Tag Archives: Saddle Seat World Cup

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

USEF

US Saddle Seat World Cup Trial Participants Announced

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Lexington, Ky. – The nation’s top saddle seat riders will compete at William Woods University in Fulton, Mo. on December 5 in hopes of earning a spot on the 2016 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team. The Saddle Seat World Cup consists of six team members selected for both the three-gaited and five-gaited sections of rail and pattern work. Athletes selected will represent the United States in July 2016 during the International Saddle Seat World Cup competition held in South Africa.

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 five nations now compete for the coveted World Cup titles.

Nearly 80 applications were received from 27 states, all vying for a chance to compete in the Trials. These riders represent some of the United States’ most experienced and talented saddle seat riders. Similar to what they will experience in the competition, the finalists below 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 donated to William Woods University that may be any breed or crossbreed suited for and trained in the saddle seat discipline.

The riders that were selected for the Trials are as follows:

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.
Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes – Oklahoma City, Okla.
Ashley Stewart – Pfafftown, N.C.
Catherine Wheeler – Keswick, Va.
Rose Marie Wheeler – Anchorage, Ky.
Jade Woods – Altoona, Iowa

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

The U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team is supported by grants from USA Equestrian Trust and the United Professional Horsemen’s Association. The USEF is pleased to partner with ModJods to provide practice jods to members of the 2016 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team.

For additional information or questions regarding the Saddle Seat World Cup, please contact Lori Nelson, 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

USEF

Courtney Ball Wins Saddle Seat World Cup Video Contest Grand Prize

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Lexington, Ky. – For the past few weeks, votes have been cast at www.USEFNetwork.com for ten Saddle Seat World Cup Video Contest finalists. The votes, cast by the general public, have now been tallied and Courtney Ball of Scottsdale, Ariz. has won the Grand Prize.

The contest began with more than 40 videos submitted by saddle seat riders from all across the United States. The videos had to be less than one minute long and answer the question: “What would it mean to you to be on a Saddle Seat World Cup team?” From those first submissions, a panel of judges selected ten of the videos as finalists and let the public determine the winner.

Ball’s answer to the question proved to be the favorite among the voters. Sentiments like, “World Cup means you don’t need a top horse to compete with the best around the world. In the end, it is your skill that prevails,” and, “Every time you put your foot in the stirrup you have the chance to learn something new,” were resonant and have earned Ball a saddle from Freedman’s Harness and Saddlery as a Grand Prize. Ball will also be recognized at the 2014 Saddle Seat World Cup held July 22-25, 2014, in Asheville, N.C.

Earning the second-place prize was the video made by Karsan Taylor from Kensington, N.H. Karsan will receive a Kensington Canvas and Leather Collection roller and overnight bag for her effort.

“To me the World Cup is not only a prestigious team, it is a chance for the Saddle Seat riders to show our true talent and discipline,” says Taylor in the video.

Shaunicy Sturm of Las Vegas, Nev. finished third and will receive a Freedman’s Harness and Saddlery belt, along with a Saddle Seat World Cup jacket and polo as prizes.

Sturm won over voters with feelings like, “Riding had always been a team sport for me. It would mean more than the world to me to be part of just one more team – the World Cup team.”

Learn more about the 2014 Saddle Seat World Cup at www.usasaddleseatworldcup.org.

Competitions, USEF

USEF Announces Judges for 2014 Saddle Seat World Cup

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the officials selected to judge the 2014 Saddle Seat World Cup competition. Medal-winning countries from the 2012 Saddle Seat World Cup competition each put forward a judge to officiate this prestigious competition in 2014. The judges are David Brent from Canada, Hugo Visser from South Africa, and Michael Craghead from the United States.

David Brent has been an Equine Canada (EC) judge since 1977. He holds Senior Judges’ cards in Welsh, Saddle Seat Equitation, American Saddlebred, Fine Harness, Arabian, Hackney, Morgan, Shetland, Road Horse, and Pleasure Pony. He was the Canadian judge for the 2004, 2006, and 2008 Saddle Seat Equitation World Cups in Kentucky and South Africa and judged at the Canadian World Cup Trials in 2010 and 2012.

Brent has owned and trained American Saddlebred, Morgan, and Hackney horses since the early 1960s. He worked with George Henderson, Marty Muller, and Merrill Murray in the late 1960’s before deciding to become a teacher. Brent retired in 2002, and since then has had more time to devote to his passion for judging.

Hugo Visser, from Porterville, Western Cape, South Africa, is a Saddle Horse breeder and Amateur Owner trainer. With 54 years of horse experience and 31 years as a licensed judge, Visser brings a wealth of knowledge to this event. He has judged five World Cup Competitions, three of which were hosted in Kentucky and South Africa in consecutive World Cup years during 2006-2010.

Over the years, Visser has fashioned an impressive resume, having judged 14 National Championships, and numerous International Competitions alongside his World Cup involvement. In addition to his judging experience, his successfully established breeding program has produced multiple National Champions.

