Category Archives: Saddle Seat

Competitions, Saddle Seat, USEF

Upton Earns 2016 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final Title

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Reagan Upton and Oh Night Divine (Howard Schatzberg)

Lexington, Ky. – A field of 19 competitors, the largest field in the class’s history, vying for the 2016 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final title, kicked off the evening session at the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show on Wednesday, July 6. Following the competitive field’s display of equitation skills, 27-year-old Reagan Upton was named the unanimous 2016 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final Champion. Upton (Birmingham, Ala.) rode St. Simons Island Saddlebreds LLC’s Oh Night Divine to top honors under the tutelage of her mother, Courtney Huguley.

When asked how it felt to be the Gold medal winner, Upton said through tears, “It’s surreal. I’m 27 years old, a poor trainer’s kid. I never had a nice horse when I was a kid. You always have to have a nice horse as a kid and I could never compete with everybody else. At 27, to finally be able to do it is so cool.”

Upton was confident in her test, but didn’t expect to be the unanimous winner.

“I felt pretty good. With 19 in there, I felt like every pass counted,” Upton said. “I felt the rail work was ribbon-worthy, but I didn’t know everyone else kind of had tough patterns. After my pattern I thought I had earned a ribbon, but I wasn’t sure because I had a couple things I could have done better.”

The talented group of riders from across the country performed on the rail, and completed an individual pattern created by the judging panel of Rodney Hicks, Raymond Krussell, and Donna Pettry-Smith.

The Reserve Champion and Silver medalist in the Final was Kristen Dull (Apple Valley, Minn.) riding In Your Sights. The Bronze medal was presented to Cecelia Hoffmann (Bolingbrook, Ill.) riding Kamunyak.

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 by offering the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final. The Final was created for adult amateur riders to continue to participate in the discipline of saddle seat equitation. Since its inception, the event has been held at the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show.

The 2016 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final was supported by Zubrod Stables, Cindy Mugnier, and past Zubrod Stables champions of the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final Dr. John Stutts and Deveau Zubrod.

Results from the 2016 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final:

Champion: Reagan Upton (Birmingham, Ala.) on Oh Night Divine instructed by Courtney Huguley

Reserve Champion: Kristen Dull (Apple Valley, Minn.) on In Your Sights instructed by Sarah McClintock

Third: Cecelia Hoffmann (Bolingbrook, Ill.) on Kamunyak instructed by Jonelle Chovanec

Fourth: Jennifer McGowan (Louisville, Ky.) on The Toy Soldier instructed by Melissa Moore

Fifth: Morgan Wolin (Chicago, Ill.) on So Smitten instructed by Erin Boggs-Richey

Sixth: Avis Van Zomeren (Leighton, Iowa) on Absolutely Got It instructed by Renae Van Zomeren

Seventh: Elizabeth Cagle James (Winston-Salem, N.C.) on The Cover Story instructed by Evan Orr

Eighth: Rachel Griffis (Baxley, Ga.) on Cabernet’s Will Command instructed by Caitlin Jarriel

Ninth: Lexie Bragg (Charleston, W.V.) on CHThe Muffin Man instructed by Stephanie Lilly

Tenth: Sara Szychlinski (Genoa, Ill.) on The Princess Dianna instructed by Jessica Moctezuma

For more information about the Medal Final, contact Jennifer Mellenkamp, USEF Director, National Affiliates at jmellenkamp@usef.org or (859) 225-6955.

From the USEF Communications Department

Saddle Seat, USEF

USEF Accepting Applications for 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is now accepting applications for the 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team. The purpose of the team is to develop riders for future U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup competitions. During years that the Saddle Seat World Cup competition is not held, members of the Young Rider Team will be eligible to represent the United States in other international competitions. Applications will close on August 1, 2016.

In 2017, USEF will field a team to compete at the United States Saddle Seat Test Event in Perry, Ga., April 3-8. The team will consist of six athletes for both the three- and five-gaited sections.

