Aleia Brown on Madeira's Fame (Howard Schatzberg)

Lexington, Ky. – A talented field of competitors entered the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, November 15, in hopes of winning the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final presented by Elisabeth M. Goth at the United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) American Royal National Championship. The judging panel comprised of Ellen Beard, Brooke Jacobs, and Fay Lowry declared Aleia Brown the champion. The Dayton, Ohio, native received the Gold medal after demonstrating her excellent equitation skills aboard her own Madeira’s Fame, both on the rail and during pattern work. Brown also won the National Horse Show "Good Hands" Final in October.

As the 2014 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final Champion, Brown will have her name engraved on the Adrian Van Sinderen Trophy, alongside a prestigious list of prior winners dating back to 1937, as well as the Helen K. Crabtree Perpetual Bronze.

Cameron Kay (West Bloomfield, Mich.) claimed the Reserve Champion title with her own CH Reedann’s Heir To Glory. With a solid performance in front of the judges, Kay was awarded the USEF Silver medal.

The Bronze medal was awarded to Sydney Budzinski (Mukwango, Wis.) riding her and James Budzinski’s Royal Tryst.

Full class results:

Champion: Aleia Brown, Dayton, Ohio, aboard Madeira’s Fame, instructed by Erin and Reese Richey

Reserve Champion: Cameron Kay, West Bloomfield, Mich., aboard CH Reedann’s Heir To Glory, instructed by Lillian Shively

3.  Sydney Budzinski, Mukwango, Wis., aboard Royal Tryst, instructed by Scott and Carol Matton

4.  Courtney McGinnis, Fishers, Ind., aboard Phantom Stock, instructed by Lillian Shively

5.  Ada Johnson, Stillwater, Minn., aboard King Lehr’s Friar Tuck, instructed by Tom Bombolis

6.  Juliette Dell, Austin, Texas, aboard CH EQ Imagine My Surprise, instructed by Lillian Shively

7.  Caroline Cherry, Encinitas, Calif., aboard Lemon Shake Up WRF, instructed by Lillian Shively

8.  Ellie Grosspietsch, Cross Plains, Wis., aboard CH EQ Final Act, instructed by Sheri Brandl

9.  Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes, Oklahoma City, Okla., aboard CH EQ Chanti’s Prayer, instructed by Lillian Shively

10.  Molly Codeanne, Wethersfield, Conn., aboard Zagnut, instructed by Kristen Cater

For more information regarding the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final, contact Jennifer Mellenkamp, Director, National Breed/Discipline Affiliates at [email protected] or (859) 225-6955.