Cathleen Driscoll and FOREVER BLUE (AlCookPhoto.com)
Only nine competitors made it through to the jump-off out of 28 starters, and Driscoll and her 7 year old mare were the only pair to produce a second clear round, stopping the clock in 33.707 seconds. Ericka Caslin and her own RIOLETTO, stopped the clock in 33.991 seconds, but they dropped a rail and received four faults.
Driscoll, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Delaware, trains herself on her parents' 40-acre farm, so today's win was an exciting feat. This was her first time competing in Harrisburg and the first time at the NAL Finals. "It's a really nice class and it's great to be able to show here. I'm glad I got the opportunity to come here and do that", she said.
"I was a little nervous going second, but she really jumped well and I came back in the jump-off. I knew I had to go fast, since there were eight other horses, so I said 'let's go, let's leave it on the table and see what happens'" commented Driscoll.
Incredibly, Driscoll picked the Thoroughbred FOREVER BLUE out of a field. "She was a giveaway", she said. "I thought she looked athletic, and she's turned out to be quite a little jumper".
The North American League (NAL) offers year-long Series in six divisions - Adult Jumper Presented by SmartPak, Children's Jumper Presented by EquiFit, Adult Hunter Presented by Practical Horseman, Children's Hunter, Pony Jumper, and Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper. The Series includes classes held at hundreds of horse shows across the United States and Canada. The NAL gives riders in these divisions a chance to ride in year-end finals at two major indoor shows - The NAL National Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show at Harrisburg, October 10-19, and the NAL West Coast Finals at the Las Vegas National Horse Show, November 12-17. Further information on the NAL is available at www.ryegate.com or by contacting Ryegate Show Services at 717-867-5643 or [email protected].