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Articles: Press Release
McLain Ward Wins Nal $25,000 Open Jumper Speed Finals
Contact:
Contact: Marty Bauman, (508) 698-6810
uset.pr@verizon.net
Harrisburg, PA-October 18, 2002-McLain Ward of Brewster, NY defended his
North American League (NAL) championship title winning the North
American League $25,000 Open Jumper Speed Finals riding Galant at the
Pennsylvania National Horse Show in a time of 51.971 seconds.
Over half the field of 19 riders had rails down trying to set an
unbeatable time on the challenging course. For a while it looked like
Nona Garson and Rhythmical would snag the victory setting a target time
of 53.784. Ward was undaunted.
"I watched the first twelve riders to see how the course was riding,"
said Ward. "I knew that I could win it if I went fast and neat and not
go crazy, fast and neat was the key."
Ward has competed in the NAL Open Jumper Speed Finals four times missing
only one year. The 27 year-old USET veteran thinks the North American
League is a worthwhile program.
"I think the North American League is great," said Ward. "It promotes
the speed division which is good for the sport because the crowd really
likes it. More and more riders are starting to keep a speed horse now
so that they can take part in programs like the NAL."
The North American League (NAL) Finals conclude on Saturday with the
$10,000 NAL Adult Jumper Finals featuring the top 30 horse/rider
combinations that have qualified throughout the previous year.
The North American League 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 and a list of qualifying
competitions for 2003, please see the Ryegate Show Services website at
www.Ryegate.com.
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