November 1, 2008 (Syracuse, NY):  The Bates Year-End Awards were presented at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show today. Jessica Springsteen took the gold, Chelsea Moss the silver and Victoria Birdsall the bronze. The top-ten riders as of the end of the ranking year (October 31, 2008) are below:

Rank    Rider    Points    City, State    Trainer
1     Jessica Springsteen     28324     Colts Neck, NJ    Stacia Madden
2     Chelsea Moss     27425     Medford, NJ    Stacia Madden
3     Victoria Birdsall     27023     Topsfield, MA    Andre Dignelli
4     Kimberly McCormack    26325    Clermont, NJ    Missy Clark & John Brennan
5    Jacqueline Lubrano     25517     Glenmoore, PA    Stacia Madden
6     Carolyn Curcio     25495     West Islip, NY    Stacia Madden
7     Matthew Metell     20426    N. Falmouth, MA    Andre Dignelli
8     Emma Lipman     18609     Bedford, NY    Missy Clark & John Brennan
9     Christina Lin     18018     Lewisburg, PA    Stacia Madden
10     Alexandra Arute     17954     Avon, CT    Missy Clark & John Brennan

The riders invited to the George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session to be held on January 5-9, 2009 will be:
Jessica Springsteen, Chelsea Moss, Victoria Birdsall, Kimberly McCormack, Jacqueline Lubrano (all based on their Bates rankings), plus two high-ranking West coast riders: Shelby Wakeman and Sophie Benjamin. Hannah Selleck was chosen as the winner of the USEF Talent Search West and North American Young Riders Individual Champion. Taylor Land was chosen as USEF National Junior Jumper Individual Champion. Matthew Metell was chosen as the wild card based on his performance.

The Horsmastership training session is hosted by Bates Saddles and Equestrian Sports Productions with the support of the United States Equestrian Federation. Bates Saddles, Purina Mills, Practical Horseman, the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, the USET Foundation and the USHJA are supporting organizations.

The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show welcomes the top-ranked equestrians from across the US and the world to downtown Syracuse to compete at the War Memorial Arena in the Oncenter Complex. The event features a full slate of high-level competition, entertainment, shopping and exhibitions.  A 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization, the Syracuse Invitational benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House.