Lexington, KY – Six was the magic number for Brooke Jacobs of Georgetown, KY. Jacobs has entered the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final every year since its inception in 2001, and this year she took home the Gold medal with a unanimous vote from the judges. Her mount was Callaway’s Show Me When, an 11-year-old American Saddlebred gelding owned by Werk Way Stables. The championship was especially sweet for Jacobs who was on home turf and had a large family presence, including her trainer father, Brent Jacobs.

“I was hoping this would be our year, because I have a really special horse,” said Jacobs. “His nickname is Snickers. He is very personable and friendly. He likes to come up and cuddle with you. He’s just one of those horses that you want to love.”

The USEF medal final is one of the most prestigious and oldest medal finals in the country dating back to 1937. Historically, the medals program represented the top level of competition for junior riders. It was decided in 2001 that a saddle seat adult amateur medal finals would give adults the ability to continue to compete for the prestigious honor. Once an adult amateur has won the class, they may not enter again. The riders are scored based on equitation and the ability to ride with control, competency and compatibility.

When asked what it meant to her to win this title, Jacobs responded, “I have been competing in equitation since I was 14 years old and I always strove to win one of the medals finals so this is really exciting for me. It is just so prestigious. I can’t really put into words how I feel about it, but it’s a really exciting experience. This is what I’ve been shooting for for the past few years since I’ve been an adult… My parents always taught me to come out of the ring with a smile on my face no matter what, so I’ve always done that.”

Reserve champion and the Silver medal went to Tasha Rose Sandler of Scottsdale, AZ, aboard Spirit Stuff, a 14-year-old American Saddlebred gelding, owned by Debra and Kristen Helene Koenig and trained by Nancy Becker. Third place and the Bronze medal went to Erin McCracken aboard My Dakota, an 11-year-old American Saddlebred gelding, owned by Gail Wirtz Costello and Blawkhawk Stables. Fourth place went to Kevin Ingram aboard CH Hayden Fox, an 11-year-old American Saddlebred gelding, owned by James R Dellinger Jr. Fifth went to Dr. Colleen Carter aboard Boot Scoot and Go, an 11-year-old American Saddlebred gelding, owned by Claire Cunningham and Amanda Meyers. Sixth place went to Jamie Bender aboard Highpoint’s the King’s Sun, an 11-year-old American Saddlebred gelding, owned by Kayla and Robert Mears.

Following the awards presentation, all exhibitors were honored at the annual USEF reception where each participant and instructor received commemorative gifts.
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