Tag Archives: NAJYRC

Championships, Dressage, Para-Equestrian

US Team Makes History at Inaugural North Am. Jr. Young Rider Para-Dressage Championships

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Sydney Collier and Wentworth. Photos (c)SusanJStickle.com.

Lexington, Kentucky – July 19, 2015 – The United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Young Rider Team made history at the inaugural 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior Young Rider Para-Dressage Championships (NAJYRC). The U.S. team topped three days of competition at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park, earning the win over Canada on July 18. The team included Sydney Collier (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and her own Wentworth in Grade Ib; Cambry Kaylor (Lehi, Utah) with her own Markgaards Donnewind also in Grade Ib; and Kate Shoemaker (Glendale, Ariz.) and her own Pacifec M in Grade III. The team was led by Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt and Team Coach Wes Dunham. Equestrians competed on July 16, in the Team Test followed by the Individual Test on July 18. The USA topped the Canadian Para-Dressage Team with a lead of 393.02 over 380.191. Following the medal ceremony and some celebration, the USA Team regrouped for their Freestyle Tests on Sunday, July 19. In addition to topping the first-ever NAJYR Para-Dressage Championships, U.S. athlete Sydney Collier was awarded the The Captain Andrew B. de Szinay Memorial Sportsmanship Award while her teammate Cambry Kaylor was recognized with the “The Style Award”. U.S. teammate Kate Shoemaker also had a great weekend earning the highest overall score of the weekend including a 71.7% in the Freestyle Test. The ground jury included Anne Prain FRA 5*, Ulrike Nivelle GER 3*, Kristi Wysocki USA 4*, Mercedes Campdera Alatorre MEX 3*, and Lorraine Stubbs CAN 4*. Each rider attributed to the success of the USA team in this unprecedented event held in Lexington, Kentucky.

“The U.S. Para-Dressage Junior Young Rider team had a fantastic showing at their first NAJYRC competition beginning with a comfortable lead in the Team competition,” said U.S. Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt. “These young athletes showed exceptional team spirit and showmanship placing way ahead of their competitors. This is the first time an intercontinental game has a junior young rider para-equestrian division. These groundbreaking athletes did a great job for their country, USEF, USET Foundation, and USPEA, showing the world how it is done.”

Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt has coached multiple Young Rider Teams to championships at the NAJYRC but this weekend was his first U.S. Para-Dressage Young Rider Team. Sydney Collier rode under Handt prior on the U.S Team at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games but at this event she rode her own horse Wentworth.

Sydney Collier commented, “Overall I was extremely happy how NAJYRC went for our entire team and for me and Wentworth as an individual. It was such an exciting event for us because without Jonathan Wentz none of this would have been possible. He will forever be my hero for his determination to get Paras into NAJYRC. I am so honored to be a part of history as we know it. I am looking forward to many more years of participating in the NAJYRC.”

Collier was awarded the The Captain Andrew B. de Szinay Memorial Sportsmanship Award on July 18. The Captain Andrew B. de Szinay Memorial Sportsman Trophy is given to the Young Rider who best personifies the high standards and virtues of integrity, sportsmanship, honor, courage, team spirit, good temper and unselfishness. This award is presented annually by the United States Equestrian Federation in honor of Captain Andrew B. de Szinay who was a teacher, dressage judge, technical delegate and long-time supporter of the Young Rider’s program. His dedication and support has helped the championships become what it is today. In 1989 former U.S. Para-Dressage Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen earned this award.

“Winning the sportsmanship award this year at the debut of Para-Dressage at NAJRYC feels really amazing,” said Collier. “It really was a highlight of my week. There were so many disciplines with so many great sportsmen that I really am so incredibly honored to receive this award; it was extremely cool to see how supportive every single discipline was of adding Para-Dressage to North Americans. I would love to thank USEF and the FEI for including Para-Dressage this year. I also want to thank all of my sponsors and my trainer Wes Dunham for traveling to Kentucky with me and helping myself and my USA teammates have such a successful competition.”

Cambry Kaylor and Marksgaards Donnewind
Cambry Kaylor and Marksgaards Donnewind

Also presented with a unique accolade was Cambry Kaylor. Kaylor earned the “The Style Award” annually celebrates one rider from each discipline recognizing their “style” throughout the week. Not only while mounted, but also in the form of manners and overall demeanor around the competition grounds and at the organized functions. The panel of judges who voted on the winners included the Ground Juries of each discipline, the veterinarians, technical delegates, FEI stewards, appeals committee and the NAJYRC OC.

Kaylor was esteemed to be given this award. She noted, “This week has been an incredible experience. I’m so grateful to represent the U.S. in Para-Dressage at the NAJYRC. This is a huge milestone for Para-Dressage. Donnewind and I could not be more honored to be a part of it.”

Although the NAJYRC is a team competition individual Kate Shoemaker from the United States obtained the highest overall score from the three days of dressage tests. Shoemaker commented, “I’m honored to be taking part in the first Para-Equestrian competition at NAJYRC. I hope this event opens the door to many junior and young para-equestrian riders across North America.”

Hope Hand, President of the USPEA and a former Paralympian, was there every step of the way not only during the competition but before this event was even named. “I am so proud of our Team,” smiled Hand. “It has been 10 years in the making. Jonathan Wentz and Sydney Collier stepped up the process with their freestyle demonstration four years ago at the Kentucky Horse Park. We have so many people to thank that believed in the Para-Dressage Discipline and we were so honored to represent our country at this prestigious event. Show manager Lloyd Landkammer and Howard Simpson blazed the trail for us years back and opened the doors of opportunity for Para-Dressage. We were welcomed by competitors and drew a large fan club in our short stay. The Para-Dressage riders look forward towards the future and many more competitions.”

Hand continued, “Our thanks to show management, our Chef Kai Handt, our Team Coach Wes Dunham, the Canadian Team for giving us a good challenge, and the trainers, stewards, the ground jury, classifiers and the hundreds of volunteers including our own Ellie Brimmer for making the inaugural Para Dressage NAJYRC a great success. I also want to thank Adequan, Mark Coley, USEF, USET Foundation, Hugh Kincannon, and our Discipline Director Laureen Johnson.”

The U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage riders’ next competition is the 2015 Katy CPEDI3* October 27-29, followed by the 2015 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship held October 29 – November 1, 2015, in Katy, Texas.

NAJYRC Article July 15, 2015:

http://uspea.org/july-15-2015-u-s-riders-prepare-horses-for-the-inaugural-2015-adequanfei-north-american-junior-young-rider-para-dressage-championships/

NAJYRC Article July 12, 2015:

NAJYRC Inaugural Para-Dressage Competition Begins with a Reflection on the Past
http://uspea.org/july-12-2015-najyrc-inaugural-para-dressage-competition-begins-with-a-reflection-on-the-past/

About United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.

Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Para-Equestrian

Grover-Dodge, Portwood, and Area II Take Eventing Gold Medals at NAJYRC

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CH-J 1* Team Gold medalists, Area II (Brant Gamma Photos)

Para-Dressage Crowns Freestyle Medalists

Lexington, Ky. – The Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) came to a close on Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park with the awarding of the 2015 event’s final medals. In the CH-J 1* portion of the USEA North American Junior Eventing Championship, Area II claimed Team Gold, and Area II rider Camilla Grover-Dodge rode to the Individual win. Area III’s Diane Portwood earned top honors in the CCIYR2* division. In para-dressage, riders completed the freestyle phase of competition and were presented with their Freestyle medals.

Area II and Grover-Dodge Dominate in CH-J 1*

Area II led the CH-J 1* competition from the dressage phase all the way to the end of the stadium jumping phase to claim the Team Gold medal.

The Area II CH-J 1* Team included:
Camilla Grover-Dodge (16, Lancaster, Pa.) on Remington XXV – 38.3
Morgan Booth (18, Charlottesville, Va.) on Twizzel – Withdrawn
Amanda Beale Clement (16, Phoenixville, Pa.) on Peter Pan – 52.9
Skyler Decker (16, Mount Airy, Md.) on Inoui Van Bost – 56.8

The team had a commanding lead heading into Sunday’s stadium jumping phase, and they knew that they could have as many as five rails amongst them and still clinch the Gold. Then, Booth and her teammates received unfortunate news. Booth’s mount, Twizzel, was withdrawn after being held for re-inspection during Sunday morning’s final horse inspection, and Booth would be unable to continue the competition.

This meant the devastating end of the journey toward an Individual medal for Booth, and for the team it now meant that Booth’s score was automatically their one to drop. The Area II riders went from having five rails in hand to only being able to afford having one to still win the Gold.