Michael Craghead is from Fresno, Calif., and has held a Saddle Seat Equitation “R” license since 2000. Currently he operates a public training stable in Fresno where he specializes in training American Saddlebreds for amateur and junior exhibitors. His horses and riders have enjoyed great success up and down the West Coast as well as at the World’s Championship level.

Craghead has judged some of the most prestigious horse shows in America including the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show, the Morgan Grand National and World Championship, and the IFSHA Friesian World and Grand National Championship. He also serves on the USEF Saddle Seat Equitation Rules Committee, the UPHA Saddle Seat Equitation Committee, and has twice been named the United Professional Horseman’s Association Chapter One Horseman of the Year.

For more information about the 2014 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 Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates, by phone at (859) 225-6957 or via email at lnelson@usef.org.

USEF

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

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The 2014 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team.

Fulton, Mo. – After impressive showings at the Saddle Seat World Cup Team Trials, 12 riders were chosen to represent the United States at the 2014 Saddle Seat World Cup. Thirty-two aspiring athletes, twenty in three-gaited competition and twelve in five-gaited, from twenty-six states tried out at William Woods University on Saturday. They rode two phases in a chilly but snow and ice free atmosphere. Each phase consisted of one rail ride and one pattern ride on unfamiliar horses. After the trials were complete, five riders and one alternate for each section were selected to the 2014 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team in both three-gaited and five-gaited. The riders on 2014 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team are:

Three-Gaited

Aleia Brown/15/Dayton, Ohio
Quinn Mercier/19/Auburn, N.H.
Macey Miles/14/Rockport, Ind.
Kristen Smith/20/Crestwood, Ky.
Nadine Von Zomeran/18/Leighton, Iowa
Brooke Boyer/17/Johnston, Iowa (alternate)

Five-Gaited

Maise Benfield/13/Louisville, Ky.
McGee Bosworth/16/Greenville, S.C.
Emily Gutenkunst/18/Pewaukee, Wis.
William Nalty/15/Metairie, La.
Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes/15/Oklahoma City, Okla.
Sydney Shaw/16/Scottsdal, Az. (alternate)

These riders will represent the United States in July 2014 during the International Saddle Seat World Cup competition in Asheville, N.C.

The selection trails were judged by a four judge panel of Donna Pettry-Smith, Gary Garone, Richard Wright, and Cindy Mugnier. 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 Stephens College, Glendale Stables, and Fairview Farm. 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 five 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 2014. 6D Ranch provided support for the Trials. Contribution opportunities are still available for the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup. If you are interested in supporting the team’s efforts, go to https://www.usef.org/documents/SaddleSeat_WorldCup_Donation_Brochure.pdf.

For more information about the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team and the 2014 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 Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates, by phone at (859) 225-6957 or via email at lnelson@usef.org.

USEF

Saddle Seat World Cup Trials Applications Are Due September 3rd

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Lexington, KY – Anyone interested in being on the 2014 US Saddle Seat World Cup Team has until Tuesday to take the first step. The United States Equestrian Federation is looking for 12 riders (five team members and one alternate for both the three- and five-gaited sections) to represent the United States in the prestigious international saddle seat equitation competition, and selection trials for the team will be held at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri on December 7, 2013. Interested riders need to apply to be invited to the selection trials, and the deadline for submitting applications is September 3, 2013 (this coming Tuesday).

There will be no automatic bids for the 2014 trials.

Riders may submit an application online by following the steps below:

  1. Visit https://www.usef.org/_AUAIFrames/Login/Default.aspx
  2. Log in with the ID and password you use to renew your membership
  3. Click on the blue box in the upper left corner for “USEF Customer Account”
  4. Scroll down to Disciplines
  5. Select the link for Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup Application
  6. Complete all areas
  7. You may submit your application and upload your signed documents and video with ease through this link

All riders submitting an application must provide*:

  1. Competed application
  2. Application fee
  3. Riding video
  4. Signed copies of the USEF Code of Conduct
  5. Release, Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Indemnification

*Reference letters are not required.

Completed application packets and fees must be received electronically, by fax, or mail on or before September 3, 2013. USEF cannot make any exceptions to this deadline, as each application packet must be available to the Selectors for review shortly afterward.

The International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup is a bi-annual competition with teams from as many as five countries competing for the coveted three- and five-gaited World Cup titles. The event features amateur athletes 14 years of age and older who compete for individual scores which ultimately accumulate toward a total team score. The athletes riding skills are truly tested by having to compete on unfamiliar horses. The competition was created to further growth and visibility of the saddle seat discipline on national and international levels. The Saddle Seat World Cup will be hosted by the United States in July of 2014 at the Blue Ridge Horse Show in Asheville, North Carolina.

If you have any questions, please contact any of the following USEF National Affiliates Staff Members:

Lori Nelson lnelson@usef.org/859-225-6957
Terra Schroeder tschroeder@usef.org/859-225-6952
Jennifer Mellenkamp jmellenkamp@usef.org/859-225-6955

Sincerely,
The United States Equestrian Federation

Selection procedures for the US Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup Team: http://usef.org/documents/disciplines/SSE/Selectioncriteriafor2014team.pdf.

Application packet: http://usef.org/documents/disciplines/SSE/WorldCupApplicationAndAttachment.pdf.

