AHSA SADDLE SEAT MEDAL CHAMPION CROWNED

Sarah Thordsen from Waukesha, WI, bested the field of 33 exhibitors to take
home the AHSA Saddle Seat Medal Finals title at the American Royal Horse
Show in Kansas City, MO. The Reserve Champion honors went to Lucinda
Hartley of Elizabethtown, KY

Riders in the preliminary and final rounds were tested on rail work in a
group, as well as on individual patterns. Judges Jean Degutis-Woodworth,
Plainville, MA, Maria Gilman, Land O' Lakes, FL and Richard Robertson, Primm
Springs, TN called back 12 riders to be tested in the final round before
making a decision.

Thordsen, who trains with Scott and Carol Matton, will be the first to have
her name engraved on the Helen K. Crabtree Perpetual Bronze and will add her
name to an impressive list on the Van Sinderen trophy. Alexandra Flynn
received a Breyer horse as an award for being the youngest rider in the
championship.

AHSA Saddle Seat Medal Final Results:
Champion - Sarah Thordsen, Waukesha, WI; trainer Scott and Carol Matton
Reserve Champion - Lucinda Hartley, Elizabethtown, KY; trainer Tammy DeVore
3rd - Devon Garone, Richmond, NH; trainer Marsha and Gary Garone
4th - Betty Cox, Danville, KY; trainer Lillian Shively
5th - Renee Zubrod, Versailles, KY; trainer Bonnie Zubrod and Cindy
Zubrod-Boel
6th - Melina Lukas, Manitowoc, WI; trainer Ray Krussell
7th - Tasha Rose Sandler, Rancho Santa Fe, CA; trainer Bill and Nancy Becker
8th - Calhoun Clifton, Lexington, KY; trainer Lillian Shively
9th - Caroline Gillespie, Wichita, KS; trainer Todd Miles and Lillian
Shively
10th - Dakota Willamon, Simpsonville, KY; trainer Rob and Sarah Byers

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 77,000 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.