At its fall meeting, September 10, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) Association Board voted to purchase new footing for the Large Arena at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, where the show is held.

The new footing, composed of 70% limestone and 30% sand, will replace the footing that has been in place since the arena was constructed in 1939, according to Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. Wolff said that through the cooperation of the Farm Show Commission and the PNHS, the new footing was installed in late September, in time for the Pennsylvania State 4-H Show, and in place for the opening horn of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on October 18.

"The new footing is cleaner and more consistent for our horses," PNHS Manager Peter Doubleday commented. "You can pack it as hard as you want and then dig it back up and fluff it very quickly. It’s easy to maintain, and the lighter color will really brighten up the large arena."

"With hundreds of trips a day in the arena, it’s vital that the footing is the best possible," said PNHS President Elizabeth Shorb. "While new footing is a major expense for the show, it is our goal to keep the champions that compete at Harrisburg safe, injury-free and performing at their peak. The footing purchase is in keeping with our commitment to provide a top-notch experience for exhibitors, owners and trainers. The cream of the crop deserves the best footing available."

"The new footing is versatile enough to hold up under the variety of events, equestrian and otherwise, that take place in the arena," Doubleday said. "It can be softened for some events and pressed for others." Similar footing was recently installed in the Devon Horse Show’s Dixon Oval, and is in use in other Philadelphia-area show stables.

"I think PNHS exhibitors will love the new look and the horses will appreciate footing that is easy to maintain and does not pack as hard as the old dirt," Doubleday said. "The old footing was very, very tired, no spring, no nothing. We were due for a change."

The 62nd Pennsylvania National Horse Show will be held October 18-27 at the Farm Show Complex and Exposition Center in Harrisburg, PA. A non-profit fundraiser benefiting the Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, the show begins at 8 a.m. or earlier each day and continues through the evening every day but Sunday, October 21, when it ends around 7 p.m.

October 18-23, general admission is $12 or $7 for seniors and children ages 12 and under. October 24-27, general admission is $18. Tickets are $10 for children and seniors October 24-26. No discounts are available Saturday, October 27. Reserved premium seating is available on grand prix night, Saturday, October 27, and tickets range from $20 to $45. For a free brochure or more information, call (717) 770-0222 or visit www.panational.org.