The U.S. Master's Open Invitational once again pressed the envelope for U.S. games riders with Canada taking first place by one point over England with the U.S. third and a North American (U.S. and Canadian riders) taking fourth. The surprise this year was that so many people in the audience actually came looking for the Master's games competition. At least six made it all the way back to the barn area to tell us that mounted games were the most exciting thing that they had seen at Equitana U.S.A.
The announcing this year, by Richard Gargliano kept audience (above 500 some days) pumped up and cheering. Some team members were interviewed by a public television crew for a program called Horsing Around. Horse TV a cable network also got footage of the competition.
Riders from the three countries and pony club riders had opportunities to socialize and learn about games in other countries. The English team came early, helped put finishing touches on equipment, and held two separate clinics for the riders in the pony club demonstration. They also led the dancing on the dinner cruise on Saturday night and made this years competition memorable. (And yes we do forgive the demonstration riders who lent ponies for routing for the English team)
The Canadians came with a wonderful entourage that helped enormously in referring and setup, which made the competion exciting to watch as well as ride in.
Thanks from the organizers to all who helped make this a great show in our country. Especially Debbie Bush, who located ponies and riders for the demonstration of pony club games. Robert Taylor who not only coached the US team, but along with Robin Donnelly helped measure and lay out the playing field, and provided the structure that was the missing link in our organizational efforts. Thanks also to chief referees Beth Lough and Terry Viewig and to all those incredible set up folks who allowed us to do 15 games in a hour. Special thanks to Leigh, Katey, Lizzy and Kristen who lent I'bn, Merlin, Magic and Molly to the English team and made this competition possible.
| Day 1 | Day 2 |
| Day 3 |
Day 1
1st Canada:( A. Dunn, J.Dunn, S. Dunn, A. Vieweg, M. Gilbert)
2nd England:( J. Foster, L. Cohen, V. Thomas, M. Warne, S. Warne, )
3rd United States:( J. Emblin, S. Greiling, C. Greiling, D. Reynolds, R. Vit)
4th North America:( B. Bent, A. Lough, M. Lough, E. McBride, L. Riley)
Day 2
1st United States:( J. Emblin, S. Greiling, C. Greiling, D. Reynolds, R. Vit)
2nd England:( J. Foster, L. Cohen, V. Thomas, M. Warne, S. Warne, )
3rd Canada:( A. Dunn, J. Dunn, S. Dunn, A. Vieweg, M. Gilbert)
4th North America:( B. Bent, A. Lough, M. Lough, E. McBride, L. Riley)
Day 3
1st Canada:( A. Dunn, J.Dunn, S. Dunn, A. Vieweg, M. Gilbert)
2nd England:( J. Foster, L. Cohen, V. Thomas, M. Warne, S. Warne, )
3rd United States:( J. Emblin, S. Greiling, C. Greiling, D. Reynolds, R. Vit)
4th North America:( B. Bent, A. Lough, M. Lough, E. McBride, L. Riley)
Cumulative Scores for all four days
1st Canada:( A. Dunn, J.Dunn, S. Dunn, A. Vieweg, M. Gilbert)
2nd England:( J. Foster, L. Cohen, V. Thomas, M. Warne, S. Warne, )
3rd United States:( J. Emblin, S. Greiling, C. Greiling, D. Reynolds, R. Vit)
4th North America:( B. Bent, A. Lough, M. Lough, E. McBride, L. Riley)
Demonstration riders: Leigh Montgomery, Suzanne Bush, Katey Caddel, Lizzy Cummings, Britanny Buenger, Kristen Goncharoff, and Michelle Feganbush.
