A long year of hard work is paying off for young riders this weekend at Rebecca Farm. July 25th was day one of the Adequan North American Youth Championships (NAYC) Presented by Gotham North and the beginning of an exciting journey for the nation’s rising talent. NAYC runs concurrently with The 2019 Event at Rebecca Farm.
As the NAYC CCIY3*-S dressage competition comes to a close, one young rider’s dedication has landed him in the top spot.
William Kidwell could not hide a contagious smile after his first day competing with Tremolo, a KWPN gelding owned by Michelle Donlick. He leads the CCIY3*-S division with a score of 28.0 and described his test this way: “[Tremolo] felt consistent through the layout. He is a very self-aware horse; he always thinks ahead. He is kind of shy, but bold at the same time. He held his own out there, [it was] a fantastic ride for me.”
This is Kidwell’s first year competing at Rebecca Farm representing U.S. Eventing Areas III/VII, and his home state of Georgia.
Finishing first place in a crowd of promising competitors, Kidwell is hesitant to take all of the credit. “I am so glad to have support from the team and others behind the team,” he said. “It feels good to know that people are helping you out.” And he is not just referring to his team here at Rebecca Farm.
Kidwell started a GoFund me page this spring, taking on responsibly for raising the immense costs of competing at this level. He describes his journey to supporters, “Competing horses is very expensive as well as hard work, and I have been putting all my efforts toward Tremolo and others alike. This will probably be my only opportunity to ride at the NAYC Championships.”
The last step for Kidwell was getting here, a 40-hour non-stop trek to the storied grounds of Rebecca Farm. He made it here and does not plan on taking the opportunity for granted. Kidwell will compete in cross country Saturday amongst stiff competition.
Area I/II took the lead in team competition with four returning riders and a combined score of 91.2. Madeline (Maddie) Lichten, riding Yarrow, couldn’t hide her excitement.
“[NAYC] is the best week of the year,” said Maddie Lichten. The energy is translating through to her performance; she is currently in third place individually at the end of dressage with a score of 30.0.
Maddie and her twin sister, Katie Lichten, make up half of the Area I/II team. Katie finished in fourth place on her horse, Sapphire Blue B. One might think that competition at this level between twins could get dicey, but the sisters disagree, “We just want each other to do well,” said Katie Lichten. Maddie Litchen proudly looked on and nodded her head emphatically.
According to Lichtens’ teammate, Megan Loughnane, even the horses step up their game for NAYC, “[My horse] was super, a lot more energy than he usually has in the ring. He felt amazing; I am really happy.” Loughnane secured second place individually on her horse Linford with a score of 29.4.
Sami Crandell, the final rider on this Area I/II team, shares her teammates’ enthusiasm after the first day of competition. Having advanced to the 3* level this year, she is looking forward to competing Saturday on cross country. “It’s beautiful. The course is awesome,” described Crandell. “I am excited to run it.”
Standing in second place, just behind the leading team, is Area III/VII with a score of 95.1. Area IV/VIII enters Saturday’s cross-country phase in third place with a score of 100.0.
Rebecca Farm is celebrating 30 years of sanctioned eventing in the Flathead Valley this year. Nearly 600 riders and their families from across the United States and Canada will help to commemorate this milestone.
Tomorrow’s schedule includes an exciting day with international levels and the North American Youth Championships CCIJ2*-L competing in dressage. The national levels will kick off cross-county and show-jumping for novice and training levels.
For 2019 Ride Times and Results throughout the weekend, please visit www.rebeccafarm.org. For NAYC team results, please click here.
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