Farnam Adult Medal and Best Adult Rider Winners Crowned at the 2011 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals

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© ESI Photography. Elysse Ruschmeyer of South Glastonbury, Connecticut rode her own Arktis to the blue in Saturday's Farnam Adult Medal

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 20, 2011) – Just as Marshall & Sterling League action reached its peak at the National Finals, riders entered the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium on Saturday to compete for the popular Farnam Adult Medal.

Elysse Ruschmeyer of South Glastonbury, Connecticut aboard her own Arktis was crowned the winner of the Farnam Adult Medal. She topped a field of 41 riders who competed all year in hopes of qualifying for the finals. Ruschmeyer also rode to a top-five finish in the Hudson Adult Equitation Classic.

Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida designed the course for the class and after showing over his first round track, 12 riders returned for a second round.

Ruschmeyer, trained by Armand Chenelle, earned a high-score of 82 in the first round and came back in the second round to impress the judges again, earning a score of 86 to propel her to the victory.

Chenelle had great success at the Marshall & Sterling League National Finals as he scored back-to-back wins on Saturday. He also coached daughter Rebekah Chenelle and Rosario to a victory in the National PHA Medal Final.

Following Ruschmeyer was Kiva Iscol of Pound Ridge, New York aboard Halifax Farm’s Tristan Van’t Hof, who earned second place honors under the direction of Mechael Henaghan. Miranda Scarpone of Kinnelon, New Jersey, trained by Robert Beck, finished in third aboard Beck’s Temptation.

“The [Farnam] Adult Medal and equitation classes are extremely popular here and at Marshall & Sterling Horse Shows during the year,” said Beck of High Bridge, New Jersey. “My riders work hard to get here and the quality of this facility – the ring, the courses, jumps and how exceptionally nice they’ve been decorated this week – makes it well worth it.”

Rounding out the top five was Bonnie Mccabe and Olivia Trueb’s Lolita in fourth and Miranda Lekacos and her own Hudson in fifth.

Farnam signed on as title sponsor of the Marshall & Sterling League’s Adult Medal competition this year and was proud to have also sponsored the Farnam Best Adult Rider award at the National Finals. HITS’ Official Fly Control Product, Farnam is a leader in horse health care and grooming products and provides innovative solutions that make life better for horses, including their wide selection of fly control solutions for every fly control need. Visit FarnamHorse.com to learn more about Farnam and their products.

Farnam also presented a Best Adult Rider Award, which was awarded after the medal final to Julia Kusnick of Brooklyn, New York. Kusnick showed in the Marshall & Sterling League National Finals aboard her own This Ocala and the pair posted three top-ten finishes in the Adult Working Hunter division.

The Marshall & Sterling League National Finals has celebrated a fantastic week at HITS-on-the-Hudson as exhibitors and their guests enjoyed exciting competition and special events. Sunday marked the final day of competition as horses and ponies were tacked up for the Marshall & Sterling Junior and Children’s Medal Finals as well as Best Junior Rider awards.

“I’ve been a big supporter of the Marshall & Sterling League for many years now and it’s always one of my favorite Finals,” said Beck. “A lot of my customers embrace the Marshall & Sterling League and make it one of their top goals each year.”

For a complete look at this year’s results from the 2011 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals, click here.

About the Marshall & Sterling League
The Marshall & Sterling League was designed to enhance the level of competition for children and adult riders, with an opportunity to qualify for a prestigious National Finals competition. Now celebrating their 21st year, the Marshall & Sterling League features 14 divisions of competition. Riders who are members of the League had the opportunity to earn points throughout the year by competing in Marshall & Sterling classes in order to qualify for the Marshall & Sterling League Finals, held at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

The Marshall & Sterling League is proudly sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc. Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc., founded in 1864, is among the largest privately owned insurance agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century, Marshall & Sterling has protected precious equine assets with unparalleled service and support, whether the family hunter, a champion racehorse or a commercial farm. An employee-owned company, Marshall & Sterling is recognized throughout the nation as a leader in providing exceptional service and support. The company maintains a national presence and is licensed in all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information contact Joe Norick at 800-333-3766, extension 270, 805-338-0099 or JNorick@MarshallSterling.com.

Membership for the 2012 Marshall & Sterling League is $40 and applications are available at all member horse shows, as well as online at the Marshall & Sterling League website. For more information on the Marshall & Sterling League, contact Patti Guerriero, League Coordinator, at Patti@HitsShows.com.

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