“When we all got the news, we all cried,” Decker said. “We had a moment, and then we said, ‘Okay ladies, we have to do this for Morgan. Let’s get it together and go jump some double-clear rounds.'”

And that is exactly what they did. Decker and Grover-Dodge both turned in seamless clear rounds to cement their team’s solid position, while Clement had just one rail down for four faults. As for Grover-Dodge, that final clear would guarantee her a second medal – the Individual Gold.

“I’m so excited. I was just so happy for everyone. Everyone worked so hard, so it’s just the best feeling,” Grover-Dodge said.

Clement said, “It’s so cool; I love my team. We’ve all worked so hard, and we were all so ready for this. It’s just the coolest feeling, and I’m so happy. I wouldn’t want to be with any other girls. ”

Area II’s final, Gold medal-winning score was a 148.0. The Team Silver medal went to the Area V team with a score of 157.4. Riding for the Area V team were:

Margaret Stocker (17, Bartonville, Texas) on Second Hand Rose – 52.9
Caroline Testi (17, Edmond, Okla.) on Crimson Tide – 50.1
Olivia Alland (17, Crowley, Texas) on Fable – 59.1
Barrett Phillips (16, Fort Worth, Texas) on Mercedes – 54.4

The riders of Area VIII claimed the Bronze medal on a score of 161.9. The Bronze medal-winning riders included:

Jackie Lemastus (17, Goshen, Ky.) on Tatton Winter – 62.8
Emily Hagan (18, Prospect, Ky.) on Mr. Mom – 94.9
Mary Peabody Camp (18, Crestwood, Ky.) on Rivertown Lad – 50.2
Hope Walden (17, Versailles, Ky.) on Lilly Langtry – 48.9

While Grover-Dodge clinched the Individual Gold medal with an impressive margin and score of 38.3, the Individual Silver was awarded to Madelynn Snoozy (15, Ridgefield, Wash.) on Udealer on a score of 45.9. Shelby Brost (17, Red Deer, Alta.) and Crimson earned a score of 46.2 to win the Bronze medal.

In the CCIYR2*, Area III’s Diane Portwood (19, Marietta, Ga.) and Cinerescent held onto their overnight lead to claim the win. Portwood finished on a total score of 68.5.

“I’m so happy with ‘Leila.’ She was fantastic all weekend,” Portwood said of Cinerescent. “I’m very happy to be here. I’m super happy with her cross-country; that’s both of our best phases. She’s a fantastic cross-country horse.”

Taking second-place honors were Nicole Doolittle (18, Reddick, Fla.) and Tops of Area III on a score of 84.5, while third place was awarded to Area VIII’s Paige Pence (16, Louisville, Ky.) and Class Action, who finished with a score of 94.

Para-Dressage Freestyle Medals Awarded

Sunday’s presentation of the Para-Dressage Individual Freestyle medals marked the end of a successful debut of Para-Dressage competition at the NAJYRC.

Kate Shoemaker (Glendale, Ariz.) on Pacifec M competed in the Grade III, earning a 71.700% for the Gold medal.

“I was really proud of Pacifec today,” Shoemaker said. “He was really tired in the warm-up, and then we got him down in the arena and said, ‘come on buddy, one last time,’ and he said, ‘you got it, girl!'”

Cambry Kaylor (Lehi, Utah) on Markgard Donnewind and Sydney Collier (Ann Arbor, Mich.) on Wentworth performed their freestyles in the Grade 1b division. Kaylor’s score of 70.750% earned her the Gold medal, and Collier earned a 66.100% to take the Silver medal.

“I’m really proud of my horse today,” Kaylor said. “We were pretty conservative the last couple days, and we really gave it our all today. I’m still on could nine.”

Representatives competing for Team Canada in the Individual Freestyle included:

Nel Godin-Keating (Dartmouth, N.S.) on Mr. Itchy – Grade 1a
Sarah Cummings (Cranbrook, B.C.) on West Bay – Grade II
Madison Lawson (North Bay, Ont.) on Lawrence – Grade IV

Godin-Keating and Mr. Itchy earned the Gold in Grade 1a on a score of 62.400%. Cummings captured Gold in Grade II with West Bay with a score of 63.350%, and Lawson claimed the Gold in Grade IV on Lawrence, earning a score of 71.400%.

For full results or to learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships, presented by Gotham North, please visit www.youngriders.org.

From Phelps Media Group, Inc./USEF

Championships, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, USEF

Yowan and Deslauriers Garner Gold in Individual Jumping at NAJYRC

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Jumping Junior Individual Gold medalsit Vivian Yowan and Vornado Van Den Hoendrik (SusanJStickle.com)

Davis and Moreira Laliberte Win Freestyle Medals, and Team USA Golden in Para-Dressage

Lexington, Ky. – Show jumping competition at the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) presented by Gotham North came to a close on Saturday with the awarding of the Individual medals. Riding away with Gold were Vivian Yowan in the Junior division and Lucy Deslauriers in the Young Rider division.

The USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships also concluded on Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park with the Dressage Freestyle competition. Bebe Davis earned the Gold medal score in the Junior division and Naima Moreira Laliberte took the top position atop the podium in the Young Riders.

Para-dressage awarded the first medals in the discipline’s inaugural year at NAJYRC with the presentation of Individual and Team medals. On Sunday the riders will vie for Freestyle medals. The final of the four disciplines competing on Saturday, eventing, completed the cross-country phase, and eventing riders will return on Sunday for their show jumping phase.

Vivian Yowan Victorious in Junior Individual Show Jumping Championship

During the USHJA North American Junior and Young Rider Show Jumping Championships at the NAJYRC, Individual show jumping riders compete over five total rounds. By the end of the final round, Vivian Yowan (17, Lexington, Ky.) had managed to complete all five courses without a single rail rolling out of the cups with Vornado Van Den Hoendrik, securing her the Junior Individual Gold medal.

Yowan, of Zone 5, crossed the timers on Saturday with one single time fault. This added with her 3.08 coefficient score from the first round gave her a final total of 4.08. Her consistency throughout the three days of competition is something that Yowan worked hard on following her first NAJYRC appearance last year.

“Last year maybe wasn’t my best year here; it was my first year, so this year I knew what it took,” Yowan said. “You have to be consistent to even medal, so coming into this, and even in today, I knew that I just had to keep being consistent to get here.”

Also showing great consistency throughout the week was Mexico’s Juan Pablo Gaspar Albanez (17, Guadalajara, Mexico). Albanez kicked off the week by winning Wednesday’s opening round, and on Saturday he rode to a final score of 8.00 to win the Silver medal.

“This is good, but I think next year I’m going to do Juniors again,” joked Albanez. “I want to have that [Gold medal] around my neck. The first year I was 10th, and last year I was seventh, so I’m moving up. I hope next year to get the Gold.”

At 17 years old, Albanez will have another go at the Junior Gold next year, as will this year’s Bronze medal winner, Sophie Simpson (17, Royal Palm Beach, Fla.).

“I was close, but the luck wasn’t really in my favor today,” Simpson said. “My mare was incredible, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I’m happy standing next to good competition with a medal around my neck.”

Deslauriers Clinches Gold in Close Finish

In the Young Rider Individual Championship, the race for the Gold medal came down to less than one single time fault. Going into the fifth and final round of competition, Brittni Raflowitz (20, Palm City, Fla.) and Noel Fauntleroy (20, Manakin-Sabot, Va.) sat neck-and-neck with scores of 4.15 and 3.49, respectively. Sitting in third with a score of 8.04 was Lucy Deslauriers (16, New York, N.Y.) who had moved up from the fifth place position going into the day.

Jumping Young Rider Individual Gold medalist Lucy Deslauriers and Hester (SusanJStickle.com)
Jumping Young Rider Individual Gold medalist Lucy Deslauriers and Hester (SusanJStickle.com)

As the riders came back in reverse order of their standings, Deslauriers and her mount, Hester, delivered. They crossed the timers with just one time fault, giving them a total score of 9.04 and guaranteeing that they would finish no worse than Bronze.

After already turning in an impressive three clear rounds throughout the week, Raflowitz and Baloumina Du Ry finished the final round with five faults. Those faults positioned her nearly just one-tenth of a point behind Deslauriers, finishing on 9.15 and guaranteeing her a medal.

The 20-year-old was leading going into the final round, but she would have to settle for Bronze as two rails hit the ground, giving her a total score of 11.49. A Bronze at the NAJYRC is still an extremely impressive achievement, particularly as this year marks Fauntleroy’s first NAJYRC appearance.

