September 2020 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN September 2020 Page 27 The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association will pledge $100,000 towards a $450,000 Helmet Safe- ty Research Campaign to support the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab’s research to improve helmets used by the equestrian community. “The importance of helmet safety, as we all have come to understand it, is of the highest im- portance to our health and well-be- ing and that of equestrian sport,” said Mary Babick, president of the USHJA. “Our pledge to this cam- paign is not only a commitment to furthering research and technology in this field, but also a commitment to our equestrian community to help make it safer for all involved.” The USHJA Board of Direc- tors approved the funding in De- cember 2019 at the USHJAAnnu- al Meeting after Dr. Barry Miller, PhD, of the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, presented on the topic of hel- met safety and the lab’s research. This research program will study head impact and concussion risk in an equestrian environment. Research will be conducted in lab settings and field video data on a variety of equestrian events with significant attention to jumping, where many injuries occur. This project will set the framework to better understand concussive biomechanics in the equestrian industry and better inform helmet manufacturers for improvement with environment-specific design. The USHJA is encouraging other equestrian organizations and individuals to also pledge their support to help fund this crucial research which will help improve the helmet rating system which influences the manufactur- ing of equestrian helmets. To learn more or to donate to the Equestrian Helmet Safety Initiative visit ehsi.net . The 2020 Capital Challenge Horse Show will be held at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, OH, on the original dates of September 25–October 4 pending US Equestrian approval. For the past 26 years, the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, has been home to the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Due to the Prince George’s County Parks Department’s tightened regula- tions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its decision to decrease the number of horses allowed at the facility, manage- ment made the difficult decision to move the horse show. “We have been grateful for the Roberts family’s continued support of Capital Challenge,” said Capital Challenge show manager Oliver Kennedy of the owners and operators of the World Equestrian Center. “When things were looking difficult recently, they stepped right up to the plate. This was not an easy decision to make, but it will be a way to still have the Capital Challenge Horse Show that every- one knows and loves, in a format and venue that will provide the best experience possible.” The World Equestrian Center has been the presenting sponsor 2020 Capital Challenge Moves to Ohio of Capital Challenge Horse Show since 2016, and now the well-re- garded, state-of-the-art equestrian sports venue will also provide a safe, top-of-the-line facility for the popular year-end horse show. The Wilmington, OH, location offers more than 200,000 square- feet of riding space, featuring premium footing and an additional new indoor ring with large floor-to- ceiling doors running the length of the arena that will be open for max- imum airflow. The facilities have excellent ventilation, pertinent to ensuring the best possible environ- ment for competitors and staff. With similar weather to Mary- land, more permanent stalls, and a wide range of amenities, the Capi- tal Challenge team aims to provide exhibitors with the same positive experiences that have become syn- onymous with the horse show. Capital Challenge will continue to host all slated classes, with the North American League (NAL) Jumper Finals and Me- dium Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers to be held on Monday, September 28, and Tuesday, September 29. A revised schedule and prize list will be released so that exhibitors can make plans that work best for their situation. For jumper competitors, the location change also provides the opportunity to compete at the Split Rock Jumping Tour Colum- bus International II CSI2* events before or after Capital Challenge in nearby Columbus, OH. The World Equestrian Center also offers 36 on-site, two-bed- room efficiency cabins and 73 home-away-from-home two-to- three-bedroom units with full kitchens and washers and dryers. In addition, there are 96 available RV spaces on-site, as well as Airbnb and VRBO options, and numerous hotels nearby. Wilmington, OH, is within an hour drive from the Colum- bus, Dayton, and Cincinnati, OH, airports and is less than two hours from Lexington, KY. For updates and more information, follow Capital Challenge on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. USHJA Funds Helmet Safety Research Coming in the October issue! Advertising Deadline: Sept. 11 To advertise, call (717) 509-9800 www.eastcoastequestrian.net The news East Coast horse owners need to know BONUS DISTRIBUTION At all October Princeton Show Jumping events, Ridge at Riverview events & Swan Lake shows! Plus, two features! Real Estate Showcase and Equine Health Care, Nutrition andTherapy