The appropriately named WINNER, owned by Isalou, Inc. and ridden by Daryl Portela of Southwest Ranches, FL, was crowned Grand Amateur Owner 3'3" Hunter Champion at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. "It's amazing!" said Portela. "I was Champion and Grand Champion last year, so I wanted to come and see if I could do it again. My horse has been great, and I have a great team with my trainer Jimmy Torano and groom Gerardo Briseno, who received the Grooms Award." Earlier in the day WINNER also clinched the Amateur Owner 3'3" 36 & Over Championship as well as the Handy class in the division. MIRROR IMAGE, owned and ridden by Ellen Toon was awarded Reserve Champion and also won Stake class in the division. The first Championship of the day went to ENOUGH SAID, owned and ridden by Stephanie Danhakl of Pacific Palisades, CA, who clinched the Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3" 18-35 Championship. The pair also won the division's Stake class. Reserve Champion was WHISPER, owned and ridden by Taylor Willever of Pen Argyl, PA, who also won the Handy class in the division. Antonio Aguilar, ENOUGH SAID's groom, was presented with the Grooms Award. "I'm kind of blown away and I don't know what to think," said Danhakl with a smile. "It was very tough competition. I'm so proud of my horse. He's never been here before, and he just came in and was perfect." The Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) is one of the largest indoor horse shows in the U.S., hosting horses and competitors from across the country with 20,000 spectators attending from the Mid-Atlantic region. With over 1,400 qualified horses competing for $485,000 in prize money, the show features national Hunter and Jumper competition and is the site of the Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Final, the Randolph College/USEF National Junior Jumper Championships, North American League (NAL) National Finals and the $85,000 Grand Prix de Penn National. In addition to world-class equestrian competition, the horse show offers a unique shopping experience with boutique vendors showcasing one-of-a-kind, equine inspired products including jewelry, fun fashion and accessories. The 10-day event is being held from October 9th to 18th at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Proceeds from the event benefit community equine and youth programs. Since its inception in 1945, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation has donated nearly $2 million to charitable entities.
