Harrisburg, PA – October 13, 2019 – After a year of qualifying, 239 riders entered the New Holland Arena at the 2019 Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) vying for top honors in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final. It was 17-year-old Emma Fletcher aboard Bournedale who accomplished that goal.

“This (win) just means everything to me,” Fletcher said. “Growing up with a trainer as a parent (mother Kathryn Fletcher), you watch it and you want to do it, and today I got to do that and know I could do it. It means everything, really.”

Ending her junior career with style, Fletcher (Buzzards Bay, MA) rode away with the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Final Championship and the Adrian van Sinderen Memorial Perpetual Trophy with Bournedale, the 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Kathryn Fletcher. Bournedale, one of the youngest horses in the competition, showed poise and composure with only having one Final under his belt, the USEF Showjumping Talent Search Finals – East.

“When I tried him (Bournedale), he had a great canter and an amazing brain,” Fletcher said. “He’s come along so well and is just one of the best minded horses I’ve ever sat on. He’s fantastic.”

After the preliminary round, 25 hopefuls were invited back to test over an abbreviated second course requiring a hand gallop, counter canter, and a demonstration of a sitting trot. The top six then returned for one final test where they had to transition to walk between lines, canter fences in the opposite direction, and demonstrate a turn on the haunches.

“I’m very excited because I had the privilege of choosing between two horses that I love,” Fletcher said. “Every jump presented itself nicely and he (Bournedale) ate up the lines, his stride is large, and it just worked out well. I’m just excited to make my parents super proud.”

According to judges Cynthia Hankins and Kip Rosenthal, the top 14 horse-and-rider combinations all scored in the 90’s, and final placings came down to just fractions of a point.

“It was a long day and the scores were so close,” Rosenthal said. “They were all wonderful. What really nailed it (for the champion) was the turn on the haunches, she (Fletcher) did that beautifully. Her jumps were nice, and her turn on the haunches, in our opinion, was a true turn on the haunches. She was great.”

Jordan Allen (West Bloomfield, MI) was Reserve Champion with Ashland Farms’ Quite Cassini, a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding who was presented the PNHS Best Equitation Horse Award. Allen was third to ride in the work-off, but her beautiful final test gave her the edge over fellow competitors.

“It (the class) started out great,” Allen said. “I have the mecca of equitation horses, and I just feel very lucky to ride him (Quite Cassini). No one deserves a horse like him, so it was very exciting. The first round was one of the best rounds; I’ll remember that for the rest of my life. He didn’t put a foot wrong all day.”

Sam Walker (Nobleton, Ontario) took third aboard Waldo, the 12-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by North Run Farm. Walker’s preparation for the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final was slightly different than his fellow competitors’, but it still paid off in the end.

“I haven’t ridden Waldo for a few months because I’m based in Canada and Missy (Clark) is here in the States,” Walker said. “We just never ended up connecting after Lake Placid, but I can say when I was home, I stayed dedicated to make sure I was preparing myself the best that I could. It was nice to get here and get back on him (Waldo). We didn’t skip a beat, and I’m really proud of him today.”

Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final
1 Emma Fletcher (Buzzards Bay, MA) and Bournedale
2 Jordan Allen (West Bloomfield, MI) and Quite Cassini
3 Sam Walker (Nobleton, ON) and Waldo
4 Tessa Brown (Jamaica, VT) and Davide
5 Erin Floyd (Austin, TX) and Any Given Sunday
6 Zayna Rizvi (Wellington, FL) and Finnick
7 Ava Stearns (Chilmark, MA) and Acer K
8 Farah Rizvi (Wellington, FL) and Jarinka
9 Avery Glynn (Penngrove, CA) and Cocon 4
10 Ellie Ferrigno (Newtown, CT) and FRH Remarkable
11 Emma Pacyna (Simi Valley, CA) and Constantinos
12 Blair Spencer (Pinehurst, NC) and Kori D’Oro

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 will host 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 North American League (NAL) Finals and the show’s fourth annual Therapeutic Riding Championships, as well as unique classes such Ladies Sidesaddle and Hunt Night on Monday, October 14.

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.

VIP Terrace – new location!
The EMO VIP Terrace is now located on the long side of the arena facing the In-Gate. This will allow for additional tables to be available for sale on the VIP Terrace. Contact PA National Horse Show to reserve a table. Click here for map image.

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.