Harrisburg, PA – Megan Young, 18, of Jacksonville, FL, defeated a field full of the nation’s top junior riders to win the 2004 USEF/Pessoa National Hunter Seat Medal Final, on Sunday, October 17th, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Judges Sue Ashe of Wellington, FL, and Mary Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ, scored the three rounds of competition based on equitation and a rider’s ability to ride with control, competency and compatibility.

The USEF/Pessoa National Hunter Seat Equitation Medal is a coveted USEF prize and proves to be a significant stepping stone for young riders, as 30% of the past winners have gone on to represent the United States internationally. This year, more than a thousand Hunter Seat Equitation Medal qualifying classes took place at USEF recognized competitions throughout the country, resulting in approximately 400 young riders qualifying for this event.

Megan adds her name to the Adrian Van Sinderen Memorial Trophy, joining famous winners from the past, including Victor Hugo-Vidal, George Morris, Katie Monahan-Prudent and Conrad Homfeld. This year’s winner received a Triple Crown custom cooler, a Pessoa saddle, a Mountain Horse rider jacket and a set of Verdus open front jumping boots.

The top ten finishers are as follows:

1. Megan Young, 18, Jacksonville, FL
2. Brianne Goutal, 16, Manhattan, NY
3. Addison Phillips, 15, New York, NY
4. Kendle Handtmann, 17, Carpinteria, CA
5. Sloane Coles, 15, The Plains, VA
6. Haylie Jayne, 14, Elgin, IL
7. Josephine Nash, 16, North Salem, NY
8. Maggie McAlary, 15, Amherst, NH
9. Kasey Ament, 17, Reche Canyon, CA
10. Carolyn Kelly, 16, New York City, NY

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