Kasey Ament Wins the 2004 BET/ USET West Coast Show Jumping Talent Search Finals

Burbank, CA - September 27, 2004 - On Friday evening, seventeen year old Kasey Ament accomplished the goal she set for herself at the beginning of the show season when she was named the winner of the 2004 BET/ USET West Coast Show Jumping Talent Search Finals. The USET Finals are a bit different from the other national and regional equitation championships.

Judges Christina Schulsemeyer and Gabriella Salick told the riders, "We are looking for up-and-coming riders who can go to serious show jumping, not for cookie cutter' equitation. We want to see how you function as a rider in two days of testing." The concept of the USET Finals is to identify talented young riders (21 and under) who demonstrate the foundation and skills to eventually represent the United States in international competition. Many USET Finalists have done just that as represented by this year's Olympic team of Beezie Madden, McClain Ward, Chris Kappler, and Peter Wylde.

Ament rode and presented a stylish, solid flat performance in the Flat Phase, where the judges wanted to see a two minute synopsis of how the riders prepared their horses for jumping. Ament shined in the Gymnastics Phase, where riders had to be thoughtful and deliberate. At the rider's meeting, the judges emphasized, "Nothing is scary and trappy. We want to see bending, lengthening and shortening. Don't hurry."

In the Jumping Phase, Ament shone again with a bold, polished ride over the 3'9" jumper type equitation course. She earned a score of 95, the only rider to earn a score in the 90's. Along with Ament, Kendle Handtmann, Veery Maxwell, and Morgan Taylor earned top four spots for the final ride off. Each rider has to ride the other horses over a shortened course in a similar format to the World Championships.

Riders each rode their own horse first and then began the rotations. Ament continued her effective and polished riding, emerging as the undeniable winner. "I really like this finals," said Ament after her win. "It is a true test of a horse person and rider." Handtmann finished in second. "Once I made it in the top four I wasn't nervous. Anyone in the top four rides well." Third went to Morgan Taylor who was also thrilled with her top four finish. "I had lots of fun and I really liked the gymnastics." Veery Maxwell, who had never competed in the USET Finals earned an impressive fourth. "I was nervous at first, but then I saw that the gymnastics was stuff we normally work on and that it was realistic."

At the rider's meeting held at the conclusion of the competition, the judges complimented the riders on their strong performances. "Everyone rose to the occasion. We want people to go home and be encouraged."