Ottawa, ON—Dressage Canada is pleased to announce the teams and individuals that will represent Canada at the 2008 North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC), to be held at The Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO, July 29–August 3, 2008.
Teams and Individuals were selected by the 2008 NAJYRC Dressage Selection Committee based on qualification scores submitted as outlined in the 2008 criteria.
The 2008 NAJYRC Dressage Selection Committee is comprised of Chair, Christina Duncan; FEI Rider Representative, Pia Fortmuller; 2008 Youth High Performance Committee Designate, Ali Buchanan; Equine Canada Senior dressage judge, Jacquie Oldham; and FEI Veterinarian, Jennifer Miller.
“We are very encouraged to see the growth and interest in dressage across Canada. This trend is demonstrated by the high level of competition in both the FEI Young Rider and FEI Junior divisions. This development bodes well for the future of the sport in Canada,” remarked Christina Duncan, Chair of the Dressage Canada Selection Committee for NAJYRC. “The Young Rider and Junior teams and individual competitors represent a cross section of the sport within Canada, and on behalf of the committee, I would like to wish success to all the riders.”
The following Young Riders’ have been selected based on qualification scores submitted:
Ontario Team
Rider/Hometown/Horse
Jaimie Holland / Caledon, ON / Fleurina
Amy Jager / Puslinch, ON / Jive
Jade Deter / Kemptville, ON / Mastermind
Danielle McKinnon / Aurora, ON / Noma Tender
Young Rider Individuals
Rhiannon Williams / Red Deer, AB / Rock Star
Brittany Fraser / New Glasgow, NS / Furio
The following Junior Riders’ have been selected based on qualification scores submitted:
Canada West Team
Rider/Hometown/Horse
Devon Luca / Pitt Meadows, BC / Jyl Sander
Sara Regehr / Vernon, BC / Danika
Erin Gibson / Errington, BC / Kaden
Ariana Chia / Winnipeg, MB / Marzipan
Junior Individual Riders
Megan Lane / Collingwood, ON / Dolany
Alex Dvorak / Hillsburgh, ON / Fling
This will mark the third time that an FEI Junior Championship is being held in conjunction with an FEI Young Rider Championship and has proven to make for an exciting competition.
Successful international Canadian dressage rider at the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I levels, Lisa Von Martels, will accompany the Canadian contingent as the Chef d’équipe. Von Martels, of Ridgetown, ON, is a current member of the Dressage Canada High performance Committee and was a former member of the Dressage Canada Committee.
Canadian Dressage riders have historically enjoyed immense success over the years including the 2007 edition of the NAJYRC, held in Lexington, VA. Canada’s Junior Dressage Team—comprised of Jade Deter of Kemptville, ON, Jaimie Holland of Caledon, ON, Sara Regehr of Vernon, BC, and Lindsay Seidel-Wassenaar of Bluffton, AB—won the Team Gold Medal. Deter then went on to make history when she became the first Canadian rider to win three gold medals at the same Championships.
In the 2007 edition of the NAJYRC, Canada won Team Gold and 2 Individual Gold in the FEI Junior Division while the FEI Young Rider division saw Canadian riders continue their domination of the standings by claiming Gold, two Silver and bronze medals.
For many competitors, the NAJYRC is their first experience riding on a team, as well as their first time competing under the rules of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport. Many athletes on Canada’s senior roster have been past competitors of these championships. The NAYRC began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada. A Dressage Championship was added in 1981, and Show Jumping debuted in 1982. The first complete NAYRC was held in British Columbia, Canada in 1982. The FEI Junior Dressage division was added to the program for the first time in 2005. Tempel Farms has hosted the Championship more than any other location, 13 times since 1985.
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