Johnston Named USA Reining Seat Medal Finals Champion

Robert Johnston, 17, of Simi Valley, California, captured the 2001 USA
Reining Seat Medal Finals presented by EMO Agency, Inc., held February
22-23, 2002, in Burbank, California.

Johnston topped a field of nine competitors to take home the national title
aboard his American Quarter Horse, Paul Ivan Olena. Johnston also earned
the "My Midnight Special" trophy for High Score Pattern Work and the High
Score Equitation trophy, given by Lauren Bailey. This was Johnston's first
year in the finals and is trained by Roberta McCarty, of Wildomar,
California.

Champion accolades included the Glenn Gimple Memorial Bronze, the Adrian Van
Sinderen Trophy, a Champion Turf Saddle, custom buckle and numerous other
awards. Sponsors for the Finals included the EMO Agency, Champion Turf
Equipment, Ariat Boots, Leather Therapy, State Line Tack, Breyer Model
Horse, Mike and Renee Baker, Larry and Poncie Gimple and Bil and Mary Kay
Hartman. All finalists also received the prestigious USA Equestrian silver
medal.

SPECIAL AWARDS:
Sportsmanship Award Tyler Bryson Scottsdale, AZ
Youngest Rider Kayle Bernal Huntington Beach, CA
High Score Amateur Marilyn Sheffers Riverside,
CA
High Score Junior Exhibitor Robert Johnston Simi Valley, CA
High Score Equitation " "
High Score Pattern Work " "

RESULTS:
Champion Robert Johnston Simi Valley, CA Paul Ivan Olena
Reserve Kelsey Huffman Orange, CA Top Hickory
3rd Tyler Bryson Scottsdale, AZ Jackies
Boomer
4th Marilyn Sheffers Riverside, CA
Bright Chic Olena
5th Debbie Bartman Alamo, CA Otoe Blazin Cody
6th Kayle Bernal Huntington Beach, CA JB Badgers
Phantom
7th Sara Barnes Merced, CA Swift
Gallin
8th Kathryn Klesper Rialto, CA Designer Colonel
9th Taylor Thornton Ottawa, IL Boomen Brett

For complete details of the USA Reining Seat Medal Finals, visit
http://www.equestrian.org/medal/reiningseat

USA Equestrian Inc., as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the Federation has over 77,000 members and recognizes more than 2,800 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.