Harrisburg, PA – October 19, 2019 – Hunter Champey of Bedminster, NJ rode Hill Top Van Het Gavershof to the win in the $12,500 North American League (NAL) Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Final Presented by Horseflight on Saturday at the 2019 Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS).

Ten of 29 entries qualified for the jump-off by riding without penalty over the 15-effort, 1.30m first-round course designed by Michel Vaillancourt. Sixth to try the 8-effort jump-off course, Champey moved into the lead with a clean ride in 30.810 seconds.

The remaining four entries failed to beat her score with the closest being Mimi Gochman of New York, NY, who rode SFS Harriet to a clean ride in 31.190 seconds and ultimately earned second place. Third place went to Grace Debney of Hampden, MA, who finished clean in 31.330 seconds on Darc Kiss Z.

“Hill Top is just the bravest horse. He really tries his heart out for me,” the 14-year-old Champey said of her 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood. “I did make a few mistakes along the way, but he held all the jumps up and I couldn’t be more grateful for such an amazing horse.

“My plan for the jump-off was just to stay neat, not more galloping,” Champey continued. “It was a good plan because he needs a little more room at the verticals. Then it was just neat everywhere else.”

Champey, who trains with Alex Inganamort and Elinor Kunsman, has been competing at Harrisburg since she was “8 or 9 doing small ponies. I’ve grown to this level doing the low juniors and I owe a lot to my trainers who push me along the way. Hill Top is the horse I never thought I could have. He’s taken me to my first Nations Cup, my first Young Riders, and now my first win in Harrisburg. He’s just amazing, helping me feel much more confident in my ride. I love him.”

$12,500 NAL Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Finals
1 Hunter Champey and Hill Top Van Het Gavershof | 0/0/30.810 | $3,250
2 Mimi Gochman and SFS Harriet | 0/0/31.190 | $2,325
3 Grace Debney and Darc Kiss Z | 0/0/31.330 | $1,500
4 Natalie Jayne and Ausi | 0/0/31.380 | $925
5 Emma Pell and Santos | 0/0/32.160 | $775
6 Ellie Beard and AD F16 | 0/4/32.950 | $725
7 Madeline Schaefer and Adoctro | 0/4/33.030 | $650
8 Chloe Terestchenko and Cornishman | 0/4/34.260 | $500
9 Lauren McCaulley and Tenacious D | 0/8 | $500
10 Natalie Jayne and Twitter | 0/12 | $450
11 Molly Struve and Aurora | 4/56.970 | $450
12 Andrea Vogel and iDream | 4/59.500 | $450

The NAL hosts year-long series in five divisions – Children’s Jumper Presented by EquiFit, Adult Jumper Presented by SmartPak, Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Presented by Horseflight, Children’s Hunter and Adult Hunter.

The NAL qualifying season runs from September 1 through August 31. NAL qualifying classes are open to all competitors, but only current members are awarded points. By joining the NAL, riders can accumulate the points necessary to qualify for the West Coast Finals at the International Jumping Festival hosted by Blenheim EquiSports in San Juan Capistrano, CA, and the National Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg. Annual memberships are only $40 per rider.

At the Finals, the NAL distributed gift bags of treats for horses and riders to all entrants in each of the NAL’s five division Finals. Each winner received an array of prizes. Top finishers received gift certificates generously donated by EquiFit, SmartPak and The Clothes Horse, and winners were dressed out in an NAL coolerette. The following sponsors help make the NAL Finals a popular series for junior and amateur competitors: The Clothes Horse, EquiFit, Horseflight, SmartPak, Schindler, and the Canfield Family.

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.

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.