Michael Desiderio from Chester, NJ, won the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) 2005 MD Barns High-Point Amateur Award by earning 594.5 points in the Amateur Achievement Awards program. The 15-year-old competed in both amateur and open classes, including working hunter, working hunter under saddle, hunter hack and hunter seat equitation not to jump and over obstacles. His younger brother, Anthony, was also among the Top Ten with 301 points.

Desiderio earned 10 championships, two reserves and six top tens at Sport Horse, Youth and Canadian Nationals. He also acquired points at AHA Region 15 and 14 shows, the East Coast Championships, Eastern Arabian Horse Show, Shenandoah Valley Classic, 30th Annual New Jersey Half-Arabian Horse Association, Mason Dixon Classic, Hudson Valley Arabian and the Bluegrass Spring Festival. Additionally, Desiderio has competed in numerous open hunter/jumper events.

Desiderio is currently working on acquiring the points necessary to compete in the three most prestigious equitation competitions in the United States: the United States Equestrian Team Medal Finals, the United States Equestrian Federation Medal Finals and the ASPCA Maclay Finals, which will all be held this fall.

Desiderio, who just turned 15 and is a freshman at Mendham High School in Mendham, NJ, began jumping at age six under the tutelage of his father, Ricci, and mother, Stephanie, who was a 2004 USEF Equestrian of Honor. Besides equestrian competition, Desiderio also wrestles on the Mendham High School team.

Corporate Partner MD Barns has presented Desiderio with a 41 foot diameter round pen valued at a minimum of $5,500. As an AHA Corporate Partner since 1997, MD Barns sponsors AHA shows, youth programs and the Amateur Achievement Award program. MD Barns is involved in design, manufacturing and installation of pre-engineered barns, stables, corral systems and accessories, with more than 30 years experience and 160,000 satisfied customers worldwide.

Corporate Partner Paint Rock Designs will also award the Top Ten Amateurs a Mane and Tail Saver Blanket.

The Amateur Achievement Award program provides competitors with a great opportunity to receive recognition for all their accomplishments on multiple horses. To enroll for 2006, click visit www.arabianhorses.org/activities/aa/aaa.asp.

Amateur Achievement Awards High-Point Top Ten Standings
1. Michael Desiderio, Chester, NJ, 595.5
2. Teal Dowling, Spring Prairie, WI, 555.5 points
3. Alisha Kinney, Scottsdale, AZ, 462 points
4. Beth Noteman, Genoa, IL, 458 points
5. Jodie Surerus, La Glace, AB, 382 points
6. Bridget Atwood, Temecula, CA, 337 points
7. Kelsey Kuhn, Sonoita, AZ, 319 points
8. Chelsea Knoop, Dearborn, MI, 311.5 points
9. Anthony Desiderio, Chester, NJ, 301.5 points
10. Laura Wood, Brooksville, FL, 301 points
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