Annie Finch and W.C. Swing. (Shawn McMillen Photography)
After her win last weekend, Finch felt nervous today. “We waited all week because I don’t do the hunters,” she explained. My mom and I had the best time, hanging out and watching everyone. Then there was pressure, everyone’s saying, 'You won last week so you’re going to win this week.'”
Finch remarked, “I don’t ever think I’m going to win, I just think I don’t want to make a mistake. My goal has always been to fit in, I really have a hard time watching other people. I’m always like, 'Oh you’re so good, what am I doing here?' I’m just trying to go around!”
Her plan for today's second round course changed when they decided to leave a stride out in the last line, which was a bending seven or direct six strides to a one-stride combination. Finch urged “Swing” down the line and he made it look easy. “My horse is so good, whatever you ask him to do, he‘ll do,” Finch said. “We could do eight or five (strides). I just do what my trainer (Chance Arakelian) tells me to do. He says slice it this way to that way, land left but don’t swap. The horse is amazing—he won those rounds. Last weekend was good, but he helped me out a lot today.”
Finch has ridden Swing for two years, and the talented horse has plenty of experience in the equitation ring – he won the USEF Talent Search Finals – West twice, plus numerous other classes.
Of her win, she said, “I said my goal is to have a good time, since this is my first time here! I’m still in shock from last weekend!”
Earlier in the afternoon, Debbie Kelly and Say What, owned by Rodney Bross, were victorious in the WCHR Adult Amateur Finals.
Round 1 of the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup sponsored by Kate Considine/Willow Brook Stables kicked off this afternoon with a speed class. Victoria Colvin and Monsieur du Reverdy were the fastest to win in 65.682 seconds. Second place went to Alexandra Crown and Starnato in 70.200 seconds, while Vivian Yowan and Coral Z were third in 73.509 seconds. The jumpers will return tomorrow night for their final round, the $10,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup.
The Capital Challenge Horse Show continues tomorrow with championships for the 16-17 sections of the junior hunters, the pony hunters, the Children's Pony Hunters, the WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge, and the final round for the junior/amateur-owner jumpers.
More from Friday at the Capital Challenge
Scott Stewart Rides to Fifth All-Time Win in WCHR Professional Finals
Final Results: ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals
1 W. C. SWING ANNIE FINCH
87 84 88 89 89.25 87.45
87 87 83 83.5 86.5 85.40 172.85
2 METRO ELYSSE RUSCHMEYER
89 85 81 81 85.75 84.35
81.5 81 85 85 86 83.70 168.05
3 PARCHEESI QUINN TRAENDLY
82 81 79.75 79.5 82.75 81.00
84 85 84 84 87 84.80 165.80
4 LOGAN SARAH FLINK
78 83.75 87 87 80.5 83.25
81 80 82 83 78 80.80 164.05
5 LEONETTI STEPHANIE GOODSON
78.75 80 84.25 86 84.9 82.78
82 79 78 79 81.5 79.90 162.68
6 LIGHTNING APRIL WEHLE
85 83 79 82 82.25 82.25
77 76 79 80 79 78.20 160.45
7 LION KING ASHLEY TICE
81 77 84 85 88 83.00
79 78 76 74 74 76.20 159.20
8 ROSSO ROSSINI MIRANDA SCARPONE
86 83.5 83 80 83 83.10
78 76.5 73 75.5 75 75.60 158.70
9 LINDEGARDENS LOR ALEXA BAYKO
84 78.5 86.25 77 77.9 80.73
80 77 74 73 77.1 76.22 156.95
10 SPYGLASS AMY COOPER
78.5 83.8 80.5 82.5 78 80.66
69 70 77 75 76.75 73.55 154.21