Friday August 22, 2003

Lindsay Koffler Wins Individual Test, Shondel Maintains Lead at 2003 North American Young Riders' Championship

An exciting battle has taken place in the dressage arena of the 2003 North American Young Riders' Championships in Bromont, Canada. Region Three rider Michael Shondel and Region two anchor Lindsay Koffler are both vying for top honors and are closely on each other's heels in the race for the individual gold. Although Shondel was the convincing winner of the team championship test, he had to change places with Lindsay Koffler as a class winner.

Koffler, a resident of Lexington, KY, won the individual test aboard her Hanoverian Alfredo. With a 66.974%, Koffler felt the breeze of Shondel in her neck, who finished second on his Hanoverian Wallaby with 66.308%. Shondel is still in the lead in the overall ranking, but only with a 0.223 points advance.

Finishing third in the individual test and holding a virtual grip on individual bronze is Region T star rider John Murrey aboard Festival. Murrey was already dominating the West coast young riders' classes in May at Dressage at DG Bar, and the talented Californian can keep a strong hold on a top placing in the international ring. With 65.026%, Murrey ranked third and beat Canadian Veronique Lavallee, who rode her horse Alegria to a 64.410 percentage.

The individual finals, the Prix St Georges kur to music, takes place on Sunday, August 24, 2003, and will determine which young rider will be added to the NAYRC wall of fame.

by Astrid Appels
Photo by Kathryn Eitutis

Related Links
Horsesdaily Coverage: 2003 North American Young Riders Championships
2003 NAYRC Individual Test Scores