Julie Welles Taking 2005 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search–East Title

By Nancy Degutis

Two friends since their days in short stirrup classes slapped hands in a high five as one of them, Julie Welles, turned in four consistent rides to win the cream of the junior horsemanship finals, the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search-East. Her longtime buddy, Maria Schaub, had just taken the reserve championship as film crews from the television show, Animal Planet, wrapped up shooting the Oct. 8-9 event

“I am really excited,” said Welles, who rides daily in the equestrian program at the Ethel Walker School where the 17-year-old is trained by Linda Landmeir. “This is where so many important people, such great riders, have won this honor.”

It also will be extra special since neither teen said they have their own horse. In essence, both are catch riders who use borrowed mounts or ones on loan.

“I am really excited someone I know won the class,” said Schaub, 16. She is making her fourth appearance at the championship where she was 16th last year.

The decision of championship judges Karen Healey and Olympic Silver Medalist Conrad Homfeld boiled down to the last phase of the four-part contest. Healey and Homfeld picked the top four of the 56 riders from that weekend to go head to head in a show jumping contest. Each of the quartet would ride their own horse over a course, then switch to the mounts of the other three to duplicate the route. Rounding out the decisive last class were New York University student Natalie Johnson (on Chagall) and New Hampshire rider Maggie McAlary (on Mid-Accord). Both are coached by Andre Dignelli who won the title in 1985.