The 63rd Annual Portuguese Bend National Horse Show was a Patriotic Record Breaker!

By Maureen Hazard

Photo credit: Katie Browne

South Bay families and horse lovers alike came out in masse to enjoy the sunshine, elite competition and old-fashioned hometown festivities offered up once again by the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show (PBNHS), back after a year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hosted by the Peninsula Committee Children’s Hospital (PCCH), this popular annual horse show was held at Ernie Howlett Park & Equestrian Facility in Rolling Hills Estates September 10 - 12th. All proceeds will benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and specifically this year, The Associates Chair in Endocrinology and The Associates Chair in Transplant Surgery.

A prestigious A-rated show and darling of the horse show circuit, the PBNHS had two fully scheduled rings, which dazzled crowds with a wide variety of classes, including the esteemed PCHA Horsemanship Medal Finals for riders 14 and under and 18-34, as well as the PCHA Victor Hugo-Vidal Adult Horsemanship Finals for riders 35 and over. In addition, the $10,000 Harman Jr.-A/O Jumper Classic and the $15,000 Seahorse Jumper Classic tested some of the West Coast's finest riders with difficult and exciting courses.

Spectators also enjoyed a festive atmosphere created through an array of food booths, boutiques and fun activities for children like pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and science and magic shows. And amazingly, the entire event, boasting record crowds this year, was all run by members of PCCH. Proudly donning blue-and-white checked shirts, the cheerful, multi-generational, all-volunteer brigade, comprised of over 170 South Bay families, plans and staffs the event, with their cumulative efforts totaling over 15,000 hours each year.

*The Tiger Squadron's flyover paid a breathtaking tribute to those Americans lost on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 on Saturday. (Photo credit: Mike Shields)*

Perhaps the most spectacular moment of the weekend though, was the somber pause taken mid-day Saturday by riders and visitors alike to pay homage to the Americans lost 20 years ago on 9/11. After a beautiful rendition of the national anthem, the crowd was surprised overhead by a magnificent flyover by the Tiger Squadron, an elite precision formation flying team based in neighboring Zamperini Field.

PCCH President Noelle Giuliano (left) with 2021 PBNHS Featured Child Kira O'Shea (front) and mother Lana O'Shea, father Michael O'Shea, sister Sophie and pediatrician Dr. Lauren Nguyen. (Photo credit - Maureen Hazard)

*The PBNHS is fun for the whole family.*

On Saturday evening, 350 guests enjoyed the annual Saturday Night Supper, which featured classic BBQ fare by The Original Red Onion restaurant and musical entertainment by Boomer McClennan and the Rhythm Rangers.

On Sunday, the PBNHS “Featured Child”, 13-year-old Palos Verdes resident Kira O’Shea, was on hand with her family to present the Gabriel C. Duque Jr. Memorial Trophy. Each year PCCH selects a local child who receives medical care from CHLA as an ambassador of the show and who embodies the purpose and hard work done all year to raise funds for CHLA. “It’s all for the kids,” is a commonly heard mantra around the grounds as PCCH members spend countless hours setting up, running and eventually breaking down the show.

“At the end of the day, it’s why we come here year after year. All proceeds from the horse show go directly to CHLA,” explains PCCH President Noelle Giuliano. “It’s a labor of love and a group we are all immensely proud to be a part of,” sums up Jan Van Riper, the 2021 PBNHS Horse Show Chair.

*PCCH President Noelle Giuliano (Center) with new members Song Klein (left) and Jen Kirk (right).*

Mark your calendars now for next year's show, which will be held September 9 - 11, 2022.

About Peninsula Committee Children’s Hospital (PCCH):

PCCH is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that raises money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Founded in 1957 when a group of women from the South Bay were asked to help generate funds for a new recovery unit at CHLA, PCCH has grown to more than 170 South Bay families who volunteer all year long with the shared goal of helping the kids who need it most. The committee sponsors the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show in early September, as well as the Seahorse Classic golf tournament in the spring. Since its inception, PCCH has donated over 18 million dollars to CHLA.

Maureen Hazard is the 2021-22 Publicity Chair for Peninsula Committee Children's Hospital (PCCH), an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that raises money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Founded in 1957 when a group of women from the South Bay were asked to help generate funds for a new recovery unit at CHLA, PCCH has grown to more than 170 South Bay families who volunteer all year long with the shared goal of helping the kids who need it most. The committee sponsors the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show in early September, as well as the Seahorse Classic golf tournament in the spring. Over the past 60 years, PCCH has donated over 18 million dollars to CHLA. This year all funds raised will support The Associates Chair in Endocrinology and The Associates Chair in Transplant Surgery. For more information, please visit www.pcch.net.

The 63rd Annual Portuguese Bend National Horse Show was a Patriotic Record Breaker! By Maureen Hazard

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