John Anderson Edges McLain Ward To Win AmeriChoice
NAL Speed Challenge At
Winter Equestrian Festival
Wellington,
FL – January 24, 2003 –Canadian Equestrian Team veteran
John Anderson of Calgary, Alberta edged McLain Ward of Brewster,
NY by three tenths of a second to win the $5,000 AmeriChoice NAL
Speed Challenge Friday at the 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival
(WEF).
Friday’s
featured attraction at the Nutrena/Western Hay Wellington Classic,
the opening horse show of this year’s WEF, saw Anderson take
an early lead. The 13th of 69 to try the one-round course at Palm
Beach Polo Equestrian Club, he finished in 61.123 seconds on Nesbitt
Burns Dunvegan.
Anderson’s
lead held up for the rest of the day with the closest challenge
coming from Ward, the 2002 NAL Open Speed Champion. Ward rode
Sporting United to a time of 61.463 seconds to narrowly miss the
win. Finishing third was Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ
with a time of 61.658 seconds on Little Big Man.
The
North American League (NAL) 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.
Tickets
to the Winter Equestrian Festival are available by phone at 793-JUMP
or at the gate. Admission is free on Wednesdays. Children 12 &
under are free all days. Senior admission is $5 every day. Adult
admission is $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15
on Sunday. Parking is free.
Final
results of all WEF classes are posted at www.stadiumjumping.com.
.
