PRESS RELEASE

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – October 5, 2016  – The Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that works in conjunction with the Pennsylvania National Horse Show presented by The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund (PNHS), is delighted to announce that “Clyde,” a horse owned by the Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy, has been chosen as the “2016 Therapy Horse of the Year.”

“Clyde” is a 23 year-old bay pony cross with a white star that stands just 13 hands. He has played a vital role in the therapeutic program at Pegasus for 17 years, welcoming numerous children with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. He is well known for his gentle demeanor, patience and aptitude for bringing out the best in each child, helping to improve their balance, flexibility, strength, coordination, self-confidence, emotional control and general sense of well-being. He always puts a smile on their faces, especially when they get to feed him hard pretzels, his favorite treat!

“We are delighted to honor ‘Clyde’ with the 2016 Therapy Horse of the Year award,” said Susie Webb, PNHS Executive Director. “For nearly two decades he has helped to improve the lives of special children and their families and we are thrilled to pay tribute to him and what he has accomplished.”

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show presented by The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund (PNHS) returns to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA, October 13-22. “Clyde” will be honored during a special awards ceremony in the main competition ring during the evening performance on “Foundation Friday,” Friday, October 21 where he will receive a Horse of the Year cooler, ribbon and prizes.

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Philadelphia, PA dedicated to providing therapeutic horseback riding programs and equine-assisted activities and therapies for children and adults with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. Pegasus is a PATH International (Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship) Premier Accredited Center and a member of the PA Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship.

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1999 that assists in funding therapeutic riding and equine rescue programs. Twenty-five equine groups have been chosen as grant recipients this year, including the Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy, all of which were eligible to nominate a horse from their facility for the “2016 Therapy Horse of the Year.” The proceeds from the PNHS are divided between the PNHS Foundation and The Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation. The PNHS Foundation gives to equine programs while the Kiwanis Foundation donates to youth programs. The PNHS has donated $1.68 million dollars to the Kiwanis Youth Foundation since its inception in 1947 and has donated $350,000 to local therapy and equine groups since 1999. Applications for grants are accepted throughout the year with action upon requests awarded in September.

Now in its 71st year, the PNHS is one of the most historic horse shows in the U.S., featuring the best in the sport of hunters and jumpers and is the launching ground for many future Olympians. 15,000 spectators, and 1,000,000 live feed viewers will enjoy ten days of national top competition as 1,400 top Junior and Adult competitors vie for eight national championships – including the prestigious Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Medal Final and the Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Individual and Team Championships. The top jumping riders and horses are expected to compete in the $100,000 Prix de Penn National Grand Prix Presented by The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund, which will be held on the final day of the show on October 22.

Immediately following the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National presented by The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund will be The Ben Gallaher Country Music Finale, a live concert that will be held in the main competition arena. Ben Gallaher is a Sony Nashville recording artist, singer, songwriter and a Central Pennsylvania native. Gallaher’s special performance is presented by L.B. Smith Ford Lincoln and will begin at approximately 10 p.m.

Tickets for the Grand Prix and Ben Gallaher Country Music Finale are available NOW at www.PANational.org and ONE ticket allows guests to enjoy BOTH the Grand Prix and the Ben Gallaher Country Music Finale. Ticket proceeds assist in funding the PNHS Foundation’s therapeutic riding and equine rescue programs along with the Kiwanis Youth Foundation programs. Reserved Tier Seating ranges from $40-$50 and Family 4-pack packages range from $75-$175. General Admission for students and senior citizens is $25.Children aged 10 and under are admitted FREE and parking is FREE. Tickets are also available for ALL sessions of this year’s Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

The show also features special theme days, Family Fun Day, and great shopping, with over 70 vendors featuring clothing, antiques, art work, jewelry and equestrian products. For more information, updates, promotions, and more, visit www.PANational.org or call (717)770-0222. For those who cannot make it to PNHS in person, the World Equestrian Center Live Feed can be viewed throughout the 10 days of the show and can be accessed through a link on the PNHS website at www.PANational.org or through www.EqSports.net.