Articles: Press Release
Maple Leaf Flies High In Reining Individual Final
Contact:
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8483
Tel: (859) 258-2472
Fax (859) 231-6662
Web site: www.usef.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2009
By Brad Ettleman
Lexington, KYEquipped with a new indoor facility, six strong teams and some
of the most outstanding reining horses in North America, the SmartPak North
American Young Rider Reining Championships came to an emotional and
suspenseful close today with the prestigious Individual competition.
For only the second time in history, the championships has declared an
Individual Gold medalist in Darcy Wilson of Glenwood, Ontario, Canada, who
stood on guard for her beloved Canada while securing an impressive score of
217. Wilson, who was the top Canadian rider at the first-ever NAYRC Reining
Championships last year in Denver missed out the medals podium in 2008, but
made a promise to herself to return in a big way in 2009.
Last year was such a learning experience. I really took what I learned from
2008 and applied it to this years competition, said Wilson. My mare is such
an amazing horse. She and I were together last year for this championship
and we came back together again this year. She really pulled me through -
she is amazing.
Speaking of the overall experience, Wilson elaborated, Im in awe of all of
this. I still cant even believe this is happening. To be able to show for
Canada and at such a high level is such a huge honor. With three more years
eligible to compete as a Young Rider, Wilson vows that she will definitely
be back in 2010 and beyond.
The closest possible gap in the sport lay between Gold and Silver with only
a half of a point back, Erin Duddy of Campbell, NY, scored a 216.5 aboard
Too Busy Cashin Chex. Duddy, who is a member of the formidable Team USA
Northeast, gave it everything she had to get into the front of the field.
She secured the Silver position with only two possible contenders to
follow. When the final slide was done, it was riders from the U.S. in
Silver and Bronze.
Tied for Bronze, Maggie Jo Gratny of Leavenworth, KS, and Makenzie Lantz of
Fremont, MI, both scored a 214.5 to round out the medals podium. All podium
positions were scores of 214.5 or higher a statement on the strength and
depth of this years championships and a glimpse into the future of the sport
of reining.
The reining competition was held as a part of the 2009 Adequan FEI North
American Junior & Young Rider Championships. To learn more, visit
www.youngriders.org.
ENDS
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation(r) is to provide
leadership
for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the
pursuit
of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare
of its human and equine athletes.
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