Lexington, Ky. – Top adult amateur saddle seat equitation riders from around the country will compete for the title of 2019 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final champion on Wednesday, July 10, at the historic Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show. Peggy Alderman (North Clarendon, Vt.), Kristen Cater (Dunbarton, N.H.), and Jim Cherry (Encinitas, Calif.) will serve as judges for the Final, hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. Last year, Victoria Walz was crowned champion by an impressive unanimous decision from the panel of judges.

Competition Information

The American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) equitation medal was established in 1937 by the fourth President of the AHSA, Adrian Van Sinderen, as part of his strategy to connect horse people across the United States. In 2001, the tradition of the medal program was extended to the adult amateur exhibitor with the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final. The Final was created for adult amateur riders to continue to participate in the discipline of equitation beyond their junior years. Since its inception, the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final has been held during the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show.

Amateur riders aged 18 and over become eligible for the Final by competing in an official qualifying class during the specified qualification period. Learn more about the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final and view this year’s list of qualified riders for the Final.

How to Watch

USEF Network will stream the competition live from Rolex Arena on Wednesday, July 10. The Final is the last class to be held during the morning session.

Follow US Equestrian

Stay up to date with U.S. saddle seat by following USA Saddle Seat on Facebook and US Equestrian on Twitter and Instagram. Use #USASaddleSeat.

Learn more about saddle seat equitation and all of US Equestrian’s 29 recognized breeds and disciplines in this Learning Center video.

Photo by: Howard Schatzberg