Californians make their presence known at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

by Emily Randolph/Jump Media • photos by Jump Media and Shawn McMillen Photography

At this year’s Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD, three of the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Challenge class winners, the Adult Amateur Equitation Championships winner, and the Grand Pony, Grand Junior, and Large Junior Hunter 3’6” Champions, as well as other top finishers, all had at least one thing in common: they all call California home.

It’s a frequent connecting theme among many years’ winners at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, with dozens of Californians making the cross-country trip each year to stake their claim to wins among the top hunter and equitation horses and riders in the country. This year, of the 736 riders competing at Capital Challenge, held September 27 through October 6, 74 of them hailed from California, making California the second-most represented state behind only New York with 85 riders competing.

Here’s a look at a few of this year’s California-based winners.

Jacqueline Attwood-Dupont of Los Angeles, CA, and Shannon Davidson of Rancho Mission Viejo, CA, high five after finishing first and second, respectively, in the North American Adult Equitation Championships. Photo: Jump Media

Emily Williams of Newhall, CA, rode Beach Boy to the Overall Grand Junior Hunter Championship. Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography

The Grand Champion Pony Hunter title went home to Corona, CA, with Shiloh Roseboom and Heavenly Patch of Blue. Photo: Jump Media

The Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter division championship went to Brooke Morin of Calabasas, CA, and For Fun. Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography

In addition to winning the North American Adult Equitation Championships aboard Black Label, Jacqueline Attwood-Dupont topped the $5,000 WCHR Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” Challenge riding Spotlight. Photo: Jump Media

Juliette Joseph of Del Mar, CA, and San Marco, owned by Ann Russo, won the $5,000 WCHR Junior Hunter 3’6” Challenge. Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography

The top honor in the $1,500 WCHR Children’s Hunter Challenge went to Peyten Seltzer of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and her own Que Crème. Photo: Jump Media