Unlike the selection process for the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team, riders will not have to attend live tryouts to be selected for the U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team. Instead, selection will be based on an application and riding video.

Please visit the U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders page for a copy of the selection criteria and tips for applicants. It is important to thoroughly read all sections prior to beginning the application process, as there are requirements and commitments that must be met to be considered.

For more information on the 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team, please contact any of the following National Affiliates staff members:

Lori Nelson, lnelson@usef.org
Terra Schroeder, tschroeder@usef.org
Jennifer Mellenkamp, jmellenkamp@usef.org
Erin DesNoyers, edesnoyers@usef.org

From the USEF Communications Department

Saddle Seat, Training/Clinics, Western/Reining

Friesian Owners Get Boot Camp Training with World Champion Jannie Giles

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Jannie Giles aboard KFPS Friesian, IFSHA World Champion, Victor FC. Photo by Avis Girdler.

Black Horse Manor Hosts Fun Educational Weekend

February 5, 2016 — Pleasureville, KY – Black Horse Manor hosted a Friesian Boot Camp, January 30-31, 2016. The weekend was a fun-filled, educational package that allowed Friesian owners to bring their own horses to the facility for one on one personal training attention.

The goal of the one on one sessions was to address a variety of training challenges, tackling horse show related goals, and training tips for perfecting and polishing horse show performance. Well known multi-titled World Champion, owner and trainer of Black Horse Manor, Jannie Giles, worked with each individual and their personal horses, focusing on their 2016 goals.

Jannie sits on the Board of Directors for the International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) and is also a member of the USEF Rules Committee. Her professional career has been well documented with Regional and National wins with American Saddlebreds, Friesians, Arabians, Half Arabians and National Show Horses. She was the first woman to win the National Show Horse Five-Gaited National Championship. She also instructed a number of champion Saddle Seat Equitation riders to national titles as well.

Jannie took her very first Friesian from an average school type horse and turned him into a show ring legend. Jannie and her star gelding, Robin ut de Warren, dominated the show ring from coast to coast. Together they enjoyed the incredible run of six undefeated seasons competing against World and National Champions from various breeds.

By setting the standard of excellence in the Friesian saddle seat and western divisions, Jannie is considered one of the most talented and respected trainers nationwide. Jannie’s outstanding Western Pleasure Friesian, Victor FC, was the first ever Friesian to be awarded the 2011 USEF Equestrian of Honor Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy.

Black Horse Manor, is located just a few short miles from Shelbyville, KY, off I-64, and offers training, lessons and sales for a select group of Saddlebreds, Morgans, Friesians and Hackneys.

More clinic dates will be released soon for Saddleseat, Hunt Seat, and Western riding.

For more information, contact Black Horse Manor at janniegiles@aol.com or 859.321.9278.

CONTACT: Lisa Murray, equestriansportsmedia@gmail.com

PRESS LINK PR/Diana De Rosa
Cell: 516-848-4867 – dderosa1@optonline.net

Saddle Seat, USEF

Saddle Seat World Cup Team Chosen after Selection Trials at William Woods University

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The 2016 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team (Erin DesNoyers)

Fulton, Mo. – After impressive showings at the Saddle Seat World Cup Team Trials, 12 riders were chosen to represent the United States at the 2016 Saddle Seat World Cup. Thirty-two aspiring athletes, 20 in three-gaited competition and 12 in five-gaited, from 27 states tried out at William Woods University on Saturday. Each phase consisted of one rail ride and one pattern ride on unfamiliar horses. After the trials were complete six riders for each section were selected to the 2016 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team in both three-gaited and five-gaited.

The riders on 2016 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team are:

Three-Gaited

Aleia Brown – Dayton, Ohio
Molly Codeanne -Wethersfield, Conn.
Cameron Kay – W. Bloomfield, Mich.
Courtney McGinnis – Santa Barbara, Calif.
Faith Robbins – Carmel, Ind.
Kasey Saccocia – Halifax, Mass.

