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The majestic Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride will join with more than 1,200 of the winningest horses in North America to make the 63rd annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show an extravaganza of equestrian competition and entertainment. The show is held October 9-18, 2008 at the State Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, Harrisburg, PA.

The show is one of only four US venues for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride in 2008. The Musical Ride, which will appear each of the last four nights of the show, is a thrilling exhibition of precision horsemanship, as 32 perfectly matched horses and riders execute a variety of intricate figures and cavalry drill choreographed to stirring music. Outfitted in scarlet uniforms, tacked in ceremonial saddlery, a Canadian maple leaf brushed into the croup of each horse, the horses and riders perform with military precision in formation at the trot and canter.

Young riders also compete in the National Horse Show ‘Good Hands’ Saddle Seat Equitation Championship, held Thursday and Saturday afternoons, October 16 and 18. In addition, the PNHS will host the American Saddlebred Horse Association Northeastern Regional Championships.

Kids love horses, and families can treat them to free pony rides and other activities on Saturday, October 11 and Friday, October 17, when one child 12 and under is admitted free with a paying adult. October 15 to 18, families can visit the Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers and horses in their stabling area anytime between 9 am and 9 pm. Before and after their evening appearances, when the entire troop is present, kids can interact with each rider and collect baseball-style cards featuring officers and their mounts.

Shopping is so popular with both spectators and competitors that many visit the show mainly to shop. More than 50 vendors from across the country offer hours of shopping for exclusive apparel, furniture, fine arts, gifts, jewelry, equestrian supplies and much more.

Since its inception in 1945, the event has raised $1.5 million for youth literacy, educational, therapeutic and recreational programs through the Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation.

A complete schedule is online at www.panational.org .

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