New York, NY - November 4, 2004 - Earlier in the evening, Alison Agley, 36, of Aspen, Colorado, aboard Archie won the Manhattan Cup Adult Equitation Championship topping a class of 13 horses. Agley trains with Archie Cox in Los Angeles, California.

“This is a special moment for Alison because it’s her last show with this horse,” said Cox who has worked with the duo for five years. “It’s a great way to end their partnership. Alison is a very good rider, strong and confident. She complements the horse.”

Agley said the first round of eight fences was a “normal” equitation course of bending lines. The top four riders were called back to test, and she earned the win, overcoming her toughest challenge – a hand gallop to the last fence. “I just decided to go!” she explained.

Agley, who operates a software developing business called Treat-It, has enjoyed success with her horse “Archie” in the First Years, Second Years, and Regular Hunters. She leased him to Jane Frave last year. Frave recently purchased Archie and is showing him in the Adult Amateurs. Agley borrowed Archie for the Championship class.

Agley qualified for the finals by notching wins and scoring points in the USEF Medal classes and was intent on competing in the equitation finals. “I wanted to support a big equitation finals back east. I am hoping this will become a special equitation finals,” explained Agley. She has been riding since age 13 and her early trainer, Marsha Williams, was at the show to witness the win.

Archie is an 11-year-old, 16.2-hand, chestnut Hanoverian gelding with a distinctive white face. Ayers said she will miss him. “He was so great,” she said. “He is very easy and cooperative. This is a great way to finish riding him. I want to thank my mom, who bought him for me, and Archie Cox, my trainer.”

The Metropolitan National Horse Show

The Metropolitan National Horse Show features five days and five nights of action, November 3-7, 2004, at Pier 94 and the Show Piers on the Hudson in New York City. Tickets and passes are available in a variety of packages and can be reserved by calling 866-NHS-SHOW or on the web at www.nhs.org