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Beth Gold (540) 464-2962, classic.communications@verizon.net

Lexington, VA-August 3, 2006-Region 1 won the Gold Medal in the Junior dressage team championship that highlighted the second day of competition at the 2006 CN North American Junior and Young Riders' Championships (NAJYRC) at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA.

The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders. Young equestrians come from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. This year marks the first time that fully-recognized Championships for Junior riders (age 14-18) are being held along with those for Young Riders (age 16-21).

Region 1 earned the Gold Medal with a combined score of 195.6. The team consists of Hannah Holland Shook of Charlotte, North Carolina, who scored 66.9% on Cape Town; Anna Stovall of Chesapeake, Virginia, who scored 60.5% on Ambitious; and Julie McKean of Camden, Maine, who scored 68.1% on Stravinsky.

Winning the team Silver Medal was Team Canada with a score of 195.0. The team riders were Amy Jager of Breslau, Ontario, who scored 66.8% on Jive; Danielle McKinnon of Proters Lake, Nova Scotia, who scored 63.0% on Noma Tender; Jessica Rhinelander of St. Johns, Newfoundland, who scored 65.1% on Allende; and Breanne Willoughby-Brown of Uxbridge, Ontario, who scored 61.4% on Espar.

The Bronze Medal went to the Region 8 team of Margot Benedict of Shaftsbury, Vermont, who scored 59.0% on Bari; Frederica Crafts of East Killingly, Connecticut, who scored 63.8% on Ranjeri; Meagan Davis of Stone Ridge, New York, who scored 65.8% on Cachet; and Alexa Rice of Still River, Massachusetts, who scored 62.3% on Nightwind. Their team score was 191.9.

Leading the way individually were Amanda Stearns of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, who scored 68.6% on Mitchell, and Julie McKean of Camden, Maine, who scored 68.1% on Stravinsky. Sitting in third individually was Hannah Holland Shook of Charlotte, North Carolina, who scored 66.9% on Cape Town.

Each team's score is based on the team's best three (of four) rides. Teams with three riders must count all three scores. The individual medals will be awarded on Sunday.

In eventing, the first championship division to get under way was the CCI** for young riders which had its dressage test. Jessica DiGenova of Norval, Ontario, Canada, holds the lead with a score of 48.1 penalties on Upolu. Alexandra Zavoyna of Unionville, Pennsylvania, who scored 49.2 on Merloch is second, and Rebecca Barron of Monticello, Florida, who scored 51.5 on Oberon IV, is third. The Area II team and the combined Area I & III team are tied for first with a score of 159.2. Area V is third with 165.8. The other championship division in eventing, the CCI* for juniors, has its dressage test on Friday.

Show jumping competition for Young Riders and for Juniors also started on Thursday. Held in the beautiful Anderson Coliseum at the Virginia Horse Center, the show jumping classes included a faults-converted speed class (1.40-1.45m) for Young Riders, won by Julie Welles of West Simsbury, Connecticut, on Felix Des Noues, and a faults-converted speed class (1.35-1.40m) for Juniors, won by Julianna Fischer of Lake Worth, Florida, on Lola. There was also a Table A 1.30m class for the Non-Championship division that was won by Raul Gonzalez of Mexico City, Mexico, on Purusia.

Veterinarians continue to monitor the health and safety of all of the horses competing in the searing heat that has gripped the East Coast and much of the nation. Dr. Fred McCashin, the international Veterinary Delegate for the dressage competition said, "Temperatures of the competing horses were mildly elevated, as were their respirations, but the organizers have done a great job setting up a tent with misting fans and ice baths for the horses. This was well planned and well set-up and really made a difference in cooling the horses."

The forecast for Friday shows a possible break in the heat, with projected highs near 90 degrees Fahrenheit, almost 10 degrees cooler than Wednesday and Thursday.

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 Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport.

The Championships 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. This year's addition of Junior Championships in all three disciplines marks the first NAJYRC.

"These championships are so significant for many of these Young Riders who benefit from the experience on their way to someday riding for their countries in international competition," said NAJYRC event director Penny Ross. "For those whose careers culminate with this experience, it is meaningful in a very different way. We feel it is important that everyone goes home having had a wonderful time and having gained a valuable experience whether they win medals or not."

The 2006 NAJYRC is supported by its Title Sponsor, CN, and is also supported by this year's Platinum Sponsors - Howard and Martha Simpson. Gold Medal Sponsors are the United States Equestrian Federation, Equine Canada and Zone 4.

Other sponsors for the 2006 NAJYRC include Silver Medal Sponsors Devoucoux, Rebecca Broussard, Blue Ridge Farm Center, Practical Horseman, Horsecity.com, The United States Dressage Federation, Antares, Waterjumps.us, Southeast Equine, Dressage Today, Ariat and The Mosaic Foundation; and Bronze Medal Sponsors Becker College, Dover Saddlery, Virginia Dressage Association, Stewart Title, The Jefferson Florist, Larry and Marnye Langer, Thornhill, U.S. Hunter-Jumper Association, and Der-Dau.

Blue Ribbon Sponsors include Rambo Blankets, VTO Saddlery, Mary Phelps-a Markel Equine Insurance specialist, Kelly's Ford Equestrian Center, Beval, and Cynron Saddlery & Footwear. Other sponsors are American Horse Trials Foundation, Starr Vaughn Equestrian, Inc., Harmony Sporthorses, EMO Insurance, Flame Treating Systems, Inc., Foxden Equine, Mead Associates, North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association, Southern States/Triple Crown, Virginia Golf Cars and Tennessee Valley Dressage & Combined Training Association. Additional donors include Cowboy Magic, Dermafas, Mrs. Pastures Cookies for Horses, Southern States/Triple Crown, Absorbine, Red Ridge Tack, Green Mountain Coffee, Janet Crawford, Charles Owen, Brandy, Straight Arrow, Royal Riders, Sunbelt, Intervet, Hamilton Products, Davis Boots, Cavalia, Best Shot Equine, Horse Tech, Inc., Flair Nasal Strips, Summit Dynamics, Ladysmith Chaps, Equus Entries, Shenandoah Connection, The Clothes Horse, Exhibitor Labs, Nutramax Labs, Hadfields, Fortiflex and Omega Fields.

For full results and further information on the 2006 CN North American Young Riders' Championships, please visit www.youngriders.org .