How to Walk Away a Winner!
There’s more than one way to walk away a winner at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show!
We have all seen the beautiful class and championship ribbons, the silver or crystal trophies and keepers and the mountains of in-kind awards given to division and class winners at major horse shows. But those aren’t the only performances being highlighted at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.
In addition to the usual class and division prizes, PNHS also presents awards to a wide variety of other efforts. The Claire Mawdsley Scholarships are awarded to qualified Junior riders who attend traditional brick and mortar schools. Presented in memory of fellow rider Claire Mawdsley, the scholarships are awarded to qualified riders with the highest cumulative rounds in each of the four Junior sections. In 2014, four scholarships were awarded along with ribbons for the top three in each section of the Juniors. Information of qualifying and donating can be found at www.PaNational.org.
English Riding Supply recognizes Junior riders through Sportsmanship Awards to both Pony and Junior riders. Recognizing the good sportsmanship of these riders is another way that a rider can be a winner without having the winning horse.
Junior riders competing in the Prix de States Junior Jumpers are also eligible for “The Wiliam C. Steinkraus Style Award” presented by the Karen Healey Stables to the Junior jumper rider who best exemplifies the American style of equitation, and the respectful, dignified, courteous and workmanlike manner of a true sportsman.
But riders aren’t the onle ones being recognized. Special awards are presented to Grooms with the “Prince Charming Trophy” presented by Caroline Moran and awarded to the groom of the Grand Amateur Owner 3’6″ Hunter. In addition, the “Moira Jane Caffarey Award – The George L. Hennessy Memorial Trophy” being presented to the Caretaker of the winning Grand Prix horse. FarmVet also provides awards to the grooms of each champion horse or pony throughout the ten days of competition.
The EMO Agency’s “High Five Awards” are presented throughout the show to the highest scoring round among the Pony, Junior, Professional and Amateur Sections with a fifth award going to the overall highest scoring round in the hunters. Last year’s awards included an embroidered saddle pad and crystal biscuit jar.
Finally, the action behind the scenes is reviewed and judged for the best Tackroom Award during both Junior Weekend, October 8 – 11 and again during Adult Week, October 12 – 17. Sponsored by the RG Group, these awards recognize the hard work and effort involved in setting up and maintaining a beautiful barn area while working hard to prepare and present the equine athletes.
The Pennsylvania National Horse Show is one of the largest indoor horse shows in the U.S., hosting horses and competitors from across the country with 15,000 spectators attending from the Mid-Atlantic region. With over 1,400 qualified horses competing for $475,000 in prize money, the show features Hunter and Jumper competition and the $85,000 Grand Prix de Penn National.
The 2015 Show is slated to run from October 8th to 17th.
Proceeds from the event benefit community equine and youth programs. Since its inception in 1945, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation has donated over $1.5 million to charitable entities. For more information on the Pennsylvania National Horse Show,
Visit www.PANational.org.
