•    Tracy Scheriff, Wellington, Fla., rode her own Absolut to victory in the WCHR Amateur-Owner Challenge on an average score of 85.66. Scheriff placed second in the class last year.

•    Charlene Graham, Rochester, N.Y., traveled to Capital Chal-lenge hoping for a solid performance in the low amateur-owner hunter ring, but she left with a special bonus: the top prize in the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championship. Graham has owned her mount, the 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood Only You, since March. She was thrilled to use the championship class as a chance to show in an indoor arena for the first time and as a prep for the Pennsylvania National.
        “I knew Char would have a great time here,” said trainer Amanda Steege. “She was all excited about Harrisburg, but I kept telling her, ‘Wait until you get to Capital Challenge!’ It’s my favorite horse show.”

•    Louise Serio, Kennett Square, Pa., accepted the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to a person who “exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.”

•    The Winter’s Run Sportsmanship award went to Amanda Steege, Bedminster, N.J.

•    Dialog L took a final turn around the Show Place Arena to accept the Heard A Rumor trophy, presented to a horse who has shown “exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.”
        Currently retired on owner Bruce Duchossois’ Aiken, S.C., farm, the Rheinlander’s impressive career included winning the 1999 China Blue Working Hunter Challenge Trophy and the grand hunter championship at the National Horse Show (N.Y.) with Scott Stewart, as well as small junior hunter titles with Georgina Bloomberg at Devon (Pa.), the National Horse Show (Fla.) and the Pennsylvania National.

•    This year’s course designer, Michael Rheinheimer, became the second person to accept the AHJF Trophy For Hunter Course Designers, which is not awarded every year and had not been awarded since 2006.

•    Small Affair and John French earned the Jeffery Katz Memorial, awarded to the top first year green, second year green or green conformation horse and rider at WCHR shows and Capital Challenge. Small Affair’s owners Iwasaki and Reilly picked up the Rox Dene Award presented to the owner of the high-score professional horse at WCHR shows and Capital Challenge.

•    Gina Day and Sambalino earned the Alabama Clay Hunter Award as the top green and regular conformation horse at WCHR shows and Capital Challenge. Ken Berkley rode Sambalino to the grand hunter championship at Capital Challenge after topping the green conformation division.

•    Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler earned invitations to Capital Challenge as guests of the AHJF after winning AHJF Junior Hunter Challenges, a goal for juniors competing at the non-recognized level. The juniors spent time sitting with the judges, meeting the show veterinarian and farrier and spending time with barn managers in the stable to get a feel for all aspects of showing at a major competition.