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Emily Chapman Claims 2013 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final Title

Emily Chapman, the winner of the 2013 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final, riding CH EQ One Night Stand (Howard Schatzberg)

Lexington, KY – A sunny day at the historic Red Mile Race Track in Lexington, Kentucky provided the backdrop for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final, held during the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show. The judges made a unanimous decision to crown Emily Chapman the 2013 winner of the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final. Chapman (Tuscon, AZ) rode Ted Chapman’s CH EQ One Night Stand to the Championship title under the tutelage of Zubrod Stables.

“It feels good to win the title,” said Chapman, a member of the Gold medal-winning 2012 U. S. Saddle Seat World Cup Three-Gaited Section Team. “I haven’t shown equitation since last year and we decided last minute to do it. My horse really likes equitation and it worked out for the best.”

A very talented group of riders from across the country performed on the rail as a group and completed an individual pattern created by the judges for the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final supported by Zubrod Stables. The judging panel consisted of Chuck Herbert from Evansville, Indiana, James Nichols from Metairie, Louisiana, and Barbe Smith from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Chapman not only took home the Champion title, she also received a beautiful cast resin sculpture created by noted artist Patricia Crane, the traditional USEF Gold medal, and a bouquet of roses. In addition, she received a Championship cooler and an engraved leather halter for her mount.

The Reserve Champion in the Final was Kristin Smith riding Callaway’s Another Winner. Smith (Smithfield, KY) won the 2012 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final and is a member of the Gold medal-winning 2013 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Team. Her Reserve Champion prizes included a Silver medal, bouquet of roses, cooler, and engraved leather halter. The Bronze medal was presented to Katie Moeller riding He’s My Beau.

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.

Amateur riders age 18 and over are eligible to compete in the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final by placing in an official qualifying class during the specified qualification period.

Results from the 2013 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final:

Champion: Emily Chapman, Tuscon, AZ aboard CH EQ One Night Stand instructed by Zubrod Stables

Reserve Champion: Kristin Smith, Smithfield, KY aboard Callaway’s Another Winner instructed by Zubrod Stables

Bronze Medal: Katie Moeller, Chesterfield, MO aboard He’s My Beau instructed by De Lovely Farm

Fourth Place: Dr. Morgan Wolin, Chicago, IL aboard Schroeder instructed by Stan Bodnar

Fifth Place: Jennifer McGowan, Cross Lanes, WV, aboard Love Drunk instructed by Melissa Moore

Sixth Place: Taylor Deer, Charleston, WV aboard Tanbark Heiress instructed by Stephanie Lilly

Seventh Place: Kathryn Evans, Concord, NH aboard CH EQ All About Charm instructed by Jim Lowry

By Kathleen Landwehr

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

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