TAMPA, FL-June 22, 2001-Paige Rassas of Northfield, IL continues to maintain her lead in the East Conference of the National Horse Sports Foundation Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, after having won three Series classes earlier in March. However, in June, it was Danielle Torano of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Marilyn Little of Frederick, MD that caused the biggest stir in the leader board standings.

After the first nine events, the top ranked competitors in the Eastern Conference are:

At the Devon Horse Show, only three of the 20 starting competitors advanced to the jump-off. Ironically, the starting order proved to be the finishing order. Danielle Torano was the first to go and set the pace with a clean, fast round aboard Lojana in 37.519 seconds. Lauren Bass of Willoughby Hills, OH was close behind with M V Cristal in 38.904 to finish second. Amy Shafmaster of Porstmouth, NH and Emilion completed the round in third place with a time of 57.15.

Torano's first place finish launched her from fifth place in the standings to a second place tie with Rassas.

The following weekend, at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, Marilyn Little rose to the top after winning the class over a field of 25 competitors. Riding Lassango, Little finished the jump-off with a clear round. Maureen Brennan of Middleburg, VA and Tuscany took second place honors, followed by Caitlin Venezia of Marstons Mills, MA and Maykel in third.

Little's victory propelled her into a fifth place tie with four other competitors.

The NHSF Show Jumping Hall Fame Jumper Classic Series, which runs February through November, is divided into three geographical conferences: the East Conference hosting 22 shows, the Central Conference hosting 8 shows and the West Conference hosting 5 shows. Conference point standings are calculated separately and updated after all shows. At the end of the series, a championship is awarded for each conference with East and Central Conference champions honored at the National Horse Show in New York and the West Conference champion honored at the Los Angeles National Horse Show in Burbank, CA.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series gives Amateur-Owner and junior riders an opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for riders who aspire to someday represent the United States in international competition.

The focus of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. is to encourage broader interest and participation in the equestrian sport of show jumping, as well as to educate the equestrian and non-equestrian alike by sharing the sport's lore, fundamentals, history and greatest achievements.

The National Horse Sports Foundation (NHSF) is a publicly supported charitable and educational organization whose purposes include providing financial and technical support for amateur equestrian programs for adults and children including therapeutic riding and competitions for the disabled.

For more information about the 2001 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, please visit the Show Jumping Hall of Fame website at www.showjumpinghalloffame.net.

For more information about the National Horse Sports Foundation, please call (914) 454-5555.

SHOW JUMPING HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM, INC.

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