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Articles: Press Release
Lauren Bass Wins Big in $25,000 NAL Open Jumper Speed Final
Contact:
Contact: Marty Bauman, (508) 698-6810
classic.pr@verizon.net
Harrisburg, PA-October 22, 2003-Lauren Bass of Willoughby Hills, OH,
captured the $25,000 North American League (NAL) Open Jumper Speed Final
at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg PA by just
fractions of a second riding Naleida.
The pair bested a field of 24 to win with a time of 74.043 seconds over
Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ, and Sprite who finished in 74.480.
Athens Olympic Team Silver Medalist Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, came
in third in a time of 75.019.
Bass received Naleida as a present two years ago when she
graduated from Princeton University and she credits the win to her
mare's speed, especially going into the final fence.
"My horse is incredible," said Bass. "She's really fast in the air and
very neat around the turns. She went really fast to the final fence,
the triple bar, and that might have made the difference."
The course, designed by Pierre Jolicoeur, was full of twists and turns
that made for an exciting class, but gave Bass a cause for concern.
"I was worried because I was having a difficult time remembering the
course," said Bass. "There were a lot of turns that made it tough and I
was afraid that I was going to forget one of them."
Chapot, who finished first in the NAL season-long standings,
was the final rider on course and the only one that had a chance to beat
Bass and Naleida, but the 25-year-old class leader did not even see them
perform.
"I didn't want to watch anyone go," said Bass. "I was so
happy with the way my horse went that I didn't want to know what anyone
else did. I was definitely surprised that I won. This is my first year
competing seriously on the Grand Prix circuit and I was against the best
riders in the country. I was just glad to be a part of it."
Lauren's mom Debbie competed earlier in the day in the NAL
Adult Hunter Finals finishing eighth. "I think the NAL is a great
program," said Bass. "My mom competed in it too and finished eighth in
the Adult Hunter Finals. She is an awesome rider; I get all my
abilities from her."
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.
Results
Place/Horse/rider/faults and time
1. Naleida Lauren Bass
0/74.043
2. Sprite Laura Chapot
0/74.480
3. Conquest II Beezie Madden
0/75.019
4. Madonna Kimberly Frey
0/76.168
5. HC's Charlie Brown Margie Engle 0/79.059
6. Promise Me Ian Millar
0/79.251
7. Korina Chris Kappler
0/79.784
8. Kilpatrick Tracy Bartko Magness
0/85.713
9. Quintin Laura Linback
0/86.167
10. Goldika 559 McLain Ward
4/74.535
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