Harrisburg, PA – Patricia Hennessy of Kintnersville, PA, finishes big to win the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Adult Jumper Finals riding Little Tom at the 66th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Saturday

“It was exciting because I had never done that well before and it was like, finally! I did it!” said Hennessy. “I knew I was able to do it I just had to execute it.”

The course designed by Steve Stephens proved to be a challenge for many of the thirty riders in the class, with thirteen returning for the jump-off.
There were five double clear rounds in all with Murray Kessler and All That taking the lead just before Hennessy, who was second to last in the jump off. Hennessy and Little Tom laid down an impressive round in what would be the winning time of 28.143 seconds. Kaley Pratt and her mount Shane were the last to go, but finished a mere two seconds behind Hennessy to take the second place ribbon in a time of 30.107 seconds.

“I saw Murray go right before me. I knew he was pretty fast and his horse was really careful so I knew that I had to be clean,” said Hennessy. “It was anybody’s game though. Anyone that was in the jump-off could have won. I just happened to get lucky.”

Hennessy had a lot of help getting to the winner’s circle. Her trainer, Olympic veteran Chris Kappler, came to Harrisburg just to help Hennessy for the class. Her husband Kevin was acting as the groom and many of her family members were on hand to provide support in the cheering section.

“They try to come and watch me as much as possible, especially my mother, she loves horses and she really enjoys it when we win.” said Hennessy. “It meant a lot to win here.”

The NAL offers a year-long series in six divisions – Children’s Hunter, Adult Hunter presented by Practical Horseman, Children’s Jumper, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper, and the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper. The series includes classes held at hundreds of horse show across the United States and Canada.

Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in the qualifying classes, but only members earn points toward the year-end finals. With the annual membership fee only $35, most riders join in hopes of earning a trip to Harrisburg for the East Coast riders and in Las Vegas for the West Coast competitors. The 2011-2012 NAL qualifying period began on September 1, 2011 and runs through August 31, 2012.

For more information regarding the NAL series, including series specifications, current standings and a list of upcoming events, please call (717) 867-5643, email to [email protected] or visit www.ryegate.com.

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 corporation.

Details are available at the horse show’s website at www.panational.org or by calling the horse show office at 717-770-0222.