Canadian Reiners Sweep the Podium at NAJYRC

Canadian Reiners won individual gold, silver and bronze on July 31 at the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships. Presented by Gotham North, these Championships are being held July 28–August 1 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, also the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

At the Individual Final, 20 starters ran pattern 9 and Nancy Pratch of St. Paul, AB rode Marie Cameron’s six-year-old gelding, Rooster Kicker, to a gold medal finish with a score of 215. Darcy Wilson of Goodwood, ON, won the silver medal with a score of 213.5 with Miss Cielo Chex, an eight-year old Quarter Horse mare owned by Tamalyn Wilson. Taking the bronze medal was Vanessa Strotmann of Salmon Arm, BC riding her seven year old Quarter Horse gelding, Listos May Day Hobby to a score of 212. Winning all three top placings at the Championships is certainly an honour for Canada’s reining community, as the quality of riders and horses is always very high.

“Rooster Kicker went really well. It was a running pattern, and we both thrive on that type of pattern,” said Pratch. “He is a solid stopper and there were four stops which also helped us. I plan on staying in the reining pen and working in some of the other western performance sports as well.”

“About half way through the draw Darcy Wilson came blazing into the pen obviously intent on holding on to her 2009 title and it seemed as if her score would stand as each competitor failed to match her score of 213.5 until Nancy Pratch started her run,” said chef d’équipe of the Canadian reiners, Wendy Dyer. “The arena was filled with whoops and whistles as Nancy’s first stop and backup showed she meant business. The spins were fast and precise. By the time she had completed her first set of circles everyone was aware this could be the one to better Darcy’s score and, if possible, the whoops and whistles got louder at each maneuver until her final stop. Everyone was on the edge of their seats waiting for the score, and when 215 was announced the whole audience, especially the Alberta group, erupted with so much noise it was impossible to hear the announcer’s next comments.”

In sixth was Kaylynn Malmberg of Carseland, AB, riding Pickin Around, a 12-year-old Quarter Horse gelding owned by Garry Boan, with 210.50, and seventh place, scoring 209, went to Sage Sapergia of Cochrane, AB, and Shiners Q Chex, Don Leach’s 10-year-old Quarter Horse stallion. Tenth place was awarded to Megan Robinson of Dufresne, MB, riding her own nine-year-old Quarter Horse mare, Breanna Kid, with 206.50.