The Bates Year-End Awards were presented at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show on Saturday, November 1. Jessica Springsteen took the Gold, Chelsea Moss the Silver and Victoria Birdsall the Bronze. The top ten riders as of the end of the ranking year (October 31, 2008) are as follows:
Rank, Rider, Points, City, State, Trainer
1. Jessica Springsteen, 28,324, Colts Neck, NJ, Stacia Madden
2. Chelsea Moss, 27,425, Medford, NJ, Stacia Madden
3. Victoria Birdsall, 27,023, Topsfield, MA, Andre Dignelli
4. Kimberly McCormack, 26,325, Clermont, NJ, Missy Clark and John Brennan
5. Jacqueline Lubrano, 25,517, Glenmoore, PA, Stacia Madden
6. Carolyn Curcio 25,495, West Islip, NY, Stacia Madden
7. Matthew Metell, 20,426, N. Falmouth, MA, Andre Dignelli
8. Emma Lipman, 18,609, Bedford, NY, Missy Clark and John Brennan
9. Christina Lin, 18,018, Lewisburg, PA, Stacia Madden
10. Alexandra Arute, 17,954, Avon, CT, Missy Clark and John Brennan
The riders invited to the USEF Horsemastership Training Session to be held on January 5-9, 2009, will be:
Jessica Springsteen, Chelsea Moss, Victoria Birdsall, Kimberly McCormack, Jacqueline Lubrano (all based on their Bates rankings), plus two high-ranking West coast riders: Shelby Wakeman and Sophie Benjamin. Hannah Selleck was chosen as the winner of the USEF Talent Search West and North American Young Riders Individual Champion. Taylor Land was chosen as USEF National Junior Jumper Individual Champion. Matthew Metell was chosen as the wild card based on his performance.
The Horsemastership training session is hosted by Bates Saddles and Equestrian Sports Productions with the support of the United States Equestrian Federation. Bates Saddles, Purina Mills, Practical Horseman, the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, the USET Foundation and the United States Hunter Jumper Association are supporting organizations.
The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show welcomed 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 featured a full slate of high-level competition, entertainment, shopping and exhibitions. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the Syracuse Invitational benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House.
Following Hurricane Helene, USEF is working with local agencies on the ground helping the equine population. If you are interested in giving to help their efforts, please give to our disaster relief fund at usef.org/donate..
