Annville, PA-October 25, 2005-Out of a field of 18 it was Michael Walton, 37, and Elu De La Hardiere who raced to claim the blue in the North American League (NAL) $25,000 Open Jumper Speed Championship held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pa.

Walton and Elu De La Hardiere stopped the clock clean in the speed class, posting a time of 59.865 seconds, and edging out second-place finisher Laura Chapot who posted a 60.016 on the board riding Sprite.

Walton, a professional rider from Valley Forge, Pa., is no stranger leading the victory gallop on the 13-year-old Selle Francais. They have picked up a number of grand prix wins in the three years that Walton has been in the irons, including four this year alone.

Walton admits the horse is naturally very fast. He added, "He likes scary situations, tight corners, close fences. He is really brave which helps."

Elu De La Hardiere has placed second to Laura Chapot's Little Big Man twice and that fact was on Walton's mind knowing that Chapot would be contesting the course after him. Walton stated, "It is a one-shot deal. You have to be clean and fast. It's a balance. My horse is fast, but doesn't have big stride, so I let him gallop on to the final jump, gave him his head and left it up to him."

Walton has competed in the NAL since 1998 and has qualified for the championship the past five years.

He said of the NAL, "It is good fun. There are lots of qualifying opportunities. Here at Pennsylvania National, this class, with a purse of $25,000, offers a lot of money for a Speed Horse."

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 .

Place/rider/horse/faults/time

1 Michael Walton/ELU de la HARDIERE 0.00/ 59.865

2 Laura Chapot/SPRITE 0.00/ 60.016

3 Jimmy Torano/MARLO 0.00/ 61.755

4 Joe Fargis/DIAMS III 0.00/ 63.214

5 Todd Minikus/GAME BOY 0.00/ 63.264

6 Margie Engle/HC's CHARLIE BROWN 0.00/ 63.503

7 Callan Solem/MIANTA 0.00/ 64.775

8 Mary Lisa Leffler/KARTOUSCH 0.00/ 68.038

9 Schuyler C. Riley/ANATOL 0.00/ 69.958

10 Nona Garson/MORGAN 0.00/ 69.966