New York, NY– September 15, 2004 – The ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships are narrowing the field as the nation’s best juniors vie for a spot in the New York City Finals. The first weekend of action, September 12-13, saw riders from three different regions across the country competing for one of the coveted spots in the prestigious ASPCA Maclay National Equitation Finals. The Finals will be held November 3-7, 2004, at The Metropolitan National Horse Show in New York City.

The Metropolitan National Horse Show will return to Pier 94 and the Show Piers on the Hudson Complex in Manhattan for the second consecutive year. Pier 94 and the Show Piers Complex has served as a location for major motion picture filming and fashion shows, played host to many top-class events including gift shows and entertainment extravaganzas, and now offers an innovative and unique site for some of the world’s best equestrians.

Many changes to this year’s event have been introduced to further enhance the overall experience of both the spectator and the exhibitor.

The arena size has been widened, schooling areas have been enlarged, and spectator seating will be situated at both ends of the arena. A specialty boutique area will be located ringside. The Diamond Horse Shoe Club will feature catering by Tavern on the Green, one of New York City’s finest eateries.

Adding to the prestige of this historic national horsemanship championship, Fox Sports has scheduled this year’s ASPCA Maclay National Finals to be televised nationally following the event.

The ASPCA Maclay Finals have long been a proving ground for future top international stars. Notable equestrians who have ridden to victory in the ASPCA Maclay Finals include 1960 Olympic Gold Medallist William Steinkraus, 1984 Los Angeles Olympians Conrad Homfeld and Leslie Howard, 2004 Athens Olympic Team Silver Medallist Peter Wylde, and 2004 Athens Olympic Show Jumping Team Coach Frank Chapot.

The panel of judges for the prestigious ASPCA Maclay has been finalized and officiating in 2004 will be Chrystine Tauber of Pottersville, North Carolina; Scott Williamson of Middleburg, Virginia; and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Course Designer Linda Allen of Salinas, California.

For the junior riders vying for a trip to the Big Apple, five additional regional competitions will wrap up the ASPCA-Maclay qualifying process on the weekend of September 18-19, 2004.

For more information, write to National Horse Show, PO Box 386, Greenvale, NY 11548. E-mail: NationalHS@aol.com; Phone: (516) 484-1865; Fax: (516) 484-1982. Web: www.nhs.org. For tickets, call 866-NHS-SHOW.

Regional Results (to date): ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships

Region 2 (East)

1. Jessica Speiser, Armonk, NY
2. Blythe Marano, Bedminster, NJ
3. Maria Schaub, Holmdel, NJ
4. Daisy Johnson, New York, NY
5. Catherine Wright, Old Chatham, NY
6. Brianne Goutal, New York, NY
7. Gabby Slome, Riverdale, NY
8. Addison Phillips, New York, NY
9. Allison Seelig, New York, NY
10. Sloane Coles, The Plains, VA

Region 5 (Central)

1. Andrew Welles, Long Lake, MN
2. Jane Ehrhart, St. Louis, MO
3. Elizabeth Stone, New Orleans, LA
4. Rachel Dede, Pacific, MO
5. Alex Beckstett, Magnolia, TX
6. Chetana Daniels, Fairfield, IA
7. Whitney Linders, Manhattan, KS
8. Alexandra May, Des Moines, IA
9. Chelsea Anderson, Stillwater, MN
10. Haley Hicks, Chesterfield, MO

Region 7 (Northwest)

1. Vanessa Holsberry, Sherwood, OR
2. Chelsea Jones, Bow, WA
3. Hannah Lobingier, Camas, WA
4. Katy Ferguson, Maple Valley, WA
5. Taylor Coe, Mercer Island, WA
6. Carly Anthony, Bellevue, WA
7. Helen Vaskevitch, Medina, WA
8. Kristi Waldal, Battleground, WA
9. Savannah Cook, Kirkland, WA
10. Betsy Christianson, Bellevue, WA