Sunday August 15, 2004

U.S. Region 7 Captures Dressage Team Gold Medal at 2004 NAYRC

The riders of U.S. Region 7 won the Dressage Team Gold Medal today at the 2004 Maui Jim North American Young Riders’ Championships, Presented by CN, at Tempel Farms in Old Mill Creek, IL.

More than 150 of the nation’s finest horses and young riders are on hand to compete in this world-class competition featuring the Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. Competition at this year’s NAYRC continues through Sunday, August 15.

Christina Beal of Fallbrook, CA, riding Ray Ace, Stephanie Hamar of Visalia, CA, aboard Jasper, Dani Judy of El Cajon, CA, with Antaeus, and Caitlin Masiel of Danville, CA, on Melvina comprised the Gold Medal Dressage Team.

The Region 7 team won convincingly with a total score of 199.244%, nearly 4% higher than Silver Medal team Canada–East. The Bronze Medal went to U.S. Region 6 with a total team score of 191.344%.

Beal helped her team win the Gold by turning in the highest individual score in the team competition, a 68.711%. Riders’ individual scores will count toward the Dressage Individual Championship tomorrow at the NAYRC.

Action in the State Line Tack show jumping division got underway today, and in the first Young Rider Individual Qualifier, Maggie Jayne (Zone 5) of Elgin, IL, took the top prize aboard Jubulent. The Zone 2 team looks strong as all five of their riders finished among the top 12, with Leigh Healey of Lumberton, NJ, and Laurin finishing second. Abigail Carpenter of Greenwich, CT, took third aboard Rosanne Van de Witheove.

Many top international and Olympic riders got their start at the NAYRC including Olympic Silver Medalists Greg Best and Karen O'Connor, as well as Megan Johnstone, Elise Haas, Buck Davidson, Chris Kappler, Lauren Hough, Nicole Shahinian Simpson, Ray Texel, Lisa Carlsen Lubitz, Mara DePuy, and Julie Gomena.

Related Link
NAYRC Competition Underway: Evi Strasser's Pryme Tyme in the Lead With Veronique Lavalle