Harrisburg, PA -- In just her first year showing at rated horse shows, 15-year-old Nicole Kehrli of Glenmoore, PA, galloped away with the victory in the coveted North American League (NAL) $5,000 Pony Jumper Finals Thursday evening at the 64th Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Riding her 8-year-old Welsh pony, Northwind's Opus, the pair captured the hotly contested blue ribbon and $1500 prize.
Although 21 ponies started over Steve Stephens challenging first round time first jump-off course, only four emerged fault-free under the tight time allowed. What the equines lacked in size, they made up for in speed and effort, racing around the five-obstacle jump-off course which included a one-stride in and out. First to go, Sydney Shulman of Greenwich, CT, and Set Sail left the ring with a clean round in a time to beat of 29.470 seconds. The next two ponies each pulled a rail for four faults apiece, and Kehrli was the final rider to enter the ring.
"When I went into the NAL Final my goal was just to ride it clean and I got through it," said Kehrli. "In the jump-off I was focused on the turns rather than running and going fast because that's not the way to win it."
The strategy paid off with a fault-free round and the winning time of 28.837 seconds. Shulman was second with Set Sail, followed by Madeline Thatcher and Bally Mac in third with four faults in 27.619 seconds, and Brianne Link aboard her Tallyman with four faults and 29.853 seconds for fourth place.
"I got 'Opie' four-and-a-half years ago to be a hunter pony but he was too crazy to do the hunters so we decided to do jumpers," explained Kehrli. Her trainer, Linda Furches, added that when they were trying Opie as a hunter, she asked Nicole to halt at the end of the ring, but the pony jumped out instead, and a pony jumper was made.
A well-rounded equestrian, Kehrli said she had been doing local jumper shows for a few years, but this was her first year at rated shows and competing in the NAL series. She heard about the NAL from a friend who told her it would be fun to do. The teen is a C-3 Pony Club rider and enjoys mounted games, as well as eventing her horse not this pony, with her mother. Kehrli said the variety has helped her in the jumpers. "In eventing, the dressage really helps and in games you are balancing and have to be reactive." She is looking forward to returning to the NAL Pony Jumper Series next year.
The NAL runs season-long series in seven hunter-jumper divisions - Adult Hunter, presented by Cavalor, Children's Hunter, Open Jumper Speed, Adult Jumper, Children's Jumper, Pony Jumper and the new Low Junior/ Amateur-Owner Jumper.
The NAL qualifying period started September 1, 2008 and ended August 31, 2009. While riders did not need to be members of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, only current members earned points toward year-end finals.
The 2009 Pennsylvania National Horse Show runs October 8-17, at the Pennsylvania Farm and Show Complex in Harrisburg, and features 10 full days of hunter and jumper competition with both amateurs and professionals vying for the coveted championships. The Pennsylvania National hosts 10 national championships. The competition highlight is the $75,000 Grand Prix de Penn National on Saturday evening, October 17.
Special event highlights include: Kinsley Construction Company Hunt Night Competition, Jack Russell Terrier Races, The North American Fox Hunting Horn Blowing Championship, Family Days with Free Pony Rides. There will be demonstrations, as well as special educational events and barrel and carriage racing.
The show is entertaining and educational. Approximately 70 vendors are accepted offering a wide variety of items: clothing, gifts and antiques, custom signs and furniture, fine and costume jewelry, toys, pet items, t-shirts and tack shops. All offer a unique variety of items sure to please horse lovers and non-horse people alike.
The Pennsylvania National Horse Show is proud of its tradition of supporting both 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.
Further information is available at the horse show's website at www.panational.org or by calling the horse show office at 717-770-0222.
Live streaming webcast of the event is available at http://www.productionseast.com.
