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Kelsey Thatcher Proves Excellence at International Horse Show Italia

May 27, 2010

Wellington, FL –-– Competing on her first European tour, 18-year-old Kelsey Thatcher of Bluffdale, UT, showed the world her talent in Turin, Italy. Thatcher rode in the International Horse Show Italia at La Mandria Regional Park the weekend of May 20-23, 2010. Showing against top riders from all over the world, Thatcher earned two first place finishes aboard her exceptional French stallions, Milous De Fontaine and Klotaire Du Moulin.

Thatcher rode Milous De Fontaine and Klotaire Du Moulin in the medium tour CSI 2* classes throughout the weekend and got off to a great start with a win on May 20th. Thatcher and Klotaire won the class over two phases of competition against 28 entries. Nineteen jumped off in the second round, and Thatcher and Klotaire were the fastest of 13 double clear competitors to take home the first place prize.

The following day, Thatcher and Klotaire again jumped to the top of the class to become one of only three competitors to jump off out of 22 entries. An unfortunate rail in the jump-off left the pair in third place however, coming in less than a second behind the second place finisher, who also had a rail in the final round.

Wrapping up the weekend on a high note, Thatcher rode Milous De Fontaine to victory in competition against the clock in a class of 44 entries. Thatcher and Milous were the fastest of 14 clear rounds to earn top honors and lead the victory gallop for their country. Thatcher and Milous looked on with delight as the United States’ National Anthem was played in their honor and the American Flag was raised in tribute.

“Italy was a lot of fun. I thought it was funny because when Alex [Jayne] came into town he said we were going to win all three classes and I told him he was crazy, but it went really well,” Thatcher laughed. “The first class I just rode the plan and I won by three seconds. George Morris was watching and he was really happy with how I rode, so that was really neat. For the last class, the timer went and I didn’t hear it go, so I had an extra two seconds on the clock, but I was just flying. I only won that class by a second, but it was still really exciting.”

Thatcher has quickly become one of the United States’ top young riders in the past year, and she was honored to receive praise from a legend such as George Morris. “It was really exciting to have George watching me and commenting on my riding,” she smiled. “When I was walking out of the ring, riders like Beezie Madden and Roger Bost and all of these top riders told me I did a good job, which was very exciting.”

George Morris commented on the Turin competition, stating, “Kelsey rode very well and represented the United States very well in the amateur classes.”

Thatcher concluded that her favorite thing about Italy was just doing well. “The awards ceremony was really cool when they played the national anthem for me,” she said. “I know my mom was crying and I know that I made Alex really proud, so that was so neat and it was definitely the best part of the trip.”

Thatcher has now returned to the United States where she is looking forward to using her new experience and confidence to win on home soil. “It definitely gives you confidence to win an international competition and I think it lets you know that you can do this no matter where you are in the world,” she noted. “You are riding a nice enough horse and you have spent enough time in the saddle to know that you can go win anywhere. It is definitely a good feeling.”

Thatcher will compete next at the 2010 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, held in Devon, Pennsylvania, May 27-June 6, 2010. For more information, please visit www.ponylanefarm.com.

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