Bates Equitation year-end awards will be presented in Syracuse on Saturday, November 1. Riders have been accumulating points in equitation classes all year that are tabulated each week in the Bates Equitation Ranking computer list (available at www.batesequitationranking.com).

All year-end awards are based on ranking published on the Bates Equitation Computer Ranking list dated October 31, 2008. Equitation riders will take home the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for their overall performance in equitation as of the October 31 ranking. The Gold-medal winner will receive a Bates Caprilli Close Contact Saddle. The top three trainers, according to the final ranking order of their students on the Bates list, will also be recognized.

Additionally, riders invited to participate in the 2009 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session will be announced. These riders are selected in part based on their Bates year-end standings. The training session, which is entering its third year, aims to help create complete "horsemasters" and a pipeline of riders for future U.S. teams. The sessions are supported by the United States Equestrian Federation and Equestrian Sports Productions, Inc.; Bates Saddles; Practical Horseman Magazine and Purina Mills.

The Top 10 in the Bates Equitation Rankings as of October 3, 2008
Rank, Rider, Points, City, State, Trainer

1. Kimberly McCormack, 28,325 points, Clermont, NJ, Missy Clark & John Brennan

2. Chelsea Moss, 26,625 points, Medford, NJ, Stacia Madden

3. Jessica Springsteen, 26,324 points, Colts Neck, NJ, Stacia Madden

4. Victoria Birdsall, 25723 points, Topsfield, MA, Andre Dignelli

5. Jacqueline Lubrano, 25,117 points, Glenmoore, PA, Stacia Madden

6. Carolyn Curcio, 24,495 points, West Islip, NY, Stacia Madden

7. Emma Lipman, 18,909 points, Bedford, NY, Missy Clark & John Brennan

8. Christina Lin, 18,018 points, Lewisburg, PA, Stacia Madden

9. Alexandra Arute, 17,759 points, Avon, CT,Missy Clark & John Brennan

10. Matthew Metell, 16,426 points, N. Falmouth, MA, Andre Dignelli

The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show welcomes the top-ranked equestrians from across the U.S. and the world to downtown Syracuse to compete at the War Memorial Arena in the Oncenter Complex. The event features a full slate of high-level competition, entertainment, shopping and exhibitions and runs October 29 to November 2, 2008. Tickets for featured Tournament competitions (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m.) range from $10.00 to $25.00 and are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) and the Oncenter Box Office at (315) 435-2121. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the Syracuse Invitational benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House.

For more information on the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show, please visit www.syracuseinvitational.com.