November 9, 2007 -- Kimberly McCormack of Clermont, N.J., is the Bates Saddles Equitation Rankings Year-End gold medal winner. A consistent performer all year, McCormack's Medal finals win vaulted her over Maria Schaub who had held the top spot in previous weeks.
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- On podium from left: Maria Schaub, silver medalist; Kimberly McCormack, gold medalist; Jennifery Waxman, bronze medalist. In front row from left to right: Stacia Madden (Schaub's trainer); Kristy McCormack, Missy Clark and John Brennan (McCormack's trainers); Ken Smith (Waxman's trainer); Jack Levy representing Bates Saddles; and John Franzreb (ringmaster).
- Photo courtesy of Reflections Photography, Inc.
McCormack managed to finish first even without the benefit of her win in the National Horse Show ASPCA Maclay Championship November 3, as the Bates Rankings year ended the day before. McCormack is trained by her sister Kristy McCormack and by Missy Clark and John Brennan who were recognized as the top trainers. As the gold medal winner, McCormack received a Bates Caprilli Close Contact saddle.
Bates silver medalist Maria Schaub is trained by Frank and Stacia Madden and is from Holmdel, N.J. The bronze medal went to Jennifer Waxman of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, who is trained by Ken Smith. The Bates Saddles Equitation Rankings, which are published weekly are available at
Bates Saddles Equitation Rankings: Year-End Final Results
| Rank | Rider | City, State | Points | Trainer |
| 1 | Kimberly McCormack | Clermont, N.J. | 1748 | Kristy McCormack, Missy Clark & John Brennan |
| 2 | Maria Schaub | Holmdel, N.J. | 1657 | Frank & Stacia Madden |
| 3 | Jennifer Waxman | Chagrin Falls, Ohio | 1320 | Ken Smith |
| 4 | Carolyn Curcio | West Islip, N.Y. | 1287 | Frank & Stacia Madden |
| 5 | Brittany Hurst | Jackson, N.J. | 1284 | Dawn Edwards |
| 6 | Jessica Springsteen | Colts Neck, N.J. | 1262 | Frank & Stacia Madden |
| 7 | Tina Dilandri | LaJolla, Calif. | 1187 | Missy Clark & John Brennan |
| 8 | Chelsea Moss | Medford, N.J. | 1140 | Max Amaya |
| 9 | Jacqueline Lubrano | Glenmoore, Pa. | 1124 | Frank & Stacia Madden |
| 10 | Maggie McAlary | Amherst, N.H. | 1076 | Andre Dignelli |
Also announced at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament yesterday were this year's participants in the George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session hosted by Bates Saddles and Stadium Jumping. The riders selected are:
- Kimberly McCormack, 1st on Bates Equitation Rankings
- Maria Schaub, 2nd on Bates Equitation Rankings
- Jennifer Waxman, 3rd on Bates Equitation Rankings
- Carolyn Curcio, 4th on Bates Equitation Rankings
- Tina Dilandri, Highest ranked west coast rider on Bates Equitation Rankings
- Natalie Rae Medlock, Winner of USEF Talent Search West
- Nikko Ritter, Winner of USEF Talent Search East
- Aurora Griffin, National Individual Junior Champion
- Hillary Dobbs, Wild card invitation based on overall performance
- Charlie Jayne, Wild card invitation based on overall performance
- Karl Cook, Young Riders individual gold medalist
The training session, which will take place in Wellington, Fla., from January 21-26, 2008, aims to help create complete "horsemasters" and a pipeline of riders for future U.S. teams. The session is supported by United States Equestrian Federation and the USET Foundation along with Bates Saddles, Stadium Jumping, Purina Mills, Practical Horseman magazine and the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament.
1/7/08 update: Of the 11 invited riders, eight will participate. Jayne, Dobbs and Medlock are unable to ride in the session.
