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 (formally American Horse Shows Association) founded the Equitation Medal program in 1937 under the guidance of its fourth president, Adrian Van Sinderen, to recognize and honor junior riders who displayed outstanding horsemanship skills and talents in Stock, Hunter and Saddle Seat Equitation.

The Medal classes give riders from across the United States the opportunity to exhibit a working partnership between themselves and their horse, build courage, determination and the desire to pursue excellence.

The new USA Reining Seat Medal is the contemporary version of the AHSA Stock Seat Medal and invites juniors and amateurs to compete to have their name engraved on the coveted Van Sinderen Trophy and the Glenn Gimple bronze. Earning a place in the history books of the USA Medal Finals is a prestigious feat only five riders a year achieve.