|
North
American League Top Qualifiers Gear Up to Compete at 2003
Finals
|
Annville,
PASeptember 19, 2003Another year of competition to determine
the qualified horses and riders for the North American League (NAL)
Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA,
October 9-18, has come to a close.
The
qualifying period for the 2003 NAL Finals began on September 1,
2002 and continued through August 31, 2003. At the conclusion of
the qualifying period, the top riders from the Open Speed Division,
plus the top horse-and-rider combinations from each of the NALs
five other divisionsChildrens Jumper, Adult Jumper,
Pony Jumper, Childrens Hunter, and Adult Hunterare eligible
to compete at the Finals, provided they are entered in a timely
manner. Order of go in the Finals is determined by season-ending
standings with the leader in the standings earning the right to
go last.
With 7000 points, Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, accumulated 450
more points than second place finisher McLain Ward of Brewster,
NY, in the Open Speed Division. Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station,
NJ, earned the third spot in the standings going into the Finals.
With
3261 points, Alexa Weinert of Barrington Hills, IL, and her mount
Luck Be A Lady, secured the lead in the Childrens Jumper standings
for the second straight year. In second place was Danielle Dorey
of Sudbury, MA, and her horse Brumby. Following Dorey in third position
was Katie McDaniel of Campobello, SC, aboard Miller Time.
In
the Adult Jumper Division, 2002 top qualifiers Patty Van Housen
of Mequon, WI, and Ima Good 1-2 topped the field with 2934 points,
nearly 280 more than Danielle Dill of Hornell, NY, and her mount
Callaway, who finished in second. Mindy Blackford of Mayfield, OH,
earned the third slot riding Gypsy Rose.
Jennifer
Waxman of Chagrin Falls, OH, rode Just Have Fun to the top of the
standings in the Pony Jumper Division with 896 points. Second place
went to Caroline Woods of Ft. Myers, FL, with Longacre Lavender,
and Ryan Sassmannshausen of St. Charles, IL, finished in third aboard
Alexanders Coco.
Molly
Cole of Lutherville, MD, and her mount Masquerade topped the field
in the Childrens Hunter division. Cole won the top place in
the standings with 2641 points, nearly 90 more points than second
place finisher J.C. Kennedy of McLean, VA, who rode Aragorn. In
third was Brittany Yates of Sparks, MD, and Materiality.
Donna
Struve of Wilmette, IL, aboard Flaglar, earned the top position
by accumulating the most points in the Adult Hunter Division during
the qualifying season. Struves 3330 points put her more than
1000 points ahead of second place finisher Kristen Zeiss of Perrysburg,
OH, and her mount General Jackson. Susan Scherer of Atlanta, GA,
who rode Cowboy, followed Zeiss in the third spot.
North
American League classes may be offered by any USA Equestrian or
Equine Canada member show that applies to the North American League
through Ryegate Show Services. In order to be eligible to accumulate
points and ride at the Finals, riders must also be members of the
North American League.
For
NAL membership applications and class specifications, please contact
Ryegate Show Services at (717) 867-5643, email to NAL@Ryegate.com,
or visit www.ryegate.com.
For
a full list of riders eligible to compete in the 2003 NAL Finals
at Harrisburg, please visit www.panational.org.
.
|