Katie Cooper and Sandlot during the 2015 Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pa. (Al Cook - www.alcookphoto.com)

Harrisburg, Pa. - The pressure and stakes were high at the prestigious Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The fierce competition at the seventieth annual, indoor horse show did not seem to phase Katie Cooper nor Cherry Knoll Farm's mount, Sandlot, an 8-year-old, Dutch Warmblood.

The pair has been together since 2012 and their rapport was evident in the popular First Year Green Working Hunter division. Katie Cooper guided Sandlot to a tenth place finish out of thirty other talented entries in one of the over-fences classes, and seventh place in another.

Sandlot proved himself-and his rideability-in the handy round, earning them a pink, fifth place ribbon. Sandlot, owned by Margaret Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc., is a stunning chestnut gelding who is proving himself with consistency and a great jumping style.

"I think he understands and enjoys his job," Cooper noted. "In the last few months, he has certainly started to understand things more. He was very good and I think he jumped quite well."

Cooper, a professional hunter rider and trainer who rides out of Caves Farm, located in Owings Mills, Maryland, was also pleased with the way her partner took everything in stride. "I think Sandlot handled the environment well," she said. "It's an intimidating ring."

Katie Cooper acknowledged the large division she and her mount participated in, but was happy that he rose to the occasion. "It was some of the best horses and riders," Cooper stated. "I was definitely anticipating the whole thing, but I was very pleased to be a part of it."

Cooper and Sandlot will compete next at the CP National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, at the end of October.

For more information on Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc. please visit http://www.cherryknollfarminc.com/. To learn more about Katie Cooper and Caves Farm, please visit http://www.cavesfarm.com/.