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Kelsey Thatcher Wins NAL Low Jr/AO Jumper Finals Kelsey Thatcher Nails the Win in the $5,000 North American League Low Jr/AO Jumper Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse ShowHarrisburg, PA. - October 22, 2011 - Kelsey Thatcher of Bluffdale, UT won the $5,000 North American League (NAL) Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Finals on Klotaire Du Moulin, owned by Pony Lane Farm, at the 66th annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Saturday. "It meant a lot to win here," said Thatcher. "I am so grateful to my mother and the Jaynes of Pony Lane Farm for making this all possible." The Steve Stephens designed course yielded six for the jump-off out of the 26 qualifiers in the class. Ericka Baran and Landessa 4 scored the first clear in 38.924 seconds. Melissa Jacobs and PIA took over the lead in 37.252. Last to go in the jump off, Thatcher knew she would have to pour on the speed and go clear to win. When she cleared the second to last jump with 26 seconds on the clock, the crowd began to cheer her on as she crossed the timers with the winning time of 33.022. Thatcher credits her victory to "Kolt," as he is affectionately called. "He's so fast, he's like a cat. As long as you look somewhere, he turns," said Thatcher. "Before I rode him I was never the fastest in the jump-off, but he's taught me how to go fast. I was a little nervous about coming here for one class because he's always the best his third or fourth day of showing, but he was very good today." Thatcher is sophomore at the University of Georgia (UGA) majoring in Early Childhood Education and rides on the UGA Equestrian Team. Thatcher was also the year-end leader in the NAL Low Junior/Amateur Owner division. "It's been a great year," said Thatcher. "I am so grateful to my Equestrian Team coaches because we had a double meet this weekend and they told me to come here and pursue my goals, it is so awesome that it all came together. It means a lot to me." The NAL offers a year-long series in six divisions - Children's Hunter, Adult Hunter presented by Practical Horseman, Children's Jumper, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper, and the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper. The series includes classes held at hundreds of horse show across the United States and Canada. Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in the qualifying classes, but only members earn points toward the year-end finals. With the annual membership fee only $35, most riders join in hopes of earning a trip to Harrisburg for the East Coast riders and in Las Vegas for the West Coast competitors. The 2011-2012 NAL qualifying period began on September 1, 2011 and runs through August 31, 2012. For more information regarding the NAL series, including series specifications, current standings and a list of upcoming events, please call (717) 867-5643, email to NAL@Ryegate.com or visit www.ryegate.com. The Pennsylvania National Horse Show is proud of its tradition of supporting equine and youth programs. The show benefits the Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. |