Robert Johnston, 17, of Simi Valley, California, captured the 2001 USA Reining Seat Medal Finals presented by EMO Agency, Inc., held February 22-23, 2002, in Burbank, California.

Johnston topped a field of nine competitors to take home the national title aboard his American Quarter Horse, Paul Ivan Olena. Johnston also earned the "My Midnight Special" trophy for High Score Pattern Work and the High Score Equitation trophy, given by Lauren Bailey. This was Johnston's first year in the finals and is trained by Roberta McCarty, of Wildomar, California.

Champion accolades included the Glenn Gimple Memorial Bronze, the Adrian Van Sinderen Trophy, a Champion Turf Saddle, custom buckle and numerous other awards. Sponsors for the Finals included the EMO Agency, Champion Turf Equipment, Ariat Boots, Leather Therapy, State Line Tack, Breyer Model Horse, Mike and Renee Baker, Larry and Poncie Gimple and Bil and Mary Kay Hartman. All finalists also received the prestigious USA Equestrian silver medal.

Youngest Rider
Kayle Bernal Huntington Beach, CA

High Score Amateur
Marilyn Sheffers Riverside, CA

High Score Junior Exhibitor
Robert Johnston Simi Valley, CA

High Score Equitation
Robert Johnston Simi Valley, CA

High Score Pattern Work
Robert Johnston Simi Valley, CA

RESULTS:

Champion Robert Johnston Simi Valley, CA Paul Ivan Olena
Reserve Kelsey Huffman Orange, CA Top Hickory
3rd Tyler Bryson Scottsdale, AZ Jackies Boomer
4th Marilyn Sheffers Riverside, CA Bright Chic Olena
5th Debbie Bartman Alamo, CA Otoe Blazin Cody
6th Kayle Bernal Huntington Beach, CA JB Badgers Phantom
7th Sara Barnes Merced, CA Swift Gallin
8th Kathryn Klesper Rialto, CA Designer Colonel
9th Taylor Thornton Ottawa, IL Boomen Brett

For complete details of the USA Reining Seat Medal Finals, visit http://www.equestrian.org/medal/reiningseat/

USA Equestrian (formally American Horse Shows Association) founded the Equitation Medal program in 1937 under the guidance of its fourth president, Adrian Van Sinderen, to recognize and honor junior riders who displayed outstanding horsemanship skills and talents in Stock, Hunter and Saddle Seat Equitation. The Medal classes give riders from across the United States the opportunity to exhibit a working partnership between themselves and their horse, build courage, determination and the desire to pursue excellence. The new USA Reining Seat Medal is the contemporary version of the AHSA Stock Seat Medal and invites juniors and amateurs to compete to have their name engraved on the coveted Van Sinderen Trophy and the Glenn Gimple bronze. Earning a place in the history books of the USA Medal Finals is a prestigious feat only five riders a year achieve.

For more information, please contact Sarah Holt, Public Relations on (859) 225 6974 or via email at sholt@equestrian.org. USA Equestrian press releases are available on our web site - http://www.equestrian.org/ .

USA Equestrian Inc., as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the Federation has over 80,000 members and recognizes more than 2,800 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.