Lexington, KY – The nation’s top saddle seat riders will compete in the 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team Selection Trials held at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri this Saturday, March 31, 2012 in hopes of earning a spot on the 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team. The Saddle Seat World Cup consists of a three-gaited and a five-gaited competition. At these Trials five team members and one alternate will be selected for each team. Athletes selected will represent the United States in December’s International Saddle Seat World Cup competition in South Africa.

The Saddle Seat World Cup is a bi-annual international competition that originated in the early 1980’s as an informal exchange of saddle seat riders between the United States and South Africa. Teams from as many as five nations now compete for coveted World Cup titles.Applications were received from 22 states for a chance to compete in the Trials. These riders represent some of the United States’ most experienced and talented saddle seat riders. Similar to what they will experience in the competition, the finalists will compete in the Trials riding two unfamiliar horses. The Trials are held in two phases, each consisting of one rail ride and one pattern. Participants will ride horses donated to William Woods University that may be any breed or crossbreed suited for and trained in the saddle seat discipline.The following riders will compete at the Trials:Three-GaitedBrooke Boyer/15/ Johnston, IAMorgan Brison/17/ New Bloomfield, MOAleia Brown/14/Dayton, OHKathlyn Camacho/19/ Pleasant Prairie, WIHunter Chancellor/16/ Evansville, INEmily Chapman/17/ Tucson, AZSarah Delisi/17/ La Grange, ILAlex Holloway/19/ Edmond, OKChloe Holmes/19/ Scottsdale, AZBrooke Jacobs/31/ Georgetown, KYAli Judah/22/ Louisville, KYCameron Kay/14/ W. Bloomfield, MIAlexandra Lawson/18/ North Salem, INNick Maupin/18/ Sussex, WICourtney Mc Ginnis/15/ Fishers, INAbigail Mutrux/16/ Saint Louis, MOAlexandria Ryan/16/ Boulder, COKristen Smith/18/ Smithfield, KYJohn Stutts/43/ Louisville, KYZane Sullivan/18/ Albuquerque, NMFive-GaitedAshley Baird/18/ Hinsdale, ILMorgan Brison/17/ New Bloomfield, MOHunter Chancellor/16/ Evansville, INAngela Darrow/20/ Hartland, WIDrew Taylor Hewitt/16/ Advance, NCBrooke Jacobs/31/ Georgetown, KYAli Judah/22/ Louisville, KYMarjorie Townsend/17/ Kansas City, MONick Maupin/18/ Sussex, WIBrittany Mc Ginnis/19/ Fishers, INMary Mitkish/18/ Emmaus, PARachel Rafolski/20/ Brunswick, GA     Judging pool at the Trials consists of the following USEF Saddle Seat Equitation Judges:Dale Arnston/ Mokena, ILNancy Becker/ Nicholasville, KYSally Lindabury/ Saquoit, NYMarilyn MacFarlane/ Simpsonville, KYHelen Robertson/ Simpsonville, KYBarbe Smith/ New Orleans, LASpectators are welcome to attend the Trials. The Three-Gaited Trials will be held 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT and the Five-Gaited Trials will be held 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT. For a complete schedule and information regarding hotels and directions click here.This program is generously supported by the USA Equestrian Trust, the United Professional Horsemen’s Association, 6D Ranch, Equisure, Cape Cod Equestrian Center and Shelby Horse Supply.  In kind donations also provided by Farnam and Platinum Performance  and Mod Jods has signed on as the official supplier of jods for USA Saddle Seat.Contribution opportunities are still available for the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team program. Learn more about supporting the Team’s efforts here. Photos after the event can be found on the official photographers website:  http://www.lauraelcockphotography.com/Laura_Elcock_Photography/Home.htmlFor more information contact Lori Nelson, USEF Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates, by phone at (859) 225-6957 or via email at lnelson@usef.org.