Lexington, Ky. – Sixteen of the country’s top adult saddle seat equitation riders competed for the title of 2018 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final Champion at the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show on Wednesday, July 11. Amongst a competitive field, Victoria Walz (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) riding Reedann’s Heir to Glory, her 14-year-old Saddlebred gelding, stood apart to win the Final. Judges Besty Boone (Concord, N.C.), Karen Homer Brown (Georgetown, Ky.), and Dwayne Knowles (Kutztown, Pa.) unanimously selected Walz as 2018 Champion and gold medalist.
The talented group of riders performed on the rail and completed an individual pattern created by the judging panel. Walz expertly executed the pattern, demonstrating her horsemanship and skill in a smooth, flowing test. Last week, Walz rode for the U.S. team in the prestigious Saddle Seat World Cup from July 4-6, where she helped the U.S. win the gold medal in the three-gaited division.
The Reserve Champion and silver medalist in the Final was Hannah McBain (Plymouth, Mich.) riding Mem Attache, Loek Neimeth’s 14-year-old Morgan gelding. The bronze medal was presented to Ashley Brandies (Hortense, Ga.) riding CH He’s A Royal Pepper, Christy Parker’s 17-year-old Saddlebred gelding.
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 saddle seat, as well as the hunt seat and Western/stock seat disciplines. Originally for riders aged 17 or under, the tradition of the medal program was extended to the adult amateur exhibitor in 2001 with the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final.
Results from the 2018 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final:
Champion: Victoria Walz (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) on Reedann’s Heir to Glory, instructed by Mark Turner
Reserve Champion: Hannah McBain (Plymouth, Mich.) on Mem Attache, instructed by Julianne Rafferty
Third: Ashley Brandies (Hortense, Ga.) on CH He’s A Royal Pepper, instructed by Christy Parker
Fourth: Brett Self (Charleston, W.V.) on Simply Heaven, instructed by Stephanie Lilly
Fifth: Katie Moeller (Columbia, Mo.) on Nightingale Princess, instructed by Jim Lowry
Sixth: Kate Ramsower (Alamo, Calif.) on Kristen Nicole, instructed by Sarah Russell
Seventh: Caroline Skinner (Omaha, Neb.) on Captain Sparrow JJS, instructed by Renee Biggins
Eighth: Malika Keglowitsch (Edmonton, Alberta) on Undercover Agent, instructed by Todd Miles
Ninth: Morgan Wolin (Chicago, Ill.) on A Sweet Inspiration, instructed by Chad Cole
10th: Bailie Deer (Charleston, W.V.) on Soquilli’s Sir Galahad, instructed by Stephanie Lilly
For additional information or questions regarding the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final, please contact Chuck Walker, Director, National Affiliates, by phone at (859) 225-6955 or via email at [email protected].
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Photos by Howard Schatzberg