Articles: Press Release
Matthew Mettel: Perfection at the 2009 Platinum Performance/USEF Show
Jumping Talent Search Finals - East
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
October 5, 2009
By Amy Serridge
Gladstone, NJ - It was a picture perfect ending to a picture perfect weekend
for the 2009 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals
East in Gladstone, NJ. Matthew Mettel, riding Pioneer (owned by Heritage
Farm) captured the prestigious win at the Finals East.
This year the Finals East had a record number of entries with 97 riders
completing all three Phases. The weekend began with a Warm-up class on
Friday, followed by a reception hosted by the USET Foundation held in the
famous USET Headquarters Rotunda (the main barn turned 98 years old this
year). The competition got underway on Saturday morning with the Phase I
Flat.
After the Flat Phase, only 1 point separated the top five riders, with
Maggie McAlary in the lead with a score of 95. The second Phase - Gymnastics
proved to be a test of the riders ability to negotiate 2 sets of cavalettis,
a bounce to a tricky trot fence and finishing up the course on a counter
lead to a large oxer. Mettel and Jessica Springsteen were tied after the
Gymnastics Phase each with a score of 234.
The third Phase - Jumping was filled with excitement as riders negotiated
the course which included a large open water jump and a triple combination
set strategically by the judges which asked the riders to demonstrate
lengthening and shortening of stride. The top four riders who earned their
spot into the Final Four Ride-off were Mettel, Springsteen, McAlary and
Elizabeth Lubrano.
Phase IV began with the playing of the National Anthem which echoed
throughout the historic site, where numerous US Equestrian Team Olympians,
including judge Joe Fargis, trained for many years. With a clean slate for
each of the riders, who all began with a score of zero, action got underway
as each rider rode their horse over the shortened course and then each of
the other competitors mount in turn over the same course.
After many near-perfect rounds, and the tally of the judges scores a winner
had been decided. Matthew Mettel, trained by Andre Dignelli, was
victorious. Finishing second was Jessica Springsteen, third was Maggie
McAlary and fourth was Elizabeth Lubrano.
The awards table glistened as the autumn sunlight hit the collection of
trophies ready to be given out. During the awards ceremony many presenters
were in attendance including last years Finals - East winner Sophie
Benjamin, Sarah Willeman, Dr. Armand Leone, Chairman of the USEF High
Performance Working Group & Chairman of the Board for the USET Foundation,
and Platinum Performance representative Olivia Zublin. Sarah Willeman
presented the Grappa Trophy for Best Horse, a prestigious honor bestowed by
the judges after the ride-off to Matthew Mettels mount Pioneer (owned by
Heritage Farm).
Ribbons blew in the breeze as the top ten riders cantered around the ring on
their victory gallop; it was a picture perfect ending to the 2009 Platinum
Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East.
1. Matthew Mettel, Falmouth, MA
2. Jessica Springsteen, Colts Neck, NJ
3. Maggie McAlary, Amhurst, NH
4. Elizabeth Lubrano, Glenmoore, PA
5. Samantha Ramsay, West Palm Beach, FL
6. Jennifer Waxman, Chagrin Falls, OH
7. Jacqueline Lubrano, Glenmoore, PA
8. Christy DiStefano, Ramsey, NJ
9. Shelby Wakeman, West Lake Village, CA
10. Samantha Smith, Wakefield, RI
ENDS
For more information, please contact Amy Serridge at aserridge@usef.org.
For final results and more information, please visit:
http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alljumping/sjTalentSearch.aspx
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation 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.
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