Allyson Blais and Rocca K were the first of four to go clean over a tough, twisting course designed by Pierre Jolicoeur. The pair went on to top of the field of 30 in the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Children’s Jumper Finals, held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA.

“The first course was very difficult. You would think you were turning right and you would have to turn left,” explained Blais, 16, who went third in the order and was followed by numerous knockdowns, refusals and riders going off course. The 30 riders invited to compete in the finals qualified throughout the year riding in NAL qualifier classes. Those top riders were put to the test over a track of 15 jumping efforts. With no breathing room on the course, Jolicoeur kept the riders on their toes. Fences were set off sharp turns off the rail while unusual roll-backs forced riders to direct their horses every step of the way. The jumps quickly narrowed the field to four horses who kept the rails out of the dirt.

“The jump-off was fun and different,” said Blais, referring to the eight jumps consisting of sweeping turns and a long galloping line. She and Rocca K were the first to return to the ring. The pair started strong and although they pulled the top plank off the third jump no one else could keep the rails in the cups. Their four-fault finish remained on top. “She’s extremely fast and scopey,” said Blais of the 11-year-old Westphalian mare. The pair started the year competing in the junior jumpers, but after having some problems with the stubborn mare, Blais dropped down into the children’s division. Her goal was to qualify for NAL finals, and she was thrilled to make the cut despite starting the division so late in the season.

Blais lives in Boyton Beach, FL, and trains with Alan Koratkin of Wellington, FL. She hopes to move back into the junior jumpers next year and will also compete in the 3’6” equitation.

The North American League (NAL) runs season-long series in six hunter-jumper divisions – Children’s Hunter, Children’s Jumper, Adult Hunter, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper and Open Jumper Speed. Each series culminates with a championship final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, in October. Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, but only current members earn points toward year-end finals. For more information, a list of qualifying competitions and results, please see the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.

Results
Place. Horse, rider, faults, time
1. Rocca K, Allyson Blais, 0/4/, 39.216
2. Nifty Erica, Garcia, 0/8, 36.672
3. Northern Pines Sophie, Tracy Mathews, 0/8, 41.202
4. Solo, Erica Garcia, 0/9, 43.989
5. Carrera, Nicole Wiitala, 4, 75.691
6. Up For Bids, Mary Volk, 4, 77.952
7. Maverick, Cassandra Bohlman, 4, 79.039
8. Goldfinger, Hannah Beresford, 4, 79.381
9. Turbo, Chris Pickett, 4, 79.504
10. Judgment Farms, Lisa Goldman, 8, 73.345