Harrisburg, PA—October 18, 2001—The highlight of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Friday evening, October 19, is the $25,000 North American League (NAL) Open Jumper Speed Finals. Some of the top riders in the nation will be showcased in this marquee event. Additionally, the North American League $2,500 Adult Hunter Finals will be featured Friday afternoon featuring the top 28 horse/rider combinations that have qualified throughout the previous year.

The North American League (NAL) runs season long series in six hunter-jumper divisions culminating with a championship final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. The divisions include the Children’s Hunter, Children’s Jumper, Pony Jumper, Adult Hunter, Adult Jumper and the popular Open Jumper Speed. The competition in the NAL Open Jumper Speed Finals will be stiff among the top 30 riders who have qualified including three members of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Show Jumping squad in--Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc, WI, Margie Engle of Wellington, FL and Nona Garson of Lebanon, NJ. Also expected to compete are McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, leader in the 2001 NAL Open Speed Point Standings, and Aaron Vale of Camden, SC, who won the Open Jumper Speed High Score award at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Wednesday riding W. P. Cadbury.

In the $2,500 NAL Adult Hunter Finals, last year’s winner Copperfield, owned by Jaime Levy of Short Hills, NJ, will attempt to make it two in a row with Kelly Champion aboard. They face stiff competition, including Tarriff Time, owned and shown by Judy H. Lefferdink of Riverwoods, IL, the leading point earner of the Western conference.

For more information and a list of qualifying competitions for 2002, please see the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.