Emily Williams and Beach Boy win Junior Hunters

Credit: Shawn McMillen Photography

Emily Williams and Beach Boy win Junior Hunters


Upper Marlboro, MD – Emily Williams rode Beach Boy to the Overall Grand Junior Hunter Championship on Sunday, October 6, to conclude the 2019 Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Williams, 17, of Newhall, CA, and the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding claimed two wins over fences and a second place under saddle in the Small Junior Hunter 3’6”, 16-17 division to first claim the division championship before ultimately being named the High Point Junior Hunter, 16-17, sponsored by Somerset Farm, and clinching the Overall Grand Champion Junior Working Hunter title, sponsored by Shadow Ridge. For the top honor, Williams received the Spontaneous Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Listrani Family, as well as being named the recipient of the Best Junior Rider Award, sponsored by Karen Healey.

“It feels so amazing,” said Williams. “I’m so, so honored, and I’m just so happy. I thought [Beach Boy] was super consistent and jumped super well in every round.”

While Williams and Beach Boy may have claimed the highest Junior Hunter award, contesting the hunters was not actually Williams’ primary goal for her second visit to the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

“He had to end up stepping up and being my equitation horse, so the hunters were kind of just for fun this week!” said Williams who has owned and ridden Beach Boy for four years after initially purchasing him for the jumper ring but soon transitioning him to the hunters and now the equitation as well. “I always thought he would be a nice hunter since the day I got him. He’s always just loved it. I’ve done him in the [International and National Hunter Derbies]. He’s always been so amazing.”

Williams made the trip to Capital Challenge from Texas Christian University where she is a freshman studying business and competing on the school’s National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) team.

“Before college, I’ve always done all the riding on him myself,” said Williams, who trains with Archie Cox. “Having Archie ride him too has been amazing. He’s been super prepped since I’ve gotten here. He’s been perfect in every round and never looked at a jump. He jumped everything the same, and he’s been amazing.

“He is a total puppy dog,” continued Williams. “I walk into the barn and I yell his name, and he whinnies so loudly. He is everyone’s best friend.”

Two new Junior Hunter 3’6”, 15 & Under champions were also named on Sunday with the Large Junior Hunter 3’6”, 15 & Under championship awarded to Brooke Morin riding For Fun, owned by Troy Christiansen, and the Small Junior Hunter 3’6”, 15 & Under tricolor presented to Calou, ridden by Eleanor Rudnicki and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone.

Morin, of Calabasas, CA, and For Fun finished first and second over fences and second on the flat for the championship win, while Rudnicki, of The Woodlands, TX, rode Calou to a first, second, and third place over fences to top the Small Junior Hunter 3’6”, 15 & Under division.

The reserve championship in the Large Junior Hunter 3’6”, 15 & Under division went to Quite Ruffy, ridden by Campbell Kahn and owned by Blackhearts LLC, and the Small Junior Hunter 3’6”, 15 & Under reserve championship was awarded to Grace Debney and Wisdom, owned by Temple Equestrian LLC.

The Best EMO Junior 3’6” Trip of the Show, sponsored by the EMO Agency, went to Rudnicki and Calou with a score of 88.