XOXO and Peter Pletcher (Al Cook - www.alcookphoto.com)

Harrisburg, Pa. - The Pre-Green Hunters took to the ring today to show just how much they have learned and matured over the course of a year. The 3' Division was hard fought, with XOXO and Peter Pletcher battling every class with Jennifer Alfano and The Exchange.

When the dust settled, it was Pletcher and the stunning 4 year-old grey gelding, XOXO, owned by Forest Hill Farm, who emerged victorious. They laid claim to the Championship title with a total of 36 points.

"I was shocked, he walked in here and moseyed around like a much older horse," Pletcher remarked about XOXO. "I got him this summer and I think I did two horse shows on him and then the Incentive Finals in Kentucky and he was still green. I did a couple more horse shows with him, then we came here and he got it. He is going to be a really good horse. Mentally he could do the First Year's but because of his age I may hold off."

Pre-Green Hunter 3'3" Division was also won by a Pletcher mount. Voila, owned by Kyle Owens, took the championship honors with 26 points.

The $15,000 USHJA Pre-Green Hunter Incentive Stake, was open to all horses that have been enrolled in the USHJA Pre-Green incentive Fund, which made this the largest hunter class at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show with 42 entries. Both the 3' and the 3'3" Pre-Green Hunters were eligible to compete in the class.

Pletcher and XOXO topped the leaderboard in the class with a score of 89 points. Second was Fandango HX and Adrienne Iverson with 88.750 and Pletcher placed third with Fifty Fifty who garnered 88.50 points.

Fifty Fifty was a very different story from his barn mate. "When he got here he was shell shocked," explained Pletcher. "The yellow curtains were moving, and he acted more like the four year-old, of course he is only six. But today he was ready to start showing."

Recognized as a premier equestrian event, The Pennsylvania National Horse Show runs October 8-17 and has been held indoors at the State Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA since its inception in 1945.

Known locally for its contributions to the community and globally for excellence in competition, PNHS attracts top Hunters and Jumpers, sport horse enthusiasts and spectators who find the show exciting, educational and inspiring. Visitors enjoy the intimacy of one competition ring, a full concourse of shops and a variety of special events.

Proceeds from the show benefit the Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation dedicated to youth programs and The Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation supporting equine programs. PNHS is proud of its contributions, proud to be consistently recognized by the Show Hunter Hall of Fame and the North American Riders Group, proud of its heritage and looking forward to a bright future.