This Saturday I attended the final day of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA. at the Farm Show Complex. It has been a tradition for me and my kids, since they were litlle, to go and watch the Grand Prix Show Jumping on the final day. This particular class is the Budweiser Grand Prix de Penn National, World Cup Qualifier, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch. Of course, we also saw the Budweiser Clydesdales do their demonstration of pulling the Budweiser wagon. That is always a thrill to see. (My Thoroughbred always looks small after seeing the Clydesdales. And he is a big horse at 16.2 hands.)
This year there were 32 entries. Many of them were rookies. Would you believe that the rookies did better this year than the seasoned riders? Some of the seasoned riders that competed were: Leslie Howard, Beezie Madden, Jimmy Torano, Norman Dello Joio, Lauren Hough, Todd Minikus, McLain Ward and Peter Wylde. Some of these riders rode in past Olympics.
The course they rode was a tough one with tight turns, combinations and water jumps. It was very colorful and some of the jumps were hard to see because they blended in with the wall around the arena. Of course we also had the Budweiser jumps and the Shamu (Seaworld) jump. Can't have a Grand Prix course without those 2 jumps.
Out of the 32 riders, 10 of them ended up with clear rounds and in the jump off. This is the most exciting part of the Show Jumping. The course is shortened and the horse must clear each jump within the least amount of time to win. Everyone was on the edge of their seats during the jump-off. At times the audience ended up holding their breath as each horse and rider combination glided over each jump, racing around the course, hoping they have a clear round. The winner was Kent Farrington on Upchioui. They had a perfect round in 37.24 seconds. McLain Ward came in second riding Larioso within 38.17 seconds. Then it was Mac Cone on Melinda, followed by Danielle L. Torano on Vancouverd'auvray, Cara Cheska on King, and, Beezie Madden on Authentic.
Show Jumping at the Grand Prix level is exciting to watch for both horse and non-horse people. Try watching it sometime. You may get addicted to it.
Danny:
Thank you! I enjoy being here and contributing to this group. I hope to get more people interested and learn about horse sports. Thanks again!
Sounds like fun...I will have to check out the horse races sometime.
Thanks for the information.
Cristy
Cristy:
It is a lot of fun and I think you will enjoy it. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Debbie:
Thank you! It surely is a lot of fun. Hope you make it to the race, and I know you will enjoy it.
Katerina:
Would love to make it to every event! At least the Penn National is close by. Next year I will be attending some of the events at the US Equestrian Team Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ.