The “Indoors” as a group of events has historically been the pinnacle of the American horse show season with the most prestigious classes open by invite only to qualified exhibitors. Last week, I had friends competing in open, amateur and junior divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. A few were returning exhibitors and two were competing for their first time at this venue. Time allowing, I tried watch each of their classes via live stream and I was completely amazed as to how they adjusted showing outside in blustery weather and then followed up with rounds in a small indoor ring. Even more impressive is that I did not realize how tiny the arena was until I spoke/messaged with each of them. These elements are just part of what make the name “challenge” a perfect descriptor of the event’s name, yet everyone I know that competed provided the same feedback...they cannot wait to return next year because of the quality of competition and they are taking away more skills to make them better equestrians!
Our Junior Editor, McKenna Norris, provides her feedback on her first trip to Indoors, starting with a first stop at Capital Challenge. Her insight is definitely helpful for watching live stream and she also provides tips for those of us who are now totally inspired to work even harder to one day compete indoors.
Enjoy!
ON COURSE, INDOORS: The Capital Challenge
by McKenna Norris, jr. editor
THE ARENA
I never imagined how it would actually feel to walk into the indoor at Capital Challenge for the first time. I’ve watched the live feed for years, awing over every horse and rider pair, and dreaming to be there. The one way I can summarize my thought process for that first time would be: it's TINY! I really mean that! I kept thinking wow, the live feed is quite deceiving, because seeing the two warm up fences in the middle of the ring baffled me. How in the world were they going to fit a whole entire course in here? Yet, they did indeed!
THE FACILITY
The show facility shocked me as well. For some reason I had an image in my head that everything during the "indoors" season would obviously be indoors... I was definitely mistaken and reality set in when I showed up to the show grounds the first night. One indoor, two outdoor warm ups, a half covered practice arena, and an outdoor show arena. Capital Challenge tested every rider and horse’s ability to execute their rounds. We rode in the pouring rain and mud, the tiny, oval, indoor arena, and also the sunshine (Sunday had blue skies). Not only were the riding conditions rigorous but also so was the competition. It was the ultimate test... well at least for me.
PREPARE
The first day of practice consisted of two lessons with Don Stewart and mentally set me up for the challenge to compete. The lessons were chaotic and educational as 12 of us maneuvered around set courses, practicing the trot jump, bending lines (forward and slow), halts, counter canter, and no stirrup work. My mind went a thousand miles an hour during those lessons and I knew that's exactly how it'd react competing for the first time. And it was, my first ride in the indoor felt like it lasted 20 seconds, the pace was forward and the jumps came up extremely fast.
READY FOR THE PESSOA!
CCHS was an experience to date, the weather, the arenas, the Don Stewart lessons, and the atmosphere was unforgettable! I'm looking forward to my time at Pennsylvania National Horse Show and the Pessoa Medal Finals!
MCKENNA'S GALLERY: CAPITAL CHALLENGE
FOLLOW INSTAGRAM LIVE WITH MCKENNA
Follow McKenna’s Street to Stable INSTAGRAM LIVE feed this weekend at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show as she competes at the Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Finals. From Uber to stall preparation, you will get a real time look of one young woman’s experience competing at this year’s prestigious Pennsylvania National Horse Show.