Lexington, KY— The top reiners in the world face off at the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters December 4 in Oklahoma City, OK as part of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. This year, 18 riders from 15 countries will compete for two titles, the $75,000 added Open and the $25,000 Restricted Open.

Representing the U.S. in the $75,000 added Open division will be Jordan Larson riding Lena Gallo and Craig Schmersal aboard Mr. Dual Rey. Both pairs competed in September at the 2008 FEI World Reining Championships in Manerbio, Italy. Together, they won the Team Silver medal and Larson took the Individual Gold medal and Schmersal tied for the Individual Bronze medal.

“We have two solid horse and rider combinations going into the Masters,” said USEF’s Director of Reining Programs Courtney Barnett. “Both riders have been highly competitive at the International level. I look forward to watching them compete under the U.S. flag.”

In order to compete, all of the riders qualified according to a points system through their National Federation. At last year’s FEI World Reining Masters, there was a three-way tie between U.S. riders Gabe Hutchins and Casey Hinton along with Austrian Rudi Kronsteiner which brought the crowd to its feet. Kronsteiner took home the Masters title and also became the first reiner outside of the U.S. to win the FEI World Reining Masters.

For more information, contact Courtney Barnett, USEF’s Director of Reining Programs, at (859) 225-6919 or [email protected]

ENDS