Harrisburg, PA -  The sun was shining as were the Junior Hunters on the opening day of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show at the Farm Show Complex. The impeccably turned out horses floated over the beautiful 3'6" course set with natural-type obstacles.

In the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under class it was Victoria Press from New York, NY, who produced the best round on her own AKINDA, while Hunter Holloway of Topeka, KS, and LYONS CREEK BELLINI, owned by Hays Investment Corp. won the Handy class. Mckayla Langemeier of East Granby, CT, and Linda Langemeier's MARASCHINO clinched the very competitive Under Saddle class, beating 30 other riders.

Victoria Colvin and OVATION dominated the Small Jr. Hunter 16-17 classes (c) Al Cook Photography

 Victoria Colvin, of Loxahatchee, FL, and Dr. Betsee Parker's OVATION proved unbeatable in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division, winning both classes over fences as well as the Under Saddle class. Last year the pair dominated the 15 & Under division and on their way to making history in the junior division. 

"He did all the work - he is THE amazing horse," said Colvin with a wide grin. "Even though he's older he doesn't act it." she said about her 14 year-old winning partner.

In the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, Bergen Sanderford of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, took first place riding her own HAPPENSTANCE in the over fences class, while Kelsi Okun of Mclean, VA, won the Handy class aboard Meg Phippin's PARK PLACE. Tylor Nowell of Sonoma, CA, and her own NONCHALANT were the best pair on the flat, and clinched the Under Saddle class.

"It's really exciting to have won an Under Saddle class with him because he's really an equitation horse," commented Nowell. "We qualified for the hunters kind of unexpectedly, so to get here and to be as successful as we've been is really exciting!"
 

Kaitlyn Van Konyenburg of Pacific Palisades, CA, won the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 riding her own WISH LIST, while Victoria Colvin stepped into the winner's circle once again, this time with Dr. Betsee Parker's INCLUSIVE after they won the Handy class. Lilli Hymowitz, of New York, NY, and Rose Hill Farm's PERFECTIONIST clinched the Under Saddle class, edging 20 other competitors for the blue ribbon. 

Kelsi Okun and PARK PLACE win the Large Jr. 15 & Under Handy class (c) Al Cook Photography

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) is one of the largest indoor horse shows in the U.S., hosting horses and competitors from across the country with 20,000 spectators attending from the Mid-Atlantic region. With over 1,400 qualified horses competing for $485,000 in prize money, the show features national Hunter and Jumper competition and is the site of the Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Final, the Randolph College/USEF National Junior Jumper Championships, North American League (NAL) National Finals and the $85,000 Grand Prix de Penn National.

In addition to world-class equestrian competition, the horse show offers a unique shopping experience with boutique vendors showcasing one-of-a-kind, equine inspired products including jewelry, fun fashion and accessories.

The 10-day event is being held from October 9th to 18th at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Proceeds from the event benefit community equine and youth programs. Since its inception in 1945, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation has donated nearly $2 million to charitable entities.

Live coverage of the competition, scoring results and more details on the show are all available at www.PAnational.org.