Pennsylvania National Horse Show to Showcase Therapeutic Riders During “Foundation Friday” at 73rd Annual Event

Special needs families and therapeutic riders featured in competition ring on October 19 during TOP national indoor equestrian show!

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – September 12, 2018 – The 73rd annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) is excited to announce it will host special guests, therapeutic riding champions, the “Therapy Horse of the Year” and a Silent Auction on Foundation Friday, October 19 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Therapeutic riding champions are expected to take center stage in the competition ring, beginning at approximately 3:00 p.m. The prestigious ten-day PNHS hits town October 11-20, with tickets on sale now.

Therapeutic Riding Championships will take place on Foundation Friday, followed by the presentation of the Foundation’s “Therapy Horse of the Year” Award. Initiated in 2016, Foundation Friday is the setting for two Riding Championships – Assisted and Unassisted. Riders compete for PNHS ribbons and a trophy and all riders receive a gift bag full of donated products from sponsors and vendors. Some of the sport’s stars and champions will be on hand to present the Therapeutic Riding awards to the youth.

The PNHS Foundation is committed to supporting therapeutic riding and equine rescue programs. Programs assist riders facing medical and health challenges, learning disabilities, adults with terminal illness or PTSD, and more, and are often part of Occupational, Speech or Physical Therapy programs for young children and youth.

In addition, all proceeds from the 2018 PNHS Foundation Silent Auction, which takes place throughout the horse show, support Therapeutic Riding and Equine Rescue Programs. There are many fantastic items available for bidding. The Silent Auction will be located at Sections 25 & 26 on the upper concourse. A list of items currently available can be seen on the horse show’s website. Click here.

“Each year, we look forward to the enthusiasm and contagious smiles that come with our special Foundation Friday festivities for therapeutic riders and their families,” said Susie Webb, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. “Our mission is to support these wonderful programs and our youth, and Foundation Friday has become such a special day at the Horse Show!”

The “Pink Pony,” the PNHS signature cocktail, will also be available for purchase this year to celebrate and support a good cause. A portion of all drink sales at the event goes to the PNHS Foundation supporting therapeutic riding and equine rescue programs. In addition, the “Pink Pony” will be offered at the official PNHS restaurant, Harvest Season Grill and Wine Bar in Harrisburg, from September 20 – October 20. The Foundation has awarded approximately $40,000 in grants annually.

The famed show features 1,400 qualified Junior and Adult competitors from the U.S. and abroad who will vie for more than $500,000 in prize money and eight National Championships, including the Dover Saddlery/US Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Final which has spawned some of the sport’s most elite names, as well as the Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Individual and Team Championships. The show also features Therapeutic Riding Championships.

With an increase of over thirty percent in prize money for the Grand Prix, a star-studded field of international horses and riders can be expected for this year’s $132,000 Grand Prix de Penn National, the thrilling culminating competition of the PNHS. Prize money has also been increased to $50,000 in The PA Big Jump speed competition on Thursday evening, October 18. All Open Jumper competitions will be conducted under FEI rules, with four classes counting toward the Longines FEI World Jumping Rankings List.

The 2018 PNHS will continue to host three North American League (NAL) Jumper Finals and two NAL Hunter Finals – all with increased prize money of $12,500 per final! This year’s show will also offer a new combined Amateur and Amateur-Owner Jumper 1.35m section and increased entry numbers for the Green Hunter 3′ and Green Hunter 3’3″ Divisions.

SPECIAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Oct. 11-14: Junior Week with riders under 18 years of age competing.
  • Saturday, Oct. 13 – 1:00-4:00 p.m.: Family Fun Day. Crafts, Draft Horse Wagon Rides, Caricature Artist, Chipper the Pony, Story Telling by Local Authors, Meet & Greet Miss Pennsylvania and Behind the Scene Tours.
  • Oct. 15-20: Senior Week with professional riders and international open jumpers.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 17: “Pony Up for Pink” with the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition; $15,000 Dash for the Cash.
  • Thursday evening, Oct. 18: $50,000 Pennsylvania Big Jump; First Capital Drumline Entertainment.
  • Friday afternoon, Oct. 19: “Foundation Friday” Therapeutic Riding Championships and Award to the Therapy Horse of the Year.
  • Friday evening, Oct. 19: $35,000 Keystone Classic Speed Stake; Polo Demo from Garrison Forest School.
  • Saturday evening, Oct. 20: Olympians ride in the $132,000 Grand Prix de Penn National; Stunt Dog Productions Entertainment with Meet & Greet at 5:30 in Main Lobby. Also, Singer/Songwriter Olivia Farabaugh, former contestant on “The Voice” will perform prior to the Grand Prix, off of the lobby.

The PNHS also offers a huge variety of shopping opportunities. Open daily during the show from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., more than 70 specialty boutiques on two levels offer hours of shopping for one-of-a-kind products including fine arts, antiques, gifts, horse tack, equestrian clothing, accessories and much more.

There are many planned attractions both inside and outside the arena all under one roof and there is something for everyone at the PNHS. Many days have FREE admission, parking is always FREE and children 10 and under are FREE too!

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization, provides support for therapeutic riding and equine rescue programs. The Foundation makes grants exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to acquaint, teach, and train the public in therapeutic equestrian endeavors and to support equine rescue efforts. Proceeds from the show benefit the Foundation.

Further information, updates, promotions, ticket information and more is available at www.PAnational.org or by calling 717-770-0222.