Gladstone, New Jersey—October 14, 2003—Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX, won the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Open Reining Championship in impressive style at the All American Quarter Horse Congress on Friday, October 10. McQuay and Custom Red Berry, owned by Leanne Bovet Roberts, received a score 225.5 in the first qualifying competition of the 2003/2004 Season.

There was a tie for second place between Dell Hendricks of Tioga, TX, on Starlights Wrangler, owned by Sally Broten, and Brian Bell of Damascus, MD, aboard A Smart Enterprise, owned by Robert LaPorta. Both riders received a score of 220 and shared the reserve honors.

McQuay is the NRHA’s All-Time Leading Money Winner and will add over $5,000 to his standings with his winning run at the Congress.

“This was a tough class”, said McQuay. “Any time you run against the likes of Dell and Shawn (Flarida), you have to be at your best.”

The USET Open Reining Championship Qualifying Schedule continues throughout the 2004 season at various important Reining Horse Shows such as the National Western Stock Show, the Florida Reining Horse Classic, the Scottsdale Reining Horse Classic, the Gordyville Breeders Cup and the National Reining Breeders Classic.

In order to compete in a USET Open Reining Championship Qualifier, the rider must be listed on the 2003/2004 USET Long List and follow the 2004 USET Open Reining Championship Qualifying Procedures. Riders who have shown and received a score in the qualifiers are then eligible to compete in the USET Open Reining Championship next spring.

For more information about the USET Open Reining Championship and the qualifying classes, please call Jamie Saults, USET Director of Reining, at (908) 234-1251, ext. 40, or visit the website at www.uset.org.
The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers, vaulters and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

2004 USET Open Reining Championship Qualifier Results
All American Quarter Horse Congress, Columbus, OH
(1st-6th)