Kate Howlin Goes Miles Ahead in $10,000 North American League Adult Hunter Finals

September 29, 2024 – Upper Marlboro, MD – Kate Howlin’s Miles Ahead lived up to his name to win the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Adult Hunter Finals, presented by LAURACEA, and close out the Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS) Equitation Showcase, presented by BIGEQ.com, on Sunday, September 29, in The Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

After qualifying across the country throughout the season, 28 riders challenged the first round, designed by Ken Krome. To determine the final results, the top 12 returned in reverse order of standing for a second jumping round with scores combined by judges Tony Sgarlata and Julie Winkel for an overall total.

“I've owned Miles Ahead for two years now, and I was glad to make it into this final with him,” said Howlin of her 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “I thought we had a decent chance. He's a really good horse, and he'll listen to anything you ask him. I went in confidently, and it turned out well.”

Kate Howlin and Miles Ahead.

Howlin went into the second round sitting in second on an 86 but pulled ahead after posting an 89 and finishing on a 176 total, six points ahead of her closest challenger. Rachel Boggus of Indianapolis, IN, claimed second with the leading score in the opening round of an 88. She and Chevito, owned by Abigail Blankenship, combined that top score with an 82 in the second round to finish on a 170 total. Mimi Moulton of Greenwich, CT, piloted Tradition, owned by Privet Farm, to an 83.5 and 85 to finish on 168.5 for third.

“Going into the second round, I was more confident,” admitted Howlin, who hails from North Beach MD, just 20 minutes from The Show Place Arena. “I think the nerves were gone since he had been around the ring once. It was a nice feeling finishing that way with such a great horse.

“This is definitely one of the biggest shows I compete at in general,” continued Howlin. “It’s a huge honor to win this, especially because it’s so close to my home barn; it's like riding in my backyard. This is a big milestone in my riding career.”

Kate Howlin and Miles Ahead are presented as winner by Annette Longnecker with the NAL; groom Rachel Dantley, trainer Gabriella Conte with the Lisa A. H. Cudahy Perpetual Trophy, and Jennifer Glass and Bradley Bowns of CCHS.

Howlin balances her time in the saddle with being a senior at University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. She is studying business and pre-law and plans to attend law school after graduation.

The NAL offers year-long series in six divisions – Adult Hunter Presented by R & R Hunter Horses, Children’s Hunter Presented by Charles Ancona, 1.10/1.15m Amateur Jumper Presented by SmartPak, 1.10/1.15m Junior Jumper Presented by EquiFit, 1.20/1.25m Junior/Amateur Jumper and 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Presented by Parlanti. The NAL qualifying season runs from September 1 through August 31. NAL qualifying classes are open to all competitors, but only current members are awarded points. Annual memberships are only $45 per rider.

World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition begins on Monday, September 30, and professional hunter division champions will be crowned on Tuesday, October 1. The 2024 Capital Challenge Horse Show continues through October 6 with more exciting equitation, hunter, and jumper competition.

Photos by Shawn McMillen Photography