![Hunter Chancellor, winner of the 2012 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final, riding Imagine My Surprise. (Howard Schatzberg)](/images/articles/3798/147-112 winner.jpg)
Hunter Chancellor, winner of the 2012 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final, riding Imagine My Surprise. (Howard Schatzberg)
"Winning the USEF [Saddle Seat] Medal Final was a dream come true. It was my goal all year long and to achieve that goal was amazing," Chancellor said. "I was very happy with both my rides and I couldn't have been happier with my horse, Imagine My Surprise."
For taking top honors, Chancellor's name will be engraved on the Adrian Van Sinderen Trophy and the Helen K. Crabtree Perpetual Bronze. She also received a USEF custom leather travel bag, USEF medal, rose bundle, Triple Crown Custom/Horseware Ireland cooler, and an engraved stable halter for her mount.
Abigail Mutrux (St. Louis, MO) received the Reserve Champion title aboard Lemon Shake Up WRF owned by the Marjorie Phelps Trust. Mutrux put forth a strong performance for the USEF Silver medal, a rose bundle, Triple Crown Custom/Horseware Ireland coolers, and an engraved stable halter for her mount.
The Bronze medal was awarded to Courtney McGinnis (Fishers, IN) riding CH EQ Kiss of the Zodiac owned by Fish Creek Stables LLC.
All of the top three riders train with Lillian Shively, and both Chancellor and Mutrux are members of the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup team heading to Parys, South Africa next month.
The youngest rider in the final, 12-year-old Maisie Benfield of Louisville, KY, was presented with a Breyer model horse donated by Breyer Animal Creations.
The USEF thanks those who graciously contributed to this year's USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final: Platinum Level - Elisabeth M. Goth; Silver Level - Jacqueline and Melissa Beck, the McGinnis Family; Bronze Level - Mary Anne O'Callaghan Cronan, Sarah and Alexandra Lawson, Catherine Schuessler McNeese, James and Margaret Williams; Friends of the Medal Final - Betty Cox, Carol Reams, Erin Swope Votaw.
Champion: Hunter Chancellor, Evansville, IN, aboard Imagine My Surprise, instructed by Lillian Shively
Reserve Champion: Abigail Mutrux, St. Louis, MO, aboard Lemon Shake Up WRF, instructed by Lillian Shively
3. Courtney McGinnis, Fishers, IN, aboard CH EQ Kiss of the Zodiac, instructed by Lillian Shively
4. Emily Chapman, Tuscon, AZ, aboard My One Night Stand, instructed by Zubrod Stables
5. Taylor Walters, San Diego, CA, aboard CH EQ Coco Mojo, instructed by Lillian Shively
6. Allison Schuh, Seymour, WI, aboard CH Thundersnow, instructed by Scott & Carol Matton
7. Macey Miles, Rockport, IN, aboard Final Act, instructed by Lillian Shively
8. Alexandra Friedrich, Oconomowoc, WI, aboard Autumn's Rainmaker, instructed by Scott & Carol Matton
9. Juliette Dell, Austin, TX, aboard Reedann's Rare Mystery, instructed by Lillian Shively
10. Kailin Baechle, Rexford, NY, aboard Harley Rally, instructed by Gary Garone
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.