Lexington, KY – Kristen Smith of Smithfield, KY rode Stephens College’s Who Needs Mama through heavy downpours to the championship win in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final, under the tutelage of Zubrod Stables. The Final took place Friday the 13th as part of the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show at the historic Red Mile Race Track in Lexington, KY.
“It was very wet, but definitely worth it in the end,” said Smith, a member of 2012 U. S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team heading to Parys, South Africa in December. She added, “It was really important to me to do well in the class. I felt very rewarded after the hard work I put in to receive such a high honor.”
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. The judging panel was Lisa Waller from Heiskell, Tennessee, Bill Waller from Heiskell, Tennessee, and Paul Boone from Concord, North Carolina.
Smith not only took home the Champion title, she received a beautiful cast resin sculpture created by noted artist Patricia Crane, a Freedman Harness handcrafted leather bag, the traditional USEF Gold medal, and a bouquet of roses. She also received a Championship cooler and an engraved leather halter for her mount.
The Reserve Champion in the Final was Katie Moeller riding Virtual Volcano. Her Reserve Champion prizes included a Silver medal, bouquet of roses, cooler, and engraved leather halter. The Bronze medal was presented to Taylor Deer riding Tanbark Heiress.
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. Since its inception, the event has been held at the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show.
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.
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 2012 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final:
- Champion: Kristin Smith, Smithfield, KY aboard Who Needs Mama instructed by Zubrod Stables
- Reserve Champion: Katie Moeller, Chesterfield, MO aboard Virtual Volcano instructed by Max Ciampoli
- Bronze Medal: Taylor Deer, Charleston, WV aboard Tanbark Heiress instructed by Stephanie Lilly
- Fourth Place: Ashley Baird, Hinsdale, IL aboard CF Night at the Castle instructed by Scott and Carol Matton
- Fifth Place: Alexis Pearson, Salisbury, MA aboard Tommy Bahama instructed by Tammy Devore
- Sixth Place: Dr. Morgan Wolin, Chicago, IL aboard Rythmn Latte’ instructed by Stan Bodnar
- Seventh Place: Sally McEwen, Birmingham, AL aboard Trussardi instructed by Jennifer Alvis-Fernamburg
- Eighth Place: Jennifer McGowan, Cross Lanes,WV aboard Heir Brained Scheme instructed by Zubrod Stables
- Ninth Place: Katie Bartlett-Pagan, Owensboro, KY aboard Bartlett’s Retail Therapy instructed by Chuck Herbert
- Tenth Place: Dana Dave, New York, NY aboard The Martini Shot instructed by Jessica Verrill
For more information about the Medal Final, contact Jennifer Mellenkamp, USEF Director, National Affiliates at jmellenkamp@usef.org or (859) 225-6955.