Denver, CO-January 21, 1999-Guy Vernon of Kiowa, CO captured the first Selection Trial for the $100,000 Added Cosequin/USET Reining Championship, Presented by Bayer, at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO.

Riding Valerie Vernon's chestnut stallion, Endeavor Doc, Guy Vernon earned the high score of 153 points, decisively defeating veteran reiner Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX on David J. Silva's Footworks Finest and Drake Johnson of Wray, CO on RMD Associates' Genuine Cowboy Jac. McQuay and Johnson tied for second place with 148 points each.

The USET will host the first $100,000 Added Cosequin/USET Reining Championship, Presented by Bayer, as part of the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions at the USET's Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ on June 24-27.

"I am honored to win the first-ever Cosequin/USET Reining Championship Selection Trial," stated Vernon. "The exciting National Western Stock Show was an appropriate event to host a Cosequin/USET Reining Selection Trial. My horse gave it his all and I'm pleased we finished on top against such tough competition."

Competitors performed the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) challenging Pattern 10. From the first run to the final hesitation, Vernon and the 14.3 hand Endeavor Doc were in control of the arena. Their precise and flowing pattern earned 76 points from judge Mike Baker and 77 points from judge Bill Enk. Reining scoring is on a basis of 0 to infinity, with a score of 70 points considered average.

With scores of 147.5 points, Pete Kyle of Whitesboro, TX tied for fourth place with two horses he rode, Peppy Sol Anson, owned by Tamra Kyle, and Seven S. Mimosa, owned by Sherry Oseen of Whitesboro, TX. Not far behind Kyle with 147 points each, there was a three-way tie for sixth place among Jim Kiser of Krum, TX riding Claudio Risso's Spat Olena, Tom McCutcheon of Pilot Point, TX riding Ed and Nancy Pickett's Measles Hickory, and Mandy McQuay of Tioga, TX riding her father Tim McQuay's horse, Mr Tori Kid. Mandy McQuay is one of the brightest rising stars in the fast growing sport of Reining. She is also a former champion of the Cosequin/USET Show Jumping Talent Derby, Presented by BET on Jazz.

The top six finishers plus ties at each selection trial will qualify for the semi-finals at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby in Oklahoma City on May 19-22. After the NRHA Derby, the top 20 finishers plus ties will qualify for the $100,000 Added Cosequin/USET Reining Championship, Presented by Bayer, at the 1999 Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, June 24-27, at the USET Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ.

In January 1998, the USET Board of Trustees voted to adopt Reining as its first Western riding discipline. The Cosequin/USET Reining Program, Presented by Bayer, debuted at the 1998 Bayer/USET Festival of Champions with demonstrations by NRHA National Champions Bill Horn and his famous Paint stallion, Trashedeous. Both Cosequin and Bayer have played crucial roles in the development of the USET's Reining program.

Reining Championship Selection Trial Schedule:

• National Western Stock Show (Denver, CO) -- January 21, 1999
• Florida 8th Annual Classic (Ocala, FL) -- February 25 - 28, 1999
• Arizona Reining Horse Classic (Scottsdale, AZ) -- March 10 - 14, 1999
• 12th Annual Gordyville Breeders Cup (Gifford, IL) -- March 19 - 21, 1999
• National Reining Breeders Classic (Guthrie, OK) -- April 10 - 18, 1999
• Carolina Classic (Raleigh, NC) -- April 22 - 25, 1999
• Hollywood Charity (Burbank, CA) -- April 29 - May 2, 1999

For further information on the $100,000 Cosequin/USET Reining Championship Presented by Bayer, please contact the USET at (908) 234-1251.