Gladstone, NJ – Riding through the chill, the rain and the mud of New Jersey’s wettest weekend in months, Julie Welles of West Simsbury, Connecticut, was awarded the Championship title at the 2005 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East on October 8-9, proving she not only had the stamina required to win the multi-phase Finals, but the skill and ingenuity to make her riding skills shine, despite the elements.

“I had a positive outlook coming in. I went in and rode the best I could,” smiled a modest Welles after receiving the prestigious French Leave perpetual trophy, a Bates Australia saddle, a Championship cooler, a saddle pad, a pair of Heritage riding gloves and a t-shirt from waterjump.us. “It means a lot to win this Final. Many great riders have won this Final and gone on to do extraordinary things.”

While the 17-year-old high school senior doesn’t have a horse of her own, she praised “Lando,” the eleven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Gabby Slome, for helping her bring in the win. “He’s an amazing horse,” said Welles. “He’s been here enough and he knows the drill. He’s a really cool horse to ride.”

Welles’ trainers, Missy Clark and Linda Langmeier, won the coveted Leading Trainer Award. “It’s always an honor,” Clark said. “It’s what you put your heart and soul into all day, every day. I feel lucky that I’ve had a great group of riders over the years who have gone on to accomplish great things.” And as far as Welles goes, Clark has no hesitation in sharing, “Julie rides well enough to pursue riding as a professional career.”