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Articles: Press Release
Brianne Goutal Captures NAL Open Jumper Speed Finals
At Pennsylvania National Horse Show
Contact:
Marty Bauman (508) 698-6810,
classic.pr@verizon.net
Jamie Saults (732) 580-0918, jmsaults@aol.com
Harrisburg, PA - (October 21, 2006) - Brianne Goutal, 18, of New York, NY,
won the $25,000 North American League (NAL) Open Jumper Speed Finals by a
whisker at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, riding
Onira, owned by Cloverleaf Farm, LLC. The result surprised everyone,
including Goutal.
"I really thought McLain was going to beat me," said Goutal. He's so fast
and he rides so well. Then I thought Laura (Chapot) was going to win. I
got a little bit lucky."
Indeed. Goutal went 19th in the line-up and by that time there were already
five clear rounds. Molly Ashe of Wellington, FL, was the fastest of the five
in a clean round time of 57.674 seconds on Lutopia, owned by Jane F. Clark.
Ashe had already showed her penchant for speed this week winning the
Keystone Speed Challenge at Harrisburg on Wednesday. It looked like Goutal
was easily going to beat them until the last fence when she held Onira back,
wasting precious time.
I saw a long spot and a short one," said Goutal. "Earlier I saw someone go
for it and knock it down, so I just pulled. The last fence was the biggest
on the course and it looked a little tricky."
Goutal stopped the clock in a clean round time of 57.075 seconds, but yet to
go was Athens Olympic Team Gold Medalist and two-time winner of the NAL Open
Jumper Speed Finals, McLain Ward, of Brewster, NY, on Goldika 559. Ward and
Goldika had just won the Pennsylvania Big Jump the night before and it
looked like they were on their way to a second victory until they crossed
the wire in a time of 57.096 seconds. Only two one hundredths of a second
separated the top two and there was still one more to go, top qualifier
Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ, riding Sprite.
Unfortunately, Chapot had some bad luck early knocking a rail down on the
third fence and giving Goutal a win in one of her favorite events.
"I love this class," said Goutal. "The NAL gives you a really good chance
to open your eye and learn to trust your stride and scope. You are
challenged, but not overfaced."
The North American League (NAL) runs season-long series in six hunter-jumper
divisions - Children's Hunter, Children's Jumper, Adult Hunter, presented by
Practical Horseman, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper and Open Jumper Speed. The
qualifying period kicks off on September 1 and runs through August 31. Top
riders in the final series standings are allowed to compete in a
championship final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show each 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, visit the
Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.
NAL Open Jumper Speed Finals
Results horse/rider/score
1. Onira Brianne Goutal
0, 57.075
2. Goldika 559 McLain Ward
0, 57.096
3. Lutopia Molly Ashe
0, 57.674
4. Integrity Beezie Madden
0, 58.372
5. Marengo Norman Dello Joio
0, 59.500
6. Houston Caitlyn Shiels
0, 59.643
7. Quik Todd Minikus
0, 61.314
8. Sprite Laura Chapot
4, 56.680
9. Up Chiqui Kent Farrington
4, 56.752
10. Hidden Creek's Calippo 12 Margie Engle
4, 58.405
11. Marlo Jimmy Torano
4, 59.186
12. VDL Maseratie Chris Kappler
4, 61.168
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