The NAL will hold its traditional year-end Finals in six divisions – Children’s Hunter, Adult Hunter, presented by Practical Horseman, Children’s Jumper, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper, and Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper – at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, in October, while adding new West Coast Finals (in all divisions except Pony Jumpers) at the Las Vegas National Horse Show in Las Vegas, NV, in November.
"Our riders are really giving it their all and doing everything they can to qualify for Las Vegas and Harrisburg," said Lloyd Longenecker, President of Ryegate Show Services, Inc., which administers the North American League. "If you haven't already, join the NAL and start qualifying today. There is still time to compete and earn points toward qualifying for one, or 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. A new season will begin on September 1, 2011 with those points helping riders toward the 2012 finals.
As of July 28, Katie Ramsey of Mt. Juliet, TN, and Donato led the Children's Hunter Division, with 4,207 points. In second, with 3,632 points, was Sydney Wilder of Chevy Chase, MD, and Zivago. In third was Melanie Taetle of Atlanta, GA, and Donatello with 3,174 points.
In the Adult Hunter Division, presented by Practical Horseman, Charlene Graham of Fairport, NY, and Soft Spoken led with 4,118 points. In second with 3,083 points was Mindy Wurzburg of Memphis, TN, and Overseas. Following in third place was Cheryl Rubenstein of Bellaire, TX, riding Casino with 2,470 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 Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY, and Fardella with 2,698 points. Following in third was Brianne Link of East Islip, NY, aboard Black Diamond with 2,613 points.
In the Adult Jumper Division, Alissa Kinsey from Fort Myers, FL, and Grisset led with 7,458 points and also held the second place position with Caretina with 3,718 points. In third was Kaley Pratt from Gainesville, FL, and Shane with 3,375 points.
In the Pony Jumper Division, Elizabeth Shaffer of Layton, NJ, led riding Proven Theory with 592 points and also held the second place position with Styled with Perfection with 587 points. In third was Dagney MacTaggart of Old Greenwich, CT, and Iceman with 554 points.
In the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Division, Kelsey Thatcher of Bluffdale, UT, and Klotaire Du Moulin led with 4,866 points. Teri Kessler of Armonk, NY, was in second with 3,834 points with Swiss Franc. In third was Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, MD, and Sugar Ray with 3,635 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.
