Battles for Top Positions Continue in 2006 North American League

May 8, 2006

Annville, PA—Battles for top positions in the North American League (NAL) continue as the 2006 season goes along.

The 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 division’s series culminates with a championship final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA in October. All horses competing in the NAL finals earn U.S. Equestrian Federation Horse-of-the-Year points.

The current NAL qualifying period runs from September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2006. Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, but only current members earn points toward year-end finals.

Classes held in the fall and winter generated plenty of excitement for competitors and spectators alike. As the spring competitions progressed, thousands of horses and riders continued their quest to qualify for the 2006 NAL finals. As the early spring events came to a close, some impressive horse-and-rider combinations were holding the lead in each of the six divisions.

In the Jumper Divisions, the battle for the top spots in the Open Speed division heated up with many of this country’s top horses and riders competing for the right to ride in the NAL Finals. Leading the way with 9,595 points is U.S. equestrian team veteran Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ. Second and third are separated by less than 700 points as show jumping’s newest up-and-coming superstar, Brianne Goutal of New York, NY, with 3,700 points, wrestles with Sydney Olympian Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc, WI, who has 3,025 points. Points in the Open Speed division are awarded for riders only, based on their best finish in a class regardless of the horse on which the finish was obtained.

Topping the Children’s Jumper division standings are Kaitlin Campbell of Upper Black Eddy, PA, and Lucy in the Sky, who have earned 4,341 points. In second place with a total of 2,927 points is Holly Cerasano of Stillwater, NY, with Koko. Rounding out the top three is Heather Timm of Wellington, FL, with 2,304 points riding Manuela Del Juncal.

Meghan Abbott of Coral Springs, FL, and Colleen lead the Adult Jumper division with 3,200 points. Following Abbott in second place with 2,974 points is Patty Van Housen of Mequon, WI, riding Ima Good 1-2, and in third are Kris Hoffman Kennedy of Newtown, PA, and Quest D’Or with 2,682 points.

In the Pony Jumper division, Wilhelmina Horzepa of Englishtown, NJ, and Exhilaration sit atop the standings with 997 points, more than 300 points ahead of second place rider Lillie Ross. Ross of Wheaton, IL, has 680 points aboard TNT. Paige Coles of Wellington, FL, sits in third aboard Indigo with 656 points.

Both Hunter Divisions have also proven to be extremely competitive this year. With 1,968 points, Adele Norton of Falls Church, VA, and Just One Look lead in the Children’s Hunter division. Madeline Baker of Chagrin Falls, OH, and Stonewashed follow in the standings with 1,716 points. With 1,331 points, Norton sits in third with another mount, Peregrine.

In the NAL Adult Hunter division, presented by Practical Horseman, Parker Minchin of Vass, NC, and Mandrake lead with 2,124 points. In second with 2,100 points is Elizabeth Sponseller of New Market, MD, piloting Play With Fire. Following Sponseller in third place with 2,001 points is Meghan Rehman of Mechanicsburg, PA, aboard Macallan.

For more information on the North American League and a list of qualifying competitions for the 2005-2006 season, please visit the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.

The 2006 North American League leader boards appear below:

OPEN JUMPER SPEED – As of April 28

Plc Rider Points City, State

1 Laura Chapot         9595.00     Neshanic Station, NJ
2 Brianne Goutal        3700.00     New York, NY
3 Laura Kraut 3025.00     Oconomowoc, WI
4 Robin Sweely         2705.00     Madison, VA
5 Margie Engle          2510.00     Wellington, FL
6 Leslie Howard        2210.00     Westport, CT
7 Kent Farrington      2125.00     Chicago, IL
8 Scott Lenkart          1850.00     Delano, MN
9 Kimberly Prince      1835.00     Hume, VA
10 Norman Dello Joio    1580.00     Wellington, FL
11 Jonathan Millar       1510.00     Perth, Ontario, Canada
12 Joe Fargis     1200.00     Middleburg, VA

CHILDREN’S JUMPER – As of April 28