4 Pittsburgh area riders competing in Pa. National Horse Show

The 74th annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show is slated to start this week in Harrisburg, and four Pittsburgh area riders are headed to the competition.

Alexa Karet, a child rider from Pittsburgh; Dalya Balk, a junior rider from Pittsburgh competing in the U.S. Equestrian medal finals; Barbara Bancroft, an Allison Park trainer and Sara Ladley, an amateur jumper also from Allison Park, will compete throughout the week.

Running from Thursday through Oct. 19, the show will feature more than 1,400 horses along with hunters, equitation and jumper riders from across the country. Split into two groups — junior weekend and senior week — competitors will vie for more than $650,000 in prize money and eight championship titles.

Junior weekend runs from Thursday to Sunday, featuring pony and junior hunters, and jumping and team championships. Senior week starts Oct. 14 with a hunt night, followed by jumpers, which feature Olympic and international riders.

With about 15,000 people expected to attend, shopping, special events and fan appreciation days will be held throughout the 10-day competition. About 60 shops offering clothing, antiques, artwork, jewelry and equestrian products will be available.

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show was established in 1945 as one of the largest indoor horse shows. The non-profit foundation was established in 1999, making grants for charitable and educational purposes. Last year, the foundation awarded 24 facilities grants that serve therapeutic riders and equine rescue.

The show will be held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off the event at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. The ceremony will include Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.

The competition will start at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. A full list of events can be found at panational.org.