Hunter/Jumper: Penn National: The Nation's Top Junior Riders in the Spotlight at the 65th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show

Hasbrouck Donovan and Falcao winning the first class of the show. (Al Cook Photo)

Harrisburg, PA - October 14, 2010 - From the first horse on course in today's Small Junior Hunters to the last jumper in the October 23 $75,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix de Penn National, more than 1,200 horses will gallop across the bright new footing at the 65th annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS). This prestigious indoor show attracts the nation's best riders to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Exhibition Center in Harrisburg.

The first rider to score a win was 16-year-old Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, Fla. who captured the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under class aboard Don Stewart's Falcao. "I like this show's big schooling area and I love the new footing. It's so light," she commented after her win.
"The new footing has been very well received and we've had many people stopping to thank us," said PNHS President Liz Shorb. "We know this caliber show needs to have the best footing and it was a huge investment to install state-of-the-art footing, but that is why we are called 'the horseman's show.' This is a multi-use facility and it was a major effort on the part of our team and the Farm Show Complex team working together."

Junior Weekend highlights will include:
 Friday, October 15: Junior Hunter Championships, The Randolph College/USEF Prix des States Team Championship
Saturday, October 16: Pony Hunter Championships, Junior Working Hunter Grand Championship, The Randolph College/USEF Junior Jumper Individual Championship
Sunday, October 17: The Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Finals presented by Randolph College

In addition to the world-class equestrian competition, the PNHS offers a unique shopping environment with boutique vendors that offer everything from fine art to custom jewelry, clothing, accessories and horse show memorabilia. Those interested in the great shopping opportunities will want to take advantage of the "See and Shop Special" on Friday, October 15 when admission tickets are just $1.
General admission for Saturday, October 16 to Friday, October 22, is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. General admission for Saturday, October 23, is $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.  As always, children under 6 are admitted free in general admission seating.  Convenient parking is also free.

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show is proud of its tradition of supporting equine and youth programs. The show benefits the Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.
Details are available at the horse show's website at www.panational.org or by calling the horse show office at 717-770-0222.