Tampa, FL – March 21 – The Tampa Bay Classic at the Florida State Fairgrounds saw torrential rains in the morning followed by afternoon clearing. The $5,000 1.4 m NAL Americhoice Challenge went in the indoor arena with Laura Kraut winning the 1st place victory.

The Americhoice Challenge is a speed class and Laura won the class riding Liberty almost 4 seconds faster than the second placed Margie Engle. Liberty is owned by the Summit Group and was the 13th horse to compete in the class of 21 horses. In second place was Margie Engle riding Hidden Creek’s Charley Brown who is owned by the Hidden Creek Farm. Of the 21 entries, 9 horses had fault-free rounds but Laura and Liberty were the fastest.

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.

Michael Morrissey won the High Junior Jumper Class riding Laser. Eugene R. Mische owns Laser. Second to Michael was Melissa Orlick riding Intersat Floyd. Sally Glassman won the High Amateur-Owner Jumper Class with Kindle Hill Farm’s ABC Cassius.

Eleven competitors faced the rain in the Ariat Adult Medal and Jessie Hoyer won the class.

All results are posted at www.stadiumjumping.com.

The $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational will be held March 29, Saturday, at 7:00 PM in the Raymond James Stadium. Thirty horses will be invited by the amount of money won during the Winter Equestrian Festival in designated classes. This class has one of the largest purses of any Grand Prix type competition in this nation.

Tickets for the Budweiser American Invitational, March 29 at Raymond James Stadium are available at Ticket Master (813) 287-8844 or at Stadium Jumping (877) 909-9436.

Tickets for Winter Equestrian Festival at Tampa Fairgrounds are Wednesday through Friday $5. Children under 12 years are free. Saturday and Sunday Adult tickets are $10. Seniors and Students are $5 all days. For schedule, directions and information visit www.stadiumjumping.com.

Suncoast Internationale March 13-16
Tampa Bay Classic March 19-23 CSI***/W
Tournament of Champions March 25-29 CSI**/W
Budweiser American Invitational March 29 in Raymond James Stadium