L to R: Cliff Haines, Penny Denegre and Garnet, Didi Hornberger and Richard Hornberger. (Al Cook)

Harrisburg, PA - Garnet and Penny Denegre of Middleburg, VA, shone the brightest in the Ladies' Hunter Sidesaddle Division, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Hornberger. The pair won all three classes and was crowned the Ladies' Hunter Sidesaddle Champion at the 67th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Wednesday. The Reserve Champion was Nu Moon, owned and shown by Susan Michele Cark of Phoenixville, PA.
"It couldn't have gone better, I was thrilled. She just went beautifully," beamed Denegre. "It's always a thrill showing at Harrisburg. It's such a huge indoor show with people from all over coming here to compete. It's wonderful."

Denegre has owned the 14-year-old Hanoverian mare for ten years. They did not always compete in the sidesaddle classes, initially riding astride in the hunter divisions. It took a bit of convincing her trainer, Gavin Moylan, to change to sidesaddle.

"We started her up in the regular hunter classes and I finally told Gavin that this horse would be famous as a sidesaddle horse," said Denegre. "After she started doing so well he admitted I was right and said to me 'I see what you mean, she is so well suited for it.'"

The division consisted of two classes on the flat and one over fences. Denegre was a little concerned about how she would handle the atmosphere at Harrisburg, especially in the class over fences.

"All of this could be quite scary, but she settled right in, walked in the ring and said 'I know my job' and just kept right on going around," said Denegre. "It was fun. It's just wonderful, you couldn't ask for anything more and for her to relax and go well here in the big leagues is wonderful."