Annville, PA—June 4, 2001—Three Florida residents hold the lead in their respective divisions in the North American League Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper standings with points calculated through June 1.

Two residents from the horsey Mecca of Wellington top the adult divisions: Jane Hosack and Nancy Hooker.

After solid performances in April and May, Hosack took the lead in the Eastern Adult Hunter division over Wisconsin duo Cool Under Fire and Lisa A.H. Cudahy who now stand tied for fifth with 925 points. Currently, Hosack has stretched her lead in the division to 1,877 points aboard her Corrino.

Hot on their heels is Jack D. Schock of Middleburg, Va., who has 1,116 points. Schock, a mortgage banker, and his recently acquired King Of Hearts, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood-Thoroughbred cross, didn’t take long to establish a strong partnership. They’ve earned top ribbons at many shows this spring, including those in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

"I’ve done the NAL Adult Hunter Classic three times and have two firsts (St. Christophers and Blue Rock Horse Shows in Pennsylvania) and a fourth," said Schock. "The NAL Finals are a goal I had for the year. But I’ve had to go up North to find the classes. I wish more shows in our area would have these classes. With my horses, if I set goals it makes my year more exciting and rewarding."

In the Eastern Adult Jumper Division, Nancy Hooker and Kaiser continue to hold a slim lead (4,484 points) over Presto and Eleanor Bright, Dover, MA, with 4, 450.

Hooker, 39, has been partnered with the Dutch Warmblood gelding for four years. She’s fond of the NAL classes because the system compensates the adult riders who have other life commitments. Hooker combines her family—husband Tim and children Charlie, 9, and Heather, 7—with her passion for riding.

“I go out there and just have fun,” said Hooker. “Then, late in the summer I ’ll decide whether to do the finals. I have children in school, so I’ll see if their schedule will allow me the time.”

Like Hosack, Florida rider Lauren Widner leads the way in her division over a Virginia rider. Widner of Jacksonville and her Take A Chance have garnered 1,633 points in the Eastern Children’s Hunter Division to hold first place over Sloane Coles, The Plains, Va., who rides Flight Commander. Coles shouldn’t be counted out, however. The 12-year-old has been accumulating lots of points this spring and also holds fourth place aboard Merolien with 1,084 points.

There’s still no stopping the Scott sisters of Brookfield, WI, in the Eastern Pony Jumper Division. Kathleen and her younger sister Kasandra hold the top four spots.

High Meadow’s Mambo No. 5, last year’s winner of the inaugural NAL Pony Jumper Finals, held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, remains the division leader with Kathleen. High Meadows Mambo No. 5, who was imported by Scott’s trainer Alex Jayne, Wellington, FL, is a 14.2-hand Belgian Warmblood. Kathleen and the 11-year-old gelding have 1,050 points, just ahead of Kasandra and High Meadow’s Mack The Knife who have 766 points.

Kasandra also stands third with Alexander’s Coco (341.5 points), while Kathleen holds fourth with High Meadow’s Jake The Snake (335.5 points).

In the Eastern Children’s Jumper standings, Leigh Healey, 15, of Mt. Holly, NJ, and Ideal still dominate their division standings with 6,080 points. Their nearest competitor, After Midnight and Addison Phillips, stand a distant second with 3,430 points.

Healey, a long-time equitation rider, had never competed in the jumper divisions until she became partnered with Ideal last winter in Florida. After convincing her parents to purchase the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood, the pair have become top contenders in the children’s jumpers under the tutelage of Beacon Hill Show Stables in Colts Neck, NJ.

Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, but only current members will earn points toward year-end finals. The annual fee is $20 per rider. Membership must be received at the League Office, within 10 days of the completion of an event for points from that event to count.

Riders may join at a show and give to the show secretary for points from that show to count, however exhibitors are encouraged to mail the application themselves. For more information and a list of qualifying competitions, please see the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.

The finals for all sections will be held during the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, during the month of October. In addition to earning points to qualify for the finals, the NAL also offers Regional Shows where riders can qualify for the finals based on their performance in the one class.

The following shows have each accepted the invitation to be a NAL Regional Show: Zone 1: Vermont Summer Festival (Sugarbush Horse Show) – August 1-5, Waitsfield, VT; Zone 2: Quentin Riding Club Fall Horse Show - August 30-September 3, Quentin, PA; Zone 3: Biltmore Summer Classic II - July 18-22, Asheville, NC; Zone 4: Chateau Elan Summer - August 24-26, Braselton, GA; Zone 5: Blue Grass Festival - August 15-19, Lexington, KY.