Upper Marlboro, MD – August 9, 2014 – The Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS) would like to thank EMO Agency, Inc. for 21 years of loyal sponsorship at its renowned equestrian event. Since its inception in 1994, CCHS has had many amazing supporters, and EMO Agency, Inc. has been a sponsor of the show from the very start. They continue that patronage in 2014 as CCHS celebrates 21 years at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, with competition running September 27 through October 5.
E. Sue Bopp, has been with the EMO Agency since 1986, serving as its President and Operating Officer since 2007 at the corporate headquarters office in Warrenton, Virginia. “I am proud to say we have supported Capital Challenge since its inception and I don’t know many sponsors who can say that,” Bopp stated.
EMO Agency, Inc. is an equine insurance agency founded in 1983 by Ernie Oare, husband of well-known hunter rider Betty Oare. The business began with Thoroughbred race horses and eventually grew from Thoroughbreds to a nationwide sport horse insurance agency. In addition, EMO insures farms, liability, care custody and control, and farm auto. The company has ten field agents throughout the country, and their home office is based in Virginia with a full service team.
Sue Bopp presenting Lisa Williams with her EMO Trip of the Show Award in the 2012 Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6″ division
At Capital Challenge, EMO Agency, Inc. is the sponsor of a special award called the “EMO Trip of the Show,” which is presented to the horse with the highest scoring round in each of the following ten divisions: Professional Hunter, Amateur-Owner Hunter, Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3”, Junior Hunter 3’6”, Junior Hunter 3’3”, Pony Hunter, Adult Amateur Hunter, Children’s Hunter, Future Hunter, and Junior Equitation. An award for Overall Highest Score is also presented, totaling 11 awards.
Following the Grand Championship presentation for each of the divisions, CCHS makes a special presentation of the EMO Trip of the Show for that specific division. Each winner is acknowledged and awarded a ribbon and saddle pad.
In addition to their competition sponsorship, EMO Agency, Inc. has stepped up in 2014 to serve as the official sponsor of the HEART Equine Ambulance at this year’s competition. The Humane Equine Aid and Rapid Transport Ambulance serves as an ambassador to the world of competitive horse showing, providing and promoting the highest standards of care for equine athletes. HEART provides state-of-the-art emergency transportation services for injured or ill horses. Their highly-trained crew specializes in loading and transporting horses that need urgent care.
When managers Oliver Kennedy and Billy Glass first started the Capital Challenge Horse Show, they were looking for sponsors to get their fledgling competition on its feet, and EMO was one of the companies that saw the show’s promise from the beginning. They stepped in as a sponsor right away, and CCHS has since taken off and become one of the premier events in the country. With their sponsorship rewarding the top scoring horses of the competition and also helping to keep all of the horses at CCHS safe and quickly cared for with their support of the HEART Ambulance, EMO is proud to be a part of such a great horse show.
Jonathan Rabon of EMO Agency, Inc. presented Becky Gochman and Sambalino the EMO Trip of the Show Award in the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ division in 2013
Bopp talked about the great qualities of the show, stating, “I think Capital Challenge is a good venue with permanent stalls and lots of places to ride. It is unique because it is indoors and out. They do a good job of dressing up the rings and they have great vendors. I also like the way they acknowledge the sponsors by having a lounge.”
“It is nice that they have a daily newsletter,” she pointed out. “I also think the show gives the opportunity for a nice horse that has not shown enough to qualify for the three indoor shows to go to an indoor horse show. I like the fact that there are a lot of exhibitors there from around the country and a lot of horses get bought and sold there. Oliver and Billy do a great job and have a great team to support the production of a class act horse show.”
Competition at the 2014 Capital Challenge Horse Show runs September 27 through October 5, beginning with the Equitation Weekend presented by Bigeq.com, and followed up with the USEF AA rated event. For more information, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org or visit the Capital Challenge Horse Show page on Facebook and on Twitter at @capchallenge!
In its 21st 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 will take place on September 27-October 5.
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.