Nicole Kehrli may have dreamed of accepting a blue ribbon at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show 4½ years ago when she first started riding Northwind’s Opus. But she didn’t expect it would be in the jumper ring.

“We got him to be a hunter pony, but he was too crazy!” she said.

Despite his friskiness, the scopey dark bay proved himself a champion, topping the North American League Pony Jumper Final tonight, Oct. 8, in Harrisburg, Pa.

Kehrli and “Opy” were second-last to go over Steve Stephens’ course, which proved quite challenging for many pony-rider combinations. A tricky in-and-out away from the in-gate and a snug time allowed dashed the hopes of plenty of young riders. Kehrli posted the fourth clean round of the day, then outran reigning U.S. Equestrian Federation National Champions Sydney Shulman and Set Sail in the jump-off to take the title.

“In the jump-off I tried to focus on turns rather than running, because that’s the way to get it done,” she said. “I just tried to ride it forward with enough leg to help him.”

Opy lives at a friend’s barn, and Kerhli meets up with trainer Linda Furches for lessons. The 15-year-old from Glenmore, Pa., just started contesting rated shows this year with Opy, but she keeps a full schedule of other equine activities to round out her résumé. A C-3 pony clubber with Pickering Hunt, Kerhli has evented through novice level aboard her mother’s horse and also excels at mounted games.

“It’s a great mix, and a good variety so I never get bored,” said Kehrli. “The dressage from eventing really helps a lot with the jumpers, and the games teaches them to be very reactive.”

Furches couldn’t have been prouder to see her well-rounded student’s hard work pay off. “It’s just about good riding,” she said. “You can’t get hung up on horse showing every weekend, you have to remember the process and what it takes to get there.” 

The Hunt Is On For The Junior Titles

Four sections of junior hunters kicked off this morning, with an over fences round, a handy trip and the under saddle class.

The talk of the show grounds for the afternoon was Abby O’Mara’s spot-on hand gallop aboard Stephanie Keen’s Lyle to the single oxer in the small junior handy hunter, 16-17. Lyle, the Chronicle’s 2008 Hunter Horse of the Year, won both the over fences and the handy for the second year in a row to put the pair in the lead in the race for the grand and division titles headed into tomorrow’s single over fences class.

Old Oak Farm’s Red Rooster and Alex Arute put in remarkably consistent performances to keep nipping at Lyle’s heels, finishing the day with three red ribbons.The pair have been on a roll since pairing up this fall, topping the WCHR Junior Challenge at Capital Challenge (Md.) before heading to Harrisburg.

Laura Pfeiffer showed off her skills in the large junior handy hunter, 16-17, class, winning aboard Terri Dandino’s Foreign Encounter and taking second on Patricia Haines’ Elliot with tight turns that her mounts negotiated eagerly and beautifully. Jessica Springsteen rode her Tiziano to the top of the other over fences class, and earned third under saddle to head to the top in that division.

Sam Schaefer took the top two slots in first large juniors hunter, 15 and under, class on Marianna Wade’s Bishonen and K&S Show Stable’s Garfield. A strong ride by Gabbi Langston earned Fastball Farm’s Azlan the blue in the handy, which, coupled with a yellow under saddle, puts them in tricolor contention for tomorrow.

Scott Stewart’s Ovation leads the small junior hunter, 15 and under, division after winning the under saddle and taking third in the handy with Tori Colvin. Katie Dinan and Angelo won that division’s opening class for the second year in a row, and Taylor Ann Adams rode Don Stewart’s Fern Gully to blue in the handy.

Junior Jumper Action

Many of the morning’s hunter riders stayed at the show to contest the evening’s $6,250 Junior Jumper Welcome Class. This speed class also counted as the first phase of the individual championship.

Reed Kessler, Armonk, N.Y., and her Ice D’Ancoeur took blue after a speedy round that stopped the clock 2 seconds faster than Zone IV rider Hayley Barnhill aboard Toucan Tango, with Californian Lucy Davis and her True Love took third.

Today’s scores do not count towards tomorrow evening’s Prix des States class, which gets underway around 7:30 p.m.

For hunter scores and orders of go, click here, and you can find the jumper scores and orders here.