their situation.

The Wilmington location offers more than 200,000 square-feet of riding space, featuring premium footing and an additional new indoor ring with large floor-to-ceiling doors running the length of the arena that will be open for maximum airflow.

The National Horse Show is still scheduled to be held in Lexington, Kentucky, Oct. 23-Nov. 1. Washington International and the Pennsylvania National were canceled Aug. 14.