April 2021 Issue

Page 22 April 2021 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN The Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) has been selected as the host site for the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunt- er Seat Medal Final and Neue Schule/USEF Junior Jumper National Championships for the 2021-2023 competition seasons. In 2021, both championships PNHS to Host Medal, Junior Jumper Championships will take place alongside PNHS competition at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex from Oc- tober 14-17. The 2021 edition of the PNHS will also celebrate the event’s 75th anniversary. Following an in-depth review of bid applications, the USEF Medal & Junior Jumper Bid Review Task Force recom- mended PNHS be allocated both championships through the 2023 competition season as a result of their commitment and further investment into improving the competition venue and overall experience for competitors. The Task Force agreed that standalone competitions such as PNHS, which is a recognized US Eques- trian Heritage Competition, are vital to the tradition and history of the sport, and also provide an equal and fair playing field given that exhibitors are unable to compete at the facility prior to the championship competitions. PNHS organizers are work- ing with the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex on a $21 million facility renovation, which will provide significant improve- ments to the competition venue and arenas. A second competi- tion ring, increased stabling and lunging/warm-up areas are being a dded for 2021. Adjustments t o an expanded competition s chedule and management struc- t ure will improve the overall a tmosphere and experience for c ompetitors. “We are looking forward to t he Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter S eat Medal Final and Neue S chule/USEF Junior Jumper N ational Championship returning t o Harrisburg for the next three y ears and feel confident that w ith the schedule expansion and f acility improvements, PNHS w ill provide a competitive and e njoyable atmosphere for exhibi- t ors attending these championship c ompetitions,” said Bill Moroney, C hief Executive Officer of US E questrian. New in 2021, the Neue Schule/USEF Junior Jumper National Championship will offer 20 additional individual invita- tions to athletes from the Junior Jumper National Championship standings list who have not been selected to their zone team or as the zone’s traveling reserve. An increase in equitation competition opportunities is also currently proposed in the competition schedule to offer a more com- prehensive experience for Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal competitors. Qualifying criteria for both national championships will be available on www.usef.org . Plans for the 28th running of the Willowdale Steeplechase are moving forward! The races will run on Saturday, May 8 as the kick-off to Mother’s Day week- end. “We are grateful to the sup- porters who helped us survive the losses brought on by the pandem- ic - and to be able to run the races this spring!“ said Race Director Leslie Carpenter. “The safety and well-being of our spectators, horsemen, officials and volunteers is our top priority so our planning decisions are being guided by federal and state government mandates and public health guidelines.” Proceeds from the races benefit the Stroud Water Research Center and New Bolton Center. Visit Willowdale.org or the Willowdale Steeplechase Face- book page for the latest updates on attendance opportunities. The Willowdale Steeplechase to Run May 8 Remember...tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian!