XOXO Deserves Hugs And Kisses at Pennsylvania National Horse Show

XOXO and Peter Pletcher (Photo: Al Cook)

Harrisburg, PA - The Pre-Green Hunters took to the ring today to show just how much they have learned and matured over the course of a year. The 3' Division was hard fought, with XOXO and Peter Pletcher battling every class with Jennifer Alfano and The Exchange.

When the dust settled, it was Pletcher and the stunning 4 year-old grey gelding, XOXO, owned by Forest Hill Farm, who emerged victorious. They laid claim to the Championship title with a total of 36 points.

"I was shocked, he walked in here and moseyed around like a much older horse," Pletcher remarked about XOXO. "I got him this summer and I think I did two horse shows on him and then the Incentive Finals in Kentucky and he was still green. I did a couple more horse shows with him, then we came here and he got it. He is going to be a really good horse. Mentally he could do the First Year's but because of his age I may hold off." Pre-Green Hunter 3'3" Division was also won by a Pletcher mount. Voila, owned by Kyle Owens, took the championship honors with 26 points.

XOXO and Pletcher accept top honors in the $15,000 USHJA Incentive Stake (Photo: Al Cook)

The $15,000 USHJA Pre-Green Hunter Incentive Stake, was open to all horses that have been enrolled in the USHJA Pre-Green incentive Fund, which made this the largest hunter class at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show with 42 entries. Both the 3' and the 3'3" Pre-Green Hunters were eligible to compete in the class. Pletcher and XOXO topped the leaderboard in the class with a score of 89 points. Second was Fandango HX and Adrienne Iverson with 88.750 and Pletcher placed third with Fifty Fifty who garnered 88.50 points.

Fifty Fifty was a very different story from his barn mate. "When he got here he was shell shocked," explained Pletcher. "The yellow curtains were moving, and he acted more like the four year-old, of course he is only six. But today he was ready to start showing."

Recognized as a premier equestrian event, The Pennsylvania National Horse Show runs October 8-17 and has been held indoors at the State Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA since its inception in 1945.

For more information visit www.panational.org