It was Maggie McAlary--all day, all the way, from morning till night. The 16-year-old, from Amherst, NH, rode 11th in a cavalcade of 271 junior riders vying for the 2006 prestigious Pessoa/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Hunter Seat Medal Final presented by Becker College.

This was McAlary’s third year qualifying for this national championship. “My horse, Mid-Accord, was nervous before the first round,” she said. “This is his first year doing equitation.” She topped the first call-back list after 50 riders, dropping to fifth after 200 horses, had tried the course. But, she really made an impression in the second round, riding with the top 25.

She said that she was careful, but judges Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and William J. Moroney, Aldie, VA, agreed her first round was good, her second was better. “She rode great,” said Torano. “She has great style.” Her standing jumped from fifth to second. The final test was trading mounts among the top eight riders. McAlary traded with Sloane Coles, the leader. Zazou Hoffman (3) traded with Julie Welles (4); Eleanor Kunsman (5) changed with Alex Maida (6); and, Molly Braswell (7) swapped with Adrienne Dixon (8).

“I’ve watched Sloane ride this horse,” said McAlary. “He has a big stride—bigger than my horse, and he’s strong.”

Even the judges acknowledged the switch worked well. “Both Sloane and Maggie have tough horses. It was a good switch. Sloane’s horse was difficult, but Maggie just rode great,” said Torano.

Andre Dignelli, McAlary’s trainer, was thrilled. “It’s hard to win this class. My last medal winner was Kent Farrington in 1998. We were a little disappointed with the 11th spot. The first round was an excellent course. I had 10 riders competing and all 10 could cover the course safely. That’s what makes this my favorite show and my favorite class--everyone gets to compete. The short option on the second course offered Maggie a chance to take advantage. She did. She has been second a lot. Today, it was her turn,” he said. “She rides horses for many people, so the switch wasn’t hard for her. She is used to jumping on and going with a lot of different horses.”

Eighth place rider, Adrienne Dixon from Hillsborough, CA was another rider whose fortunes improved by changing horses. Like many of the California based juniors, she came east without her regular mount and leased a horse from trainer John Stewart. She had only a week to get in sync before this show.

“My first round was good. I was happy,” she said. “When I made the top 25, I was more excited and, by the time the top eight were announced, I was shaking all over.” Being best friends with Alex Maida whose horse she would ride, just worked. She moved up from eighth to third.

Others did not fare so well ‘changing horses in mid-competition.’ Sloane Coles from The Plains, VA dropped from first to fourth. Zazou Hoffman, Santa Fe, NM, slipped from third to fifth. Alex Maida held onto sixth, Eleanor Kunsman ratcheted down from fifth to seventh. Molly Braswell eased into eighth.

Palmyra, PA native, Kacy McCann, 15, finished ninth, having held the lead through the final 90 entries. Her horse got in a little close to a fence on the second course in the final 25, putting her just out of the “trading zone.” Philosophical in defeat, McCann is a two-year veteran of this competition. Her horse is young at six years old. She was happy with his efforts and one can only wonder how the other riders might have handled this juvenile.

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show continues throughout the week.

Top 10 Riders from the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final presented by Becker College:

1-Maggie McAlary-Amherst, NH
2-Julie Welles-West Simsbury, CT
3-Adrienne Dixon-Hillsborough, CA