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 26, 2008

By Stacey Meier

Lexington, KY - Jacqueline Beck riding her American Saddlebred Kiss of the Zodiac bested 19 other riders to win the 2008 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Medal Final. The championship was held November 22 as part of the United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kansas City, MO.

The class was filled with top riders from across the country and included a challenging two-phase competition that required both rail work and patterns in both rounds. Beck's Medal Final win was just one of her many accomplishments this year in the show ring. Last month, Beck took top honors at the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show winning the AMHA Saddle Seat Gold Medal Finals along with the UPHA Morgan Challenge Cup Final. Beck is instructed by Bonnie Zubrod, Cindy Boel and Anne Speck.

As champion, Beck 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 Belle Owen, of Paducah, KY, riding her American Saddlebred Chanti's Prayer. Owen is instructed by Lillian Shively. Owen also won the Youngest Rider Award, which was donated by Breyer Animal Creations(r).

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 Anne Judd of Dade City, FL; Liz McBride-Jones of Raeford, NC; and Jimmy Robertson of Simpsonville, KY.

Results of the 2008 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final are as follows:

Champion: Jacqueline Beck of Aliso Viejo, CA, instructed by Bonnie Zubrod, Cindy Boel and Anne Speck

Reserve Champion: Belle Owen of Paducah, KY, instructed by Lillian Shively.

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

Fourth: Faye Wuesthofen of Verona, WI, instructed by Lilly Shively

Fifth: Sarah Jane Smith of Cincinnati, OH, instructed by Reese Richey

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

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

Eighth: Callie Smith of Paducah, KY, instructed by Lillian Shively

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

Tenth: Deanna Lanigan of Waukesha, WI, instructed by Scott and Carol Matton

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

ENDS

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, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its human and equine athletes.