If you told Maggie Jayne yesterday that Francesca would claim the regular conformation title at the Pennsylvania National in Harrisburg, Pa., she never would have believed you. The lovely mare won the model, but over fences they were having trouble getting in sync.

“Usually I do her first, then Madeline [Thatcher] does her in the juniors after me,” said Jayne. “She was so quiet in the first class I had a huge chip. Then in the next class I overdid it and almost did five strides in a six.” 

But Jayne and Francesca returned to the ring today, Oct. 15, in perfect harmony, winning blue in both over fences classes and again under saddle to top the division for Pony Lane Farm with 41 points. Betsee Parker’s Remedy and Don Sheehan took reserve after two blue ribbons yesterday.

This morning’s presentations also included a salute to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler’s Lone Star, who earned the grand hunter championship after accruing 36 points in the working hunter division, just edging out Francesca who had 31 without the model.

“She’s a wonderful first junior hunter,” said Jayne of Francesca. “She wants to be good all the time. She’s really a first year horse, but she jumps so high and round that she does the 4-foot easily. In my opinion, in order for them to do the 4-foot consistently, they have to be brave, which she is.”

Jayne’s strong showing aboard Francesca helped boost her to the leading hunter rider title, which shocked no one more than it did her. She spent most of the show criticizing herself for a few inconsistent performances aboard her many mounts. 

“I’m disappointed in myself: I didn’t ride Early Applause well,” she admitted, referring to her star first year conformation partner. “And Gianni was a little spooky in the first [second year green] class each day, then she was great. At Devon I had a solid performance, and I thought I might make it there, but it didn’t work out.”

Jayne trains at her family’s Our Day Farm in Elgin, Ill. This year has proved a breakout year for the 25-year-old, since she took over the ride on a full plate of fabulous horses owned by Pony Lane Farm.

“I actually think there’s less pressure when I ride for Maura [Thatcher of Pony Lane Farm] than when I used to ride more for my dad [Alex Jayne],” she said. “We like to win for sure, but as long as we have a barn full of sound and happy horses—that’s the ultimate goal.”

Perfektionist Lives Up To His Name

Kirsten Coe wouldn’t call Perfektionist difficult, but she wouldn’t describe him as easy either.

“He has an opinion,” she said with a laugh. “If he decides he doesn’t want to do something, he’s not doing it.”

Luckily Perfektionst opined that Harrisburg was a great place to show, and he showed his approval by winning the green conformation title. Bright Star LLC’s South Beach topped both today’s over fences classes to take reserve.

Coe surrendered the ride on the first year horse to Avery Dimmig for most of the season due to conflicting show schedules with owner Tracey Topping, and the gelding picked up tricolors all year with Dimmig aboard. Perfektionist will head back to Topping’s farm in Wellington to relax after Harrisburg, and Coe plans to continue competing in the green conformation division next year.

Coe was thrilled to reunite with the “lovely, lovely jumper,” especially since she’s spent most of the year out of the saddle and in training mode. During the last two months she helped Patricia Griffith and Andre Dignelli prep a slew of Heritage Farm junior riders for equitation finals.

“We had 16 in [Pessoa USEF] Medal Finals, and 18 at [Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals—East],” said Coe. “The kids have been riding great, and the last two months it’s just been making sure everyone is ready to go.”

Amateurs In The Hunt

The newest addition to the Penn National timetable took to the arena this afternoon, as the low amateur-owner hunters jumped an over fences and a handy class.

Just Jack and Annie Frazier lept to the lead with a win in the handy class and a third over fences. Absolut and Tracey Sheriff, coming off a big win in the WCHR Amateur-Owner Challenge at Capital Challenge [Md.], won the over fences and took fifth in the handy.

Amateur-owner jumpers will contest their second class this afternoon, and this evening will feature plenty of spectator-friendly events, including the $25,000 Pennsylvania Big Jump, an exhibition by the Budweiser Clydesdales and a dressage demonstration. Amateur-owner hunters kick off tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.

Check out more Harrisburg full hunter and jumper results.