Islandia, NY — Thanks to a generous donation from the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) Foundation, students from Pal-O-Mine Equestrian will be able to proudly display their skills at competitions this year on the organization’s 13-acre farm in Islandia, NY. Students will participate in both mounted divisions and an unmounted horsemanship division for those students who do not ride.
Competition has long been a cornerstone of Pal-O-Mine’s programs, offering students a supportive environment to challenge themselves, learn from peers and grow through the honest, non-judgmental partnership of horses. Over the years, Pal-O-Mine riders have competed across the country, earning invitations to prestigious events such as the Festival of Champions, the Young Riders Championship, the Devon National Horse Show and the Hampton Classic.
“From the very beginning, Pal-O-Mine has been guided by a simple principle: access to equine-assisted interventions should never be limited by disability,” said Lisa A. Gatti, Founder and CEO of the Long Island nonprofit. “Participating in these horse shows gives our students an incredible sense of confidence, joy and achievement. These meaningful opportunities are only possible because of the generosity of supporters like the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, and we are deeply thankful for their continued commitment to our mission.”
The PNHS Foundation was established as a nonprofit organization in 1999 and has remained dedicated to “Enriching Lives Through Equestrian Sport” for more than 25 years. Each year, the Foundation awards grants for charitable and educational purposes, allowing organizations to provide veterinary care, purchase therapy equipment, offer student scholarship funds, grow their program offerings and much more. The Foundation received a record 70 applications for 2026, of which 59 were granted funding, according to Susie Shirk, the Foundation’s Executive Director.
“We are pleased to once again support the work of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian,” said Shirk. “Due to the success of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, our funding totaled more than $125,000. Thank you to all the folks at Pal-O-Mine for their continued dedication to therapeutic riding.”
About the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) Foundation:
Established in 1999, the PNHS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides support for equine rescue programs, therapeutic riding groups and other equine-assisted services organizations.
In 2025-2026, the PNHS Foundation awarded more than $125,000 in grants to non-profit recipients both locally and across the nation. Foundation grants provide scholarships for therapy students, facilitate care for therapy and rescue horses, allow for the purchase of equipment for horses and riders and much, much more. For more information, visit panational.org/about-the-foundation.
