North American League Gears Up For Spring

Annville, PA—May 1, 2003— With the winter circuits wrapped up, the North American League (NAL) looks toward its spring events with great enthusiasm. The winter proved to be exciting as thousands of horses and riders continued their quest to qualify for the NAL finals, which will be held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in October. As of April 24, 2003, strong leaders have emerged in each of the divisions and the standings continue to take shape.

In the hunter divisions, riders have proven that this will be an intense year with the leaders in both the Children’s Hunter and Adult Amateur Hunter divisions having well over 1,000 points accumulated already. Molly Cole of Lutherville, MD, and Masquerade lead in the Children’s Hunter division with 1,915 points. Jessica Paterno of Boca Raton, FL, and Magical Moments, follow in the standings with 1,542 points.

In the Adult Amateur Hunter division, Donna Strove of Wilmette, IL, and Flagar, lead with 1,586 points. Following her are Susan Brong of Atlanta, GA, and Cowboy, who have accumulated 1,315 points.

The Children’s Jumper Division has also proven to be extremely competitive this year as the leaders have created high standards. Alexa Weinert of Barrington Hills, IL, and Luck Be A Lady, seem to be following the same track as they did last year, which led the pair to the top of the 2002 standings. Weinert and her mare have earned 1,890 points so far this year. Sitting in second place in the standings is Lauren Quiroz of St. Charles, IL, and Solo. This pair has a total of 1,737 points.

Patty Van Housen, a name well known in the Adult Amateur Jumper division, is also following the precedent that she set for herself last year, when she topped the 2002 standings. Van Housen of Mequon, IL, and IMA Good 1-2, lead this year’s standings with 1,257 points. Hot on her trail, however, is Amy Noffsinger of Cincinnati, OH, and Campello, with 1,210 points.

Caroline Woods of Ft. Myers, FL, leads the Pony Jumper division with Longacre Lavender. This pair has accumulated 544.5 points. In second place is Jennifer Waxmann of Chagrin Falls, OH, and Just Have Fun, with 362 points.

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. The NAL qualifying period runs from September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003. 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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