Kansas City, MO-Kelsey Nicole Smith, 17, of Delafield, Wisconsin, was crowned champion of the 2004 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Medal Finals, held November 20, as part of the UPHA/American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kansas City, Missouri.

Riding Chimere (Chestnut American Saddlebred mare, Periaptor-RHR Fury's Wild Flame), Smith topped the class of 31 entries in the two-phase competition that required both rail work and patterns in both rounds. As champion, Smith will have her name engraved on the Adrian Van Sinderen Trophy and the Helen K. Crabtree Perpetual Bronze. In addition to these awards, she also received a Cliff Barnsby equitation saddle and Gold medal sponsored by the USEF.

Smith was surprised, yet excited about her win. "I was pretty much numb," she said. "I didn't know what was going on. It was definitely surreal. I was just there for fun."

"I love this final," she continued. "It brings the best of the best together to compete at one level. The friendships gained during this experience are great."

She offered up a big thanks to her trainers, Scott and Carol Matton, of Hartland, Wisconsin. "Carol made my horse what she is today with her training. This is only her second year in equitation."

The reserve championship was awarded to Kyle Gagnon, 15, of Livermore Falls, Maine, riding Duplicate Copy, also an American Saddlebred. Both the champion and reserve champion received Triple Crown custom horse coolers, leather halters and rose bundles.

Results are as follows:

Champion: Kelsey Nicole Smith of Delafield, Wisconsin; Instructed by Scott and Carol Matton.

Reserve Champion: Kyle Gagnon of Livermore Falls, Maine; Instructed by Gary and Marsha Garone.

3rd: Tate Bennett of Shelbyville, Kentucky; Instructed by Renee Biggins.

4th: Sarah Taylor of Davison, Michigan; Instructed by Kathy Boggs.

5th: Lisa McClaren of Hinsdale, Illinois; Instructed by Julie Wroble.

6th: Alexandra Flynn of Tampa, Florida; Instructed by Lillian Shively.

7th: Renee Zubrod of Versailles, Kentucky; Instructed by Cindy Boel and Bonnie Zubrod.

8th: Emily Garten of Lebanon, Ohio; Instructed by Kathy Boggs.

9th: Ashley Alden of Barrington, Illinois; Instructed by Kenny and Donna Pettry-Smith.

10th: Shana Jo Brown of Marcellus, Michigan; Instructed by Jim Taylor.

For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager, on (859) 225-6974 or via e-mail at slane@usef.org. USEF press releases are available on our website - www.usef.org .