Harrisburg, PA – October 19, 2019 – Featuring a group of Amateur Owner Hunters one last time, the $25,000 3’3” & 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunter Classic opened Grand Prix Saturday in the New Holland Arena for the final day of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS).

Seventeen horse-and-rider combinations who previously placed in the top four of an Amateur Owner Hunter over-fences class reentered the ring Saturday to challenge an Alan Lohman-designed course for the winner’s share of $7,500. Scores from the $25,000 3’3” & 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunter Classic were based on two rounds, with the top 12 horses returning for the second round.

Coming off their win in Friday’s Grand Amateur Owner 3’3” Hunter Championship, Dorli Burke and Classic stepped into the ring for a class they don’t normally enter.

“I don’t normally do (classic divisions) because I don’t want to give (my horses) the extra work,” Burke said. “It’s such a special horse show and my horse (Classic) loves the ring, and the horse show made the effort to do this for the amateur riders. I really felt that if we qualified we should participate. I think the show was really nice to do this for the exhibitors.”

Burke and her 11-year-old Warmblood were in third place after the Classic’s initial round with a score of 87. As the only pair to score 90 in the second round, they proved unbeatable with a total score of 177.

“He’s got a really wonderful rhythm, but I’m small and so I just wanted to keep him going enough that he didn’t think we were finished,” Burke said. “(I spent our round) really just trying to get him ahead of me. He’s really fun to ride.”

“I’d had such a fun week here that it was all just more fun,” Burke added. “If we messed up, we messed up. He’s not used to me showing three days in a row. It was fun and good practice for us to go in (for a second round). I really enjoyed it.”

$25,000 3’3” & 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunter Classic
1 Dorli Burke (Salisbury, MD) and Classic | 177 | $7,500
2 Martha Ingram (Nashville, TN) and Airport 48 | 173 | $5,500
3 Jennifer Morris (Portsmouth, VA) and Staros | 172 | $3,750
4 Kathleen Mahoney (New York, NY) and Bilbao | 171 | $2,750
5 Ellen Toon (South Salem, NY) and Gabriel | 168 | $1,250
6 Lynn Seithel (Wadmalaw Island, SC) and Walk the Line | 163 | $1,100
7 Kaitlin Porath (Wellington, FL) and Breaux | 162 | $900
8 Rachel Demuro (Great Falls, VA) and Game Boy | 161 | $750
9 Lindsey Roberts (Kingwood, TX) and Snippet | 159 | $750
10 Jacqueline Attwood-Dupont (Los Angeles, CA) and Spotlight | 157 | $750

For complete results please go to www.Ryegate.com.

Now in its 74th year, the PNHS hosts over 1,400 of the best hunter, jumper and equitation riders from across the nation – including Olympic veterans and National Champions. USEF Premier rated for Hunters, USEF 6* and FEI CSI3* rated for Jumpers, the PNHS is a designated “USEF Heritage Competition,” an honor reserved for a select group of exceptional competitions.

This year’s PNHS is hosting five internationally sanctioned FEI CSI3* jumper classes, designed by FEI 4* Course Designer and Olympic Silver medalist, Michel Vaillancourt. The nation’s top jumping riders and horses will go head-to-head in the marquee $134,000 Grand Prix de Penn National which is held on the show’s final day, Saturday, October 19. Also featured on the final day are the North American League (NAL) Jumper Finals.

Event Highlights
There are many planned attractions at the PNHS both inside and outside the arena and there is something for everyone. Several days have free admission, parking is free, and children 10 and under are always admitted free! Click here for complete Schedule and Ticket Information.

Shoppers Delight
With everything under one roof, the PNHS also plays host to some of the best horse show shopping! More than 60 specialty boutique shops offer hours of shopping on two levels and range from high-end shops reminiscent of Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive including antiques, fine art, clothing, gifts, accessories, rider apparel, horse tack and much more! And stop by the Silent Auction – all 10 days in the PA Room on the upper concourse.

Established in 1945, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show hosts the country’s top competitors in one of the largest indoor horse shows. Proceeds from the horse show benefit The Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization, providing support for therapeutic riding programs and equine rescue groups. Make plans to join us October 10 – 19, 2019 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. For more information on the show or to donate to the Foundation, please visit www.PAnational.org.