Harrisburg, PA – October 14, 2019 – Abigail Gordon and Delightful won the North American League (NAL) Children’s Hunter Final, and Betty Oare with Sidenote won the NAL Adult Hunter Final held during the 2019 Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS).

Gordon, 13, from Charlotte, NC, and Delightful, owned by Sloan Lindemann-Barnett, took home the blue ribbon and the Laura Palmer Picket Memorial Perpetual Trophy in the $12,500 North American League Children’s Hunter Final.

In the first round, the pair earned the highest score of 87.00. The last horse-and-rider combination to ride in the callback, Gordon and Delightful, lovingly called “Smooch,” bested their first score earning an 88.00 in the second round to decisively take the win with a final score of 175.00.

A new partnership, Gordon remarks on the connection she has with “Smooch.” “Every time I ask him (Delightful) to do something, he tries. He always relies on me, and we trust each other. The main part is that I have fun on him.”

With an all-star support team behind them, Gordon and “Smooch” look forward to transitioning out of the ponies. “I ride with Ashland Farm. I’m glad I ride with them because we are all a team, we support each other. I can’t thank my trainers enough,” said Gordon. “This is my first time not doing ponies. It was my first time doing the horse in the three-foot class. I was nervous because I wanted to do well, and I just took a deep breath and told myself just to have fun.”

New York native Alexa Lignelli and Pop Rocks, owned by Piccolino Farm LLC, were reserve champions with an impressive final score of 171.00. Lignelli also rode Resonate, owned by West Hill, for a fourth-place finish after improving their first round by eight points for a final collective score of 164.00. Rounding out the top three in the championship was Sally Ives of Durham, NC, with her own Bender. The pair made the podium on a final score of 167.00.

The $12,500 North American League Adult Hunter Final Championship was awarded to Betty Oare of Warrenton, VA, and Emo Stables’ Sidenote. Sidenote, affectionately called “Ted” in the barn, skyrocketed to the top of the leaderboard in the first round with a score of 86.00. Enjoying the moment, and the crowd of friends surrounding the in-gate, Oare and “Ted” galloped around the ring in the final test leaving nothing to chance. Their second and final score of 89.00 confirmed them as the 2019 North American League Adult Hunter Final Champion and recipient of the Lisa. A.H. Cudahy Perpetual Trophy.

“I think NAL is a wonderful organization and to have a nice class in today’s Adult, it was a darn good class,” said Oare. “Most that came back were in the 80’s, lots of quality. People aim for that (high score), it’s not just the ‘here comes the adults’ class.”

“This horse (Sidenote) has given me a lot of confidence to jump. I’m just lucky to have him,” said Oare.

Reserve went to Peggy McNeil (Cream Ridge, NJ) and her own For Ever with a final score of 171.00. Kathryn Sanders of Charlottesville, VA, aboard Falcon, owned by The Barracks, came in third with a final score of 168.60.

North American League Children’s Hunter Final
1 Abigail Gordon (Statesville, NC) and Delightful, 175.00
2 Alexa Lignelli (New York, NY) and Pop Rocks, 171.00
3 Sally Ives (Statesville, NC) and Bender, 167.00
4 Alexa Lignelli (New York, NY) and Resonate, 164.00
5 Vanessa C. Rosso (Davisonville, NC) and Eloquence, 162.00
6 Taylor Landstrom (Excelsior, MN) and Everglade VDL, 161.00
7 Keitlyn Kiely (Rumson, NJ) and Rubix, 160.00
8 Emma Shove (Lothian, MD) and Lando’s Silver Tear Drop, 158.00
9 Reagan Williams (Oak Ridge, NC) and Sienna, 157.00
10 Jordan Bell (Friendship, MD) and Chago, 153.00
11 Lauren Satola (Fulton, MD) and Santinos, 152.00
12 Sophia Strahan (Willimgton, NC) and Zeus, 148.00

North American League Adult Hunter Final
1 Betty Oare (Warrenton, VA) and Sidenote, 175.00
2 Peggy McNeil (Cream Ridge, NJ) and For Ever, 171.00
3 Kathryn Sanders (Charlottesville, VA) and Falcon, 168.60
4 Meredith Maxwell (Beachwood, NJ) and Clooney, 168.00
5 Patti Schindler (Reisterstown, MD) and Glyndon, 164.500
6 Laurie Barna (Dallas, PA) and Hundred Acre, 161.00
7 Jacquelyn Maggiore (South Boston, MA) and Bambolino, 161.00
8 Stacy Wolf (Carlisle, PA) and Kensington, 158.00
9 Julia Martinez (Shamong, NJ) and Believer, 153.00
10 Laura Owens (San Francisco, CA) and Eurythmic, 151.00
11 Barbara Brungess (Spring City, PA) and Cornetto, 145.50
12 Susannah Raff (Elkridge, MD) and Renaissance, 76.00

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 $60,000 Pennsylvania Big Jump, with an increase of $10,000 in prize money over last year, and the $134,000 Grand Prix de Penn National which is held on the show’s final day, Saturday, October 19.

Senior Week takes place October 14-19, featuring the show’s fourth annual Therapeutic Riding Championships as well as unique classes such Ladies Sidesaddle and Hunt Night.

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.

For additional information including sponsorship opportunities, program ad details, Silent Auction donations and vendor space applications, please visit the horse show’s website at www.Panational.org. Applications are also available for eligible Junior riders to apply for The Claire Mawdsley Scholarship awards.

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.