Kansas City, MO – In an extremely competitive USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final at the United Professional Horsemen’s Association (UPHA) American Royal National Championship, Hunter Chancellor (Evansville, IN) demonstrated precise equitation skills in her rail and pattern work on Steven Chancellor’s Imagine My Surprise to take the Championship title. After earning Reserve Champion honors in 2011, Chancellor received the Gold medal from the judging panel comprised of Michael Craghead (Fresno, CA), Marilyn Mac Farlane (Simpsonville, KY), and Nancy Troutman (Salem, VA).
For taking top honors, Chancellor’s name will be engraved on the Adrian Van Sinderen Trophy and the Helen K. Crabtree Perpetual Bronze. She also received a USEF custom leather travel bag, USEF medal, rose bundle, Triple Crown Custom/Horseware Ireland cooler, and an engraved stable halter for her mount.
Abigail Mutrux (St. Louis, MO) received the Reserve Champion title aboard Lemon Shake Up WRF owned by the Marjorie Phelps Trust. Mutrux put forth a strong performance for the USEF Silver medal, a rose bundle, Triple Crown Custom/Horseware Ireland coolers, and an engraved stable halter for her mount.
The Bronze medal was awarded to Courtney McGinnis (Fishers, IN) riding CHEQ Kiss of the Zodiac owned by Fish Creek Stables LLC.
All of the top three riders train with Lillian Shively, and both Chancellor and Mutrux are members of the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup team heading to Parys, South Africa next month.
The youngest rider in the final, 12-year-old Maisie Benfield of Louisville, KY, was presented with a Breyer model horse donated by Breyer Animal Creations.
The USEF thanks those who graciously contributed to this year’s USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final: Platinum Level – Elisabeth M. Goth; Silver Level – Jacqueline and Melissa Beck, the McGinnis Family; Bronze Level – Mary Anne O’Callaghan Cronan, Sarah and Alexandra Lawson, Catherine Schuessler McNeese, James and Margaret Williams; Friends of the Medal Final – Betty Cox, Carol Reams, Erin Swope Votaw.
Champion: Hunter Chancellor, Evansville, IN, aboard Imagine My Surprise, instructed by Lillian Shively
Reserve Champion: Abigail Mutrux, St. Louis, MO, aboard Lemon Shake Up WRF, instructed by Lillian Shively
3. Courtney McGinnis, Fishers, IN, aboard CHEQ Kiss of the Zodiac, instructed by Lillian Shively
4. Emily Chapman, Tuscon, AZ, aboard My One Night Stand, instructed by Zubrod Stables
5. Taylor Walters, San Diego, CA, aboard CHEQ Coco Mojo, instructed by Lillian Shively
6. Allison Schuh, Seymour, WI, aboard CHThundersnow, instructed by Scott & Carol Matton
7. Macey Miles, Rockport, IN, aboard Final Act, instructed by Lillian Shively
8. Alexandra Friedrich, Oconomowoc, WI, aboard Autumn’s Rainmaker, instructed by Scott & Carol Matton
9. Juliette Dell, Austin, TX, aboard Reedann’s Rare Mystery, instructed by Lillian Shively
10. Kailin Baechle, Rexford, NY, aboard Harley Rally, instructed by Gary Garone
By Kathleen Landwehr
For more information regarding the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final, contact Jennifer Mellenkamp, Director, National Breed/Discipline Affiliates and Youth Programs at jmellenkamp@usef.org or (859) 225-6955.