Goutal Wins Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final

Brianne Goutal bested over 200 riders to win the 2005 Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat medal Final on October 16. She also won the Adequan/USEF National Junior Jumper Championship.

Harrisburg, Pa., Oct. 18, 2005 — Brianne Goutal, age 17, of New York, N.Y., defeated more than 100 of the nation’s top junior riders to win the 2005 Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Final, on October 16 at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. This marked the second largest field in history, with 279 riders vying for the title.

Goutal received a Pessoa saddle, gold medal and a custom USEF cooler for the win, and will have her name added to the Adrian Van Sinderen Memorial Trophy, joining famous winners from the past, including Victor Hugo-Vidal, George Morris, Katie Monahan-Prudent and Conrad Homfeld.

Goutal’s trainer, Frank Madden, was presented with the Leading Trainer Award.

Sloan Coles of The Plains, Va., and Julie Welles of West Simsburg, Conn., finished second and third, respectively.

Three rounds of competition were scored based on equitation and ability to ride with control, competency and compatibility, by judges Scott Hofstetter of Ocala, Fla., and Cynthia Hankins of Falls Church, Va.

Nnearly a third of past winners have gone on to represent the United States internationally. This year, more than a thousand Hunter Seat Equitation Medal qualifying classes took place at USEF recognized competitions throughout the country.

Goutal also won the individual title in the show’s 2005 Adequan/USEF National Junior Jumper Championship. Welles and Kels Bonham of Claremore, Okla., finished second and third, respectively. The USEF Prix de States Team Championship title was decided on October 16, with Zone 5 (IL, IN, KY, MI, OH) taking the top spot. The Zone 5 team included Haylie Jayne riding Cartier, Alex Parrish riding Cat’s Charly, Henry Pfeiffer riding Preston, and Joshua Vanderveen riding Bull Run’s Apollo Anton.

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