Jennifer Glass Receives the USHJA’s Vital Horse Show Staff Award

December 20, 2022 – Upper Marlboro, MD – Jennifer Glass, Executive Director of the Capital Challenge Horse Show, was honored with the 2022 Vital Horse Show Staff Award during the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Annual Meeting, which took place December 12-15, 2022, in Seattle, WA.

Each year, the USHJA’s Vital Horse Show Staff Award recognizes staff members whose roles are critical to a competition’s success. Although these individuals’ work is often done behind the scenes, it is an essential component of well-run horse shows. These announcers, starters, secretaries, technical coordinators, facility managers, ring crews, and assistants of every type are on the front lines every day moving the sport forward. Many of these individuals have been leaders in their areas of expertise across the industry for decades, and the award recognizes their contributions.

The USHJA honors an East and West recipient for the Vital Horse Show Staff Award. Glass of Bokeelia, FL, was named as the East recipient and George Chatigny of Burbank, CA, was given the West award.

“I am honored to have been nominated and selected to receive the USHJA’s East Coast Vital Horse Show Staff Award,” commented Glass. “I have been fortunate to have worked at the greatest shows across the country and for the best managers and coworkers in the industry. For me, the most rewarding part is interacting with the riders and horses.  I have the greatest job on Earth!”

Glass has been an essential member of the Capital Challenge Horse Show since its inception, having helped her husband, Billy Glass, and co-founder and show manager Oliver Kennedy, build the show from the ground up and is widely known for her welcoming smile while managing awards presentations. In addition to coordinating the extensive awards program, Glass oversees sponsor relations, event planning, and VIP seating, and more throughout the year. 

“Jennifer is an all-around essential member of our show staff, excelling at whatever job she is presented with,” said Capital Challenge co-founder and show manager Oliver Kennedy. “We couldn’t run the show without her.”

From awards, sponsor coordination, and event planning, Glass's expertise has been seen at competitions across the country, most notably the Capital Challenge Horse Show, the Washington International Horse Show, World Equestrian Center, the USHJA Green Incentive and International Hunter Derby Championship, and the USHJA National Championships.

The Capital Challenge Horse Show staff is proud to have Glass as part of the team and would like to congratulate her on receiving the Vital Horse Show Staff Award.

About the Capital Challenge Horse Show
The Capital Challenge Horse Show, an official USEF Heritage Competition, has a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter and equitation competition. The 2023 edition of the Capital Challenge Horse Show will take place from September 28-October 8. The 11 days of competition will include prestigious equitation events, jumper divisions, the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Finals, the $25,000 3’ and 3’3” Green Hunter North American Championships, and more, with many of the country’s best horses and riders competing in junior, amateur, and professional divisions.