Jennifer Alfano and Scott Stewart Share Leading Hunter Rider Award

Harrisburg, PA – October 16, 2014 – CANDID, owned and ridden by Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY, was crowned Grand Champion Hunter at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, and won the highly sought after Beaufort Hunt Perpetual Trophy. Amy Polacheck, who takes care of CANDID, won the Grand Champion Hunter Grooms Award.

Jennifer Alfano’s Candid crowned Grand Champion Hunter (c) Al Cook – alcookphoto.com

“I’m originally from Harrisburg so anytime I win here on home turf it’s sort of a big deal,” said a thrilled Alfano. “He’s my own horse which makes it really special. He’s been a great horse all along. I just try not to mess him up.”

With two riders on equal points, there was a tie for the Leading Hunter Rider Award and the Elizabeth M. Solter Memorial Perpetual Trophy. Sharing the winner’s circle with Alfano was Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL. Both riders finished with 30.0 points each.

Alfano and CANDID started their day winning the Green Conformation Hunter Championship and the Wild Air Farms Challenge Trophy, while Betsee Parker’s LUCADOR, ridden by Stewart, took Reserve Champion.

Leading Hunter Riders Jennifer Alfano and Scott Stewart (c) Al Cook – alcookphoto.com

MINDFUL, owned by Kensel, LLC and ridden by Kelley Farmer of Keswick, VA, received the EMO Agency Professional Hunter High Five Award. The pair won Champion in the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship and received the Stocking Stuffer Challenge Trophy. The Reserve Championship was awarded to Jane Fraze’s ACADEMY AWARD, who was ridden by Peter Lombardo of Moorpark, CA. Marcos Martinez, who looks after MINDFUL, won the Grooms Award.

Mindful, ridden by Kelley Farmer, wins EMO Agency Professional Hunter High Five Award (c) Al Cook –alcookphoto.com

“He was awesome – what a horse!” said Farmer. “Between yesterday and today, I couldn’t be happier. He is a pleasure to ride and a pleasure to have.”

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.