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US
Zone 2 Takes Show Jumping Team Gold Medal at the North American
Young Riders’ Championships Presented by State LineTack
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Old
Mill Creek, IL – August 9, 2002 –The show jumping riders
from US Zone 2 snagged the Team Gold Medal with a faultless performance
in a tiebreaking jump-off in one of the most exciting competitions
in the history of the North American Young Riders’ Championships
(NAYRC), presented by State Line Tack, on Friday at Tempel Farms
in Old Mill Creek, IL.
An
unprecedented jump-off for the gold medal caught the riders of Ontario
and Zone 2 by surprise as no one expected a tie following the two
round Nations’ Cup format. The jump-off became necessary when
each team totaled 25 faults. The four riders of the Gold Medal Team
in order of appearance were Kristy McCormack and Marga; Vanessa
Stevenson and Galiana; Michelle Pia and Mable and Georgina Bloomberg
and Riviera. Bloomberg was the anchor in the pressure cooker situation,
but seemed to take it all in stride.
“There
was a lot of pressure,” said Bloomberg. “It’s also
a compliment because it means someone believes in you enough to
come through. It makes you determined to do well. We all worked
very hard to win.”
The
silver medal team from Ontario was impressive with only eight jump-off
faults and consisted of Carly Campbell Cooper and Rex Get Busy;
Elliott Stone and Freestyle and Rebecca Irvine and Quincy.
The top twenty riders move on to the final round of Show Jumping
for the Individual Medals on Sunday. Scores from the first qualifier
on Thursday and the two rounds from Friday determine the placings.
Show Jumping was not the only competition going on. In the CCI**
Eventing division, Team Brazil took the lead following dressage
with 182.41 penalties. The enthusiastic team consisted of Ricky
Candi riding Justiceiro, Rafael Mauridio Gouveia, Jr. on Ava, Paulo
Eduardo Limongi Pacheco on Planetarius J. Men and Jesper Sigfrid
Martendal aboard Nijord.
In
the Dressage Championship, the top 25 competed in the Grand Prix
Special test to qualify for the Individual Final on Sunday. Jacqueline
Paxton and Sangmelima once again surpassed her personal best receiving
70.737% giving her a two day total of 140.840 to firmly place them
in the lead going into the Freestyle competition that will feature
the top fifteen. Lindsey Anderson and Intrepid are in second with
a combined score of 132.635% and Christiana Beal on Artiste with
a combined score of 130.436%.
The
Mills Team Challenge, a dressage competition for young riders with
physical disabilities who range from 16-25 years of age, also began
on Friday. After the first day, Keith Newerla with a very impressive
score of 68.788% on Atticus took the lead and Rebecca Hart and Miss
Jane Marple took second with a score of 68.000%. The Mills team
challenge, run under the auspices of the by the National Disabilities
Sports Alliance (NDSA), continues Saturday with the musical Freestyle.
The
NAYRC is the premier competition for young riders in the three Olympic
disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and three-day eventing. Riders,
ages 16 through 21 are eligible to compete in this USA Junior Olympic
– Equestrian event.
The
North American Young Riders’ Championships began in 1974 as
an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada in Jokers
Hill, Ontario. Canada swept all three team medals in the competition
that was then known as the North American Junior Team Championships.
A dressage championship was added in 1981, and since that year the
Championships have been recognized by the FEI and are conducted
in accordance with FEI General Regulations. Show jumping made its’
debut in 1982 in British Columbia, when the first complete Championships
were held. In 1985, the competition landed at Tempel Farms in Old
Mill Creek, Illinois, setting the stage for their continuing support
of the Championships.
NAYRC
competition continues through Sunday. Admission is $7.00 a day.
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are available at the gate. For further
information, please call (847) 244-9207.
www.youngriders.org.
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