Wadsworth, IL - August 9, 2001 - The U.S. Dressage Federation's (USDF) Region 3 captured the Team Dressage Gold Medal today at the 2001 North American Young Riders' Championships (NAYRC), Presented by State Line Tack, held at Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, IL

The Gold Medal Team consisted of Lesley Eden and her mount, Picasso, of Lake Mary, FL, Courtney Raiser and her horse, Our Conversation, of Lilburn, GA, and Gwen Poulin of Deleon Springs, FL with Pik Cachet. All three riders also qualified for the Individual Dressage Championship. Despite riding with only a three-person team that left them without a E28098drop' score, they amassed a strong combined total of 3755 points.

Eden also leads in the Individual Dressage Championship. "My horse was super today," she stated. "This is my first time at the NAYRC and I hoped to do well, but I wasn't expecting anything. I am very pleased with our performance."

With a combined score of 3729 points, the Dressage Team Silver Medal went to the Region 1 Team of Camilla Goodchild of Greensboro, NC, Kerri Sowers of Egg Harbor, NJ, and sisters Catherine and Mary Alice Malone, Jr. of Coatesville, PA. Scoring 3656 points, Region 2 took the Bronze Medal.

In show jumping action, Emily Williams and her speedy jumper, Oyster, raced to victory in the first championship class in a time of 77.19 seconds. Ashlee Bond of Calabassas, CA rode Pablo in a time of 79.02 seconds to take second place.

Over 200 of the nation's finest young riders and horses have arrived in the past days from throughout North America for the world-class competition in show jumping, dressage, and eventing. Tickets are available at the gate for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at a cost of $7.00 a day, or $18.00 for a three-day pass. For further information, please call (847)244-9207.

The NAYRC is the premier competition for young riders, age 16 through 21, in the Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and three-day eventing. Olympic veterans Karen O'Connor, Mara Depuy, and Greg Best, as well as Olympic alternates Buck Davidson and Kathleen Raine, all began their international careers at the NAYRC.

NAYRC riders are invited from each country's National Federation in North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda, as well as each Province of Canada, each USA Equestrian Zone (show jumping), USDFRegion (dressage), and USCTA Area (three-day event) to compete. The NAYRC is considered a USA Junior Olympic- Equestrian event.

The broad range of nationalities and fierce competitors that attend the Championships produce a "mini" Olympics atmosphere throughou t the competition week. For many riders, itis their first competition under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI)rules, and their initial experience of intense international competition.

The North American Young Riders' Championships began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada in Jokers Hill, Newmarket, Ontario. Canada swept all three team medals in the competition that was then known as the North American Junior Team Championships.

In 1985, the competition landed at Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, Illinois, setting the stage for their continuing support of the Championships.