Pennsylvania National Horse Show 2026: 80th Show and Junior Weekend

Pennsylvania National Horse Show 2026: what's happening now

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show 2026 is the 80th edition, and it runs Oct. 8–18 at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is one of the big fall indoor shows on the U.S. hunter/jumper calendar, and Junior Weekend is under way right now.

The show uses two rings. The Harrisburg Coliseum hosts the feature classes, and the Keystone Arena runs alongside it. The show benefits the PNHS Foundation, a nonprofit that supports therapeutic riding and equine rescue programs.

If you're new to horse shows, the short version is this: the first long weekend belongs to junior riders (under 18), and the week that starts Oct. 12 shifts to professionals, amateurs and the big-money jumper classes.

Junior Weekend results so far

USEF Junior Jumper National Championship: Phase I

On Thursday, Oct. 8, Violet Tatum and BP Swifty won the $5,000 Turnham Green/USEF Junior Jumper National Championship Welcome Phase I. It was a 1.35m course designed by Kevin Holowack, and US Equestrian listed 26 horse-and-rider pairs for the championship.

Tatum and BP Swifty stopped the clock in 63.377 seconds. JJ Torano and Vitus K were second in 63.715, and Scarlett Samuels and Confidence were third, according to Chronicle of the Horse.

Phase I only sets the early order. The Prix des States team competition and Individual Phase II ran Friday night, Oct. 9, and Phase III decides the champion on Saturday night, Oct. 10. As we publish, the final result is still pending. Check the official Pennsylvania National Horse Show results at panational.org or the USEF Network for the outcome.

3'3" junior hunters

On Friday, Oct. 9, Payton Flanders and My Style were champions in the 3'3" Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division, with Quinn Hunter and Rainier reserve. Other 3'3" division champions were:

• Small Junior Hunter 16-17: Annabelle Brown and Kindly, who were also Grand Champion 3'3" Junior Hunter
• Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under: Bridget Harris and Chaperone
• Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under: Kathryn Padilla and Cornerstone
• $10,000 3'3" Junior Hunter Winners Stake: Sloane LaFrance and Styled

How the USEF Junior Jumper National Championship works

This is a three-phase test, so one fast round doesn't win it. US Equestrian's format for 2026:

1. Phase I (Thursday): a 1.35m welcome class where faults convert to seconds. The result then turns into penalty points that carry forward.
2. Prix des States + Phase II (Friday): riders compete on teams for their USHJA zones in a Nations Cup-style format, with two rounds at 1.40m. Their scores also count individually.
3. Phase III (Saturday): the top 20 combinations jump a 1.40m Table II course with a time allowed. The rider with the fewest total penalties across all three phases is champion.

Ties for medals go to a short jump-off. There's also the William C. Steinkraus Style of Riding Award, which recognizes the junior who best shows classic American riding and sportsmanship.

Hunters, jumpers and equitation: what you're watching

Harrisburg is a hunter/jumper show, so you'll see three kinds of classes. They look similar from the stands, but they're judged very differently.

Hunters are scored by judges on style. Jumpers are objective: a knocked rail or refusal adds faults, and time breaks ties. Equitation judges the rider, which makes it the classic test for young riders. Read our full explainer on what equitation is.

You'll also see heights quoted two ways. Hunters use feet and inches (3'3" is about 1m), and jumpers use meters (1.10m to 1.50m here).

Junior Weekend vs. professional week: key 2026 dates

Junior Weekend runs from Oct. 8 through Sunday, Oct. 11, when the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final is held in the Coliseum. From Oct. 12 the show turns to green and professional hunters, amateur-owners and open jumpers.

Highlights on the official schedule:

• Sat., Oct. 10: pony hunters, Junior Jumper Phase III and awards, plus a Free Family Fun Day (1–4 p.m.)
• Sun., Oct. 11: USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final
• Mon., Oct. 12: Hunt Night with field hunters, hunt teams and the Parade of Fox Hounds (admission and parking free)
• Fri., Oct. 16: $30,000 Commonwealth Classic (1.30m) and Team Night, plus the new PNHS Adult Medal Finals
• Sat., Oct. 17: $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National (1.45–1.50m), Classic Leadline and the new PNHS Children's Medal Finals
• Sun., Oct. 18: USEF/NCEA Medal Final and closing championships

The new Children's and Adult Medal Finals matter because they give riders outside the top junior pipeline an equitation final of their own at a famous venue.

Visiting with family: tickets, free events and a checklist

The official tickets page lists only two ticketed sessions. Daytime sessions aren't listed there, so check panational.org for current admission and parking details before you go.

• Commonwealth Classic & Team Night (Fri., Oct. 16): $10, a 4-pack for $30, or $6 each for groups of 10 or more. Doors open at 5 p.m. and competition starts at 6.
• Grand Prix de Penn National (Sat., Oct. 17): $25 general admission, $40 or $50 reserved. Doors open at 5 p.m. Double Dan Horsemanship performs, and riders sign autographs after the class.

Family checklist

• Print or screenshot the day's schedule. Classes run long, so start times are estimates.
• Pack layers. Barns and arena aisles can be cool in October.
• Wear closed-toe shoes. You'll be walking near horses.
• Teach kids the barn-aisle rules: walk, don't run, and never approach a horse without asking. Our safety hub covers the basics.
• Stay quiet during rounds. Clap after a rider finishes, not while they're jumping.
• Bring snacks and plan a break. A full show day is a lot for little kids.

If your child wants to compete one day, start with our guide to a first horse show for kids and our show prep pages.

What to watch next

• Saturday night, Oct. 10: who finishes on top after Junior Jumper Phase III. Don't assume the Phase I leader holds on, because three phases leave plenty of room for change.
• Sunday, Oct. 11: the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, one of the biggest equitation titles for juniors.
• Oct. 16–17: the Commonwealth Classic, the first PNHS Adult and Children's Medal Finals, and the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National.

For live Pennsylvania National Horse Show results, use the official entries and results link on panational.org. US Equestrian streams the junior jumper championship on the USEF Network. For other big fall shows, see our Horse of the Year Show 2026 guide or browse more trends.