Lauren Van Eldik, 18, of Ocala, FL, defeated a field of 233 of the nation's top junior riders to win the 2003 USAE/Pessoa National Hunter Seat Medal Final held Sunday, October 12, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA.

Joe Fargis of Middleburg, VA, and Carol Thompson of Colts Neck, NJ, adjudicated the three rounds of competition judged on equitation and the rider's ability to ride their horses with control, competency and compatibility.

The USAE/Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal Equitation Medal is a coveted USA Equestrian prize and proves to be a significant stepping-stone for international competitions as 30% of past winners have gone on to represent the U.S. internationally. This year over a thousand Hunter Seat Equitation Medal qualifying classes were held at USA Equestrian recognized competitions throughout the country, resulting in approximately 400 young riders qualifying for this event.

Lauren Van Eldik adds her name to the Adrian Van Sinderen Memorial Trophy, joining famous winners from the past including Victor Hugo-Vidal, George Morris and Katie Monahan-Prudent. This year's winner received a Triple Crown Custom cooler, a Pessoa saddle, a Mountain Horse Classic Rider jacket and a custom pair of boots from Der-Dau.

1. Lauren Van Eldik, Ocala, FL
2. Josephine Nash, North Salem, NY
3. Lexy Reed, Beaver Falls, PA
4. Ruth Drumm, Lenox Dale, MA
5. Addison Phillips, New York, MY
6. Blythe Marano, Bedminster, NJ
7. Courtney McKay, Ocala, FL
8. Maria Schaub, Holmdel, NJ
9. Whitney Weeks, Southport, CT
10. Charlie Jayne, Elgin, IL
11. Brianne Goutal, New York, NY

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/ .