Equine Canada is pleased to provide daily coverage of the Canadian junior and young riders competing at the Adequan FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships, presented by Gotham North, in Lexington Kentucky.
This year’s event, running from July 17 – 21, welcomes 222 young athletes from across Canada, the United States and Mexico who are competing for FEI team and individual medals in the three Olympic disciplines; jumping, eventing and dressage, and the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and endurance.
Reining
Three More Medals for Canada’s Reining Riders
It’s been an incredible week for Canada’s reining athletes at the Adequan FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships. It started with their first trip to the podium earning gold and silver medals in the SmartPak Reining Team Championships held Thursday July 18 and ended with today’s Individual division competitors winning three more for a total of five medals; two golds, two silvers and a bronze, for their efforts this week.
Winning the gold in the Young Riders Individual Final Competition was Madison Steed of Cochrane, AB and her horse Jumpin Jac Trash, a 13-year-old Quarter Horse gelding sired by Trashadeous. The duo earned a score of 264 pts., besting the USA’s Jamie Erickson/Rocky Mountain Whiz (272) by 8 pts., finishing in first place. Stephanie Thomson of Fort McMurray, AB and Jacs Docsan, Mark Thomson’s 13-year-old Canadian-bred Quarter Horse gelding by Dolls Union Jac, finished their run with 263 pts., placing fifth overall.
“It was great to come to NAJYRC in the first place, so to get gold is totally awesome. We will definitely be back. It has been a fantastic experience,” said Steed.
In the Juniors division, Emily Wilson of Uxbridge, ON won silver with 266 pts., riding Miss Cielo Chex, Tamalyn Wilson’s Quarter Horse mare sired by Buenonic Chex. Close behind her with 265 pts., was Maxine Whiteside of Olds, AB and her horse, Sailors Good Sackett, a 14-year-old Quarter Horse gelding sired by Jacs Main Sail, winning the Individual bronze medal.
“It has been amazing. After three years of showing here, to get the silver is totally awesome. The competition is tough, but I was hoping my score would hold. Silver is great, but I’ll be back,” said Wilson. Equally thrilled with her time at the event, Whiteside commented, “It’s just amazing to even be here. It is a step up to compete against the level of competition here. I never thought it would be so tough.”
Haley Franc of Prince Albert, SK and Jacs Shy Boy, her nine-year-old Canadian-bred Quarter Horse gelding by Jacs Main Sail, scored 261 pts. on their run, finishing fourth overall. Teammates Hannah Steed of Cochrane, AB and Lil Cat N Gun, Ronald Barnes’s nine-year-old Quarter Horse gelding by Colonels Lil Gun, finished fifth.
“I knew we had a pretty talented group of horses and riders at the first practise, but this competition brings out the best in a rider and a couple really exceeded expectations. I am very proud of them all. Canada has some great young talent,” commented the team’s Chef d’equipe, Wendy Dyer.
For complete results visit: Juniors http://bit.ly/1azDVwD
For complete results visit : Young Riders http://bit.ly/1bR8qzI
Dressage
Dressage Athletes Finish the NAJYRC Winning Three More Medals in the FEI Freestyle
2012 NAJYRC Freestyle Gold Medalist Laurence Blais Tetreault of Montreal, QC and Lowelas, her 13-year-old Trakehner gelding sired by Hockey 41, take home the gold medal for their 71.525% performance.
“It feels awesome winning gold two years in a row in the Freestyle on two different horses! I feel very lucky that all my hard work paid off!!” said Blais Tetreault.
In the same division, Naima Moreira Laliberte of Outremont, QC and Windbreaker 3, Pferdesport Wintermühle GmbH’s 12-year-old Westphalian gelding sired by Windspiel As, won their second silver medal this week in today’s FEI Junior Individual Championship on a final score of 71.200%. Beatrice Boucher of St. Dominique, QC rode Dante, Agnieszka Wnorowska’s 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding sired by Dirano, to a 9th place finish with a final score of 66.350%. Georgia Tooke of Vernon, BC and Magic, Chelsea Balcaen’s 13-year-old Canadian-bred Freisian gelding by LAES H, finished 12th with a final score of 62.625%.
“I watched Naima and Windbreaker go and it was a phenomenal ride, I was so excited for her. Two rides later, Laurence and Lowelas also laid down a phenomenal test. Looking at the scores, it could have gone either way. They are both golden today,” said Chef d’equipe Ellen Rumball.
“I’m really, really happy. I had three great rides and I’m very proud of my horse. I’m very happy for my team mate and that the medal stays in the family! The pressure is just coming off so it’s hard to believe I just won a medal! This Championship has been a great experience and I can’t wait until next year! Thank you to all the parents, coaches and my team mates,” commented Moreira Laliberte.
