Shelbie Friesen, Lane Wilson and Emily Wilson earned top individuals honours in reining on July 30 at the 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships. Presented by Gotham North, these Championships were held July 27–31 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

Shelbie Friesen of Saskatoon, SK rode Golden Lena Chex, Robert Brickley’s seven-year-old Quarter Horse stallion, to a bronze medal finish in the Young Riders division. Friesen tied for the silver medal with American Laura Sumrall with a score of 217.50 after the first run, so a run-off was required to determine the individual silver medalist. Sumrall went in the arena and earned a 215.50 with her horse Einsteins Fancy Pine. Friesen was next up and completed her opening spins and started on her right circle. Out of character, Golden Lena Chex did not follow Friesen’s aids, which resulted in a rough right turn, and as a true sport, Friesen realized that she would not earn a score of over 215.50 and retired herself from the competition, winning the bronze medal instead.

“Beau (Golden Lena Chex) was tired. He did not have long to rest before we had to go again and he had given me everything in the first run,” said Friesen.

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