Harrisburg, Pa. – October 17, 2024 – The open jumpers arrived at the 2024 Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, on Wednesday, October 16, and Megan McDermott and Caitlin Boyle quickly kicked things off in winning fashion.
For the second year in a row, Boyle opened the 1.30m division with a win, this time topping the $10,000 1.30m Two Phase aboard Chapka de Moyon. For McDermott, her victory came aboard Nintendo in the $10,000 1.40m Two Phase.
“[Nintendo] never lets me down,” said McDermott of the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, owned by Counter Balance LLC. “Having him for over three years, he’s the horse that I have in my string right now that I’ve had the longest, so on that level, he’s definitely my best man. He’s just really, really my type. I really like the quirky horses. They sort of keep you on your toes, and I like to have to get into his brain a little bit too. It keeps a little bit more interesting and fun.”
On her way to the win, McDermott stopped the second-phase timers in 31.117 seconds. Finishing in second place with a time of 31.148 seconds were Carly Anthony and Fayuri, and Alex Matz and Junior Kannan rounded out the top three with a time of 31.421 seconds. Boyle was also back in the top ribbons in the 1.40m, this time taking fourth aboard Navaar.
“I thought the courses in both the 1.30m and the 1.40m were wonderful,” said McDermott of the tracks set by course designer Anderson Lima. “You could just keep riding forward, which is what I love, and I think that’s the most correct riding, so it’s always good when that’s encouraged by the course.”
For McDermott, this year marks only her third time competing at the PNHS, but her second visit to the show in 2021 proved instrumental in Nintendo’s career.
“I got him the spring of his 7-year-old year, and the last thing he did as a 7-year-old was come here and jump the 1.30m,” explained McDermott. “He’s a really spooky, quirky horse, and I was really not so sure if he would take to the venue and be okay. He was phenomenal then. He was double clear in the 1.30m grand prix which was shocking and surprising. It really changed my opinion of the horse and what I would do with him in his 8-year-old year. So, this was definitely a pivotal show for him as a 7-year-old. Since then, he has just really become my number one partner.”
In the $10,000 1.30m Two Phase, Boyle returned to the winner’s circle after also taking the win in the Wednesday 1.30m class during the 2023 PNHS. This time, she piloted Chapka de Moyon to a winning time of 29.48 seconds to take a narrow win over Ireland’s Christian Coyle, who stopped the clock in 29.68 seconds with Ma Pomme de Tamerville. Third place with a time of 30.67 seconds went to Wilhelmina Horzepa and Mac Mittens.
“[Chapka de Moyon] is a very small chestnut mare, but she has no idea how small she is,” said Boyle of the 12-year-old Selle Français mare, owned by Beyaert Farm Inc. “Her character is very big. She just actually came back to us off of lease six weeks ago or so. So, I’ve taken her to one show since I’ve had the ride on her again, and she’s started out on a good note!”
Boyle continued, “She definitely has a lot of blood. So, it’s a little bit just getting to know that feeling again. She’s great. I always trust her. She always has the best intentions when she walks in the ring. She likes to go fast and wants to jump clear.”
For full results of both the $10,000 1.30m Two Phase and the $10,000 1.40 Two Phase, click here.
Competition at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show continues through Sunday, October 20, with open jumper competition culminating on Saturday, October 19, with the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National. Find out more and purchase tickets at panational.org.
