Lexington, KY—The second-annual USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals were held during MSEDA Dressage at the Park in Lexington, Kentucky, September 10 – 12. A record number of 26 junior dressage riders from across the country competed in their respective age divisions of 13 & under and 14 to 18 years of age.

The purpose of the Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward excellence in equitation, including correct seat, position, and use of aids in the sport of dressage. Since the rider, not just the horse, is the primary focus of the judges’ scrutiny, one of the unique aspects of the Dressage Seat Medal Program is that riders may use borrowed horses. This encouraged competitors from across the country to travel to the Kentucky Horse Park for the Finals competition. Junior riders in these Finals qualified last year by competing in the Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Final classes held at each of the nine USDF Regional Championships, with the top two competitors in each age division being eligible for the Finals.

FEI officials Axel Steiner, Jayne Ayers, and Gary Rockwell judged both Finals divisions, asking for work on the rail and independent movements in order to make the finals calls in what turned out to be a close competition.

Riding a borrowed horse to Championship honors in the 14–18 Division Final was Jaclyn Meinen of Dana Point, California, earning an overall score of 85.333% with Susan Posner’s Touchee. Reserve Champion with a score of 85.167% was Ana DiGironimo of Turnersville, New Jersey, riding Cadanz. Less than two-tenths of a point in the overall score separated the Gold and Silver Medals. Placing third with a score of 81.000% was Robyn Weston of Grandville, Michigan, riding Polensio.

For the 13 & Under Division Championship, Julia Warstler of Dryden, Michigan rode her own Zippity Do Da for an outstanding performance and final score of 86.333%. Riding “At Liberty” to the Reserve Championship was Kara Santmyer of Lovettsville, Virginia, with a score of 84.833%. Earning the bronze medal with a score of 82.500% was Allessandra McGinnis of Lincolnshire, Illinois riding Nikkola.

In addition to a wealth of prizes, both Finals Champions will have their names engraved on the perpetual Hart trophy kept on display in the United States Equestrian Federation offices in Lexington, Kentucky.


For more information, contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager, at (859) 225-6874, or e-mail [email protected].

USEF press releases are available on our web site – www.usef.org.