Welcome!
• Home • FAQs
• Site Map
Weather
• Contacts
Free Service Appreciation
Choose Pondside Web Productions for your hosting and web design needs!

Canadian Dressage Riders Compete at North American Junior Young Riders Championships

August 15, 2008

Ottawa, ON --- Canada’s Dressage riders advanced to the Individual Freestyle competition in both the Young Riders and Junior divisions at the 2008 CN North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC), held at The Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO, July 29–August 3, 2008.

With 34 starters in the Young Riders division, only the top 15 riders after the Team and Individual tests are invited back to compete in the Freestyle. Jaimie Holland of Caledon, ON, riding Fleurina, her 10-year-old Westphalian mare, finished in 14th place in the Freestyle, while teammate Amy Jager of Puslinch, ON, and her horse Jive, 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, finished close behind in 15th place.

In the Young Rider Individual Championship Test, Holland and Fleurina were the top Canadians, scoring 65.550% for 10th place. Jager and Jive were 13th with a score of 64.850%.

"It was so nice to go to Colorado. I was thrilled to be on the team," noted Holland. "I was so happy with my horse the whole competition. The Team bronze medal was just a really great bonus."

In the Junior Freestyle, like the Young Riders class, only the top 15 riders rode their tests. Erin Gibson of Errington, BC, finished in fifth, with 68.150%, riding her eight-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding, Kaden.

“My freestyle ride at NAJYRC was so exciting. My horse felt the most confident and steady during the freestyle test and it really paid off—it felt very harmonious. I was very excited to place fifth among such a competitive field of junior competitors,” noted Gibson. “My whole week at NAJYRC was an unbeatable experience. The ceremonies, awards and activities were great fun and overall it was a positive learning experience. The organizers did a good job in providing a very professional atmosphere and making all the Juniors and Young Riders feel comfortable. All the Canadians had such an amazing team spirit and support for one another and it was very rewarding to be a member of the Canadian team.”

Alexandra Dvorak of Hillsburgh, ON, and Fling, an eight-year-old Westphalian gelding owner by her father, Tom Dvorak, finished in 10th place with 66.250%. Scoring 66.000% was Megan Lane and her horse Dolany, a 12-year-old gelding.

The Junior Individual test had 35 starters, and Dvorak and Fling were the top Canadian entry with a score of 65.600% for eighth place. In ninth spot were Gibson and Kaden with 65.30%. Finishing in 15th place was Lane riding Dolany.

Exclusively for Junior riders, aged 14–18, and Young Riders, 16–21, the NAJYRC gives up and coming riders the opportunity to experience representing their country as a team, and prepares them for future international competition. Featuring the disciplines of Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping and Reining, the 2008 NAJYRC feature competitors from the United States, Canada and Mexico.

To August 2008 News Articles Index | To Ontario Equine ...On-Line Home