Michael Morrissey, 17, of Bradenton, Florida, and his mount Gera 28 (Holsteiner: Calando I De x Larsa), were victorious in the 2002 BET/USA Individual National Junior Jumper Championships at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. The Individual Champion was named after completion of three phases held October 10th through 12th.

Morrissey and Gera 28 finished ahead of 16-year-old Randy Sherman of Pasadena, CA, and his mount Caldero (Thoroughbred). Andrew Ramsay, 17, of Oakland, CA, and his mount Lisa (Dutch Warmblood), finished in third.

The BET/USA Prix de States Team Championship title was decided on October 12 with Zone 4 (AL, FL, GA, MS, SC, TN) taking the top spot. The winning team was made up of Michael Morrissey of Bradenton, FL, riding Gera 28, Jennifer Urioste of Wellington, FL, riding Casanova (Unknown), Erin Stewart of Ocala, FL, riding Karat (American Sport Horse: Artos x Riviera Z) and Derek Braun of Ocala, FL, riding Mandella (Unknown).

Second place in this USA Junior Olympic - Equestrian Event went to the Zone 2 (NY, PA, NJ) team made up of Danielle Goldstein of New York, NY, riding Hendrix (Unknown), Kristy McCormack riding Marga (Dutch Warmblood: Hemmingway x Herrina), Meghan Moran of Malvern, PA, riding Z Max (Dutch Warmblood) and Krista Freundlich of Locust, NJ, riding Laurin (Belgin Warmblood).

The Zone 10 (CA, NV) team, made up of Randy Sherman of Pasadena, CA, riding Caldero (Thoroughbred), Jamie Taylor of Tarzana, CA, riding Elmo, Shelby Walter of Beverly Hills, CA, riding Xstatic (Hanoverian) and Andrew Ramsay of Oakland, CA, riding Lisa (Dutch Warmblood), finished in third.

The BET/USA National Junior Jumper Championships is considered a USA Junior Olympic - Equestrian Event and, as such, the top three teams received Gold, Silver and Bronze Junior Olympic medals. The name of the winning team is inscribed on the Frances Newbill Rowe Memorial Trophy, named in honor of the top jumper trainer of the 1960's and 1970's. Winning team riders winner were awarded keeper trophies and both the team and the individual winner received Triple Crown Custom awards blankets.

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.

VISION STATEMENT
The vision of USA Equestrian is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America, promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grass roots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its horses, and embracing this vision, to be the best national equestrian federation in the world.