November 20, 2006

Florida’s Alexandra Flynn Takes Top Honor at 2006 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final

Lexington, KY - Alexandra Flynn, age 17, of Tampa, FL, riding Kalu’s Can’t Stop the Magic, was crowned champion of the 2006 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final, held November 18, as part of the UPHA/American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kansas City, MO.

The USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final was determined through a two-phase competition that required both rail work and patterns. Twenty-eight riders competed in the morning round and 12 of them were invited back to compete for the title.

As champion, Flynn will have her name engraved on the Adrian Van Sinderen Trophy and Helen K. Crabtree Perpetual Bronze.

The reserve championship was awarded to Kyle Gagnon of Livermore Falls, ME, age 17, riding Duplicate Copy. Both the champion and reserve champion received Blue Ribbon Custom Coolers by Royal Riders, as well as leather halters and rose bundles. All exhibitors were honored at the annual USEF brunch held immediately following the preliminary round and received commemorative gift bags.

Results of the 2006 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final are as follows:

• Champion: Alexandra Flynn of Tampa, FL, aboard Kalu’s Can’t Stop the Magic
• Reserve: Kyle Gagnon of Livermore Falls, ME, aboard Duplicate Copy
• Third: Brittany McGinnis of Fishers, IN, aboard Amandari
• Fourth: Michelle Krentz of Hartford, WI, aboard CH Louisville Lass
• Fifth: Ali Judah of Louisville, KY, aboard Fung Shui
• Sixth: Shana Jo Brown of Holly, MI, aboard Hatcher’s Pride
• Seventh: Mary Catherine Swinson of Jenks, OK, aboard L.A. Blues
• Eighth: Casey Morgan Tibolet of Chesapeake, OH, aboard Undulata’s Time to Shine
• Ninth: Jacqueline Beck of Aliso Viejo, CA, aboard Pinstripe Dancer
• Tenth: Ellen Medley Wright of Owensboro, KY, aboard CH Timeless Drifter

For more information, please contact Carrie Mortensen, Director of Breeds and Western Disciplines, at (859) 225-6986 or via e-mail at cmortensen@usef.org. USEF press releases are available on our website – www.usef.org.