Wellington, FL – February 7, 2003 – The $5,000 NAL Americhoice Challenge today hosted a large field of 88 entries at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Cara Raether of New York was the winner with Landato, a bay gelding owned by Trelawny Farm. Of the 88 competing, twenty-five horses had fault free rounds. Cara and Landato were the fastest to complete the course in a time of 60.480 seconds. Donnerlitchen owned by Hyperion Farm and ridden by Meredith Beerbaum was second in 61.586 seconds. Third was Sporting United ridden and owned by McLain Ward of Brewster, New York (63.677 seconds).

The North American League (NAL) runs season-long series in six hunter and 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 visit the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.

First Year Hunters completed their sections with Pignola ridden by Julie Curtin, owned by Alex Pischke as Champion and Hero ridden by Sandy Ferrell, owned by Perry Peterson as Reserve Champion. The other section of First Year Hunters had Phoenix with Scott Stewart riding for Nathalie Berger. Reserve Champion was Camberly with Emily Williams riding for All Seasons Farm.

51 Years and Older Adult Amateur Hunter Champion was October Sky owned and ridden by Carol Cone. Reserve Champion was Francesco with Lora Schultz riding.