Tosh, Sonneborn, and Burnham Lead the Way on Final Day of 2024 Capital Challenge Horse Show
October 6, 2024 – Upper Marlboro, MD – The 2024 Capital Challenge Horse Show closed out competition on Sunday, October 6, with a schedule full of classes and awards for young riders. Maddie Tosh rode Juan Carlos to the Grand 3’6” Junior Hunter Champion honors for Lily Sonneborn and Andesite Equestrian LLC, while Sonneborn took home her own Grand Junior Hunter Championship in the Junior Hunter 3’3” division with Spencer. Clara Burnham and Ravello, owned by Melissa Hirt, won the Grand Children’s Hunter Championship.
Tosh Has a Grand Catch Ride
All it took for Maddie Tosh of Milton, GA, to click with Juan Carlos was a ticketed warm-up ride the day before they competed in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunters. They then went straight into the ring and picked up a third place and the win in the handy class – with an overall score of 93 – before wrapping up the division championship with second in the stake class and first place under saddle. These top ribbons gave them the Overall Grand Junior Hunter 3’6” Champion sponsored by Shadow Ridge. Juan Carlos and Tosh were presented with The Spontaneous Perpetual Trophy donated by The Listrani Family, and Tosh was named the Best 3’6” Junior Rider sponsored by Rose Hill Farm LA, LLC. They also won the High Point Junior Hunter 16-17 sponsored by The Bensimon Family.
Maddie Tosh and Juan Carlos in their winning presentation.
“Lily normally shows him in the 3’3” juniors,” Tosh explained. “Her and everyone at Hesslink*Williams was generous enough to pass the reins to me for the week, and it worked out fantastically. I’m very grateful to them for this opportunity.”
This was the first junior hunter championship and grand hunter championship that Tosh has won at Capital Challenge. She pointed out, “I’ve done [the junior hunters] a lot but never had the best of luck here. It’s such a special horse show to win at, and I think it’s a great start to the rest of indoors. It’s an honor to win and be grand champion here.”
Sonneborn Checks the Bucket List
At the age of 16, local Washington D.C. resident Lily Sonneborn rode in her second Capital Challenge Horse Show and for the first time here in the Junior Hunter 3’3” division. She and Spencer, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Nabab de Reve, were first, second, and fifth over fences to win the Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under Section B division and the Grand Junior Hunter 3’3” Championship. Sonneborn was also named the Best Junior 3’3” Rider Award sponsored by Deer Creek Farm LLC.
Lily Sonneborn and Spencer, with trainers Geoffrey Hesslink and Brendan Williams in their winning presentation.
“It’s incredible to be grand champion,” she said. “This was such a bucket list item for me; I never thought this would happen. I’m so lucky to have my team behind me and these incredible horses that make my dreams come true. My trainers work so hard to make everything happen. I’m kind of in shock. I never thought this would happen, so I’m so grateful.”
Sonneborn started riding only three years ago after attending a horse camp where she fell in love with horses. While she rides locally at Rolling Acres Farm during the week to “practice with no stirrups,” she trains with Geoffrey Hesslink and Brendan Williams.
She partnered with Spencer this year and knew she could count on her dependable partner. “I was definitely feeling the nerves and the pressure, but he’s such a good boy,” she said. “He didn’t let that faze him. He is very lazy, but I like to call him ‘calm.’ He just likes to enjoy the journey; he’s not going anywhere fast. His jump feels amazing; it’s like it is in slow motion. The feeling that he gives you is incredible.”
Lily Sonneborn and Spencer
Sonneborn was equally excited to see Tosh win the 3’6” grand award on her horse Juan Carlos.
She expressed, “Maddie is such an incredible rider. I really look up to her even though she’s only a few years older than me. She rides him so well. It so fun to watch her show him and get huge scores and make both of their dreams come true.”
Burnham Has a Grand Debut
In her first time competing at Capital Challenge Horse Show, 12-year-old Clara Burnham of Boulder, CO, took home the lion’s share worth of prizes for Children’s Hunters. They won over fences and were third under saddle, which helped them win the Children’s Hunter 14 & Under division and the Grand Children’s Hunter Championship sponsored by Mary Jane King. For that win, they were presented with The Laura Pickett Memorial Trophy donated by Julie Karpan. Burnham was also give the Best Children’s Hunter Rider Award sponsored by Wild Sky Farm and The Nelson Family. At the end of the day, the won the WCHR Children’s Hunter Challenge.
