Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania National Horse Show proudly inducted Donald Stewart and Laura Chapot into the PNHS Hall of Fame, sponsored by The Wheeler Family, during this year’s horse show, held October 10-20, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA.

Since 2013, and thanks to the support of The Wheeler Family, induction into the PNHS Hall of Fame is an honor bestowed annually upon select individuals in recognition of their extraordinary efforts and dedication to excellence in the equine industry and at the PNHS.

As the daughter of U.S. Olympic show jumping veterans Frank and Mary Chapot, horses are in Laura Chapot’s blood – and
so is show jumping success. Since winning her first grand prix in 1995 aboard the famous Gem Twist, Laura has amassed more than 100 grand prix victories, including at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

“There are so many memories of showing at Harrisburg, starting with the pony hunters and now in the open jumpers,” said Chapot, who her own rode Little Big Man to wins in both the 2005 and 2006 Grand Prix de Penn National. “Any win at Harrisburg is great, but my back-to-back wins in the grand prix with Little Big Man stand out the most. He was such an incredibly game horse that always gave his all.”

Having also won dozens of additional classes at the PNHS, Laura has been named the Leading Open Jumper Rider on multiple occasions, and for the past three consecutive years, she has earned the Leading Lady Rider Award. Away from Harrisburg, Laura has represented the U.S. on multiple winning Nations Cup teams, and in 2007, she and Little Big Man helped the U.S. earn team bronze at the Pan American Games.

With her induction, Laura becomes the third member of the Chapot family to join the PNHS Hall of Fame, following in the
footsteps of her father, who was inducted in 2013, and her mother, who was inducted in 2016.

“There is a different feel to showing at Harrisburg than any other show. Riders from all parts of the country come together and it has more of a championship feel,” said Laura. “It is a tremendous honor to be inducted. The people who have preceded me with this distinction are ones I have admired for their great dedication and contributions to the sport. To be considered among them is a tremendous privilege.”

Since 1968, Donald “Don” Stewart has not missed a single Pennsylvania National Horse Show. He also has not missed a beat
when it comes to producing some of the country’s top horses and horse-and-rider combinations. Don began riding at the age of 8 in North Carolina, and in the time since then Don has amassed an extensive resume of top results as both a rider and trainer. With accolades including 14 American Horse Shows Association (now US Equestrian) Horse of the Year titles throughout the 80s and 90s, Don’s success in the ring
followed him to the PA Farm Show Complex and the PNHS.

In 1989, Don piloted Meant To Be to the PNHS Green Hunter Grand Championship, and in 1992, he replicated that win, this time earning
the grand championship tricolor aboard Western Prospect. Don also notched numerous Working Hunter Championship wins with Without a Doubt, a horse who continually achieved great success with Don in the irons. Following Stewart’s own victories, he turned his attention largely
to guiding students to the same level of top results. From 1999 to 2015, he trained five riders to victory in the prestigious USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, including Emily Williams in 1999, Lauren Van Eldik in 2003, Meg O’Mara in 2012, Spencer Smith in 2014 and Kelli Cruciotti in 2015.

“Those were all very exciting,” said Don. “Some of them had started riding with me on ponies that we brought along, so that’s extra special. We also retired the Winners Stake trophy with Plain Brown Wrapper, who won with three different riders. That was pretty unheard of for that evening competition; that was exciting.”

For Don, his induction is particularly meaningful, as the Pennsylvania National Horse Show is a highlight on his calendar.

“Harrisburg has a lot of history. In my lifetime, I’ve seen it change dramatically, from having the schooling rings outside to now, but that main arena has always been pretty much the same and has survived the test of time,” he explained. “It’s quite an honor to be selected. I’ve consistently been here all of these years as a rider or a trainer. It’s been a lot of fun, and we always look forward to going to the ’Burg!”

Chapot and Stewart join 21 other members of the PNHS Hall of Fame, including the following annual inductees:

• 2013: Gerry Hempt and Frank Chapot
• 2014: Irvin S. Naylor and Steve Stephens
• 2015: Mary “Polly” Gingrich Brand Caswell and Rodney Jenkins
• 2016: Mary Mairs Chapot  and Harry Rittenhouse Gill
• 2017: Joe Fargis and John Sterling
• 2018: Jack Stedding and Leslie Burr Howard
• 2019: Rick and Didi Hornberger and Idle Dice
• 2021: Elizabeth “Beezie” Madden and John Franzreb III
• 2022: Sallie Busch Wheeler, Kenneth Wheeler, Sr. and Betty Oare
• 2023: Joe Alfano, Dr. Csaba Magassy and McLain Ward

The Hall of Fame inductees are showcased each year at the PNHS in the Hall of Fame exhibit, presented by the Wheeler Family.

To learn more about the PA National Horse Show, one of the country’s largest and most prestigious indoor horse shows, visit PAnational.org.