Lexington, VA—August 4, 2007-Jessica DiGenova of Norval, Ontario leads the Young Riders’ CCI** Eventing competition following the completion of cross country at the 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC), presented by Gotham North and UlcerGard, at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. Nina Ligon of Parker, CO leads the Junior division CCI*.
Young equestrians have come to the Championships from the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as a South American rider from Argentina, to vie for team and individual medals in the three Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. For many, the NAJYRC, the premier competition in North America for Juniors (age 14-18) and Young Riders (age 16-21), is their first experience riding on a team, as well as their first time competing under the rules of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport.
In the USEA Eventing Young Riders’ division, Jessica DiGenova had a score of 4 penalties on cross country for a two-phase total of 50.4 on Upolu. Second is Jennifer Brannigan of Chicago, IL who has a two-phase score of 55.8 on Kozmo. Third is Nate Chambers of Upperville, VA who has 58.2 penalties on Rolling Stone II.
The true spirit of camaraderie between disciplines was evident today as show jumpers trooped to the cross country course to cheer on the event riders. The most vocal was Frank Madden, who ran from fence to fence cheering for the horse named “Beacon Hill”.
In the team competition, where each team counts its three best scores, the combined team of Area II and VI is in the lead with 180.2 penalties, followed by the combined team of Area III and X with and 182.8 and Area VIII with 209.4.
In the Junior division, Nina Ligon had no penalties on cross country for a two-phase total of 48.1 on Pacific Storm. Second is Cassidy Lundmark of Barrington Hills, IL who has a two-phase score of 48.3 on What’s Shakin’. Third is Anisa Tracy of Parker, CO who has 48.9 penalties on Tigger VIII.
In the team competition, Area IV is in the lead with 157.4 penalties, followed by Area IX with 163.4 and Area II with 169.8. Sunday will feature the culminating show jumping phase that will determine team and individual medals.
Saturday’s USHJA Show Jumping Division featured two non-championship farewell classes. The 1.30m class was won by Emily Pinaturo of Shelburne, VT on Classic and the 1.40m class was won by Miguel Torres of San Luis Potosi, MEX on Voltaire. Those who have qualified will compete for individual medals in the championship rounds on Sunday.
Saturday’s USDF/Platinum Performance Dressage Division saw the juniors compete for the individual championship. Winning individual Gold was Jade Deter of Kemptville, Ontario who scored 69.55 on Mastermind. The Silver Medal went to Kristin Becker of Lemont, IL who scored 67.65 on Ramses and the Bronze went to Mackinzie Pooley of Coto de Casa, CA with a score of 66.65 on Jonkara. Juniors have their freestyle on Sunday.
The NAJYRC operates under the rules of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). In addition to the championship competition in dressage, show jumping and eventing, this year’s NAJYRC also features demonstrations of two other FEI disciplines—vaulting and reining.
The NAJYRC is the continuation of an annual competition that began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between Canada and the United States. In the years since its inception, it has grown considerably with the addition of a Dressage Championship in 1981 and the Show Jumping Championship in 1982. The first complete Championships with all three Olympic disciplines was held in British Columbia, Canada in 1982. Last year’s Championships saw the addition of officially-sanctioned championship divisions for junior riders in the three Olympic disciplines for the first time.
Dressage is primarily about the balance and harmony between horse and rider. Careful attention to detail and seamless transitions are a top priority. Competitors perform a standard test, demonstrating obedience, ability, and precision. Each movement is judged subjectively and scored separately.
Show jumping tests horse and rider team over a course of fences and other obstacles. The objective is to make it over the course with as few faults as possible. Going over the designated time allowed, knocking down rails, as well as any refusals or falls, accumulates faults or results in elimination. Show jumping has been referred to as having the excitement of horse racing mixed with the daring of downhill slalom skiing.
Eventing combines dressage, show jumping and cross country to give each horse-and-rider combination a cumulative score over the course of three days. Eventing begins with the dressage test, with cross-country following, and then ends with show jumping, testing the endurance and ability of both horse and rider. The cross-country element consists of a timed ride over an outdoor course, jumping over natural or natural looking obstacles. The rider must ride the same horse for all three phases of the competition.
The 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships, presented by Gotham North and ULCERGARD, are sponsored by the American Horse Trials Foundation, Ariat, Beval Saddlery, Blue Ridge Farm Center, Borné Saddlery, Brandy Parfums, CN, Davis Manufacturing, Devoucoux, Dover Saddlery, Dressage Today, The EMO Agency, Inc., EquiFit, Equine Canada, Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI—the International Equestrian Federation), Foxden Equine, Gotham North, Hadfields, Harmony Sporthorses, Hint Water, The Horse Tack Review, The Jefferson Florist & Garden, Larry and Marnye Langer, Mary Phelps, a Markel Equine Insurance Specialist, Mead Associates, Merial, the makers of UlcerGard, The Mosaic Foundation, New England Dressage Association, North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association, Northern Ohio Dressage Association, Practical Horseman, Prestige Saddlery, Rebecca Farm, Royal Riders, Howard and Martha Simpson, Southern States/Triple Crown, Starr Vaughn Equestrian, Inc., Tennessee Valley Dressage and Combined Training Association, U.S. Dressage Federation/Platinum Performance, U.S. Equestrian Federation, U.S. Eventing Association, U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, Virginia Golf Cars, Virginia Horse Shows Association, VTO Saddlery, Waterjumps.us, and www.Horse.dk.
Full results and further information on the 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships, presented by Gotham North and UlcerGard, are available on line at www.youngriders.org.
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