The United States Equestrian Federation’s Saddle Seat Medal Final will be held Saturday, November 21, 2009, at the United Professional Horsemen’s Association’s American Royal National Championship in Kansas City, MO. This medal final brings together the best saddle seat equitation riders from across the country that will perform for a prestigious judging panel comprised of Maria Gilman, Brooke Jacobs and Sally Lindabury.

To qualify for the competition, competitors must be 17 years and under who have placed first or second in qualifying classes during the qualification period. The USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final is held in two phases beginning with a preliminary round where all entries complete rail work in groups of 15 or less and perform an individual pattern. The judging panel will select finalists who will then compete in the final round which is comprised of additional rail work and a second individual pattern. The preliminary rail work, preliminary workout, final rail work and final workout each count equally toward the outcome of the class.

The name of the winner of the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final will be engraved on the Adrian Van Sinderen Trophy alongside a prestigious list of prior winners dating back to 1937, as well as, the Helen K. Crabtree Perpetual Bronze. Additionally, the winner will receive a Freedman Harness handcrafted leather bag. Both the champion and reserve champion will be presented with the traditional USEF medals and rose bundles along with Moxie Equestrian coolers and engraved stable halters for their mounts.

Participants in the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final, along with instructors and family members, are invited to attend the annual brunch presented by the USEF immediately following the preliminary round. Riders will be recognized and presented commemorative gift bags sponsored by the McGinnis Family of Fishers, IN. The youngest rider in the final will receive a Special Edition Will Shriver model horse donated by Breyer Animal Creations.

The USEF would like to thank those who graciously contributed to this year’s USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final: Champion Sponsor – McGinnis Family, Fishers, IN; Gold-level Friends of the Medal Final – Russ and Mara Darrow, Hartland, WI; DeLovely Farms Inc., Rockport, IN; and Andrea Walton-De Vogel; Bronze-level Friends of the Medal Final – Luann Beach, Santa Barbara, CA; Carol Reams, Frankfort, KY; and Mary Swope, Zanesville, OH.

For more information regarding the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final, contact Jennifer Mellenkamp, Director, National Breed/Discipline Affiliates and Youth Programs at [email protected] or (859) 225-6955.

ENDS