A reminder to the horse show world--Don't believe everything you read. As the equestrian press debates whether ten years hence the "indoors" will still exist, here in Harrisburg, PA, the answer is a definite "yes." While the National Horse Show moves to Florida and Washington International raises funds to remain viable, the first show of the indoor circuit is not just alive and well, but financially healthy and growing.

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show Association recently donated more than $60,000 of the proceeds of the 2001 show to charitable organizations. Of the total, $45,000 was donated to the Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation, which supports central Pennsylvania children's organizations. An additional $17,840 was donated to equestrian organizations through the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation.

For the 2002 show, prize money for the Budweiser Grand Prix de Penn National has been raised from $50,000 to $60,000. Prize money for the North American League championships has also increased. The Children's Hunter, Children's Jumper, and Adult Hunter finals will each offer $10,000 in prize money, up from $5,000 in 2001. The prize money for the Pony Jumper Final has increased from $2,500 to $5,000. The increases bring the total prize money offered at the show to $325,000.

"The future of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show has never looked brighter," President Elizabeth Shorb said. "While our venue will continue to undergo construction this fall, in 2003 we will present the show in what may be the newest, largest and most accommodating indoor horse show venue in the nation."

The Pennsylvania National's home, the 66-year-old Farm Show Complex, is halfway through a $100 million expansion and renovation which will enable it to stable up to 3,000 horses. A new 1,700 seat arena with a floor measuring 150 feet by 300 feet will be located adjacent to the current 7,400 seat arena.

"For the last several years we have had room to accept only about 1,200 of the 1,600 horses that apply to compete at Harrisburg," Shorb said. "The 10-day show starts early each morning and runs most nights until 10 pm or later, without much of a break. We use every inch of available space and there has been no room to add more horses, classes, divisions, vendors or exhibitions. With the new facility, we can accept more entries, accommodate more schooling areas, and offer space to more vendors. In fact, with the ability to stable 3,000 horses and run two rings simultaneously-all indoors--there's no telling how big the show might become."

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show has for decades led off the "indoors", followed closely by the Washington International and the National Horse Show. "Harrisburg" is the country's largest multi-breed indoor horse show. Ten national championships, including the USA Equestrian/Pessoa & Miller's National Hunt Seat Medal Finals, the USA Equestrian/BET National Junior Jumper Championships, and the North American League championships, are decided at the show.

The 2002 Pennsylvania National Horse Show will be held October 10-19. For information, phone (717) 975-3677.