Articles: Press Release
Katherine Edgell and Miss Kitty Win the $10,000 NAL Adult Jumper Final at
the Pennsylvania National Horse Show
Contact:
Violet Forbes, vfequis@aol.com, 859-537-5441
Harrisburg, PA - October 17, 2009 - Katherine Edgell of Mendham, NJ, and
Miss Kitty continued their domination of the Amateur Adult Jumper division
today with a win in the $10,000 North American League Adult Jumper Final at
the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.
Fresh of a sweep of the Adult Amateur Jumper division at the Capital
Challenge, Edgell and her mount Miss Kitty, an 11-year-old Hanoverian mare,
were last to go in the eight-horse jump-off with only one rider ahead of
them clean. Their fault free ride posted in a time of 38.759 seconds, was a
full five seconds faster than her competition.
"This was the most conservative jump-off I have been in. I didn't take any
chances or have to pull out the stops," she said. Sarah Kirson with Pasific
Sun had the only other clean round in 43.767 seconds. Since Kirson was the
third rider in the order and Edgell was the last, she had the oppoutunity to
see the others go and decide on a game plan.
When Edgell's trainer Emil Spadone saw the easy time to beat, the strategy
changed to be quick and careful without any tight turns. "When we walked the
course, we had all these crazy inside turns planned" said Edgell, "But when
two people that I ride with didn't do so well, Emil said forget the turns,
go around everything and just do what you do. She is very quick and she did
her thing. I did everything conservatively. I jumped every fence straight,
I didn't slice anything and here we are."
"My first round plan was to ride smart. She chips like a champ but gets her
feet out of the way. She can be a little tough and spooky; she's a mare. But
after four years together, we've got it down. I know when I can pressure
her," explained Edgell of Mendham, NJ.
When Edgell isn't riding her two mares, she works in advertising for a
publishing company. "I get out to the barn at least six days a week unless
I am traveling", said Edgell. "I make sure they have their sleezies on and
their boots for turnout. I'm a little particular that way. "
Edgell and Miss Kitty are on to Washington, where she will repeat her
routine that started at the Capital Challenge, down to the lucky sox that
she has worn for both of these shows and hope for the same spectacular
results.
Miss Kitty was bred to the stallion, Argentinus, and has a foal in Florida.
It is Edgell's hope that the filly will turn into a bigger, scopeier version
of Miss Kitty. She will continue to show Miss Kitty at the same level where
she is comfortable and successful for as long as her career will allow.
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 65th Pennsylvania National Horse Show will run October 14-23, 2010, at
the Pennsylvania Farm and Show Complex in Harrisburg, and will again feature
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 Grand Prix
de Penn National on Saturday evening.
Special event highlights will include: 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.
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 and results are available at the horse show's website at www.panational.org.
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