Joelle Froese Wins Show Jumping Individual Bronze at NAJYRC

Ottawa, ON — Joelle Froese of Abbotsford, BC, won the Individual Bronze Medal in Show Jumping on Sunday, July 26, at the 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC). Presented by Gotham North, the Championships were held July 21-26 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, also the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Froese, 21, began the competition on Thursday, July 23, by placing sixth in the 1.45m speed competition with Condor, her nine-year-old Westphalian gelding. Her speed round time was converted in to 1.64 faults, a score that she carried forward to the team competition on Friday.

“The speed round was very challenging, so I was pretty cautious and careful,” said Froese, who is coached by 2008 Olympic Team Silver medalist, Jill Henselwood. “I wanted to be clean.”

In the team competition, Froese and Condor jumped the large 1.50m course with four faults in the first round and eight faults in the second, giving the pair a total of 13.64 faults and placing them fourth in the individual standings.

“The team competition course had the biggest fences that I have ever jumped,” said Froese of the course set by Olaf Petersen, Jr., of Germany. “I am really proud of my horse. He really tried hard.”

In Sunday’s Individual final, Froese and Condor produced two clear rounds to secure the Bronze Medal.

“We have made a lot of progress since the spring,” added Froese. “All the flat work and my time competing at Spruce Meadows is what allowed me to be this successful at the Championships.”

On Saturday July 25, Canadian riders were also victorious in the 1.40m Farwell competition. Brie Etcheverry, 21, of Calgary, AB, won the Farewell with Pilgrim VD Paddepoel, her 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding. Kim Denroche, 21, of Kanata, ON, and her horse, Ralocia, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, placed third.

For more information on NAJYRC, please visit www.youngriders.org.