Nearly 1,200 of the finest American and international show horses and riders will travel to Harrisburg, PA for ten days of exciting equestrian competition at the 61st annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show. The show, held October 12-21, 2006 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, is America’s largest indoor multi-breed horse show and one of the equestrian world’s premier events. Tens of thousands of horse enthusiasts from throughout the region and across the US will enjoy the unparalleled competition, special attractions, excellent shopping, and the opportunity to watch the cream of equestrian sports in action.

Horses and riders compete for nearly a dozen national championships and $340,000 in prize money. The event’s highlight is the $65,000 Budweiser Grand Prix de Penn National, Saturday night, October 21. Among the competitors are recent and former Olympic and World Cup medalists from the United States and other nations, and top professionals from across the US and beyond. These leading riders, who spend nearly a week at the show contesting a number of horses, open each evening session Tuesday through Saturday, October 17-21 with an exciting jumper class.

The Pennsylvania National begins with four days of competition for junior riders under age 18. Among the eleven national championships decided at the PNHS is the Adequan/USEF National Junior Jumper Championships. Held Friday night, October 13, the competition is the only USA Junior Olympics-Equestrian jumping event and one of three legs of competition for these talented young riders. On Sunday, October 15, more than 200 young equestrians ride for hunter equitation’s pinnacle, the prestigious Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Final presented by Becker College. Thirty percent of past winners have gone on to represent the US in international competition. More than 1,000 qualifying classes are held at recognized competitions, resulting in about 400 qualifiers.

For the fifth year, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show will host the National Horse Show ‘Good Hands’ Saddle Seat Equitation Championship, which was held for 70 years at the National Horse Show in New York City. In addition, the PNHS will host the American Saddlebred Horse Association Northeastern Regional Championships, awards for the top American Saddlebred horses from the northeastern US region that stretches from Virginia to Maine, and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Saddle Seat Equitation Challenge. The PNHS is also the site of the North American League championships for adult and children’s hunters and jumpers, open jumper speed horses and pony jumpers.

A week of varied equestrian competition begins Monday, October 16, as mid-Atlantic foxhunters gather for Hunt Night, an evening of friendly rivalry. Spectators will be treated to an amazing variety of equestrian athleticism Wednesday through Saturday, October 18-21. Soaring hunters and jumpers, fiery, high-stepping American Saddlebreds and their tiny Hackney pony cousins, thundering draft horses in hitches of one to six, easy-going western horses, and roadster horses and ponies who race at top speed take turns delighting and amusing audiences.

The Pennsylvania National also features the equestrian world’s top entertainers. Stacey Westfall, called the “Queen of freestyle reining” by Reining Magazine, will perform the bridleless freestyle reining demonstration which won her six national titles last year. Stacy will appear each evening, Wed. Oct. 18 - Sat. Oct. 21. Families can treat the kids to free pony rides and other activities on Saturday, October 14 and Friday, October 20, when one child 12 and under is admitted free with a paying adult.

Shopping is so popular with both spectators and competitors that many visit the show mainly to shop the more than 50 boutiques from across the country. This year, catering to shoppers, the PNHS will offer free all day admission to those who enter before noon on the first five days, October 12 – 16. More than 50 vendors offer hours of shopping for exclusive apparel, furniture, fine arts, gifts, equestrian supplies and much more.

Since its inception in 1945, the event has raised $1.5 million for youth literacy, educational and recreational programs through the Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation.

October 12 to 17, general admission is $10 or $5 for seniors and children ages 12 and under. October 18-21, general admission is $15. Tickets are $8 for children and seniors October 18-20. No discounts are available Saturday, October 21. Reserved premium seating is available Wednesday through Friday nights, October 18 to 20, for $25. Prices for reserved seating Grand Prix Night, Saturday, October 21, range from $20 to $45. The show begins at 8 am or earlier each day and continues through the evening every day but Sunday, Oct. 15, when it ends around 7 pm. For a FREE brochure or more information phone (717) 770-0222 or visit www.panational.org.