Tips for applicants: http://usef.org/documents/disciplines/SSE/SSWCTipsForApplicants.pdf.

 

More/Other, USEF

Applications Now Being Accepted for 2014 U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup Team Selection Trials

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Lexington, KY – Applications are now being accepted for consideration to participate in the 2014 U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup Team Selection Trials.

The trials will be held at William Woods University in Fulton, MO, on December 7, 2013, with the team being announced that evening.

The Saddle Seat World Cup is a bi-annual international competition that includes both three- and five-gaited sections. Teams from as many as five nations now compete for the coveted World Cup titles. The 2014 Saddle Seat World Cup Competition is scheduled to take place in Asheville, NC in July 2014.

Online applications and materials may be submitted by USEF Members through the My USEF Account at https://www.usef.org/_AUAIFrames/Login/Default.aspx. To submit an application, follow these steps:

– Click on the link for “My USEF Customer Account”

– Scroll down to the section for Disciplines and click on the link for “Saddle Seat World Cup Applications”

Applications are due to the USEF by September 3, 2013.

The 2014 World Cup Team efforts are proudly supported by United Professional Horseman’s Association (UPHA). To learn more about contributing to and supporting the 2014 Team efforts, contact Lori Nelson, USEF Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates, at lnelson@usef.org.

Competitions, Events, JRPR, More/Other

US Claims Both Gold Medals at Saddle Seat World Cup

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The U.S. Five-Gaited Section Gold medalists (R. Millin)

Parys, South Africa – On Saturday, December 8, the Saddle Seat World Cup sponsored by Impondo Mining and Live 2 Learn concluded with second round performances from the Three-Gaited sections of the Saddle Seat World Cup teams. After a stellar presentation of rail work, the U.S. Three-Gaited team set the stage for leading pattern work scores in both groups. With strong performances all week, hopes were high that both the U.S. Three- and Five-Gaited sections would bring home the Gold medals.

The official results were announced at the Closing Ceremonies that evening, and since the rail work scores had not been posted, there was much anticipation of who would claim the Saddle Seat World Cup titles. The U.S. riders claimed the Gold medal in the Five-Gaited section, solidifying all of the hard work and support the riders had received over the past year. Coached by Sandra Currier (Belville, TX) and Brent Jacobs (Georgetown, KY), Hunter Chancellor (Evansville, IN), Angela Darrow (Hartland, WI), Drew Taylor Hewitt (Bermuda Run, NC), Ali Judah (Louisville, KY), and team captain Nick Maupin (Sussex, WI) took the podium to receive their Gold medals and the Five-Gaited World Cup trophy, sponsored by Saddle & Bridle magazine. The Republic of South Africa was awarded the Silver medal and Canada received the Bronze, while the teams from Germany and Sweden, in its first appearance at the World Cup since the 1990s, received honorary awards for their participation in the event.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, More/Other, USEF

US Riders Ready to Compete at Saddle Seat World Cup

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The U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup team in South Africa (R. Millin)

Parys, South Africa – Ten riders and four coaches will represent the U.S. at the Saddle Seat World Cup in Parys, South Africa on December 5-8. The team, made up of two sections, Three-Gaited and Five-Gaited, will compete against four other countries as they vie for top honors in saddle seat equitation.

The Three-Gaited section is made up of team members Brooke Boyer (Johnston, IA), Emily Chapman (Tucson, AZ), Brooke Jacobs (Georgetown, KY), Alexandra Lawson (North Salem, IN), and team captain Abigail Muturx (St. Louis, MO). Jacobs is a five-time member of the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup team and was the 2011 UPHA Adult Challenge Cup Grand Champion. Mutrux, the 2012 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final Reserve Champion, was a member of the 2010 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Three-Gaited section. Lawson was the 2011 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final Champion while Boyer and Chapman have had several top ten placings at major competitions. The traveling alternate for the Three-Gaited section, Kristen Smith (Crestwood, KY), was the 2012 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final Champion. This experienced group is coached by Kristen Cater (Dunbarton, NH) and Cindy Mugnier (Belchertown, MA).

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Breeds, Competitions, Events, USEF

Coaches Named for the 2012 US Saddle Seat World Cup Team

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Lexington, KY – Accomplished trainers from the Saddlebred, Morgan and Arabian breeds have been selected as coaches for the 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team. The event will take place in Parys, South Africa, in December of 2012.

The 2012 USA Saddle Seat Team Coaches are Cindy Mugnier, Sandra Currier, Kristen Cater, and Brent Jacobs.

Cindy Mugnier owns and operates a training stable at Fox Meadow Farm in Massachusetts; she also is a USEF judge and current committee member of USEF Morgan, Saddle Seat Equitation and Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup Committees. Mugnier has served on previous World Cup selection committees and has trained many state, regional, national, and world championship riders. Mugnier is the recipient of the 2007 AMHA Cecil Brown Sportsmanship Award, Massachusetts Morgan Horse Association Woman of the Year, UPHA Chapter 14 Horseperson of the Year, and UPHA Chapter 14 Hall of Fame.

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