Lexington, Ky. - Thirty-two top U.S. saddle seat riders have been selected to compete at the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Trials on December 7, 2013 at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. These riders will attempt to earn a spot on the 2014 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team as either a three- or five-gaited competitor. Riders invited to the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Trials are:

Three-Gaited

Aleia Brown/15/Dayton, Ohio
Allison Schuh/19/Seymour, Wis.
Anya Pierson/20/Wichita, Kan.
Brooke Boyer/17/Johnston, Iowa
Caitlin Donohue/20/Providence, R.I.
Cameron Kay/16/W. Bloomfield, Mich.
Caroline Cherry/16/Encinitas, Calif.
Faith Robbins/14/Carmel, Ind.
Hannah Carr/16/Greenfield Center, N.Y.
Jessica Wuesthofen/18/Verona, Wis.
Juliette Dell/17/Austin, Texas
Kristen Smith/20/Crestwood, Ky.
Lexie Friedrich/17/Milwaukee, Wis.
Macey Miles/14/Rockport, Ind.
Madison Stringer/13/Scottsdale, Ariz.
Maison Boyle/15/Morrow, Ohio
Mary Mag Wilson/17/Scottsdale, Ariz.
Nadine Van Zomeren/18/Leighton, Iowa
Quinn Mercier/19/Auburn, N.H.
Sydney Budzinski/15/Mukwonago, Wis.
 
Five-Gaited

Anne Pateman/15/New Orleans, La.
Caroline Rainbolt-Forbes/15/Oklahoma City, Okla.
Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes/15/Oklahoma City, Okla.
Emily Gutenkunst/18/Pewaukee, Wis.
Jessi McCurry/15/Campobello, S.C.
McGee Bosworth/16/Greenville, S.C.
Lizzy Schultz/22/Mount Horeb, Wis.
Maisie Benfield/13/Louisville, Ky.
Marjorie Townsend/18/Kansas City, Mo.
Sydney Shaw/16/Scottsdale, Az.
William Nalty/15/Metairie, La.
Zoe Schaffel/15/Tampa, Fla.

After the Trials are complete, five team members and one alternate will be selected for each division. Riders selected will represent the United States in July, 2014 during the International Saddle Seat World Cup competition in Asheville, NC.
 
A total of 60 applications were received from 26 states for a chance to compete in the Trials. These riders represent some of the United States' most experienced and talented Saddle Seat riders. Similar to what they will experience in the competition, the finalists will compete in the Trials riding two unfamiliar horses. The Trials are held in two phases, each consisting of one rail ride and one pattern. Participants will ride horses donated to William Woods University and may be any breed or crossbreed suited for and trained in the Saddle Seat discipline. 

The Saddle Seat World Cup is a bi-annual international competition originating in the early 1980's as an informal exchange of Saddle Seat riders between the United States and South Africa. Teams from as many as five nations now compete for the coveted World Cup titles.

Spectators are welcome to attend the Trials. The Three-Gaited Trials will be held 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and the Five-Gaited Trials will be held 1:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. For a complete schedule and information regarding hotels and directions go to www.usasaddleseatworldcup.org.

The USA Equestrian Trust, and the United Professional Horsemen's Association have provided grant support for 2014. 6D Ranch has provided support for the Trials. Contribution opportunities are still available for the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup. If you are interested in supporting the team's efforts go to https://www.usef.org/documents/SaddleSeat_WorldCup_Donation_Brochure.pdf.

For additional information or questions regarding the Saddle Seat World Cup, please contact Lori Nelson, USEF Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates, by phone at (859) 225-6957 or via email at [email protected].
For additional information or questions regarding the Saddle Seat World Cup, please contact Lori Nelson, USEF Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates, by phone at (859) 225-6957 or via email at [email protected].