Gladstone, NJ – October 8, 2006 - Following two days of demanding competition with some of the most talented junior riders in the eastern United States, Charlie Jayne emerged as the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – East Champion, riding Cassino Z, owned by his girlfriend, Lauren Sturges.

The 20-year-old resident of Elgin, IL, was emotional about his win and felt his success was due to the support of his family, particularly his father, Alex, who also happens to be his trainer.

“It means a lot,” said Jayne. "After all the hard work my dad, mom and Missy [Clark] did for me and all the support they gave me, I’m glad that I was able to do this for them and for me.”

Jayne was Reserve Champion three years ago in his only other appearance in the Talent Search. Jayne also was the recipient of the 2006 USET Foundation Maxine Beard Award given to the rider who has the potential to compete internationally.

Both judges, legendary equitation coach and USEF Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe, George Morris, and Alison Firestone, a veteran of international competition on the U.S. show jumping squad, were impressed with Jayne. They feel that he has a bright future in international competition.

“Charlie has a beautiful touch and a beautiful eye, said Morris. “It seemed like no matter what problem presents itself he is able to cope.”

The format for the end of the final day of the Talent Search is similar to the recent individual show jumping medal final at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Each of the four finalists competes in a ride-off, first riding their own horse over the course and then they switch with the other three, so that all four finalists ride all four horses. However, because one of the horses developed a soundness issue during the ride-off phase, the riders were judged on three rounds instead of four.

The final four in the Ride-Off phase turned out to be stablemates against roommates. Jayne and Michael Del Fiandra of Delray Beach, FL, are roommates at Florida Atlantic University and Maggie McAlary, 16, of Amherst, NH, and Addison Phillips, 17, of New York, NY, are stablemates, both under the tutelage of Andre Dignelli.

McAlary finished as Reserve Champion, riding Mid-Accord and was pleased with her performance.

“I felt my horse was better in the second round than the first today, said McAlary. “I knew Charlie’s horse would be the most difficult.”

She was right. McAlary had a nail biting experience with Cassino Z going into the fourth fence.

“I was just trying to get to the fence and not drive by it,” said McAlary. “Then I tried to finish up the best I could.”

Phillips who has been in the Talent Search five times, and finishing in the final four three times, was less happy with her ride.

“I was a little discouraged,” said Addison. “I came here to win, but I have learned from all my experiences here and that’s what it’s all about.”

Top 10 finishers from the 2006 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East:

1. Charlie Jayne, 20, of Elgin, IL, riding, Cassino Z, a 10-year-old Holsteiner Stallion, owned by Lauren Sturges
Phase IV Score: 273 points

2. Maggie McAlary, 16, of Amherst, NH, riding Mid-Accord, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, owned by Maggie McAlary and Beaver Brook Ponies
Phase IV Score: 271 points

3T. Addison Phillips, 17, of New York, NY, riding Flight, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, owned by Addison Phillips
Phase IV Score: 259 points

3T. Michael Del Fiandra, 18, of Delray Beach, FL, riding LeGrand, a 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Jacquelina Attwood-Dupont
Phase IV Score: 259 points

5. Nikko Ritter, 18, of Geneva, FL, riding Clove Count a 10-year-old Irish Warmblood gelding, owned by Linda Bakker

6. Whitney Goulart, 18, of Mendham, NJ, riding VDL Cadillac, a 12 year-old Warmblood mare, owned by Laura King-Kaplan

7. Sloan Coles, 18, of The Plains, VA, riding Louisiana, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, owned by Julie Coles

8. Maria Schaub, 17, of Holmdel, NJ, riding Teddy Bear, a 10-year-old Warmblood gelding, owned by Laura King-Kaplan

9. Hillary Dobbs, of West Palm Beach, FL, riding Quincy B, a 10-year-old gelding, owned by Hillary Dobbs

10. Jack Hardin Towell, 18, of Camden, SC, riding San Remo, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood Stallion, owned by Missy Clark and North Run