“I honestly had no expectations coming into this,” Fauntleroy said. “This was my first time here so I’m just happy with yesterday, and having another clear round today was more than I could have asked, so I’m happy.”

Similarly, Raflowitz was thrilled with her and her mare’s incredible performances throughout the week that put her in the Silver position.

“My mare literally gave me everything she could today. I’m so happy with her,” Raflowitz said. “I never thought that I would jump three clean rounds this week with her. I could not have asked for any more of her.”

As for Deslauriers, the Gold medal makes the perfect addition to the Individual Silver medal she claimed last year, and she could not be happier.

“It’s really incredible. I really didn’t think going into this that this would be the end result. Especially going into this today I knew I was kind of the underdog coming back in fifth place,” Deslauriers said. “My horse jumped incredibly. He’s really a dream. He’s honestly the greatest horse that I’ve ever ridden for sure.”

Bebe Davis and Rotano Ride to Individual Junior Freestyle Gold

The top 18 Junior Individuals advanced to the Freestyle Championship on Saturday where they were judged by Brenda Minor at E, Marian Cunningham at H, Jayne Ayers at C, Anne Prain at M and Mercedes Campdera at B.

Bebe Davis (17, Wellington, Fla.) of Region 3 earned the highest Junior Freestyle score of the day with a 71.825% and secured the Gold medal.

“I had a previous [Freestyle] that I won Bronze with here in 2013. So I decided to change it,” Davis said. “I have all new music and all new choreography. I have a very difficult pattern in my canter tour. I have a half pass to the left and four changes on a 20-meter circle every seven strides. Then I have to half pass back to the right to the centerline. It went absolutely perfect today. So after that movement I was completely over the moon.”

Davis continued, “[Winning the Gold] is amazing. It’s been a long journey. This is my last year of juniors; I’m aging out this year. I’ve been working toward this moment for a very long time. It’s amazing to see that my hard work has finally paid off. All of the hours and all of the long days and early mornings have led to this. I’m extremely happy.”

Helen Claire McNulty (15, Holland, Mich.) of Region 2 and Checkmate earned the Silver medal with a score of 71.725%. McNulty turned in a solid freestyle test, despite admitting to a slight change of plans part way through.

“I picked up the counter canter, and when I asked him to do the changes on the quarter line he threw in a couple one-tempis. That sort of messed up what I was going to do with it, so I sort of had to just play along. The canter work that I wanted to use would have been harder than what I did use, but that was okay. It turned out pretty good.”

The Bronze medal went to Camille Carier Bergeron (15, Mascouche, Que.) of British Columbia-Quebec. She and her mount Delfiano rode to a score of 71.375% in their freestyle test set to upbeat African-style music.

Naima Moreira Laliberte Leaves with Second 2015 NAJYRC Medal

On Friday, Naima Moreira Laliberte (18, Montreal, Que.) earned the Young Rider Individual Bronze medal, and on Saturday she returned to claim the Young Rider Freestyle Gold medal.

Laliberte and her mount, Belafonte, earned a score of 71.825% in one of their first times performing their freestyle test together in full.

“I won’t lie. I only rode it once and qualified,” Laliberte said. “I just know the music and know the patterns. That’s kind of my style – just feel the groove, practice every day, and build up. You practice a little piece here and a little piece there. It’s much easier when you put the music together yourself because you know when you make the cues and the timing. You know your music.”

The judges for the Young Rider class were Gabriel Armando at E, Lorraine Stubbs at H, Janet Foy at C, Ulrike Nivelle at M, and Cesar Torrente at B.

The ground jury scored the combination of Hannah Bauer (16, Purcellville, Va.) and Trustful with a 70.000%, securing them the Silver medal.

“I’m super excited,” Bauer said. “My freestyle went pretty well. There are some things where you think, ‘oh if I just could have fixed that,’ but I’m super happy. My horse was in a good mood; I was in a good mood. I think I’m most happy with that feeling of it.”

The Bronze medal went to Kerrigan Gluch (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) who earned a score of 69.050% on Vacquero HGF.

Team USA Gets the Gold in Inaugural NAJYRC Para-Dressage Championship

While the Team Para-Dressage championship took place on Thursday, the winners received both their Team and Individual medals on Saturday after also completing their Individual tests. Topping the podium in team competition was Team USA, with Team Canada taking the Silver.

The U.S. team finished with a team cumulative score of 380.191. The team is composed of:

Kate Shoemaker (Glendale, Ariz.) on Pacifec M – Grade III
Cambry Kaylor (Lehi, Utah) on Markgard Donnewind – Grade 1b
Sydney Collier (Ann Arbor, Mich.) on Wentworth – Grade 1b

Beyond just being happy with their performances, all members of Team USA were excited to see para-dressage added to the disciplines offered at the NAJYRC.

“I’m just really excited to be here, since it’s the first time ever that [para-dressage] has been in the NAJYRC,” Kaylor said. “I’m just honored to be here, and we’re thrilled.”

Kaylor finished with the Individual Silver medal in the Grade 1b competition, earning scores of 62.65% in the Team test and 61.509% in the Individual test for a 124.16 total. Earning the Individual Gold medal in the 1b competition was Kaylor’s teammate, Collier. Collier received scores of 67.65% and 67.112% for a cumulative total of 134.76.

“I feel ecstatic about it,” Collier said. “I was here [at the Kentucky Horse Park] about three years ago with Jonathan Wentz, doing our demonstration of our freestyle, and it just really feels like Jonathan is right here with is. It’s such an honor to be here as a team, and I’m so impressed with my teammates and incredibly happy with our horses.”

The third member of Team USA, Shoemaker, received the Individual Gold in Grade III with scores of 66.02% and 68.079% for a 134.099 total.

“I just really wanted to thank the whole team that helped get us here,” Shoemaker said. “USEF, USET, Adequan; a whole bunch of people who are unnamed that made everything behind the scenes happen. It was huge, and we couldn’t have done it without the amazing sponsors, and not to mention our individual help from our families and everybody that helped with our horses.”

Riding for Team Canada are:

Nel Godin-Keating (Dartmouth, N.S.) on Mr. Itchy – Grade 1a
Sarah Cummings (Cranbrook, B.C.) on West Bay – Grade II
Madison Lawson (North Bay, Ont.) on Lawrence – Grade IV

Godin-Keating and Mr. Itchy earned the Gold in Grade 1a on scores of 63.315% and 61.902%, Cummings captured Gold in Grade II with West Bay on scores of 61.397% and 61.464%, and Lawson claimed the Gold in Grade IV on Lawrence, earning scores of 66.815% and 65.298%.

Para-dressage riders return on Sunday to complete their Freestyle tests and vie for Freestyle medals.

Area II Retains Team Lead after Cross-Country at 2015 USEA North American Junior and Young Rider Eventing Championship

Heavy rains the previous night made for wet conditions but did not cause problems. Riders uniformly said the course was fair, well designed and rode as they expected. In the CH-J 1* Team competition, Area II retained its lead after cross-country and will head into Sunday’s stadium phase with a total score of 129.0

The Area II team roster is:

Camilla Grover-Dodge (16, Lancaster, Pa.) on Remington XXV – 38.3
Morgan Booth (18, Charlottesville, Va.) on Twizzel – 41.8
Amanda Beale Clement (16, Phoenixville, Pa.) on Peter Pan – 48.9
Skyler Decker (16, Mount Airy, Md.) on Inoui Van Bost – 56.8

Camilla Grover-Dodge and Remington XXV (Brant Gamma Photos)
Camilla Grover-Dodge and Remington XXV (Brant Gamma Photos)

Grover-Dodge, who had only competed at the CCI1* level once before, said her horse, Remi, was “really good. He was a little excited. He felt so great, so rideable to everything. All the combinations and everything rode really well.”

Booth said that when she left the start box aboard Twizzel, Will Coleman’s former four-star mount, “I felt like I was riding a hurricane because he thought he was at Rolex. I just let him go through the first three because I knew that those were just galloping fences. He was amazing. It was probably the cross-country ride of my life, so I was really happy.”

In the Individual competition, Grover-Dodge and Remington XXV lead the field, followed by teammate Booth and Twizzel. Sitting is third is Madison Temkin (14, Sonoma, Calif.) of Area VI and Kingslee with a score of 45.2.

In the CCIYR2* division, Diane Portwood (19, Marrieta, Ga.) of Area III moved into the Individual lead Saturday on Cinerescent a double clear cross-country round, maintaining their dressage score of 60.5. Nicole Doolittle (17, Reddick, Fla.) and Tops, who led the after dressage, slipped into second individually after 20.8 time faults on cross-country, for a total of 68.5. Paige Pence (16, Louisville, Ky.) and Class Action, with 18.4 time faults, stand in third (78.0 total).

