Annville, PA — Spring is in full swing, and so is the 2011 North American League (NAL). With the NAL's two year-end finals just months away, riders are continuing to turn up the volume in the show ring with the hopes of qualifying for one of both of the finals.
“Everybody is counting down the months until the finals at Harrisburg and Las Vegas," said Lloyd Longenecker, President of Ryegate Show Services, Inc., which administers the North American League. “It has been very exciting to see riders so energized throughout this year's Series, and I have no doubt that that energy will be in full-force and at both Finals!"
Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in the qualifying classes, but only members earn points toward the year-end finals. With the annual membership fee of only $35, most riders join in hopes of earning a trip to Harrisburg or Las Vegas. The current NAL qualifying period began on September 1, 2010 and runs through August 31, 2011.
At the start of May, Sydney Wilder of Chevy Chase, MD, and Zivago led the Children's Hunter Division, with 3,254 points. In second, with 2,766 points was Melanie Taetle of Atlanta, GA, and Donatello. In third was Amy Coretz of Tulsa, OK, and Wollie with 2,672 points.
In the Adult Hunter Division, presented by Practical Horseman, Charlene Graham of Fairport, NY, and Soft Spoken led with 2,970 points. In second with 2,116 points was Mindy Wurzburg of Memphis, TN, and Overseas. Following in third place was Linda Seay of Murfreesboro, TN, riding Livingston with 1,812 points
In the Children's Jumper Division, Thiele Schroeder of Newtown, CT, riding Mister Cash Van Der Veldmolen led with 2,720 points. In second was Rose Borzillo of Chester Springs, PA, and Flying Dutchman with 1,881 points. Following in third was Kelsie Brittan of Westlake,TX, aboard Split Second with 1,780 points.
In the Adult Jumper Division, Alissa Kinsey from Fort Myers, FL, and Grisset led with 5,428 points and also held the second place position with Caretina with 3,367 points. In third was Morgan Trexler from New York, NY, and Wimula with 3,117 points.
In the Pony Jumper Division, Dagney MacTaggart of Old Greenwich, CT, led with Iceman with 530 points. In second was Elizabeth Shaffer of Layton, NJ, riding Proven Theory with 434 points. She also was in third aboard Styled with Perfection with 396 points.
In the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Division, Teri Kessler of Armonk, NY, and Swiss Franc led with 3,834 points. Kelsey Thatcher of Buffdale, UT, was in second with 3,741 points with Klotaire Du Moulin. In third was Alliy Moyer of Carmel, IN, and Chelan with 3,443 points.
The NAL is sponsored by Horse Connection and Practical Horseman.
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For more information regarding the NAL series, including series specifications, current standings and a list of upcoming events, please call (717) 867-5643, email to [email protected] or visit www.ryegate.com.