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Prizes
Victoria DeMore Photography
JACKSONVILLE, Fla Sept. 16, 2016 – The 2016 Southeast Medal Finals kicked off Friday at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center with athletes from nine states prepared to compete in hunters, jumpers, and equitation.
The 5th Annual Southeast Medal Finals promised a great weekend of competition for equestrians at every skill level. On Friday, wild card and warm-up classes began in the outdoor ring under a cloudless blue sky and indoors in the coliseum.
Athletes from 13 states throughout the Southeast, plus New York and New Jersey, were registered to compete in one of more than 20 finals. True to his reputation, Southeast Medal Finals creator James Lala has introduced a unique new challenge in the Equitation Team Challenge of the States, combining junior and/or adult riders from their respective states in a team competition. Other new events for 2016 include the Children’s Hunter Pony Finals and Children’s Pony Medal Finals. Lala has reintroduced the World Cup format in the Jumper Finals with a first round speed class.
Emilio ridden by Olivia Albright
Victoria DeMore Photography
Southeast Medal Finals welcomed guests and volunteers from the event’s charity, Kids Cancer Foundation. Proceeds from a silent auction filled with equestrian gear, apparel, jewelry and art, as well as the raffle of a custom jump will benefit Kids Cancer Foundation.
On opening day, twelve jumpers posted clean rounds in the warm-up and wild card classes, giving them the qualifier for their respective jumper finals if they had not qualified previously. And nearly 40 hunters earned marks of 70 or higher in the warm up and wild card classes, earning those riders entry into their respective finals. That included Siena London of Tierra Verde, Florida, and Casira, whose round earned a blue ribbon.
“She’s a great mare,” said London, who trains with Debbie Stevens at Centennial Farms in Palmetto. “Going around the course, she was really working and listening to all my cues. It was the kind of round where you come out and just go, ‘yeah!’
Casira ridden by Siena London
Victoria DeMore Photography
“This is my first time in an indoors and first time at the Southeast Medal Finals,” said 14-year-old London, who has been competing for 5 years. “I’m really, really excited and very impressed with the show.” Tomorrow we have the Tenney’s Children’s Hunter Finals, and hopefully I’ll qualify for the Equestrian Challenge of the States. Then on Sunday, we have the Junior Medal Finals.”
Southeast Medal Finals Fact Sheet
WHAT: A finals show offering a special end of season culmination and finals that is more attainable for everyone.
WEBSITE: http://wwwsoutheastmedalfinals.com
PRIZE LIST: http://www.southeastmedalfinals.com/#!prize-list-time-schedule/c72d
WHEN: Sept. 16-18, 2016
WHERE: Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Jacksonville, FL, featuring a large indoor coliseum with 3000 seats, two outdoor rings, and 500 permanent stalls.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Finals classes in hunters, jumpers, and equitation
• Equitation Team Challenge of the States
• Hunter Finals Under Saddle Challenge
• Tally Ho Farm Pony & Developing Rider Jumper Classic
SPONSORS:
• AG Equestrian
• Boy-O-Boy Bridleworks
• C. M. Hadfield’s Saddlery
• Essex Classics
• GGT Footing
• Global Horse Transport
• Noble Outfitters
• Ovation Riding
• Peterson Bernard
• The Riding Habit
• Tenney’s Custom Saddlery
• Tally Ho Farm
• Van Dell Fine Jewelry
• Wellington Quarantine
• Wood Craft Solutions
CONTACT:
James Lala 561-906-6668, jdlala@aol.com
Alexis Newman 904-993-2053, SEmedalFinals@gmail.com
BENEFICIARY:
Kids Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2001 whose mission is to provide resources and emotional support to children battling cancer and their families. Kids Cancer Foundation provides numerous programs, including a pediatric oncology patient care navigator, arts and health programs, tutoring and homework club for patients and siblings, and family socials. For more information, visit http://www.kidscancersf.org.