The show jumping phase of eventing takes place tomorrow, the final day of the competition, followed by the medal ceremonies.

For full results or to learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships, presented by Gotham North, please visit www.youngriders.org.

From Phelps Media Group, Inc./USEF

Championships, Dressage, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., USEF

Helen Claire McNulty and Natalie Pai Earn Dressage Gold Medals at NAJYRC

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Dressage Junior Individual medalists – Chloe Taylor (Bronze), Helen Claire McNulty (Gold), and Camille Bergeron (Silver) (SusanJStickle.com)

Endurance Medals Awarded and Eventing Underway

Lexington, Ky. – Dressage riders from across the United States and Canada competed for Individual medals at the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) on Friday at the Kentucky Horse Park.

In the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championship, it was Helen Claire McNulty (Region 2) who claimed the Gold medal in the Junior division. In the Young Rider division, the Gold medal went to Natalie Pai (Region 3).

Endurance riders competed in their 75-mile race on Thursday, and on Friday morning Kelsey Russell was presented with the Individual Gold medal. The Team Gold was awarded to Team USA Southeast. CH-J 1* Junior eventing competition also got underway on Friday with the dressage phase of competition.

Helen Claire McNulty Wins Individual Gold

The top three in the Junior Individual dressage competition all finished within less than one percent of each other, but at the top of the list was Helen Claire McNulty of Region 2. The 15-year-old and her mount, Checkmate, finished the day on a score of 70.816% to claim the Individual Gold medal.

“I did [the NAJYRC] last year, and I finished 11th individually and fifth in the freestyle. It’s pretty cool to come back here and win it,” McNulty said.

McNulty (Holland, Mich.) continued, “My horse and I, we have had a lot of problems. Last night I said to myself that if you want to do well, you have to start pushing a little bit more and asking a little bit more because he can give it to you. I just did that today, and it paid it off. I took some risks that maybe could have ended badly, but they didn’t.”

Camille Bergeron (15, Mascouche, Que.) of Team British Columbia/Quebec rode Delfiano to the Silver medal after earning a score of 70.079%.

“We train all year to get here. Just to be here and to win is a dream come true. It proves all of our hard work paid off,” Bergeron said.

The Bronze medal was awarded to Region 9’s Chloe Taylor (17, Wimberley, Texas) riding Calecto V.

“I’m really pleased with my test and my horse, and I really want to congratulate my teammates because I think everybody did a really, really good job today. All of the tests were beautiful,” Taylor said.

Young Rider Gold Goes to Natalie Pai

On Wednesday Natalie Pai claimed Team Silver alongside her Region 3 teammates, and after Friday’s Individual competition she will also be going home with a Gold.

Pai (18, Wellington, Fla.) and Fritz San Tino finished Friday’s Individual test with a score of 69.132% to secure their victory.

“I honestly just came here to have a lot fun,” Pai said. “I’m so thrilled with how it turned out. He was such a good boy, and I’m so happy with him.”

Fresh off the USEF Young Rider European Tour, last year’s Individual, Team, and Freestyle Gold medalist, Catherine Chamberlain, came into this year’s competition feeling the pressure of returning as the defending champion, and now, she is thrilled to be leaving with another Young Rider medal. She claimed the Individual Silver medal on Avesto Van Weltevreden with a score of 68.711%.

“I was on a different horse this year. He’s really green; he’s only 10,” Chamberlain said. “We just did our first Prix St. George test in February. It’s been quite the journey with him. He’s a very talented horse. I’ve been thrilled with how he’s really developed over the last few months, and I couldn’t be happier with him. He’s trying really hard, and he’s just such a good boy. This is my last year here; I age out. To come here and to get this result is amazing. I’m very happy.”

Finishing in third and taking home the Bronze medal was Naima Moreira Laliberte (18, Montreal, Que.) on Belafonte. The pair from the team of Quebec earned a score of 68.447%.

Double Gold for Team USA Southeast in Endurance

Team USA Southeast dominated the podium on Friday morning at the NAJYRC. The team took both Team and Individual Gold, while USA Northeast earned Team Silver.

Kelsey Russell, 19, of Williston, Fla., rode off with both the Individual Gold and the Best-Conditioned Horse Award aboard My Wild Irish Gold, a 12-year-old Anglo-Arabian mare owned by Valerie Kanavy. Her teammate, Annie Whelan (Louisa, Ky.), won the Style Award.

Team medals are determined by the top three highest-placed combinations. The USA Southeast team finished with the best cumulative time of 19:35:15, followed by USA Northeast (20:30:41).

In the individual rankings, Russell had the best time of 5:43:56 hours. The Silver medal went to Hanna Weightman (Shamong, N.J.) with Meg Sleeper’s Syrocco Rabia (5:46:07 hours), and the Bronze to Hope Misner (Webster City, Iowa) with Roxi Welling’s GDE Sweete Legacy (5:52:03).

Eleven of 14 starters completed the course designed by Emmett Ross, which drew numerous compliments from competitors.

“Emmett Ross got us out of the mud, and we’re very grateful for that,” said Whelan. Ross spent the entire day before the race rerouting the course because portions of the original route were belly-deep in water from torrential rains earlier in the week.

At the press conference after the awards, there was laughter and tears, particularly when the competitors talked about their horses (three of which are being retired after this event). Among the retirees is My Wild Irish Gold, Russell’s champion mount whom she has been riding for six years and whom will now become a broodmare. The pair previously won this event at the Horse Park in 2011.

“I won my first ride on her, and she took me to two world championships,” Russell said. “It’s a bond I don’t think anyone will ever take (away).”

The Gold medal team roster included:

Kelsey Russell with Valerie Kanavy’s My Wild Irish Gold
Katie Baldino (Marietta, Ga.) with Mary Kathryn Clark’s Questafir
Annie Whelan with Nicki Meuten’s RF Priceless
Mary Kathryn Clark (Eatonton, Ga.) with her own Kalilas Legacy
Mallory Capps (Cumming, Ga.) with Jeremy Olson’s SA Belshazzar

The Silver team members were:

Hanna Weightman with Meg Sleeper’s Syrocco Rabia
India Orino (Albany Township, Maine) with Thomas Hutchinson’s Frontier Random
Maria Muzzio (Clifton, Va.) with Natalie Muzzion’s Laconic
Hunter Green (Star Tannery, Va.) with Cheryl Van Desusen’s Spotless Summer Magic

Area II and Camilla Grover-Dodge Lead Eventing after Day One

The three-day journey to the Eventing CH-J 1* (Junior) and CCI2* (Young Rider) medal podiums started on Friday with the dressage phase of the USEA North American Junior and Young Rider Eventing Championship.

In the CH-J 1* Team competition, the team from Area II leads the way on a score of 126.6 penalties, while Area VI sits second with a score of 144.8 penalties and Ontario currently rounds out the top three on a score of 146.1 penalties.

The Area II team includes:
Camilla Grover-Dodge (16, Lancaster, Pa.) on Remington XXV (38.3 penalties)
Morgan Booth (18, Charlottesville, Va.) on Twizzel (41.8 penalties)
Amanda Beale Clement (16, Phoenixville, Pa.) on Peter Pan (46.5 penalties)
Skyler Decker (16, Mount Airy, Md.) on Inoui Van Bost (53.2 penalties)

Camilla Grover-Dodge and Remington XXV, CH-J 1* leaders (Brant Gamma Photos)
Camilla Grover-Dodge and Remington XXV, CH-J 1* leaders (Brant Gamma Photos)

This year marks Booth’s third time competing at the NAJYRC, and after learning experiences the past two years, she hopes this will be her best one yet.

“I think the third time is the charm, and I’m really happy to be back because it’s so great,” Grover-Dodge said. “It’s the best week as a junior. It’s so inspiring and who doesn’t want to come ride in the Rolex arena?”

In the CH-J 1* Individual competition, Grover-Dodge on Remington XXV leads the standings with 38.3 penalties for Area II. Booth, also of Area II, sits in second riding Twizzel with 41.8 penalties, and Makenna Rold (15, Delano, Minn.) of Area IV rounds out the top three with 44.9 penalties.

“We went in there and [Remington] put on his game face,” Grover-Dodge said. “He was so rideable for all the moments; he was great.”

Grover-Dodge continued, “He’s 19, so he always has to be in work: always walking, keeping him really fit because he’s older. I’m so lucky to be able to ride Remington, and I just want to do well on him.”

