Grand Champion Hunter Lone Star with Leading Hunter Rider Hunt Tosh in the irons (Al Cook Photo )
Tosh turned in stellar performances in the Regular Working Hunter division this week, earning the 10-year-old gelding the Grand Champion Hunter title. Hunt Tosh was also named the Leading Hunter Rider.
"He is the horse of a lifetime," said Tosh, who hails from Cumming, Ga. "It is such a great thing to win on a horse like this. He tried to win every opportunity he could."
"His nickname is 'The Kid' because he acts like a big kid," explained owner Parker, of Middleburg, Va. "He knows how to get attention and how to keep it. He likes his rider to put the reins up and let him do his thing, or he gets fussy like a child. He knows he's the star - he is always in charge. He is the kindest-hearted horse and reminds me of an old fashioned gentleman. When the going gets rough, he seems to know and doesn't let you down."
In today's other hunter competition, Iwasaki & Reilly's Small Collection, ridden by Kelley Farmer, and Small Kiss, ridden by John French, earned the Pre-Green Hunter 3'3" Championship and Co-Reserve Champion title, respectively. The Co-Reserve Champion was Crown Royal, owned by Carolyn Devan.
Green Conformation Hunter Champion was awarded to Jessica Singer's gelding, Cruise, ridden by John French. Reserve Champion was Costar, owned by John and Stephanie Ingram LLC and ridden by Hunt Tosh. C. Quito, owned by Margot Snowdon, clinched the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship with Wyoming's Jessie Lang in the irons, and Reserve Champion was Tasty, owned by Showcase Ltd. of Canton, Ga. and ridden by Hunt Tosh.
The Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) continues through Saturday, October 23. Special attractions include Thursday night's Pennsylvania Big Jump, Friday's carriage racing, and the grand finale, Saturday's $75,000 Grand Prix de Penn National.
In addition to world-class equestrian competition, the PNHS offers a unique shopping environment with boutique vendors that offer everything from fine art to custom jewelry, clothing, accessories and horse show memorabilia.
General admission for Thursday, October 21 to Friday, October 22, is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. General admission for Saturday, October 23, is $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. As always, children under 6 are admitted free in general admission seating. Convenient parking is also free.
The Pennsylvania National Horse Show is proud of its tradition of supporting equine and youth programs. The show benefits the Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Details are available at the horse show's website at www.panational.org or by calling the horse show office at 717-770-0222.