Harrisburg, Pa. - 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 (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, Fla. 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.

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, Calif. Marcos Martinez, who looks after MINDFUL, won the Grooms Award.

"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."