Katie Dinan and Dougie Douglas (Ard VDL Douglas x High Roller), owned by Grant Road Partners, LLC., bested an 11 horse jump-off in a field of 38 to win the $40,000 Pennsylvania National "Big Jump", sponsored by Wilmington Trust - A Division of M & T Bank. It was her first open jumper class victory at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS), presented by The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund.

"It's great to have a win here," said Dinan. "This is my 15th Harrisburg in a row and it's my first time winning an open jumper class here. I was second in the grand prix one year, but it's nice to win a class. It's nice for Dougie because I think he deserves a result like this. He's a super horse and he has such a big heart. It's a real thrill to ride him."

The jump-off yielded five clear rounds with mere fractions of a second separating the top three. Nicole Walker (CAN) had the first clear in 35.76 seconds on Falco van Spieveld (Toulon x Lys de Darmen). Paulo Santana (ESA) and Taloubet (Baloubet Du Rouet x Quidam De Revel), took over the lead stopping the clock in a speedy 33.60, which looked unbeatable. Local rider Callan Solem of Glenmoore, Pa., went clear in 35.82 on VDL Wizard (Gentleman x Ahorn), owned by Horseshoe Trail Farm, LLC, for fifth place. Olympic team gold medalist Ben Maher (GBR), going second to last on Tic Tac (Clinton x Darco), owned by Jane Forbes Clark, just missed taking over the top spot going clear in 33.84 seconds. Final rider Dinan blazed around the Bernardo Cabral-designed course in 33.28 seconds to dethrone Santana.

"I turned so fast into the last fence that I did eight strides instead of seven, which was more than my perfect plan, but his turning was so good and he was so on it that it ended up being faster than if I had stuck to the plan," said Dinan. "I was thrilled. Dougie was amazing. He gave me everything. He helped me out a little bit in the first round and in the jump-off he was really on it."

Most riders would be upset with losing, not so with Santana, if it meant losing to Dinan. "I don't mind at all losing to Katie," said Santana. "She is such a sweetheart. I love her so much." 

The "Big Jump" is the first of three FEI events contested at PNHS. FEI Open Jumping action continues on Friday evening with the $35,000 Keystone Class and culminates with the marquee event, the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National, on Saturday. 

Source: Press release from Pennsylvania National Horse Show // Picture © Al Cook - www.alcookphoto.com