Although
still unofficial, current standings show Todd Sommers and Todd Crawford
at the top of the United States Federation Equestre Internationale
(FEI) list of qualifiers for the inaugural FEI World Masters Series
Finals, scheduled to take place during the 2004 NRHA Futurity &
Championship Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, November 25 through
December 4. Because of Team USA's Gold Medal finish at the 2002
World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, two riders will compete
for the U.S.A.
Promotion
Any
country that had a team qualify for and participate in the 2002
WEG Reining Finals have the privilege of sending two riders to the
World Reining Master Series Finals. Those countries include the
USA, Canada, Italy, Germany, and Great Britain. It is expected that
another 10-12 countries will also be sending their best riders to
the elite competition. The excitement surrounding this event is
on a scale with that seen when Reining was added to the schedule
at the WEG. The excitement and anticipation is expected to escalate
as qualified riders are announced and the competition approaches.
Todd Sommers, Whitesboro, Texas, leads the list of qualifiers with $22,328.59
in earnings by virtue of a win at the Denver, Colorado, USEF Open qualifying
class and a second place finish at the NRHA Derby Show. Sommers' partner
has been Lucy Van Swearingen's Remin Whiz. Todd Crawford, Blanchard,
Oklahoma, earned his standing through an NRBC CRI-B fifth place finish
at Katy, Texas, and winning the Bayer/USEF Open Reining Championship
Finals (formerly held at Gladstone, New Jersey) at the NRHA Derby Show
on May 23, 2004. Crawford's total earnings in USEF/FEI 2004 competition
is $21, 324.38. Crawford has been riding Matt Dillon Dun It owned by
3 Peaks Ranch
Other
familiar names that appear in the top ten placings include Tom McCutcheon,
Craig Schmersal, Bill Horn, Tim McQuay, Scott McCutcheon, Bryant Pace,
Tanya Jenkins, and Michael Berg.
