Annville, PA—April 12, 2002—The Florida season was a busy time for riders looking to qualify for the North American League (NAL) Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA in October. Classes for the NAL’s six divisions—Children’s Hunter, Adult Hunter, Children’s Jumper, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper, and Open Jumper—were held at both the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival and the Littlewood Winter Circuit in Wellington, FL in February and March. The NAL Series includes classes at hundreds of horse shows across the United States and Canada and the 2002 season runs from September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2002.

In the NAL Open Speed Division, McLain Ward of Brewster, NY has opened up an impressive 2500-plus point lead in the standings as of April 5 over second place rider Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL. Ward, who captured the 2001 $25,000 NAL Open Speed Final at Harrisburg, won the NAL Open Speed classes at the Cosequin Wellington Finale in Wellington, FL and the Tampa Bay Classic in Tampa, FL. With strong placings on the Florida Circuit as well, Jeffery Welles moved up on the leader board to fourth place, only scant points behind third place rider, Alison Firestone.

The races in the Pony, Children’s and Adult Divisions, however, are much tighter. In the NAL Pony Jumpers, only twelve points separate leader Sarah Tredennick of Littleton, CO and her mount, Just Have Fun, from Ryan Sassmannshausen of St. Charles, IL and Alexander’s Coco. Erica Eggert from Tabernacle, NJ with Snapshot stands third.

Leading the NAL Adult Jumper standings by 300-plus points is Julie Karpan from Micanopy, FL with her mount, Four Seasons. Nashea Powell from Jacksonville, FL with The Wiz currently stands second and Chris Richards from Arlington, TN with Foxtrot Echo stands third.

In the NAL Children’s Jumper Standings, Taryn Notle from Gwynedd Valley, PA is the current leader with her mount, Nacho Mama. Carolyn Kelly from New York, NY and Brave Heart stand second. Alesandra Perna from New Rochelle, NY with Tiny Toon stands third.

In the hunters, Laurie Stevens holds the top spot in the NAL Adult Hunter Standings. Stevens, of Long Grove, IL, won two out of the three NAL classes in which she competed during the Littlewood Winter Circuit. Standing second is Lindsay Ianello of Lake Forest, IL with Classical and currently in third is Clare Martin of Atlanta, GA with Gratzi.

Morgan Conroy of Fort Lauderdale, FL is leading the NAL Children ’s Division with her mount, Joli Harmoni. Standing second and third are, respectively, Alexa Davis of Santa Rosa Beach, FL with Sister Act and Heather A. Padella of Traverse City, MI with Just Like Magic.

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

For membership applications, class specifications, upcoming qualifying competitions, and current standings, please visit www.ryegate.com. For further information, please contact Ryegate Show Services at (717) 867-5643, fax to (717) 867-2174, or email NAL@Ryegate.com.