Springsteen is Bates Equitation Rankings Year-End Gold Medal Winner
Equestrian News Release

November 1, 2008 (Syracuse, NY): The Bates Year-End Awards were presented at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show today. Jessica Springsteen took the gold, Chelsea Moss the silver and Victoria Birdsall the bronze. The top-ten riders as of the end of the ranking year (October 31, 2008) are below:

Rank Rider Points City, State Trainer

1 Jessica Springsteen 28324 Colts Neck, NJ Stacia Madden

2 Chelsea Moss 27425 Medford, NJ Stacia Madden

3 Victoria Birdsall 27023 Topsfield, MA Andre Dignelli

4 Kimberly McCormack 26325 Clermont, NJ Missy Clark & John Brennan

5 Jacqueline Lubrano 25517 Glenmoore, PA Stacia Madden

6 Carolyn Curcio 25495 West Islip, NY Stacia Madden

7 Matthew Metell 20426 N. Falmouth, MA Andre Dignelli

8 Emma Lipman 18609 Bedford, NY Missy Clark & John Brennan

9 Christina Lin 18018 Lewisburg, PA Stacia Madden

10 Alexandra Arute 17954 Avon, CT Missy Clark & John Brennan

The riders invited to the George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session to be held on January 5-9, 2009 will be:

Jessica Springsteen, Chelsea Moss, Victoria Birdsall, Kimberly McCormack, Jacqueline Lubrano (all based on their Bates rankings), plus two high-ranking West coast riders: Shelby Wakeman and Sophie Benjamin. Hannah Selleck was chosen as the winner of the USEF Talent Search West and North American Young Riders Individual Champion. Taylor Land was chosen as USEF National Junior Jumper Individual Champion. Matthew Metell was chosen as the wild card based on his performance.

The Horsmastership training session is hosted by Bates Saddles and Equestrian Sports Productions with the support of the United States Equestrian Federation. Bates Saddles, Purina Mills, Practical Horseman, the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, the USET Foundation and the USHJA are supporting organizations.

The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show welcomes the top-ranked equestrians from across the US and the world to downtown Syracuse to compete at the War Memorial Arena in the Oncenter Complex. The event features a full slate of high-level competition, entertainment, shopping and exhibitions. A 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization, the Syracuse Invitational benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House.



Photo Credit: Top ten riders in the Bates Equitation Ranking. Photo (C) 2008 Reflections Photography. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.