NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUE BYRON WINS $10,000 NAL ADULT JUMPER FINALS

Harrisburg, PA-October 20, 2001-Carrie Healy of Tallahassee, FL and her Dutch Warmblood, Byron, negotiated the only double clear in a field of 31, to win the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Adult Jumper Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Saturday.
The victory was even more impressive because this was Healy's first year as an adult rider, first year in the North American League and the first time at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, but Healy was not intimidated.
"I knew that if I was intimidated that I would get nervous," said Healy. "So I just tried to relax and have fun. I knew that if I put in a good ride, we would be in the ribbons."
The 19-year-old honor student from the University of Florida, trained by Randy Eeckhout and Traci Weston, qualified for the NAL Finals in just one horse show which was a goal for Healy.
"I couldn't chase points, but I thought it would be great if we qualified, said Healy. "We went to a show with 40 horses in it and that was good enough."
Healy, who has only owned Byron for one and a half years, gives all the credit to her 8-year-old gelding.
"He's great, he's incredible," said Healy. "He made me realize how much fun it can be."
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 2002, please see the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.