Flight Commander Wins NAL Children's Hunter Finals

Harrisburg, PA—October 16, 2001—Sloane Coles of The Plains, Virginia won the $2,500 North American League (NAL) Children’s Hunter Finals riding Flight Commander, owned by her older sister Fraley Coles, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Tuesday.

The pair bested a field of 29 finalists to capture the prestigious title, but the victory did not come easy. “It was hard,” said Coles. “On the first course he was guarded because it was his first time competing indoors.” The seventh grader who is an honor student at Hill School in Middleburg shares the same age as Flight Commander; they are both 13 years old and the two are also all around athletes. Coles participates in track and field, lacrosse and field hockey while Flight Commander enjoys a variety of activities outside the show ring.

“He is not just a show horse,” said Coles, “He fox hunts goes on trail rides and is loved by everyone in our family.”

The North American League (NAL) runs season long series in six hunter-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 2002, please see the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com.