Lexington, KY— A last minute decision to enter the class paid off for first-time USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Finalist Michelle Krentz as she swept the class with a unanimous decision from the judges and went home with the title. Krentz beat six other finalists in the 71st Lexington Junior League Horse Show at the famous The Red Mile racetrack.
Even though Krentz has not been regularly riding her 17-year-old mare, CH Louisville Lass, the chemistry was right between them. “Since I’ve barely ridden her, I was not sure if she had changed at all, so I was nervous about it,” said Krentz. “But I wanted to make my trainers happy,” she said with a laugh.
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 final would give adults the ability to continue to compete for the prestigious honor. Unlike past years, due to a recent presidential modification, previous medal final champions were allowed to compete in the 2007 competition year. Riders are judged fifty percent on rail work as a group and fifty percent on individual tests.
Following the awards presentation, all exhibitors were honored at the annual USEF reception where each participant and instructor received commemorative gifts.
Final Results of the 2007 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Finals:
1. Michelle Krentz of Hartford, WI, riding CH Louisville Lass
2. Brooke Jacobs of Georgetown, KY, riding Callaway’s Show Me When
3. Morgan Wolin of Chicago, IL, riding CF Cool Night Out
4. Kevin Ingram of Cartersville, GA, riding CH Hayden Fox
5. Anna Hormann of Wilmore, KY, riding Jabez
6. Victoria Willock of Louisville, KY, riding Romantic Manifesto
7. Sarah Russell of Salt Lake City, UT, riding Haunting
Judging this year’s finals were Adam Clauson, Lewis Eckard and John Whalen.
For more information, please contact Carrie Mortensen, USEF Director of Breeds and Western Discipline at (859) 225-6986 or via email [email protected].
ENDS
Stacey Meier and Melissa Davis