Clara Burnham and Ravello in their winning presentation for the Grand Children’s Hunter Championship.
What started as a short lease has turned into a longer partnership for Burnham and Ravello, a 12-year-old Warmblood gelding. After competing at the Traverse City Horse Shows this past summer, they extended the lease.
Burnham acknowledged a “rider error” for a lack of a ribbon in their second jumping class but gave full credit to her horse for their success. “It’s tough competition. If you screw up once, you’re not placing,” she said with a smile. “He’s so perfect; I love him so much. He’s so smooth, and it’s like you’re on a cloud when you’re riding him. He’s a great mover, and his expressions are amazing.”
Burnham, who trains with Jacob Pope and Nick Pongracz and rides at Capall Glen Equestrian at home in Colorado, has enjoyed her time at CCHS.
“I love it so much,” she said. “I love the tough competition and the environment. There’s nothing you couldn’t like about it! It’s awesome to win. It’s insane; this is the biggest win I’ve ever had. I’ve never won a grand championship before.”
Additional awards included:
Jagerbomb and Violet Tatum
Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under
Sponsored by Robert and Sandra Bierman
Champion: Jagerbomb, Violet Tatum, Donald Stewart
Reserve Champion: Adler, Alice Goodwin, Alice Goodwin
Casino Cash and Brooke Hagerty
Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under
Champion: Casino Cash, Brooke Hagerty, The Hagerty Family
Reserve Champion: Philadelphia Story, Madison Stewart, Madison Stewart
Advent and Chloe Cairns
Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under Section A
Sponsored by Hesslink*Williams
Champion: Advent, Chloe Cairns, Blue Haven Equestrian LLC
Reserve Champion: All Inklusive, Ava Berman, Ava Berman
Spencer and Lily Sonneborn
Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under Section B
Sponsored by Hesslink*Williams
Champion: Spencer, Lily Sonneborn, Andesite Equestrian LLC
Reserve Champion: Ocean Road, Mimi Maddock, Maddock Horses LLC
Grand Romance and Caroline Moore
Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17
Sponsored by The Nolan Family
Champion: Grand Romance, Caroline Moore, Caroline Moore
Reserve Champion: Troubadour, Madison Ramsey, Matt Martin
Ravello and Clara Burnham
Children’s Hunter 14 & Under
Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Garry Duffy and Little Brook Farms, Inc.
Champion: Ravello, Clara Burnham, Melissa Hirt
Reserve Champion: Sundown, Kenzie Smith, Charlotte Rossetter & Pamela Wright
Kingston and Maya Grove
Children’s Hunter 15-17
Sponsored by Katie Kappler LLC
Champion: Kingston, Maya Grove, Maya Grove
Reserve Champion: Kid Safari DH, Lily Capone, Lily Capone
Additional awards given:
Leading Hunter Trainer
Brendan Williams
High Point Junior Hunter 15 & Under sponsored by Courtyard Farm
Jagerbomb, Violet Tatum, Donald Stewart
High Point Junior Hunter 16-17 sponsored by The Bensimon Family
Juan Carlos, Maddie Tosh, Andesite Equestrian
EMO Junior Trip of the Show
Babylon, Paige Walkenbach, Walkenbach Equestrian LLC – 95
Best EMO 3’3” Junior Trip of the Show
Ocean Road, Mimi Maddock, Maddock Horses LLC – 91
Best EMO Children’s Trip of the Show
Ravello, Clara Burnham, Melissa Hirt – 89.5
WCHR Junior 3’6” Challenge
Casino Cash, Brooke Hagerty, The Hagerty Family
WCHR Junior 3’3” Challenge
Ocean Road, Mimi Maddock, Maddock Horses LLC
Stewart-Warner Cup for Junior Rider
Given in memory of Laurie Gilbert Stewart and Mary Warner Brown by Donald E. Stewart, Jr. and Louise W. Serio
Gabrielle Anzelc
Stewart-Warner Cup for Children’s Rider
Given in memory of Laurie Gilbert Stewart and Mary Warner Brown by Donald E. Stewart, Jr. and Louise W. Serio
Kenzie Smith