Tampa, FL—November 8, 2002—For the first time ever, the Show Jumping Hall of Fame will hold a national series final for the top horse-and-rider combinations in the Junior Jumper and Amateur-Owner Jumper divisions at the National Horse Show, November 26-December 1, in Wellington, FL. This is the first year that riders from the Eastern and Western conferences will compete against one another in one series final.
On Sunday, December 1, 2002, the nation’s top horse-and-rider combinations in the Junior Jumper division and Amateur-Owner Jumper divisions will challenge each other in the Internationale Arena at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL. The competition will be fierce as horses and riders who have earned a top seat in their conference throughout the qualifying period will challenge the top pairs from both conferences.
Local amateur rider, Danielle Torano, who emerged victorious in the Eastern conference in 2001 aboard Lojana will compete this year aboard Von Pilot for a chance to prove herself against competition from across the United States. Junior rider, Shelby Walter, a competitor in the Western conference, has topped her conference for the second year in a row and is looking to prove herself against the Eastern conference riders at the finals.
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, which is sponsored in part by a grant from the National Horse Sports Foundation, holds classes at 51 horse shows across the country. The Series is designed to give Amateur-Owner and Junior riders an opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many riders who aspire to someday represent the United States in international competition.
For more information about the 2002 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, please visit the Show Jumping Hall of Fame website at www.showjumpinghalloffame.net.