Harrisburg, Pa. – October 16, 2025 – As a junior studying finance at Fordham University in New York City, Sophie Brown-Proctor does not have as much time as she would like to ride, but thanks to her trainers Nicole and Jenny Wright, her horse Incandescent was in top form coming to this year’s Pennsylvania National Horse Show. The entire team’s preparation paid off when, on Thursday, October 16, they won the 3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunter 18-35 division championship, sponsored by Hunterbrook Farms, and received the Wintarra Ring Perpetual Trophy.

Brown-Proctor and Incandescent were also named the Grand 3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunter Champions and awarded the Legend Has It Perpetual Trophy. Incandescent’s groom was also presented with the Prince Charming Award, donated by Caroline Moran.

“[Incandescent] honestly was really the same everywhere which was a really good feeling, and everything came out of the corner really nicely for me,” said Brown-Proctor.

Proctor-Brown got “Charlie” three years ago from Europe, and she has spent the last few years turning him into a top hunter. They competed at the Pennsylvania National for the first time last year, where they won the handy, but this year they upped their game, winning the handy and the under saddle, along with a second and fourth in the remaining over fences classes. Martha Ingram and Jenkins were reserve in the division.

“He’s so cuddly, like the sweetest horse,” said Proctor-Brown. “Anyone at the barn will say he’s like the sweetest horse they’ve ever met. Everyone loves him. He’s such a personality and [has] such an expressive face when he looks at you. He knows his people. He’s sassy; if you ask him to do things he doesn’t want to do, or he’s not having a day where he wants to participate, he will let you know. And if you mess up, then he’ll let you know. He has that side to him too, but I think that makes him special.”

Though school is currently her first priority, Brown-Proctor tries to schedule her classes so that she has one day off during the week to go ride in the morning, and she can then spend the remainder of the day doing homework or studying and also riding on the weekends.

“My trainers make it easier for me,” she said. “They help a lot, having him feeling really good. They’re honestly so supportive. I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else.”

Marybeth McGee Earns an Emotional Amateur Owner Championship

As Marybeth McGee walked into the Harrisburg Coliseum to collect her 3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunter Championship 36 and Over with Sergant Drew Wu Jof, she started crying.

“I’ve never been champion at a big national horse show, and it was so emotional,” she said. “He’s the best horse ever, and he’s just been so consistent all season.”

McGee and “Drew” earned two seconds and a third on their way to the championship, where they were presented with the Carlos F. Bodwell Memorial Perpetual Trophy, and Clementina Brown and Hyacinth were reserve in the division.

McGee purchased Drew at the World Sport Horse Auction two years ago, and she has brought him along under the guidance of her trainer, Lauren Patterson, starting in the 3’3″ ring and national derbies and then moving into the 3’6″ this year.

“He’s just the epitome of consistent all the time,” she said. “You never have to show him the jump. He’s so brave. He’s really got a big jump in there. He could be just a little lazy sometimes.”