The ASPCA Maclay National Championship will be held at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament (N.Y.) featuring the 127th National Horse Show. The show will run from Nov. 2-7, with the Maclay Finals to be held on Sunday, Nov. 7.

Melanie Smith Taylor and Scott Hofstetter will judge this year’s ASPCA Maclay Finals.

Taylor was the 1978 American Grandprix Association’s Lady Rider of the Year and AGA’s overall Rider of the Year. Taylor was a part of the U.S. gold medal team at the 1979 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico. In 1984, Taylor was part of the gold medal show jumping team at the Los Angeles Olympic Games. Taylor is well known to Syracuse fans, as she has served as a commentator for the past three years.

Hofstetter won the 1986 Maclay Championship at Madison Square Garden (N.Y.). Other accomplishments include Leading Rider at Capital Challenge (Md.) and Devon (Pa.). Hofstetter also trained the 1999 Maclay winner, Emily Williams.

The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus (1941), Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr (1972), Stacia Klein Madden (1987), Nicole Shahinian Simpson (1992) and Jessica Springsteen (2008). Last year’s ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Zazou Hoffman, trained by Missy Clark.

James Clapperton and Shane George have been chosen as the judges for the hunters at the 127th National Horse Show, including the brand new $50,000 Hunter Classic. Clapperton and George will also serve as judges for the new local classes, which will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2.