DressageDaily: Olympian Jessica Ransehousen Featured Speaker at the North American Young Riders’ Championships, Presented by State Line Tack

Thursday August 8, 2002

Olympian Jessica Ransehousen Featured Speaker at the North American Young Riders’ Championships, Presented by State Line Tack

The 2002 North American Young Riders’ Championships (NAYRC), Presented by State Line Tack, began on Tuesday at Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, IL with the veterinary examination of dressage and show jumping horses and a welcome party with Olympic veteran Jessica Ransehousen as the featured speaker.

Ransehousen addressed a full house during the party that included competitors, coaches, chefs d’equipe and officials. The USET Vice-President spoke of the NAYRC as the experience of a lifetime for the young riders.

“For those of you who see this as the ultimate experience, savor the memories,” said Ransehousen. “But most of all have fun!”

Ransehousen also thanked the generous hosts of the NAYRC, Howard Simpson, Martha Smith Simpson and Linda Smith Buonanno, and the entire Tempel family for their unlimited support as well as the sponsors.

Competition begins on Wednesday with Dressage Team Championship and the Show Jumping warm-up

competitions. Spectators can enjoy the event for free on Wednesday and Thursday and purchase tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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.

Additionally, the NAYRC will host the fourth annual Mills Team Challenge, a dressage competition for young riders with disabilities who range from 16-25 years of age. The competition will be coordinated by the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA), the national governing body for equestrian sports for riders with disabilities.

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 Wadsworth, Illinois, setting the stage for their continuing support of the Championships.