Shelbie Friesen, Lane Wilson and Emily Wilson earned top individuals honours in reining on July 30 at the 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships. Presented by Gotham North, these Championships were held July 27–31 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.
Shelbie Friesen of Saskatoon, SK rode Golden Lena Chex, Robert Brickley’s seven-year-old Quarter Horse stallion, to a bronze medal finish in the Young Riders division. Friesen tied for the silver medal with American Laura Sumrall with a score of 217.50 after the first run, so a run-off was required to determine the individual silver medalist. Sumrall went in the arena and earned a 215.50 with her horse Einsteins Fancy Pine. Friesen was next up and completed her opening spins and started on her right circle. Out of character, Golden Lena Chex did not follow Friesen’s aids, which resulted in a rough right turn, and as a true sport, Friesen realized that she would not earn a score of over 215.50 and retired herself from the competition, winning the bronze medal instead.
“Beau (Golden Lena Chex) was tired. He did not have long to rest before we had to go again and he had given me everything in the first run,” said Friesen.
Lindsay Wankel of Elbow, SK rode Okie Dokie Juice, her seven-year-old Quarter Horse mare, to a fifth place finish with a score of 213.50. With a score of 210.50 riding her own seven-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, Rooster Kicker, Nancy Pratch of St. Paul, AB was seventh. In eighth place, with 210, was Brett Dembisky of Saskatoon, SK riding Melody of the West, Kevin Smith’s six-year-old Quarter Horse mare. Rounding out the top 10 was Antony Jolin St-Laurent of St Francois Xavier de Brompton, QC who scored 207 riding Custom Stop, his six-year-old Quarter Horse gelding.
In the Junior Rider division Lane Wilson of Goodwood, ON, won the gold medal, scoring 207 for his run, on No Finer Shiner, Mark Lipfeld’s 10-year-old Quarter Horse stallion. Emily Wilson of Uxbridge, ON, earned the individual bronze medal riding Miss Cielo Chex, Tamalyn Wilson’s nine-year-old Quarter Horse mare.
“I was so proud of No Finer Shiner. I have been riding him for a couple of years and he paid me back this morning,” said Lane Wilson.
“The Canadian Reining Committee is immensely proud of our Junior and Young Rider teams that so competently represented Canada at The North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Kentucky,” remarked Gary Yaghdjian, the chair of the Canadian Reining Committee.
“I am so proud of all the teams that represented Canada,” said Wendy Dyer, who is the Chef d’équipe for all four Canadian teams. “Everyone enjoys having the Canadian reiners around. They are such a great group.”
Complete results are available at http://www.youngriders.org/.
For additional information on the CRC and its programs, including selection criteria, please visit the Reining section of the Equine Canada website at www.equinecanada.ca/reining or e-mail reining@equinecanada.ca.
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