Upper Marlboro, MD (October 5, 2025) –– Besting a field of 31 riders Lindsey Mohr, 18, rode Lion King to a 88.5 and a 89.4, dominating the the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals held at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD.
The opening line, a long five stride, which some riders opted to ride in a quiet six, was the tough question of the course. Devon Poeta and Amy Brubaker both chose the six and the judges id not penalize them. Poeta finished second while Brubaker finished third.
Mohr’s decision to go for the five strides wasn’t made haphazardly or executed in a rush. Lion King simply opened his stride and made it look simple.
“My horse has a huge stride so I thought I’d make the most of it,” said Mohr. “My trainer Robert Beck said before I went in the ring, I don’t want to mess you up or anything but if you get the five you won the class.”
Mohr enjoyed the courses and the multitude of bending lines which allowed her to ride a “huntery” course – something Lion King is good at.
The second course used a number of rollbacks after the forward first line. Mohr said, “I love the rollbacks. It really made it an equitation course. It really helped you to figure out who could really do the turns and collect.”
Mohr knows Lion King very well. She has owned him for four years and has won a multitude of titles on him. One such title was the Show Circuit Medal Finals title she earned at the Capital Challenge back in 2004 riding the same horse.
Mohr currently attends Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ, and rides her horses at her home. She competes about once or twice a month and also rides on the equestrian team at Centenary.
Jamie Ringel of Wilton, CT, stood at the in gate of the Show Place Arena as the last to go in the second round of the World Champion Hunter Rider Adult Amateur Challenge. Riding Private Ryan her first round score of 87.34 put her at the top, and fighting the nerves of going last, she nailed the second course. The three-judge panel posted an average score of 88.66 to secure Ringel the title.
“I’ve messed up a lot going into second rounds…I’ve gone in a lot of times and been over anxious so I didn’t want to mess up,” said Ringel.
For the 24-year-old it was her first time showing in the WCHR Adult Amateur Challenge class. She describes her 10-year-old Wurttenburg as an easy, straightforward, mount, but she was still nervous.
Ringel is a sophomore at Fairfield University and trains with Michelle West and Leslie Kogos.
Highlights for Saturday will include the $50,000 Ariat Congressional Cup Grand Prix.
Spectators can enjoy the show jumping action as well as the many boutiques offering unique gift items, artwork, the finest jewelry and a variety of quality equestrian equipment. The boutique areas are located inside and out, with the expanded shop area on the concourse featuring over twenty vendors. Pick up your holiday gifts early!
Admission and parking are free throughout the week. 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) 952-7944.
You must be logged in to post a comment.