Five-Gaited

Ashley Brandies – Jesup, Ga.
Cailin Bridges – Salisbury, Mass.
Allie Poovey – Winston-Salem, N.C.
Ashley Stewart – Pfafftown, N.C.
Catherine Wheeler – Keswick, Va.
Rose Marie Wheeler – Anchorage, Ky.

These riders will represent the United States in July 2016 during the Saddle Seat World Cup competition in Paarl, South Africa.

The selection trails were judged by a five judge panel of Karen Homer-Brown, Ray Krussell, Jody La Salle, Matthew Roberts, and Kent Swalla. Riders were given only seven minutes to warm up before each rail phase and rode horses provided by William Woods University. Additional horses were provided by Ever Glades Farm, Glendale Stables, and Stephens College. The horses were any breed or crossbreed suited for and trained in the Saddle Seat discipline.

The Saddle Seat World Cup is a bi-annual international competition originating in the early 1980s as an informal exchange of Saddle Seat riders between the United States and South Africa. Teams from as many as seven nations now compete for the coveted World Cup titles.

The USA Equestrian Trust and the United Professional Horsemen’s Association have provided grant support for 2016. Contribution opportunities are still available for the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team. If you are interested in supporting the team’s efforts, go to usef.org.

For more information about the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team and the 2016 International Saddle Seat World Cup, go to www.usasaddleseatworldcup.org.

For additional information or questions regarding the Saddle Seat World Cup, please contact Lori Nelson, USEF Senior Director of National Affiliate, Competition and Alliance Partner Relationships, by phone at (859) 225-6957 or via email at lnelson@usef.org.

From the USEF Communications Department

Competitions, Saddle Seat

Athletes Prepare for U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team Trials

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Lexington, Ky. – Thirty-two top U.S. saddle seat riders will converge on William Woods University in Fulton, Mo. on Saturday, December 5 for the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team Trials, attempting to earn a spot on the 2016 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team as either a three- or five-gaited competitor. Following is the list of the athletes scheduled to attend:

Three-Gaited

Aleia Brown – Dayton, Ohio
Megan Buckley – Zionsville, Ind.
Sydney Budzinski – Mukwonago, Wis.
Molly Codeanne – Wethersfield, Conn.
Katelynn Cox – Custer, Mich.
Audrey Crites – Waukee, Iowa
Raven Gropp – Augusta, Ga.
Matt Huke – Westfield, Ind.
Ada Johnson – Stillwater, Minn.
Cameron Kay – W. Bloomfield, Mich.
Kristina Mauro – Carlsbad, Calif.
Clara McCool – Newburyport, Mass.
Courtney McGinnis – Santa Barbara, Calif.
Lauren Osborne – Oklahoma City, Okla.
Faith Robbins – Carmel, Ind.
Alice Rowland – Kansas City, Mo.
Kasey Saccocia – Halifax, Mass.
Madison Stringer – Scottsdale, Ariz.
Isabella Templeton – West Des Moines, Iowa
Victoria Walz – Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

Five-Gaited

Ashley Brandies – Jesup, Ga.
Cailin Bridges – Salisbury, Mass.
Abigail Kastenholz – Pewaukee, Wis.
Jennifer McGowan – Louisville, Ky.
Anne Pateman – New Orleans, La.
Laura Plant – Advance, N.C.
Allie Poovey – Winston-Salem, N.C.
Ashley Stewart – Pfafftown, N.C.
Emily Van Duren – Bedford, N.H.
Catherine Wheeler – Keswick, Va.
Rose Marie Wheeler – Anchorage, Ky.
Jade Woods – Altoona, Iowa

The riders will be evaluated by a five judge panel including:

Karen Homer-Brown – Georgetown, Ky.
Ray Krussell – Richmond, Ill.
Jody La Salle – East Woodstock, Conn.
Matthew Roberts – Cave Creek, Ariz.
Kent Swalla – Columbia, Mo.

