For Immediate Release

Amanda Stearns- Junior Young Rider Poised for Summer Success

Wellington, Fl- Fifteen year old dressage competitor, Amanda Stearns has again set her goals high for 2006. Last year Stearns goal was to make the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Junior Dressage Team Championships held at Dressage at Devon . Stearns not only reached that goal, but at 14-years old, was the youngest member of the Gold Medal Championship Team. Standing on the podium with her team members last fall, while each rider was presented a gold medal, left Stearns wanting more.

This year Stearns is focused on qualifying for two major competitions; again the USEF Junior Dressage Team Championships to be held July 6 th-9 th at Pebble Beach, California and the and the North American Junior and Young Rider’s Championships (NAJYRC) to be held in Lexington, Virginia August 1 st -6 th. And with the final selection announcements just days away, Stearns is in an excellent position to reach both of her goals.

Stearns, who rides with trainer, John Zopatti has had a banner season. Stearns’ 2005 mount, the Dutch gelding, Nice Catch, who she rode for Blue Marlin Farms, was sold last season, just after the pair earned dual victories at the USDF Region 3 Championships. Zopatti, then offered Stearns what she describes as “the chance of a lifetime”, by offering her the opportunity to ride his Dutch gelding, Mitchell. “I know the horse’s training and the rider’s skills, so I knew I could coach them to success,” said Zopatti.

It wasn’t an easy start for the new partnership and early in the 2006 season it looked questionable as to whether the pair would make it for this season. But by mid season, Stearns and Mitchell began to click like true partners, showing off their dual talents. At the Back to White Fences II Show the pair peaked and earned a 74.5%, two weeks later they went on to sweep the FEI Junior division at the Dressage at Equestrian Estates competition. And at the final show of the Wellington season, the Gold Coast Dressage Association Finale Show the pair kicked it up even another notch and earned a whooping 75.125% score for their freestyle ride.

Stearns awaits the final announcement of who makes the teams in just a week. She is confident that her 69.40% average will put her high in the rankings and qualify her for both competitions. But the challenges don’t end with just qualifying.

The USEF Junior Dressage Team Championships are in California and airfare and travel costs for horse, rider, trainer and family will cost well over $10,000. To help defray the expense, Stearns and her parents set up a fund raising program. They have already received support and donations to cover 1/3 rd of the costs. “I get a lot of support from my parents to do all this, but I am also learning a lot about fund raising and being pro-active in obtaining my goals from all of this,” says Steams. “Amanda is a straight–A student at Wellington Christian School and not one to shy away from any challenge,” says her mother Julie Stearns, beaming with pride. “She is learning much more than just how to be a top dressage rider from this season," adds Amanda’s dad, Tom Stearns, “We are really proud of her”.

If next week’s final selection announcements delivers the good news the Stearns expect, they will finalize flight plans for the California trip and set out to try to repeat 2005’s outcome.

For More Information

Amanda Stearns
561-753-88829
John Zopatti Dressage
561-722-7555
stearnsj@bellsouth.net