Annville, PA–July 18, 2001–Illinois riders dominate the top placings in the North American League West Children's and Adult Hunter and Jumper standings, with points calculated through July 6.

Two adults from the Chicago suburbs still retain the top spots in the Adult Hunter standings. Tariff Time and Judy Lefferdink of Riverwoods, stand first with 1,712 points while Honor System and rider Janet Priesz of Crystal Lake, have 1,112 points. Two young riders also from the Chicago area, Kristen Mill, Hawthorn Woods, and Roxane Theidel, Hinsdale, also hold the lead in their respective division. Mill and her Sultan currently have a slim lead in the Children's Jumper division (2,030 points) over Theidel with Daytona (2,016.5 points).

After solid performances early this summer, Attila Lemperger of Hartford, WI, has taken a commanding lead in the Adult Jumper division with 5,206.5 points. Her nearest rival, Micki Kozich, Westerville, OH, and Secret Weapon, have 3,333 points.

Back In Black and Kristin Governo, Crestwood, KY, have moved into the lead in the Children's Hunter standings with 1,658 points over fellow Kentuckian Callie Schott aboad Look At This (920 points). In the Pony standings, Zoombini and Hilary Vijan have taken the lead with 436 points. Vijan, of New Albany, OH, now has a significant lead over Sarah Tredennick of Littleton, CO, and Just Have Fun with 196 points.

Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, but only current members 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. The 2002 season begins on Sept. 1, so remember to renew your membership so you don't lose points toward next year's Final.

Riders may join at a show with 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.

For the Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, the finalists (horse/rider) will be chosen from the entries received by the closing date in the following manner:

Children's & Adult Hunter--5 regional winners; top 5 from the Eastern rankings not previously qualified; top 5 from the Western rankings not previously qualified; and the remainder will be chosen by taking the next qualified from the East, then from the West and so on for a total of approximately 25.

Children's & Adult Jumper--5 regional winners; top 5 from the Eastern rankings not previously qualified; top 5 from the Western rankings not previously qualified; and the remainder will be chosen by taking the next qualified from the East, then from the West and so on for a total of approximately 30.

Pony Jumpers--the top 10 from each region will be accepted.