The Spirit of the Horse in 2026

Jane Gaston captures the spirit in the official artwork of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Each year, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show selects or commissions artwork to grace the covers of the prize list, program and show poster. For 2026, that artwork was created by renowned equestrian artist Jane Gaston. The piece — thoughtfully curated for the historic 80th anniversary of the PNHS — drew inspiration from traditional equestrian motifs as well as this year’s aptly timed Year of the Horse zodiac designation.

“With it being the Year of the Horse and the 80th anniversary, I wanted to really try to put some action and spirit into it,” said Gaston. “I didn’t want [the horses] to be the traditional hunter or jumper. I wanted them more to be really alive and active. That’s why I chose horses that were really playing and living life. I also used elements that I thought would balance with the horses and go back to the tradition of the horse show. That’s what I wanted — that you could tell it was still a horse show, but it showcased the spirit of the horse.”

While in years past, the PNHS has held a contest to determine the poster and cover art for the event, this year’s landmark milestone called for something extra special to commemorate the occasion. A widely recognized self-taught painter based in Virginia horse country, Gaston is known for her richly detailed and timeless depictions of hunters, hounds and sporting life that capture not only technical precision but also the personality and heart of each animal. Her work has been featured as official artwork for numerous major horse shows, and she has produced commissioned pieces and promotional art for equestrian events across the country.

“It feels great [to be the poster/cover artist] any year, but for the 80th, it’s particularly an honor to do that,” said Gaston. “[The PNHS] has been in my life for a long time. I don’t have any bad memories of Harrisburg. I’ve watched the show go through a lot of changes, and yet it has maintained all of its integrity and has only gotten better. I really love the facade of [the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex] with all of the farm animals on it. I’m so grateful they haven’t torn that down or covered it up. It’s a wonderful facility. It’s easy to work in and out of, and I think they just do an amazing job there; it’s great.”

The collaboration between Gaston and the PNHS is a natural fit, combining decades of personal history with a shared appreciation for equestrian tradition. Gaston first competed at the show in 1968 as a junior and has since remained closely connected to the event throughout her accomplished riding career, giving her artwork a deeply personal connection to the PNHS legacy. Her classic painting style also reflects the elegance and longstanding traditions that have defined the PNHS for generations.

Gaston’s artwork will be available for purchase in the form of the official poster and other merchandise onsite at the 2026 PNHS, running October 8-18, at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa.