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
November 20, 2007

By Carrie Mortensen

Lexington, KY - Brittany McGinnis of Fishers, IN, riding American Saddlebred Amandari, was crowned champion of the 2007 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Medal Final, held November 17, as part of the United Professional Horsemen's Association American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kansas City, MO.

McGinnis topped the class of 24 entries in the two-phase competition that required both rail work and patterns in both rounds. Her win in the Medal Final was the third and final leg of her successful triple crown achievement, having won the Good Hands class at the Pennsylvania National earlier this year and the UPHA Challenge Cup just a couple of days prior to the Medal. She is instructed by Lillian Shively of Rockport, IN. As champion, McGinnis will have her name engraved on the Adrian Van Sinderen Trophy and Helen K. Crabtree Perpetual Bronze. In addition to these awards, she also received a set of handcrafted travel bags made exclusively by Freedman Harness of Ontario.

The reserve championship was awarded to Emily Abbott of Whitestown, IN, riding American Saddlebred All About Charm. Abbott is instructed by her mother, Katherine Conflenti, and trainer Mike McIntosh, also of Whitestown, IN. Both the champion and the reserve champion received the traditional medals and beautiful rose bundles, while their mounts were awarded with coolers and halters. All exhibitors were honored at the annual USEF brunch held immediately following the preliminary round and received commemorative gift bags.

Judges for this year's final included Betsy Boone of Concord, NC; Steve Crabtree of Elizabethtown, KY; and Renee Lavery of Sharon Center, OH.

Results of the 2007 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final are as follows:

Champion: Brittany McGinnis of Fishers, IN, instructed by Lillian Shively

Reserve Champion: Emily Abbott of Whitestown, IN, instructed by Katherine Conflenti and Mike McIntosh

Third: Ellen Medley Wright of Owensboro, KY, instructed by Lillian Shively

Fourth: Ali Judah of Louisville, KY, instructed by Rob and Sarah Byers

Fifth: Jacqueline Beck of Aliso Viejo, CA, instructed by Bonnie Zubrod and Cindy Boel

Sixth: Sarah Jane Smith of Cincinnati, OH, instructed by Erin Boggs Richey

Seventh: Lindsay Haupt of Crestwood, KY, instructed by Bonnie Zubrod and Cindy Boel

Eighth: Jessica Moctezuma of Blairstown, NJ, instructed by Nealia McCracken

Ninth: Eleanor Watkins of Louisville, KY, instructed by Bonnie Zubrod and Cindy Boel

Tenth: Taylor Newton of Lizton, IN, instructed by Shelley Fisher

For more information, please contact Carrie Mortensen, Breeds & Western Disciplines Director, at (859) 225-6986 or via e-mail at cmortensen@usef.org.

ENDS

ONE WITH THE HORSE.

The vision of 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.