Top Three Junior Freestyle Standings
Gold − Laurence Blais Tetreault/Lowelas/QC, CAN
Silver − Naima Moreira Laliberte/ Windbreaker 3/ QC, CAN
Bronze − Barbara Davis/Rotano/Region 1, USA
Top Three Canadian Results
1st − Laurence Blais Tetreault/Lowelas/71.525%
2nd − Naima Moreira Laliberte/ Windbreaker 3/71.200%
9th − Beatrice Boucher/Dante/66.350%
For complete results visit: http://bit.ly/1b2ybiy
In the FEI Young Rider Freestyle Championship Tanya Strasser Shostak of Ste Adele, QC and Action Tyme, Evi Strasser’s 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding sired by Aktuell, finished her week by winning the bronze medal with a final score of 70.500%. Sydney Holme of North Saanich, BC and Day Dreamer, her 11-year-old Rheinlander gelding sired by Dream of Heidelberg, finished on 69.750% for fifth. Jillian Weston of Maple Ridge, BC finished eighth on 67.825% aboard Focus, Erika Urff’s 11-year-old Canadian-bred Oldenburg mare sired by Flemming. Anneka Sutton of Drumbo, ON took Donnegan, Karen Thomson’s 10-year-old Canadian-bred Hanoverian sired by Don Frederico to finish in 15th place on 60.275%
Top Three Young Rider Freestyle Standings
Gold − Ayden Uhlir /Sjapoer/Region 6, USA
Silver − Jamie Pestana/Winzalot/Region 7, USA
Bronze − Tanya Strasser Shostak/Action Tyme/ QC, CAN
Top Three Canadian results
3rd − Tanya Strasser Shostak/Action Tyme/70.500%
5th − Sydney Holme/ Day Dreamer/69.750%
8th − Jillian Weston/ Focus/67.825%
For complete results visit: http://bit.ly/157FlfK
Endurance
Canadian Endurance Riders Win Double Silver!
On Friday, July 19th, over a challenging 75 mile (120.70 km) race, Canadian endurance riders and their horses demonstrated true grit and excellent conditioning as they covered rolling hills and open fields in stifling hot weather to claim Individual and Team silver medals.
Emma Webb of Flesherton, ON knew she was in a race for Individual silver with eight miles remaining, and went on to secure the medal with an impressive time of 7:29:40 on Vagas, Robert Gielen’s eight-year-old Arabian gelding sired by Haffir El Rimal.
“Cantering into the finish line and vetting through felt so good and once it was over I was so happy. Not because I didn’t have to get back on, but because my positive thinking all day and focus of getting what needed to be done to finish done. That horse was amazing, he pulled it off! But without support from my pit crew, the rest of the team, the long distance support, positive thinking, and focus this would not have been possible. Thank you everyone for your help,” said Webb.
In the Team Championship, the times of all three Canadian riders were combined, resulting in Webb’s second medal of the day. Teammates Jessica Yavis of Winfield, AB riding Jahlad, Jaye Yavis’s 11-year-old Canadian-bred Arabian gelding sired by Jahmar, completed the course in 8:33:11, and Jaylene Janzen and Sakic, an 11-year-old Canadian-bred Arabian gelding sired by Taj Rai Hassan, finished in 9:42:51 for a total team time of 25:45:42 ahead of the USA Northeast Combined team.
Chef d’equipe Maura Leahy commented, “We are so proud of our young Ladies, they managed their horses very well during the race, especially considering the heat and humidity. Finishing with a silver Team medal and the Individual silver medal for Emma was a significant accomplishment for them and the extended Team – job well done by all the whole Team!”
Eventing
Canadian eventers well positioned after cross country heading into Sunday’s final day of competition.
In today’s CH-J* cross country phase, Moira de Ste. Croix Laframboise of Kars, ON and Blue Ben, her 12-year-old Westphalian gelding sired by Gambit Z, rode clear earning only 2.4 time penalties finishing on their score of 52.2, moving them one position on the scoreboard from fourth to fifth, still within a shot of the medals heading into Sunday’s show jumping final. April Simmons of Uxbridge, ON, and Impressively Done, her eight-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Eulogize, finished with 1.2 penalties for a score of 54.9 moving them up the scoreboard to finish in eighth from 13th.
Rae Becke of Luskville, QC and Tyne Be Merry, her 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding sired by Maltstriker, had a fault free cross country performance finishing on 57.5, leaping up the leaderboard eight spots, finishing the day in 13th place. Frontrunners Lauren Clark of Tottenham, ON and Yoscha Bosche, finished in 18th on 67.7.
“Overall, we had a very good day. Our CH-J* team moved up from fifth to fourth, and we are one rail and one penalty point away from finishing as the bronze medal team. I was very impressed by the way everyone handled themselves on cross country. There were definitely some heartbreaks out there, but the way the girls came through the finish line and handled their horses, both in the vet box then back at the barn, made me really proud of them. I think they showed maturity beyond their years, “commented Jessica Phoenix, Coach Team Ontario.
A lot of girls had their personal bests out there, which is amazing. Jamie Kellock had an absolutely foot perfect cross country round, it was incredible to watch her out there eating up that ground. April Simmons and Moira de Ste Croix Laframboise also had beautiful cross country rounds, and did a great job out there. Tomorrow is going to be such an exciting day. We have Moira, who is just over a rail out of first place and is within striking distance. For individual competition, that is a really great position to be in. It’s going to be a really exciting finish.”
