Michael Morrissey and Dame Race Past Antigua and Laura Kraut for $10,000 Acorn Hill Speed Challenge Win

Wellington, FL - March 10, 2005 - Michael Morrissey, aboard the Bridgeside Farms’ Dame, topped a field of seventy to win the 1.40m $10,000 Acorn Hill Speed Challenge (NAL) today at the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival.

The scoring was under Table II Sec 1, Time First Round.

Morrissey and Dame finished in 53.050 seconds for the victory. Laura Kraut, on Antigua RG from the Pasmore Stables finished second in 55.054 and Galop de Beaumont, owned by Peter and Leslie Howard and ridden by Leslie Howard were third, tripping the timers in 55.546 seconds.

“It was all or nothing for me today,” Morrissey admitted. “It was the last class of the circuit for Dame and me. She has been so good this circuit, she’s done really well. She’s been so close so many times this season and I said today, we’re really going for it and she jumped great for me, so I’m very pleased,” he said.

Morrissey didn’t think today’s move to the DeNemethy ring affected his performance. “I think she would have been fine in either location, to tell you the truth. Earlier in the circuit, another Acorn Hill class was moved here and she was fantastic in that one, having the fastest time but pulling a late rail,” Morrissey said. “Today, I wanted to make sure I didn’t make that same mistake.”

Official Results - $10,000 Acorn Hill Speed Challenge – Table II Sec 1 – 03-10-05 – DeNemethy Arena

• 1 – Dame, Michael Morrissey -0/53.050
• 2 – Antigua RG, Laura Kraut -0/55.054
• 3 – Galop De Beaumont, Leslie Howard -0/55.546
• 4 – Camero 48, Ronan McGuigan – 0/56.642
• 5 – Providence, Robert Kraut -0/57.149
• 6 – Markant, Chris Pratt -0/57.866
• 7 – Fanfan Du Orbec, McLain Ward -0/58.292
• 8 – Jashar, Cayce Harrison -0/58.682
• 9 – Mustique, Chris Pratt – 0/59.262
• 10 –Brad, Conan Conway -0/59.928
• 11 – Canaille, Margie Engle -0/62.037
• 12 – Oliver Twist, Lisa Rex -0/65.700

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 2005, please visit the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.