In the CCI2* Individual standings, Nicole Doolittle (Reddick, Fla.) tops the leaderboard with 47.7 penalties riding Tops. Paige Pence (Louisville, Ky.) sits in second on Class Action with 59.6 penalties. Diane Portwood (Marietta, Ga.) and Cinerescent round out the top three on 60.5 penalties.

The CCI2* will not be competing for FEI medals and the team competition is not being held this year due to insufficient international entries.

USHJA North American Junior and Young Rider Show Jumping Championship Farewell Round

Eight horses competed in the Farewell class in the Walnut Arena on Friday morning with Zone 2’s Lucy Matz (Coatesville, Pa.) and Cardella topping the field. The pair posted the quickest clear jump-off round in a time of 38.42 seconds.

Finishing just behind Matz were Zone 9’s Jennifer Gates (Medina, Wash.) and Cadence in second, while third went to Canada’s Ashlee Steffens and Braveheart de Muze.

For full results or to learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, please visit www.youngriders.org.

USEF Network presented by SmartPak will live stream the entirety of Saturday’s events from the Rolex Stadium and Stonelea Ring during NAJYRC. Visit www.usefnetwork.com to tune in and to find out more.

From Phelps Media Group, Inc./USEF

Championships, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, USEF

Gold Medals Go to Zones 4 and 3/5 at 2015 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC

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Jumping Junior Team medalists from Zone 4 – Chef d’Equipe Kim Land, Mackenzie McGehee, Sophie Simpson, Brett Burlington, and Louise Graves (Brant Gamma Photos)

Lexington, Ky. – Team show jumping competition took center stage in the Rolex Stadium at the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) on Thursday. Para-dressage riders simultaneously vied for their Team medals in the discipline’s first appearance at the NAJYRC, and riders covered ground across the Kentucky Horse Park and beyond in the 2015 endurance race.

In the USHJA North American Junior and Young Rider Show Jumping Championship, the Junior Team Gold medal went to Zone 4, while Zones 3/5 claimed the top spot on the podium in the Young Rider Team competition.

Junior Gold Medal Goes to Zone 4

The Zone 4 team of Brett Burlington (16, Coral Gables, Fla.), Louise Graves (18, Franklin, Tenn.), Mackenzie McGehee (17, Jacksonville, Fla.) and Sophie Simpson (17, Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) led from early on in the team competition through to the end of the second round to clinch the Gold medal. As a team, they accumulated an impressive five clear rounds, with both Burlington and Simpson producing double clear efforts on their mounts Anders Wictor L and Why Not, respectively. The Zone 4 Chef d’Equipe was Kim Land.

In the first round, Graves finished on just one time fault aboard Zavira, and McGehee ended on 12 faults riding Unique. McGehee’s 12-fault finish would serve as the team’s first round drop score and leave them in the lead on only one fault at the end of the first round.

Zone 4 continued their impressive efforts in round two with Graves finishing on eight faults and McGehee, Burlington and Simpson all turning in clear efforts to secure the team victory.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that this has been a huge dream for us,” Simpson said. “Everything was aligned for us today, and we had a great day.”

Giving Zone 4 a run for their money early on was the combined team of Zones 5/9 who finished with the Team Silver medal. Vivian Yowan (17, Lexington, Ky.) on Vornado Van Den Hoendrik and Annika Faught (17, Ashford, Ore.) riding Quintara kicked things off for the team with clear efforts over the Alan Wade-designed course. Emma Wujek (14, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.) and Ugaf finished the first round on 13 faults, while Daisy Farish (14, Versailles, Ky.) and Triviant rounded out the team’s efforts with just four faults. In the second round, Yowan again mastered the track without fault, producing her second clear round, while Wujek and Farish each finished on just four faults, and Faught ended on 16. Their efforts would leave them with a 12 fault total over the two rounds. Abby Blankenship served as the Zones 5/9 Chef d’Equipe.

The Bronze Team medal returned to Mexico for the second year-in-row, this year going home with Juan Pablo Gaspar Albanez on Puertas So What (17, Guadalajara, Mexico), Fernanda Rodriguez De Haene on Teuz DLN Liban (17, Mexico City, Mexico), Carlos Hank Guerreiro on Cedino K (15, Mexico City, Mexico) and Alfonso Diaz on Virginia (18, Guadalajara, Mexico). The Mexico North team finished on 20 faults. The team’s Chef d’Equipe was Mauricio Guerra.

Yowan leads the way as the early front runner in the Junior Individual competition with 3.08 faults after the first three rounds of competition. Simpson is in second with 3.50 faults and Gaspar Albanez is third with 4.00 faults.

Zones 3 and 5 Combine to Claim Young Rider Team Gold

It came right down to the final fence in the Young Rider Team competition, but in an exciting finish it was the combined team of Zones 3 and 5 that earned their spot atop the podium and the Young Rider Team Gold medal. The team finished on a total of 13 faults.

Kalvin Dobbs (19, Carmel, Ind.) and Bukato finished on 12 faults in the first round and 16 faults in round two. Jacob Pope (20, Columbia, Md.) had eight faults in the first round on Zilvana, but the pair improved their performance the second time around to turn in a clear round. Noel Fauntleroy (20, Manakin-Sabot, Va.) was the powerhouse of the team, producing a double clear effort on Cabras, and Meredith Darst (18, Lebanon, Ohio) and Quester De Virton finished on one and four faults. The Zone 3/5 team was led by Chefs d’Equipe Sandra Ruiz and Abby Blankenship.

“It really was a team effort. Noel was clear the whole way through; Maddy really carried us through it too, and I had eight faults and one clear, so we kind of all pitched in,” Pope said. “It’s really exciting; this is what I was really going for this year.”

The team of Zones 4/8 was neck-and-neck with the Zone 3/5 team, leading the competition all the way down to the wire, but a rail at the very last fence of the very last ride would relegate them to the Bronze medal position and secure the Silver for Zone 2.

The Zone 2 team finished on a total of 8 faults, with faults spread across riders. Katherine Strauss (16, Southampton, N.Y.) and All In had 13 in round one and four in round two. Sima Morgello (19, Bronx, N.Y.) and Oritentales finished on eight faults over the first round and then came back to improve her efforts with a clear round the second time around. Kira Kerkorian (17, Sagaponack, N.Y.) on Nightfire 25 Lucy Deslauriers (16, New York, N.Y.) on Hester each turned in clear first round efforts and had four faults and eight faults, respectively, in the second round. Ralph Caristo served as the Chef d’Equipe for Zone 2.

Finishing on a team total of 20 faults to take the Bronze medal was the Zones 4/8 team of Kaely Tomeu (19, Wellington, Fla.) and Fidalgo Van Het Leliehof, Brittni Raflowitz (20, Palm City, Fla.) on Baloumina Du Ry, Kelli Cruciotti riding Wallenberg (17, Elizabeth, Colo.) and Victoria Colvin (17, Loxahatchee, Fla.) aboard Lumiere. Tomeau finished on eight faults in the first round and four faults in the second round. Cruciotti had 12 faults in round one and eight faults in round two, while Colvin went clear in the first round and had eight in the second round. Raflowitz was the powerhouse of the team, turning in a double clear effort. The Chef d’Equipe for Zones 4/8 was Kim Land.

Fauntleroy’s efforts on Thursday shot her toward the top of the Individual leaderboard with a total of 3.49 faults. Raflowitz is second on 4.15 faults and Darst is third on 5.00 faults.

Sydney Collier and Wentworth (SusanJStickle.com)
Sydney Collier and Wentworth (SusanJStickle.com)

Para-Dressage Makes NAJYRC Debut with Team Competition

Team USA led the team competition of the North American Young Rider Para-Dressage Championship on Thursday in the Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Horse Park. This year, para-dressage makes its debut at the NAJYRC and has already proven to be a tough competition, with team USA and Canada going head-to-head for the top spot.

Sydney Collier on Wentworth impressed the judges, receiving a score of 67.650% in the FEI Grade 1b Team Test. Canadian rider Cambry Kaylor placed second on Markgard Donnewind, earning a score of 62.650 percent.

At the end of the day Team USA is atop the leaderboard with a total score of 196.320. Team Canada is close behind with a total score of 191.527.

