Harrisburg, Pa. – October 19, 2024 – A week ago, Mia Bagnato was competing in the Turnham Green/USEF Junior Jumper National Championships at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show as one of the country’s top junior riders.
This week, the bulk of Bagnato’s junior jumper competitors have gone home, but the 18-year-old is still at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA, riding amongst the professionals – and winning. On Friday, October 18, she and Cordiamo topped a 36-horse field to take victory in the $30,000 1.30m Commonwealth Classic.
“This is my first year coming here,” said Bagnato, who traveled to the PNHS from her home base in Fishkill, NY. “I think it’s a great show. Last year was my first year doing indoors, so it’s a little bit different for me. I’m used to riding in an outdoor, but I think that everything’s very accommodating. Everything so far has been lovely. One memory that I’m going to take away from here is definitely winning this class!”
On her way to the Friday night win, Bagnato was one of 14 entries that qualified to jump-off over the track set by course designer Anderson Lima. When Bagnato entered the Harrisburg Coliseum, the time to beat had been set at 31.941 seconds by the winner of both of the first two classes of the 1.30m division, Caitlin Boyle aboard Chapka de Moyon.
With Cordiamo, Bagnato flew across the finish in 31.221 seconds to narrowly edge out Boyle and take over the top spot. While less than a second separated Bagnato and Boyle, two more competitors managed to slide their way in between them. Aboard Zaza Z, Mary Lisa Leffler finished in 31.379 seconds to take home second place. Jordan Coyle and Action T finished in third with a time of 31.868 seconds, and Boyle and Chapka de Moyon held on to fourth.
“The jump-off felt a little bit rough!” admitted Bagnato. “It wasn’t my best work. On the backside, he was a little bit green. He didn’t really see the turn as soon as I did, I guess, but once he saw it, he was right back on it. It was fast. I think everyone was very close, so I had to try a little bit!”
Bagnato has been partnered with Cordiamo, an 8-year-old Oldenburg owned by Elan Farm, on and off for the past year and a half, and she continues to get to know the gelding.
“I haven’t really ridden him for long periods of time until recently,” explained Bagnato. “I’m still trying to get to know him. He’s kind of quirky. He’s a little fresh. It’s hard not to go fast on him. Sometimes, I have to take it down a notch. It’s hard to tell just the right things to do sometimes; he tries very hard.”
Cordiamo and Bagnato’s efforts in the $30,000 Commonwealth Classic helped them earn the 1.30m Jumper reserve championship. Taking home the championship honor, sponsored by Beyaert Farm, were Boyle and Chapka de Moyon.
Boyle’s top results with the 12-year-old Selle Français mare, owned by Beyaert Farm Inc., also earned her both the 1.30m Leading Lady Jumper Rider Award and the 1.30m Leading Jumper Rider Award. For the latter, Boyle fittingly became the inaugural recipient of the Thomas Boyle Memorial Challenge Trophy, donated by Pat and Nicole Boyle and named in honor of Caitlin Boyle’s grandfather.
For full results of the 1.30m division at the 2024 Pennsylvania National Horse Show, visit pnhs.showmanagementsystem.com.
Competition at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show continues through Sunday, October 20, with open jumper competition culminating on Saturday, October 19, with the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National. Find out more and purchase tickets at panational.org.