Morgan Geller Tops North American Flat Equitation Championships
Morgan Geller Tops North American Flat Equitation Championships on Opening Day at Capital Challenge
Upper Marlboro, MD – October 1, 2011 – The 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show began competition this morning at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The Show Place Arena hosted competitors for opening day of The North American Equitation Championship Weekend, presented by BigEq.com, with many exciting wins for the country’s top young riders. Competition continues through October 9 with a full schedule of hunter, jumper and equitation classes.
The highlight of today’s competition was the North American Flat Equitation Championship, in which 16-year-old Morgan Geller, of Manhattan Beach, CA, rode Fabricio to an exciting win. Reserve champion was Katie Tyler, of North Kingstown, RI, riding her horse Galliard. In addition to their finishes in the flat championship, both riders earned top honors in their respective age divisions earlier in the day. Geller and Fabricio earned the tri-color in the 16-Year-Old Equitation, while Tyler was champion in the 17-Year-Old Equitation with Galliard. Following Geller and Tyler in the North American Flat Equitation Championships were Hayley Barnhill, Lauren Fabiano, Bailey Hughes, and Meredith Darst.
Morgan Geller and Fabricio
Morgan Geller and Fabricio
Morgan Geller trains with Jim Hagman and Katie Gardner at Elvenstar in California, and this is her second year traveling east to compete at Capital Challenge. Geller’s horse Fabricio is a ten-year-old Czech Warmblood that she bought last November. Fabricio was originally Geller’s top hunter mount, and the gelding has been better than ever since he transitioned into the equitation divisions.
“He is really smooth and very brave. He really tries hard and I love him,” Geller smiled. “I do the hunters too, so he has that way of going where you can soften to a jump and he will always make a nice jump out of it. You don’t have to hold onto him and direct him every stride. He knows how to do a lot on his own, so it is nice to be able to just let go sometimes.”
Geller made her trip worthwhile with her biggest equitation win to date. She has worked hard to get to this point and explained, “This is definitely one of the biggest classes I have won. I was so tired, but when I got down to the end I just wanted to keep going strong and not give up. I am very happy.”
Except from Capital Challenge
The 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show will host a full day of events tomorrow as the North American Equitation Championship Weekend, sponsored by BigEq.com, continues. Beginning at 8:00 a.m., the Show Place Arena will feature the North American Equitation Championships, Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal Finals and North American Amateur Equitation Championships.
In its 18th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show is taking place October 1-9.
Top competitions include the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals and the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, along with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. In addition to these prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes.
For more information, please visit Capital Challenge on the web or visit the Capital Challenge Horse Show page on Facebook!