Harrisburg, PA—October 16, 2003—McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, will attempt a hat trick at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in the $25,000 North American League Open Jumper Speed Finals on Friday evening. Ward won the class for the last two consecutive years and will attempt to become the first rider to win the title three consecutive times.

Ward will have to face a star-studded field first. Some of the riders expected to compete include Olympic veterans Leslie Howard and Ian Millar of Canada, three of the United States’ four riders on the 2000 Sydney Olympic Show Jumping Team—Margie Engle, Laura Kraut and Nona Garson—as well as 2003 Pan American Games Team Gold Medalists Chris Kappler and Beezie Madden. Veteran jumpers Jeffrey Welles, Aaron Vale and Debbie Stephens are also among the favorites.

The speed class format is one of the most popular events with the crowd and with these talented competitors, it should be a very exciting night of Show Jumping.

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.

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