Lexington, KY – For the first time ever, a US Reiner has broken through to the top three on the FEI Reiner of the Year Ranking List.

Gabe Hutchins, whose season was highlighted by a runner-up finish at the 2007 FEI World Reining Masters on the legendary Juiced Up Doc, finished with 53 points behind Germany’s Emanuel Ernst and Arc Playsophie (74 points) and Belgium’s Ann Fonck-Poels and Chic Dual (56).

“It is an honor for me to win this,” said Hutchins of Sherman, TX. “Especially since I didn’t know I was eligible to win.”

Only FEI competitions are included in the rankings for this list, which ranks horse/rider combinations. CRIs and CRIOs (which are international Reining competitions) are the only competitions from which the results are eligible for this award.

“The CRIs have opened a lot of new avenues for me and my training career as a young professional,” said Hutchins. “This has been a great way to build my reputation.”