The Para-Dressage Team results are listed below:

Team USA:
Kate Shoemaker (Eagle, Idaho) on Pacifec – Grade III – 66.020%
Cambry Kaylor (Lehi, Utah) on Markgard Donnewind – Grade 1b – 62.650%
Sydney Collier (Ann Arbor, Mich.) on Wentworth – Grade 1b – 67.650%

Team Canada:
Nel Godin-Keating (Dartmouth, N.S.) on Mr. Itchy – Grade 1a – 63.315%
Sarah Cummings (Cranbrook, B.C.) on West Bay – Grade II – 61.39%
Madison Lawson (North Bay, Ont.) on Lawrence – Grade IV – 66.815%

Para-Dressage continues on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m. with the Para-Dressage Individual competition, following which both Team and Individual medals will be awarded.

Kelsey Russell Wins Endurance Individual Gold, USA Southeast Claims Team Gold

Kelsey Russell of Williston, Fla. won the individual competition of the North American Young Rider Endurance Championship aboard My Wild Irish Gold on Thursday with a time of 5:43:56.

Hanna Weightman (Shamong, N.J.) took the Individual Silver medal with Syrocco Rabia finishing in a time of 5:46:07, and Hope Misner (Webster City, Iowa) earned Bronze with GDE Sweete Legacy with a time of 5:52:03. Russell rode for Team USA Southeast, Weightman for USA Northeast, and Misner for USA Central.

“I didn’t think she was going to stop,” said a grinning Russell, 19, after she dismounted.

Fourteen riders started the 120 km (75-mile) 4* course at 6:30 a.m. in crisp weather and a soupy mist that made it challenging to see at a distance. By noon, however, the sun was shining brightly, and the air was a hot, heavy blanket of Kentucky humidity. The first horse crossed the finish line shortly after 3:00 p.m.

Because of torrential rains earlier in the week and for the safety of the horses, portions of the course were rerouted the previous day. The entire race (five loops) took place on the 1,200-acre Kentucky Horse Park grounds instead of crossing adjacent private properties, as has done previously and was planned this year.

Although there were some muddy stretches, Russell said the course rode very well. “Emmett Ross [the course designer] did a really good job. By the end of the last loop most of the footing was dry. We took it easy the first two loops, and by the third she was ready to rock ‘n’ roll.”

Owner Valerie Kanavy, a legendary endurance rider, who is also Russell’s coach, bred her mount. Kanavy said the 11-year-old mare will have some time off as a broodmare after this event. She described Russell as “a very special young lady,” adding, “She works her tail off and is already managing our whole training program, which has 17 horses. She’s amazing – a straight-A student who can do just about anything.”

After this race, Russell has finished 13 of 14 starts, placing within the top five in each, including the 2013 FEI World Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Riders. She is starting her sophomore year in college as a business major and plans to become a veterinarian.

The USA Southeast team claimed Gold with a combined time of 19:35:15. The members are:

Kelsey Russell and My Wild Irish Gold
Katie Baldino and Questafir
Annie Whelan and RF Priceless
Mary Kathryn Clark and Kalilas Legacy
Mallory Capps and SA Belshazzar

The endurance medals ceremony will take place on Friday at 11:00 a.m. along with the announcement and presentation of the best-conditioned horse award.

For full results or to learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, please visit www.youngriders.org.

USEF Network presented by SmartPak will live stream the entirety of Saturday’s events from the Rolex Stadium and Stonelea Ring during NAJYRC. Visit www.usefnetwork.com to tune in and to find out more.

From Phelps Media Group, Inc./USEF

Championships, Competitions, Dressage

Dressage Team Medals Awarded at 2015 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC

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Dressage Young Rider Team Gold medalist from Region 7 – Samantha Jenny, Cassidy Gallman, Lindsey Brewin, and Catherine Chamberlain (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, Ky. – Dressage riders kicked off the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) with the team competition in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. The returning champions, Region 7 Young Riders, proved to be untouchable as they clinched the 2015 Young Rider Team Dressage title for a third year in a row. Canada’s Ontario Team won the Junior Team Dressage Gold medal.

The Young Rider Team Division was very close this year with the Gold medalists earning a team total score of 199.658 and the Silver medalists, Region 3, earning a 199.369 team score.

“It was super close, so kudos to the Silver medal team for really giving us a run for it. It was exciting and nerve wracking,” said Catherine Chamberlain of the Region 7 Young Rider Team.

The Region 7 Gold medal winning Young Rider team earned a total of 199.658:
Catherine Chamberlain (20, Murrieta, Calif.) and Avesto Van Weltevreden 67.395%
Lindsey Brewin (17, San Ramon, Calif.) and Vaillant 66.395%
Cassidy Gallman (20, Poway, Calif.) and Grand Makana 66.053%
Samantha Jenney (19, Gilroy, Calif.) and Domino 64.158%

Gallman noted, “For [Catherine Chamberlain] and me, it’s our last year. I just wanted to do right by my horse and my teammates. Just to be with these girls is amazing.”

Brewin agreed that the team aspect of the competition contributed to their success: “All of the support from all of the other riders really helped each of us perform our best, even if we didn’t have the best tests today.”

Chamberlain said, “The best part about this year for us is that it was a real team effort. We all had a few mistakes so we really had to pull together as a team to pull it off, and I think that was really special.”

The Silver medal for Young Riders went to Region 3 with a total of 199.369:
Natalie Pai (18, Wellington, Fla.) and Fritz San Tino 69.184%
Mallory Kent (17, Birmingham, Ala.) and Okidokie 62.632%
Lindsey Holleger (19, Tallahassee, Fla.) and Friedensfurst 67.553%
Rebecca Roman (20, Birmingham, Ala.) and Ultimo 60.947%

Canada’s Alberta/British Columbia team won the Bronze medal for Young Riders with a total of 198.105:
Hannah Beaulieu (19, Maple Ridge, B.C.) and Cortison 68.368%
Rakeya Moussa (18, Edmonton, Alta.) and Merlin Nemorensis 68.395%
Elexis Ortlieb (18, Leduc County, Alta.) and Diego 61.342%

Canada’s Ontario Team won the Gold medal for FEI Juniors with a total of 200.92:
Alexandra Meghji (17, Toronto, Ont.) and Iliado II 67.730%
Vanessa Creech-Terauds (15, Caistor Centre, Ont.) and Denzel BC 67.514%
Yanina Woywitka (15, Merrickville, Ont.) and Rheirattack 65.676%
Georgia Wade (16, Fonthill, Ont.) and Beaumont 64.00

Dressage Junior Team Gold medalists from Canada-Ontario - Vanessa Creech-Terauds, Yanina Woywitka, Georgia Wade, and Alexandra Meghji (SusanJStickle.com)
Dressage Junior Team Gold medalists from Canada-Ontario – Vanessa Creech-Terauds, Yanina Woywitka, Georgia Wade, and Alexandra Meghji (SusanJStickle.com)

Ontario’s anchor rider, Alexandra Meghji, said, “We’re so lucky to be at this amazing championship at this amazing venue with all of these other girls from across North America who share the same passion for horses that we have. For all of us winning the Gold medal today is just the icing on the cake of an amazing day.”

Creech added, “We are all extremely happy and proud of our rides today, especially because we are such a close team. We definitely support each other, and we have so much support from grooms and owners and Equine Canada members and sponsors – everybody that makes this possible. It’s so amazing. We are all so extremely grateful and happy.”

Region 7 Juniors won the Silver medal for FEI Juniors with a total of 198.163:
Veronica West (15, Marina del Ray, Calif.) and Nobleman 68.676%
Shelby Rocereto (17, Livermore, Calif.) and Chapeau 64.973%
Brianna Relucio (16, San Ramon, Calif.) and Wynsum 64.514%
Mia Slaughter (16, Norco, Calif.) and Harrington L 60.514%

The Junior Team of Region 9 won the Bronze medal with a total of 197.379:
Chloe Taylor (17, Los Angeles, Calif.) and Calecto V 68.162%
Madison Lacy (14, Waco, Texas) and Flintstone 64.649%
Bronwyn Cordiak (17, Argyle, Texas) and Dschingis Blue 64.568%
Allison Hopkins (17, Dallas, Texas) and Windsor 61.514%

Juan Pablo Gaspar Albanez and Meredith Darst Claim Opening Day Show Jumping Victories

The USHJA North American Junior and Young Rider Show Jumping Championship competition also got underway on Wednesday with the First Individual Qualifier.

The Junior riders opened the day in the Walnut Ring, where team Mexico North’s Juan Pablo Gaspar Albanez (17, Guadalajara, Mexico) earned victory in the opening speed class aboard Puertas So What.

Albanez was part of the 2014 Bronze medal winning Junior team, as well as a top 10 finisher individually. This year, he looks to improve upon his record.

“Every year that passes you have more experience, and you learn,” Albanez said. “We came here with a great team, and we hope this year that we have gold!”

