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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

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