Maneirbo, Italy – The US Reiners had plenty to celebrate at the first FEI World Reining Championship, convincingly bringing home three medals. Jordan Larson will return to his Whitesboro, TX home with two medals, adding individual honors to his team Silver. Riding Lena Gallo, Larson loped into the arena on Sunday and had a nearly perfect trip.

The coliseum was full of atmosphere and Larson’s ride was clearly the crowd favorite, nearly bringing the house down. His large circles were fast and accurate and his small slow circles were fluid and relaxed. His lead changes were dead on and each one of his slides were straight, deep and long.

Larson is also the current Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Reserve Champion presented by Equine Motorcoach riding the 8-year-old Quarter Horse stallion owned by Lapke Quarter Horses. This was their first time riding in international competition.

“It was an honor to represent the USA at FEI World Reining Championship,” said Larson, 27. “Since this was my first time on a team it was unexpected to win but a huge thrill.”

Craig Schmersal, from Overlook, OK, rounded out the US medal count with Mr. Dual Rey when he tied for Bronze with Italy’s Gennero Lendi on a score of 225. Pete Kyle was sixth with a 224 and Tom McCutcheon tied for eighth. Every U.S. rider improved on their score from the team competition.

The US Reiners head to a competition in Mallorca to round out their European tour.

Follow all the action on www.usef.org and be sure to read USEF Director of Reining, Courtney Barnett’s blog from Italy at: http://www.usef.org/Contentpage2.aspx?id=reining.

For the USEF Media Guide, please see http://www.usef.org/documents/mediaGuides/USEF_Reining_2008.pdf.

For media requests, please contact Joanie Morris at [email protected].

ENDS