Burbank, CA – With a weekend of competition to prove themselves, a ring full of young riders set out to convince judges they have what it takes to become tomorrow’s equestrian stars. Emerging at the top of the list from the BET/USEF West Coast Show Jumping Talent Search Finals is 17-year-old Kasey Ament (Reche Canyon, CA), who took home the Denali Trophy atop San Francisco. Riding her own horse first and then starting the rotations that are characteristic of these tests, Ament demonstrated effective and polished riding, emerging as the undeniable winner.

"I really like this finals," said Ament after her win. "It is a true test of a horse person and rider.” Consequently, San Francisco’s trainer, Karen Healey, won the Leading Trainer Award.

Along with Ament, Kendle Handtmann (Carpinteria, CA), Morgan Taylor (Salinas, CA), and Veery Maxwell (Woodland, CA) earned top-four spots for the final ride off. Following a format similar to the World Championships, each rider was required to demonstrate their skills on other horses over a shortened course.

“Once I made it in the top four I wasn't nervous. Anyone in the top four rides well,” said Kendle Handtmann after her second place finish on her horse Deneuve. Third place went to Morgan Taylor, on Romario, who was just thrilled to be named in the top four. “I had lots of fun and I really liked the gymnastics,” she shared. Veery Maxwell, who had never competed in the USET Finals earned an impressive fourth place atop Dante. “I was nervous at first, but then I saw that the gymnastics was stuff we normally work on and that it was realistic,” Maxwell said.
The Talent Search Finals were created to identify skilled riders 21 and under who show the potential to represent the United States Equestrian Federation in future international competition. Previous Finalists include Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Chris Kappler and Peter Wylde, all members of the Olympic Show Jumping Team that represented the United States in Athens this year.

“We are looking for up-and-coming riders who can go to serious show jumping, not for cookie cutter equitation,” said Judges Christina Schulsemeyer and Gabriella Salick. “We want to see how you function as a rider in two days of testing."

The remaining top-ten riders in the rankings are as follows:

5. Katie Taylor, Tarzana, CA
6. Caitlin Chapin, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
7. Nicole Adamson, Los Angeles, CA
8. Niki Connor, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
9. Megan Edrick, Woodland Hills, CA
10. Amber Levine, Temecula, CA

For more information, contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager at the United States Equestrian Federation, on (859) 225-6974, or by e-mail at [email protected]. All USEF press releases can be found on our website at www.usef.org.