Albanez continued, “I really like everything about coming here. You get to know people. You get to compete here. You can see how you stand against everyone in your level and with all of your age riders. You just have fun.”

Second place in the Junior First Individual Qualifier went to Daisy Farish on Triviant, while Vivian Yowan rounded out the top three aboard Vornado Van Den Hoendrik.

In the Young Rider First Individual Qualifier it was Meredith Darst (18, Lebanon, Ohio) who claimed victory aboard Quester De Virton.

“It’s fun being here with all of the other disciplines. If I wanted to go watch something I don’t get to usually watch all the time, I can, and that makes it a lot of fun,” Darst said.

Darst continued, “Today I just thought, ‘go for it.’ My horse went great, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.”

Lucy Deslauriers and Hester finished second behind Darst, and Victoria Colvin and Lumiere earned the third-place honors.

Competition at the NAJYRC continues Thursday morning with endurance beginning at 6:30 a.m. ET. Show jumping team competition kicks off with Junior riders showing in the Rolex Stadium beginning at 8 a.m. Eventing begins shortly after with eventing dressage starting at 8:30 a.m. in the Stonelea Ring.

For full results or to learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, please visit www.youngriders.org.

From Phelps Media Group, Inc./USEF

Championships, Dressage, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, USEF

2015 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC Welcomes 222 Riders

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Tuesday’s dressage horse inspection (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, Ky. – Tuesday evening’s Opening Ceremonies marked the exciting start of the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC). The Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that 222 entries are set to compete in the championships, which run July 14-19 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

Of the 76 riders set to compete in the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championship, 41 will vie for medals in Young Rider competition, with 35 lining up in the Junior championship. Teams will be competing from nine regions of the United States, from Mexico, and from the Canadian territories of Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, British Columbia/Quebec, and British Columbia/Alberta.

In the USHJA North American Junior and Young Rider Show Jumping Championship, 27 Young Riders and 46 Juniors compose the Individual competition. A Canadian team, two Mexican teams, and nine American teams will look to secure Team medals in Junior competition, with a Canadian team and eight American teams lining up in the Young Rider Championship.

Two Canadian and nine U.S. teams are set to go in the USEA North American Junior Eventing Championship. Four individual riders will stake their claim on Young Rider excellence in the CCIYR2*.

A field of 16 riders is set to race in the North American Young Rider Endurance Championship, with one Canadian and three U.S. teams composing team competition.

New to NAJYRC this year, the North American Young Rider Para-Dressage Championship has a U.S. and a Canadian team, with 6 individuals hoping to claim top honors.

Stay connected with all the action at the 2015 NAJYRC at usefconnect.com/najyrc.

To learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, visit: www.youngriders.org.

Tune in to the USEF Network starting at 7:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 18 to see the live stream of these rising stars in the sport.

From Phelps Media Group, Inc./USEF

Championships, Eventing/H.T., USEF, Western/Reining

Update on Eventing and Reining Championships at the 2015 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC

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Lexington, Ky. – The Organizing Committee of the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) has announced that due to insufficient international entries, both the CH-Y 2* USEA North American Young Rider Individual and Team Eventing Championship and the SmartPak North American Junior and Young Rider Team and Individual Reining Championships are unable to be held.

Following the close of Nominated Entries, the FEI requirement of at least two National Federations represented with teams was not met in order to run the Young Rider eventing and reining divisions as Continental Championships. For eventing, the Organizing Committee will hold a CCIYR2*, allowing competitors the opportunity to ride and still feel a part of the championship experience. A CRIJ and CRIYR competition was offered for reining, but due to lack of entries will not be held.

The USEA North American Junior Eventing Championship (CH-J 1*) will be run as planned.

The NAJYRC will be held July 14-19 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

For more information on the event, please visit youngriders.org.

From the NAJYRC

Championships, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping, USEF

2015 Dates and Location Announced for FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships

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Lexington, Ky. – The Organizing Committee of the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) presented by Gotham North is pleased to announce the dates and location of the 2015 Championships.

Returning to the Kentucky Horse Park, the best Junior and Young Rider competitors from North America will compete for prestigious Team and Individual medals July 14-19, 2015. With unwavering support, Adequan will mark its fifth consecutive year as title sponsor of the event.

“We are very excited to be returning to the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park next summer,” said USEF CEO Chris Welton. “NAJYRC is an important Championship for the future of equestrian sport, giving many top riders their first experiences in international competition. The wonderful support of Adequan, Gotham North, and all of our sponsors make the event possible.”

Supporting the only FEI multi-discipline Championship held annually in North America, NAJYRC is lucky to have a long list of dedicated sponsors, which include: Gotham North, SmartPak, U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, U.S. Dressage Federation, U.S. Eventing Association, Equine Canada, and the Federación Ecuestre Mexicana. For a full list of NAJYRC sponsors and to learn more about partnership opportunities, please visit www.youngriders.org.

To get involved with NAJYRC, please contact Mark Coley at mcoley@usef.org.

Championships, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping, USEF

Competition Comes to Close with Jumping Individual and Eventing Medals at Historic NAJYRC

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Jumping Young Rider Individual medalists (from left) Michael Hughes, Wilton Porter, and Victoria Colvin (Sportfot)

Lexington, Ky. – The 2014 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) came to a close Sunday with the last medals of the Championship being awarded. In the USHJA North American Junior and Young Riders’ Show Jumping Championship, brothers Wilton and Lucas Porter made history at the NAJYRC’s 40th anniversary by being the first brothers to win Young Rider and Junior Individual Gold, respectively, at the Championship. Area III won Team Gold while David Ziegler made history as he took top Individual honors in the CCI2* portion of the USEA North American Junior and Young Riders’ Eventing Championship. In the CCI1*, Area II and their own Alexis Nelson claimed Team and Individual Gold medals.

Four disciplines (a total of seven championships for juniors and young riders) took part in the only FEI Championship to be held annually in North America. The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, ages 14-21.

USHJA North American Junior and Young Riders’ Show Jumping Championship

Wilton Porter (20, Bartonville, Texas) was the second Porter brother of the day to earn Individual Gold after producing four and one fault trips over Steve Stephens’ intricate tracks to finish on a score of 10.52. This is Porter’s second time at the NAJYRC and he was able to utilize experience gained from 2013 to earn a top spot on the podium with Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Diamonte Darco.

“This is my second time here and last year I think on the team day I definitely let the nerves get to me,” said Porter. “But I was able to control my nerves better this year.”

The Zone 7 rider felt it would be a dream come true for one Porter to win an Individual Gold medal but for both to win was unimaginable.

“It’s unbelievable for one us to win a Gold medal and for us both to win is amazing and a credit to our parents and supporters,” Porter shared.

Michael Hughes (18, Allendale, N.J.) and Luxina enter Sunday’s final as the leaders but eight faults in round one and a further four in the second round meant they would finish on a score of 12.23 and earn Individual Silver.

“She’s been so great all week so I’m still really happy,” said Hughes who earlier in the week helped Zone 2 to Team Bronze.

Victoria Colvin (16, Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Chanel B 2 continued their climb up the leader producing a four fault and clear round on Sunday to finish on a score of 18.01. On Sunday, the pair added Individual Bronze to the Team Silver they earned earlier on the week.

In the Junior division, Lucas Porter (16, Bartonville, Texas) clinched the Junior Individual Gold medal on the strength of two immaculate rounds with Sleepy Pt Ranch LLC’s Phineas. In round one, the pair produced a faultless effort and the Zone 7 rider returned in round two keeping his poise to collect a single time fault to finish on a winning championship score of 1.65.

“The first round was really technical. In the second round there weren’t as many lines but I knew I couldn’t make any mistakes,” said Porter. “I tried to take a few breathes and not get too nervous.”

Zone 2’s Lucy Deslauriers (15, New York, N.Y.) and Hester held the lead going into Sunday but a single rail in round one moved them from the pole position. The pair returned for their second round and jumped a clear round to earn the Silver medal after finishing on an overall total of four faults.

“I think that staying calm and relaxed really helped,” said Deslauriers of her strategy for the second round.

Sophie Simpson (16, Royal Palm Beach, Calif.) and Simpson Show Jumping’s Why Not were one of only two Junior combinations to jump double clear on Sunday, helping the Zone 4 representatives earn Individual Bronze with a championship score of 5.71.

Area III and Ziegler Top CCI2* Field

Area III claimed the Team Gold medal with their final score of 238.9. Though the team didn’t have the best dressage scores they persevered on cross country day and held onto their lead through the show jumping phase containing a field of 13 horse-and-rider combinations.

