With the winter show circuits well underway in the warmer climates, the 2019 North American League (NAL) rankings are heating up as riders strive to claim the points that will help them reach their goal of competing at the NAL Finals in the fall.
The NAL qualifying season runs from September 1 through August 31. NAL qualifying classes are open to all competitors, but only current members are awarded points. By joining the NAL, riders can accumulate the points necessary to qualify for the West Coast Finals held at the International Jumping Festival hosted by Blenheim EquiSports in San Juan Capistrano, CA, September 18-22 and the National Finals held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, October 10-19. Annual memberships are only $40 per rider.
As of the end of February, Jessica Van Brocklin Smith of Alexandria, VA and Romulus have moved up from third place last month to now lead the Adult Hunter standings with 1,886 points. Sitting in second place is Patti Schindler of Reisterstown, MD and Glyndon with 1,827 points followed by Sandra Bierman of Phoenix, AZ and Kalvert in third place with 1,367 points.
Harper Peterson of Vienna, VA has maintained her lead with 1,798 points aboard Greatness VDK in the Children’s Hunter standings. Caroline Nadalin of Plain, City, OH has earned over 200 points in the past month aboard Mazimus L for a total of 1,449 points to hold second place. In third place is Emily Giorgio of Davidsonville, MD aboard Best Of with 1,069 points.
Harper Peterson (c) Pam Baker LLC
Stephanie King of St. Augustine, FL and her mount, Co-Starr, have maintained their lead in the Adult Jumper standings Presented by SmartPak with a whopping 3,042 points, after earning over 1,100 points since last month. Katie Carson of Moodus, CT and Aburhal are in second place with 1,700 points followed closely behind by third placed Barbara Rochford of Ringoes, NJ aboard Butterfly Ambition with 1,691 points.
Chloe Jhin of Lake Forrest, IL is still dominating the Children’s Jumper standings Presented by Equifit, Jhin is leading the standings aboard Liberty, after earning over 500 points since last month with a total of 2,445 points, and also holding third place with Elmo V.D. Bremdhoeve with 1,317 points. Maintaining second place is Hunter Kava of Parkland, FL and Miss Moneypenny with 2,335 points.
The Low Junior/Amateur Jumper standings Presented by HorseFlight proves to be the most competitive division with over 100 competitors and 25 riders with 1,000 points or more. Sam Walker of Nobleton, ON has taken the lead aboard Royale Du Rouet with 2,725 points. Caroline Michele Dugas of Birmingham, AL and Skyfall sit in second place with 2,725 points, while Brianne Link of East Islip, NY and Wednesday Morning are hot on her heels in third place with 2,708 points.
Taking over the lead in the West Coast Adult Hunter division is Sandra Bierman of Phoenix, AZ and Kalvert with 1,367 points followed by Alison Baileys of San Juan Capistrano, CA and Tip Top in second place with 572 points. In third place is Kathleen Nichols of Whitefish Bay, WI and Southwest Charmer with 500 points.
Djuna Lauder of Los Angeles, CA and Campeche Z have moved up to lead the West Coast Children’s Hunter standings with 570 points. In second place is John Gilpin of Keller, TX and Scout who have 420 points, while Annika Rimmer of Overland Park, KS and Game Boy sit in third place with 390 points.
Tara Brown-Stocks of Coto De Caza, CA and High Hopes are leading the West Coast Adult Jumper standings Presented by SmartPak with 988 points. Sitting in second place is Emma Roberts of Houston, TX riding Black Bean with 421 points, followed by Mollie Hartung of Sherman Oaks, CA and Drago in third place with 390 points.
In 2017, Tara Brown Stocks won the $5,000 NAL West Coast Adult Jumper Final Presented by SmartPak with High Hopes (c) McCool Photography
Leading the West Coast Children’s Jumper standings Presented by EquiFit with 785 points is John Gilpin of Keller, TX and Sampras. Eleanore Rudnicki of The Woodlands, TX and Firebridge have moved up into second place with 745 points, followed by third placed Henry Moberly of Lincoln, NE and Ella with 579 points.
Maggie Hill of Jackson, WY and Hope maintain their lead in the West Coast Low Junior/Amateur Jumper standings Presented by HorseFlight with 1,545 points, followed by Samantha Wright of Aspen, CO and Vilavie Du Bois Philip in second place with 1,052 points. In third place is Carson Grisham of Graham, TX and Crack De Muze with 682 points.