|
Articles: Press Release
Three Way Ride-Off Decides Medals, U.S. Settles for Silver and Bronze at
the 2007 FEI Reining Masters
Contact:
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8483
Tel: (859) 258-2472
Fax (859) 231-6662
Web site: www.usef.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/29/2007
By Joanie Morris
Oklahoma City, OK - The 2007 FEI World Reining Masters drew riders from
fifteen countries to the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds on November 29, but
two riders from the United States that caught the judges attention -
equally. Not to be outdone by the home team an Austrian rider answered
their challenge with an equally stellar performance. This meant that at
the end of the competition Americans Casey Hinton and Gabe Hutchins were
tied with Rudi Kronsteiner for first place on a score of 221. Under FEI
rules this situation warrants a ride off.
The first American was the second rider in the ring and Casey Hinton,
from Whitesboro, TX, got the crowd going with Mr. Boomerjac. The
palomino stallion was rock solid and put in a stellar performance to set
the standard. Their ride was highlighted by excellent spins, good lead
changes and impressive downwards transitions after speedy circles.
The 13-year-old Quarter Horse, owned by Robert LaPorta and George
Easterday was lightly competed this year but didn't look rusty. Added
to that it was the first competition in which Hinton had ridden.
"I've always had a lot of respect for him as a horse," said Hinton. "But
being around him - personality-wise, he is just awesome. He's a special
horse and he darn sure gave everything he had tonight."
The second American combination answered the challenge set down by their
teammate. From Orland Park, IL., Gabe Hutchins and Juiced Up Doc,
winners of the USEF/Adequan Open Reining Championships in June,
continued to impress in their first year at FEI competition. In an
aggressive ride Hutchins went for a big score and was rewarded with a
score equal to Hinton's.
With a huge loop in the reins, Hutchins had total confidence in Smart
Like Juice Inc.'s 7-year-old Juiced Up Doc. The pair had excellent spins
and an impressive final slide to highlight a very professional effort.
Then the Austrian Kronsteiner walked into the ring on Smart Spook. The
very seasoned stallion, produced by American rider Shawn Flarida, looked
like he owned the main arena at the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds, his
ride was highlighted by the best rollbacks of the night.
This unique situation meant that no matter where they finished in the
order, the tie had to be broken, so all three combinations returned to
the ring to decide the medals.
In the same order and riding the same pattern, Hinton led off the trio
with a more tenacious effort on Mr Boomerjac. The classy stallion didn't
seem to mind that it was almost 10 p.m. when he came back into the ring
for the second time. He bested his first score by one point, wrapping up
his evening on a 222. Then Hinton watched his teammate.
"I thought he was better the second time," said Hutchins. "I think I
under rode him a little bit the first time. There was nothing to lose
and everything to gain."
Hutchins, 27 and never one to ride passively with a high score on the
board, put in another impressive performance on Juiced Up Doc. Gold
slipped through Hutchins' hands during his second spin but he didn't let
up with impressive lead changes and slides. A score of 211.5 meant that
his medal would be silver or bronze.
"It was fun," Hutchins said of the ride off. "I used up everything I had
in the first ride. He tried hard. We've had a great year together."
Smart Spook ambled back into the ring to an Austrian yodel call and
Kronsteiner orchestrated another excellent effort from Rosanne
Sternberg's stallion. Dynamite transitions and slides were marred only
by finishing short on both spins. The Americans were denied Gold when
the performance garnered a score of 227.
"I knew he was special when I saw him as a 2-year-old," said Kronsteiner
after a performance that pushed Smart Spook's earnings to $306,000 which
makes him reining's all-time leading money earner.
ENDS
For more information please contact the USEF's Director of Reining,
Courtney Barnett at cbarnett@usef.org.
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation(r) is to provide
leadership for
equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the
pursuit of
excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games. This is based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of horses.
Embracing
this vision, the USEF strives to be the best national equestrian
federation in the world.
|