Harrisburg, PA – Caroline Ingalls on Concerto and Jamee Crawford on Churchill claimed the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” and 3’3” Grand Championships, respectively, on Thursday, October 20, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA.
On their way to the 3’6” grand championship title, Ingalls and Concerto first earned the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6”, 18-35 division championship, for which they were presented the Wintarra Ring Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mary Lisa Leffler and Rolling Acres Farm.
Ingalls, of San Diego, CA, has been partnered with 11-year-old Concerto for nearly 7 years, and together the pair have achieved great success, including earning the reserve championship in the same division at last year’s PNHS.
“He’s just the greatest horse I’ve ridden,” said Ingalls, who trains with Hap Hansen. “He’s like a sports car; he’s just so fun to ride, and he really reacts well to everything that I ask him to do.”
On their way to the grand championship, Ingalls and Concerto earned two wins and a second over fences as well as a win in the under saddle.
“Today I was coming in a little nervous,” explained Ingalls, 31. “I just wanted to put in a good ride again and be in the pack, and we went in and scored an 88 and won. I just cannot have asked for anything better.”
Ingalls, who graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design and works as an interior designer, competed in the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final at the PNHS as a junior, but she only returned as an amateur in 2021.
“It’s such a great show; it’s inside, and [it has such rich history], with it being a Heritage Show,” said Ingalls, who was presented with the Legend Has It Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mary Lisa Leffler and Rolling Acres Farm, for the grand championship. “It’s a huge deal to be here and even just to get to ride in this stadium is incredible. My trainer, Hap Hansen, tells me stories of riding in this arena back in the day when it was just this building and you had to warm up outside. It’s just fun to come here and be a part of the history.”
Receiving the Prince Charming Award, donated by Caroline Moran, for the groom of the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” Grand Champion, was Pablo Hernandez.
Finishing as the reserve champions in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6”, 18-35 were Martha Ingram and Quimby.
In the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6”, 36 & Over, sponsored by Rolling Acres Show Stables, the championship and the Carlos F. Bodwell Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mrs. Carlos F. Bodwell, went to Katie Robinson and MTM Plus One. The reserve championship was awarded to Irene Neuwirth and Juan Carlos.
In the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3”, it was Crawford and Churchill’s turn in the grand champion winner’s circle.
The pair earned a win over fences and a win in the under saddle to clinch both the PNHS Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Perpetual Trophy, donated by the PNHS, for the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3”, 18-35 division championship, and the Art Dunphy Perpetual Trophy, donated by Cathy Sacher, for the 3’3” grand championship.
“I love it back here, and Harrisburg is what we all strive for as hunter riders,” said Crawford, who hails from Texas. “I try to come whenever I have something at the time that could perform, but it’s not always possible.”
This time, the mount that brought Crawford back to Harrisburg is a particularly special one, as Churchill is entirely deaf.
“Because he’s deaf, he’s so sensitive to everything,” explained Crawford of the 8-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding. “He’s really nervous with traffic or anything. It’s been a challenge trying to figure out how to bring him inside and get him to stay calm, but he’s really, really been a wonderful partner in this for me.
“You look at him, and you know that something’s different,” continued Crawford. “I guess for me it was a personal challenge where I looked at something that was maybe a flaw as something really special about him. He’s really, really been everything and more in regard to what I was drawn to.”
Finishing as the reserve champions behind Crawford and Churchill in the 3’3”, 18-35 division were Callie Seaman and Moonshine.
In the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3”, 36 & Over, sponsored by Copper Fox LLC & Kendall Meijer, the championship and the Mae West Perpetual Trophy, donated by Phoebe Loughry Stables, went to Brad Wolf and Sebastian. The reserve championship was awarded to Chris Brown and Newport.
All Amateur-Owner Hunter division champions received gifts from Springtime Supplements.
For full results of all hunter divisions, visit pnhs.showmanagementsystem.com.