Top Three CH-J* Standings
1st – Nicolette Doolittle/Tops/(Area III) USA/48.1
2nd – Mary Peabody Camp/Rave Review/(Area VIII) USA/50.6
3rd – Emily Macauley/Canadian Exchange/(Area VIII) USA/50.8
Top Three Canadian CH-J* Standings
5th – Moira de Ste Croix Laframboise/Blue Ben/52.2
8th – April Simmonds/Impressively Done/54.9
13th – Rae Becke/Tyne Be Merry/57.5
Top Three CH-J* Team Standings
1st – Area III USA/ 157.7
2nd – Area VII & VIII USA/ 159.7
3rd – Area II USA/ 187.2
________________________
4th – CAN/ 192.4
April Simmonds/Impressively Done/54.9
Lauren Clark/Yoscha Bosche/67.7
Jamie Kellock/Don’t Blink/69.8
Mia Dover-Terrettaz/Etoile/103.0
For complete CH-J* results: http://bit.ly/1bsCjrg
For complete CH-J* Team results: http://bit.ly/13tRiMU
In the CH-Y** division, Dasha Ivandaeva of Tottenham, ON and Autorytet, her 11-year-old Thoroughbred cross gelding sired by Banita, moved up from 11th place to eighth after taking 20 jump faults and 17.6 time penalties. Haley Armstrong of Mono, ON and Dejavu, Jan Bigelow’s 11-year-old Canadian-bred American Warmblood mare sired by Dreitakt, finished the event on an unfortunate refusal eliminating them from tomorrow’s finals.
“I think today was one of my best rounds with Autorytet,” said Ivandaeva. He was really with me the whole time and trusted my judgement, and just really went for everything I asked for. I couldn’t be more proud of him. My goal for tomorrow is to go clean in the show jumping which will guarantee me a place in the ribbons.”
“The CH-Y** course that David O’Connor designed was incredibly tough. There were five clear rounds all day, and only one was double clear. It was a true championship course. I thought our girls handled it extremely well. There has no break in the weather for these horses or riders and they’ve all done amazing in these conditions,” commented Phoenix, Team Coach Ontario.
I’d like to add that we had a Team Canada vet box, so all of the provinces joined into one vet box and it was just an incredible feeling for all of those girls to cross the finish line and be surrounded by that type of energy and support. You could just see them take a deep breath and relax when they crossed that finish line and they knew that they had all that support. I want to thank everyone who contributed to that because that is a huge part of what we are doing here. Even though some are here as individuals, it is good for everyone to know that we are all part of one big team effort.”
Top Three CH-Y** Standings
1st – Rowdie Adams/No Money Down/(Area V) USA/ 50.9
2nd – Caroline Martin/Quantum Solace/(Area III) USA/52.2
3rd – Jennifer Caras/Fernhill Stowaway/(Area III) USA/63.6
Top Canadian CH-Y** Standing
8th – Dasha Ivandaeva/Autorytet/96.5
For complete result for CH-Y** visit: http://bit.ly/12EtZg7
For complete results for CH-Y** Teams visit: http://bit.ly/13VQ1kI
Jumping
Jacqueline Steffens of Harriston, ON and Quercus Van Generhese, Double C Stables’ 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Darco, finished the event in the top ten landing eighth overall in the Young Rider Individual Jumping competition. The pair added only eight faults during today’s two-round competition giving them a final score of 44.48 faults.
“I was very happy and pleased with my results for today,” said Steffens. “The first round had a very technical line off the water, which was quite the test of my horse’s elasticity, but he managed it very well. Honestly, he did everything I asked of him and tried so hard for me. In regards to the overall Young Riders experience, I feel I rode better and better each day and definitely gained lots of experience, and have that much more knowledge to draw from when I go back home.”
Chef d’equipe Hyde Moffatt commented, “Overall I feel it was a brilliant day, all around. In the Young Rider Individual Final, Jacqueline jumped clean in the first round, but unfortunately took eight faults in the second. The second round was a bit bigger, and perhaps the horse was just a little tired after so many rounds of jumping this week. Jacqueline rode fantastic and greatly improved on her scores from earlier in the week.”
Lexus (Arbuckle) came out of the first round with 12 faults and improved to 9 faults in the second round, just missing out on an individual ribbon and finishing 12th.
Muhammad (Itani) had nine faults in the first round, but really showed that he has been learning from his experiences throughout the week by greatly improving even though the tracks proved to get more difficult as they moved through the competition.”
In the Junior Individual Final, Kaitlyn Blum of Gormley, ON and Carnell, her 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Carnute, showed tremendous growth through the week but ran into a bit of trouble in today’s first round when Carnell had difficulty with a particular jump.
“Things were going very well for Kaitlyn this morning, she was jumping really well. The horseshoe jump proved a little unlucky for Carnell when he decided it really wasn’t one of his favourite things and spooked at it. It’s unfortunate, but Kaitlyn should be proud of herself because she continued to improve all week, and sometimes things like this happen,” said Moffatt.
Today marks the end of the competition for the Jumping riders at the Adequan FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championship.
For complete results visit: http://bit.ly/13tRCel
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