After the Trials are complete, six team members will be selected for each section. These athletes will represent the United States in July 2016 during the International Saddle Seat World Cup competition in Paarl, South Africa.

Nearly 80 applications were received from 27 states for a chance to compete in the Trials. These athletes represent some of the United States’ most experienced and talented saddle seat riders. Similar to what they will experience in the competition, the finalists will compete in the Trials riding two unfamiliar horses. The Trials are held in two phases, each consisting of one rail ride and one pattern. Participants will ride horses that may be of any breed or crossbreed suited for and trained in the saddle seat discipline.

The Saddle Seat World Cup is a bi-annual international competition originating in the early 1980’s as an informal exchange of saddle seat riders between the United States and South Africa. Teams from as many as seven nations now compete for the coveted World Cup titles.

Spectators are welcome to attend the Trials. The Three-Gaited Trials will be held 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT and the Five-Gaited Trials will be held 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT. For a complete schedule, go to www.usasaddleseatworldcup.org.

The USA Equestrian Trust and the United Professional Horsemen’s Association have provided grant support for 2016. Contribution opportunities are still available for the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team. If you are interested in supporting the team’s efforts, go to usef.org.

For more information about the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team and the 2016 International Saddle Seat World Cup, go to www.usasaddleseatworldcup.org.

For additional information or questions regarding the Saddle Seat World Cup, please contact Lori Nelson, USEF Senior Director of National Affiliate, Competition and Alliance Partner Relationships, by phone at (859) 225-6957 or via email at lnelson@usef.org.

From the USEF Communications Department

Saddle Seat, USEF

2016 US Saddle Seat World Cup Team Coaches Announced

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the team of Pam Roush, Barbe Smith, and Kent Swalla as coaches of the 2016 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team, who will travel to South Africa in July 2016 for the International Saddle Seat World Cup.

Roush (Lutz, Fla.) has developed equitation teams at her own Avalon Stables for the last 20 years. She has held offices in UPHA Chapter 16 for nearly a decade and was named its Horse Person of the Year for 2010 and 2016. Roush serves on numerous equestrian competition boards in Florida, and was the founder of the Summer Fun Horse Show. She played a valuable role during the 2014 Saddle Seat World Cup by donating horses for the competition and serving as team liaison to Team Canada. She also served in this role and countless others at the 2015 US Saddle Seat Invitational.

Smith (New Orleans, La.) has over 30 years of instructing experience in the Saddle Seat discipline. She was a coach of both the 2013 Saddle Seat Young Riders and 2010 Saddle Seat World Cup teams. Smith has hosted two Invitational competitions at her Cascade Stables, an official USEF Elite Training Center, in addition to opening the facility to team practices. Smith also played an important role in the 2014 Saddle Seat World Cup, donating a third of the horses used for competition, and assisted in the coordination of the event. She currently serves on the UPHA Board, the Saddle Seat World Cup Committee, and is the chair of the UPHA Equitation Committee.

Swalla (Columbia, Mo.) is the owner of Glendale Stables, LLC and has over 20 years of experience conducting one-on-one training sessions for riders. He was a coach of the double Gold-medal winning 2015 US Young Riders Home Team and stepped in to assist with both the 2010 and 2012 Saddle Seat World Cup Teams. In 2013, Swalla was named the UPHA Equitation Instructor of the Year. He was honored as the 2011 UPHA Chapter 5 Horsemen of the Year and the 2010 MHSA Horse Person of the Year.

The 2016 Saddle Seat World Cup Team efforts are supported by USA Equestrian Trust, UPHA, and ModJods. To learn more about contributing to and supporting the 2016 Team efforts, go to www.usasaddleseatworldcup.org, or contact Lori Nelson, Senior Director of National Affiliate, Competition and Alliance Partner Relationships, at lnelson@usef.org.

From the USEF Communications Department