Harrisburg, PA – October 16, 2019 – Many top jumper riders were first seen in the New Holland Arena at this year’s Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) Wednesday night competing for a total of $25,000 in the 1.40m Speed Challenge and the 1.45m Dash for the Cash. A preview of what’s still to come in classes such as Thursday’s $60,000 Pennsylvania Big Jump and Saturday’s $134,000 Grand Prix de Penn National, Marilyn Little and Laura Chapot have proven themselves the ones to beat.

Piloting Karen O’Connor’s Clearwater, Little bested a field of 33 riders in the $10,000 1.40m Speed Challenge, a single-round class with an 11-fence course designed by Michel Vaillancourt. The duo’s sharp inside turns and steady pace earned them a faultless time of 54.15 seconds, beating the time of 56.58 seconds from early pace-setters Chapot and Calafornia.

“I came thinking I was going to jump four or five jumps out there and find our feet, but as I was watching the class I saw those two inside turns, and I know what he (Clearwater) can do on the landing of the jump and it doesn’t usually affect his next jump,” Little said, noting that the pair have not shown since June. “It was a great opportunity for him, so we just changed our plan and said ‘Okay, we’ll utilize this’ instead of going back in the 1.45m tonight.

“On the one hand, I thought maybe we needed to have a slow round, but sometimes when you’re rusty, the best you can do is practice what you know,” Little continued. “He likes to carry a good lick, and I’m not sure a slow class was really going to prep us for the rest of the week.”

Returning to the ring in the $15,000 1.45m Dash for the Cash, Chapot topped a field of 18 riders with Mary Chapot’s Chandon Blue. With a speedy trip of 51.88 seconds around another Vaillancourt-designed course, the pair beat second-place Sydney Shulman and Azilis Du Mesnil by just three-hundredths of a second.

“(Chandon Blue) is a naturally fast horse,” Chapot said. “He was very excited to be here today. He was prancing and dancing in the schooling area, and I think he was just on fire. Fortunately, he has a really quick way of going and his natural speed is just a bit above what a lot of other horses can do.”

Chapot is familiar with her mount’s natural speed after riding him more than a year, and her plan for Wednesday’s class was a smooth round. “He’s a great horse for me,” she added. “He suits my style really well. He’s got a lot of energy, and he really wants to go and try hard.”

Chapot plans to have both Calafornia and Chandon Blue compete later in the week in several classes, including the Pennsylvania Big Jump and the Grand Prix de Penn National. She will face off against other riders seen in Wednesday’s opening classes, including Little, fellow Olympian Beezie Madden, and returning champion Beat Mandli.

The PNHS also hosted the Pony Up for Pink Celebrity Challenge in partnership with the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. In this friendly competition, familiar faces from local media teamed up to ride in a stick-horse relay race, and a total of $1,500 was donated to the Breast Cancer Coalition.

$10,000 1.40m Speed Challenge
1 Marilyn Little and Clearwater (USA) | 0/54.15 | $3,300
2 Laura Chapot and Calafornia (USA) | 0/56.58 | $2,000
3 Victoria Birdsall and Djumpsina SFN (USA) | 0/57.32 | $1,500
4 Callan Solem and Imogen de Regor (USA) | 0/57.49 | $1,000
5 Callan Solem and Jasmijn Van De Renthoeve (USA) | 0/60.08 | $600
6 Molly Ashe Cawley and Conrad 119 (USA) | 0/62.85 | $450
7 Beezie Madden and Jiva (USA) | 0/63.10 | $300
8 Katherine Dinan and Atika Des Hauts Vents (USA) | 0/63.50 | $250
9 Samantha Schaefer and Belle Z (USA) | 0/64.18 | $200
10 Susan Horn and Chacca Keeps II (CAN) | 0/64.92 | $200
11 Caitlyn Connors and Bink-a (USA) | 0/65.46 | $100
12 Sharm Wordley and Barnetta (NZL) | 0/65.69 | $100

$15,000 1.45m Dash for the Cash
1 Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue (USA) | 0/51.88 | $4,950
2 Sydney Shulman and Azilis Du Mesnil (ISR) | 0/51.91 | $3,000
3 Erynn Ballard and Catoki’s Son Z (CAN) | 0/52.63 | $2,250
4 Mario Deslauriers and Uris De La Roque (CAN) | 0/53.89 | $1,500
5 Molly Ashe Cawley and Van De Emma (USA) | 0/54.96 | $900
6 Beezie Madden and Coach (USA) | 0/58.52 | $675
7 Samantha Schaefer and Zarina De Vidau (USA) | 4/50.64 | $450
8 Amy Millar and Truman (CAN) | 4/52.67 | $375
9 Erynn Ballard and Judge Hof Ter Zeedycke (CAN) | 4/54.20 | $300
10 Ali Ramsay and Lutz (CAN) | 4/54.32 | $300
11 Katherine Dinan and Dougie Douglas (USA) | 4/55.19 | $150
12 Peter Lutz and Excellent (USA) | 4/56.25 | $150

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 North American League (NAL) Jumper Finals and the show’s fourth annual Therapeutic Riding Championships.

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.