“My favorite part about this sport is that you can start at the bottom and move to the top,” said Calvin Ramsay, the team’s top finisher.

The Area III CCI2* team consisted of:
Nicole Doolittle (16, Charlotte, N.C.) and Tops (8/0) – 100.7
Adrian Jones (16, Shamong, N.J.) and Irish Odyssey (0/0) – 127.1
Calvin Ramsay (17, Lafayette, La.) and Flintstar (0/0) – 63.2
Emily Rusinyak (19, Franklin, Ga.) and Reatta HW (12/0) – 75.0

The teammates had ups and downs throughout the weekend but rose to the occasion and didn’t let the pressure get to them.

“My favorite part about being on a team is that even my rides didn’t go to plan I was able to cheer on my teammates and end up finishing with a medal,” Jones explained.

The combined team of Areas V and VI joined together as the only three-person team in the CCI2*. For their efforts, they were rewarded with the Team Silver medal with a score of 258.3.

The Area V &VI CCI2* team consisted of:
Bailey Moran (18, San Antonio, Texas) and Loughnatousa Caislean (0/0) – 83.4
Katie Resnick (18, Dallas, Texas) and The King’s Spirit (4/0) – 116.2
Alexandra Willoughby (21, Davis, Calif.) and Tiki Car (4/0) – 66.7

“We all talked about it and were like alright, let’s put our big girl pants on here because we’re a three-person team, we don’t have a drop score so we all have to ride our best to get on that podium,” Resnick said.

The Canada/Ontario team endured some rough moments but held on to earn a spot on the podium. Their final score of 1138.5 was enough to get them the Bronze medal.

The Canada/Ontario CCI2* team consisted of:
Lauren Clark (18, Uxbridge, Ontario) and Coolumn XV (8/0) – 74.3
Hanna Bundy (20, Toronto, Ontario) and D’Jion – 1000.0 (eliminated on cross country)
Jamie Kellock (19, New Market, Ontario) and Don’t Blink – 1000.0 (rider fall on cross country)
April Simmonds (17, Uxbridge, Ontario) and Impressively Done (4/0) – 64.2

“I did feel a little pressure because I was in second and our team was in third and if the other team had some rails there was a possibility that we would move up so I was definitely really trying,” said the team’s top finisher, Simmonds.

CCI2* Individual medalists (from left) Calvin Ramsay, David Ziegler, and April Simmonds (Brant Gamma Photography)
CCI2* Individual medalists (from left) Calvin Ramsay, David Ziegler, and April Simmonds (Brant Gamma Photography)

The name at the top of the CCI2* leaderboard didn’t change with David Ziegler (21, Beiseker, Alberta) of Canada claiming the Individual Gold medal. Riding Critical Decision, Ziegler knocked three rails but had a substantial enough lead that he held on for the win with a score of 58.3.

“The first three fences felt fantastic to me but then going down the line to the triple I miscounted two strides in my head… rider error completely,” Ziegler explained.

Ziegler also found success in the dressage portion of NAJYRC, winning Individual Silver in the Young Rider Dressage Individual Championship. He plans to continue with both disciplines as long as he has the horses. Ziegler will see where his dressage mount, Peninsula Top Man, can go and while Critical Decision will likely be retired soon, he has some young prospects who could also be stars.

Ziegler made history at the 2014 NAJYRC by being the first competitor to earn medals in two different disciplines. On Friday he won Silver in the dressage Young Rider Individual Test and then added eventing Young Rider Individual Gold on Sunday.

Calvin Ramsay of Area III rose from sixth to second to earn an Individual Silver medal. Being one of only three pairs to go double clear and the sole Young Rider competitor to finish on his dressage score, he and Flintstar rose to the occasion to win the Silver with a score of 63.2.

“It is what I appreciate most about the sport. It’s not just a one day deal. You can come back the next day and the day after that,” Ramsay stated. “With a good jump through cross country and a good jump in stadium you can end up at the top which is what I guess what happened today.”

Ramsay plans to give “Flint” a much deserved break before starting back up with him over the winter.

April Simmonds of Canada/Ontario also added an Individual Bronze medal to her spoils over the weekend. She and Impressively Done knocked just one rail at fence 10 but finished strongly on a score of 64.2.

“It was definitely an awesome course. It was very forward which I tend to enjoy at some points. My horse was really, really good. He was jumping out of his shoes,” Simmonds said, praising her horse.

Simmonds’ horse gave her a great feeling and seems to thrive in championship competition. The pair won the Individual Bronze medal in the CCI1* in 2013. Simmonds is now qualified for the 2015 Pan American Games and hopes that she could make the team. If that is not the case, she looks forward to returning to NAJYRC next year.

Area II and Nelson Are Golden in CCI1*

Area II held onto their lead from Saturday to claim top honors in the CCI1*. An overall team score of 165.9 was more than good enough for the Team Gold medal.

The Area II CCI1* team consisted of:
Grace Fulton (15, Finksburg, Md.) and Wild Orange (0/0) – 57.9
Margret Schaeffer (17, Quakertown, Pa.) and Grey Area (4/0) – 54.6
Madeline Mosing (16, Hoffman, Texas) and Tako (4/0) – 65.8
Alexis Nelson (18, Purcellville, Va.) and Total Eclipse (0/0) – 49.4

“I think that all of us are just the happiest people in the world right now,” Nelson shared.

The girls had a strong bond and worked together to make a successful ending a reality.

The Team Silver medal went to Area V after they finished with a total score of 190.5. The team produced solid rides in the three phases, allowing them to garner a place on the podium.

The Area V CCI1* team consisted of:
Nicole Hatley (16, Tulsa, Okla.) and Ace (0/0) – 64.6
Margaret Stoker (16, Dallas, Texas) and Second Hand Rose (rider fall on cross country)
Clara Cargile (17, San Angelo, Texas) and White Indian (0/0) – 55.2
Alyssa Phillips (17, Fort Worth, Texas) and Bliss III (0/0) – 70.7

All the members had high praise for Richard Jeffery’s course and knew they had to ride smart to be successful.

“I thought it was a good course. I knew she would be a little feisty so I had to control that so we could have a solid round for everyone to go off of,” Phillips said.

All of the three team members impressively had double clear rounds, not allowing themselves to be phased on the final day of competition.

Area VIII received the Bronze medal on their home turf with a final score of 196.9. All the team members were competing in the NAJYRC for the first time and handled the pressure of a major championship.

The Area VIII CCI1* team consisted of:
Woods Baughman (18, Lexington, Ky.) and Truckee Bash (4/0) – 66.1
Samantha Laurel (17, Louisville, Ky.) and Baba Creek (12/0) – 69.7
M. Paige Pence (15, Louisville, Ky.) and Class Action (0/0) – 61.1
Kelly Taylor (17, Prospect, Ky.) and Kynynmont Indelibly Irish (0/0) – 82.5

Two of the team members, Pence and Taylor, who rarely have double clear rounds rose to the occasion to help their team earn a medal.

“My round was probably the best that I’ve ever had because I have never had a double clear round, only than one other double clear round, so I was really happy with my horse,” Taylor said.

Alexis Nelson of Area II won a second Gold medal for her individual efforts. She and Total Eclipse, a reject from an Appaloosa breeding farm that she bought for $800 and broke herself with the help of trainers, won top honors with a score of 49.4. The pair added nothing to their dressage score to rise to the top.

“We went up the levels together with a lot of struggles but also a lot of awesome moments,” Nelson fondly said of “Casper.” “He is just the coolest guy in the world and he takes such good care of me.”

Patience O’Neal (14, Deer Park, Wash.) of the Area VII and IX combined team and her mount Markus rose from fifth place after a double clear round on Sunday to receive Individual Silver. With one of 10 double clear rounds, the pair ended up with a score of 55.0.

“I thought my horse jumped really well. He was really excited, I think because of the big ring, because in the Northwest we really don’t have big arenas,” O’Neal said.

Despite the atmosphere, she and Markus found their rhythm just fine, earning an Individual medal.

Clara Cargile of Area V received another medal, Individual Bronze, when she and White Indian had a strong finish. Also adding nothing to her dressage score, Cargile finished in second with a score of 55.2.

“I thought the course looked really good. I was pretty nervous but not as nervous as I thought I’d be,” Cargile explained. “I just knew I had to stay forward and keep thinking positively.”

For full results or to learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, please visit www.youngriders.org.

Video On-demand of the top performers is now available on the USEF Network. Visit www.usefnetwork.com to find out more and watch!