November 8, 2006 — Sloane Coles of The Plains, Va., and her trainers, Frank and Stacia Madden of Colts Neck, N.J., won the 2006 Bates USA Equitation year-end rider and trainer awards that were presented at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament last weekend.
It was the November 3, 2006, Bates USA Equitation Ranking that determined this year’s overall winners. The rankings, which are published weekly are available at www.batesequitationranking.com. As the gold medalist, Coles received a Bates Caprilli Close Contact Saddle. Maggie McAlary of Amherst, N.H., was the silver medalist and Maria Schaub of Holmdel, N.J., took the bronze.
The top three trainers, according to the final rank order of their students on the Bates list, each received product certificates from Bates and Weatherbeeta with a total retail value of $50,000: $25,000 for first, $15,000 for second, and $10,000 for third. The order of finish was Frank and Stacia Madden, Andre Dignelli and Missy Clark.
In addition, the Horsemanship Training Sessions with George Morris presented by Bates riders were announced. The training sessions will take place in Wellington, Fla., from January 15-20, 2007. Their goal is to help create complete “horsemasters” and a pipeline for future U.S. teams. The sessions are hosted by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and Stadium Jumping, Inc. The riders who were chosen to participate are:
- CHARLIE JAYNE, winner, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – East
- NICK HANESS, winner, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – West
- HILLARY DOBBS, winner, USEF National Junior Jumper Champion
- EVAN COLUCCIO, Individual Gold Medal, North American Young Rider Championships
- SLOANE COLES, 1st, Year-End Bates USA Equitation Ranking List
- MAGGIE MCALARY, 2nd, Year-End Bates USA Equitation Ranking List
- MARIA SCHAUB, 3rd, Year-End Bates USA Equitation Ranking List
- ALEX MAIDA, West Coast rider, according to ranking on November 3 Bates USA Equitation Ranking List
Alternates from November 3rd Bates USA Equitation Ranking List: HAYLIE JAYNE, JACK HARDIN TOWELL, JR.
Sloane Coles says she is looking forward to the training sessions. “I think it’s a great start for a young rider who wants to be professional and I hope they continue,” she said. “Just George [Morris] going over your course with you is information that you cherish,” she added. While Coles said she does not know what to expect from the session, she expects to learn a great deal.
About her Bates USA Year-End win, Coles says, “It means a lot to me because I worked for it all year. This year I didn’t have one consistent horse to ride and to still be on the top of the list means a lot.” Coles had thanks for Bates saying, “They’re an amazing sponsor and everyone should be thankful for what they do, and I also want to thank them for the sponsorship of the clinics.”
FINAL BATES USA EQUITATION RANKING
(November 3, 2006, ranking list)
The purpose of the Bates USA Equitation Ranking is to provide riders up to 21 years old with the opportunity to compete in an environment similar to the one experienced by the nation’s top show jumping riders. Results from the USEF Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USET Talent Search, Tad Coffin
WIHS Equitation-Overall, and any other special equitation class that is approved by the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament Organizing Committee are used to determine a weekly ranking list for equitation riders.
