Wadsworth, IL- March 5, 2002-The North American Young Riders' Championships (NAYRC) presented by State Line Tack will return to Tempel Farms, in Wadsworth, IL on August 6 - 11, 2002. This marks the 13th time that Linda Smith Buonanno and Martha Smith Simpson, the event's honorary co-chairmen, have hosted the championship on their magnificent property!

The North American Young Riders' Championships, presented by State Line Tack, is the premier equestrian competition in North America for young riders, age 16-21. Young equestrians come from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual Championships in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing.

The competition is run under rules of the Federation Equestre Internationale, the international governing body for equestrian sport and is also designated as an official USA Junior Olympic-Equestrian event. "We're excited to once again be able to host the North American Young Riders' Championships," said Howard Simpson who serves as Event Director. "We are proud to offer a first-class competition for young riders, providing an opportunity for them to showcase their talents, while also giving them an experience on which they can build for the future."

Many top international and Olympic riders got their start at the NAYRC including Olympic Silver Medalists Greg Best and Karen O'Connor, as well as Megan Johnstone, Lauren Hough, Elise Haas, Buck Davidson, Abigail Lufkin, Alison Firestone, Chris Kappler, Nicole Shahinian Simpson, Ray Texel, Chris Pratt, Lisa Carlsen Lubitz, Kathleen Raine, Heather Mason, David Wilson, Tiffani Loudon, Mara DePuy, and Julie Gomena. Last year, Karen O'Connor and her husband, Olympic Gold Medalist David O'Connor, returned to make a presentation during the opening reception which offered a great inspiration to the audience of Olympic hopefuls.

For the third time, a Prix St. Georges Freestyle will be part of the Dressage Championships. The top 25 riders from the Team Championships will compete in the FEI Young Riders Individual Test. The Prix St. Georges Freestyle Test will then serve as the individual final for the best 15 competitors out of the Team and Individual Test.

Once again this year, a challenging CCIY* Eventing competition will be offered in addition to the CCI-CH-C-Y** Eventing Championship. This allows up-and-coming Junior and Young Riders an opportunity to ride on a team and get a taste of international competition.

The NAYRC also offers a CSI* - JY Combined Competition for show jumping juniors and young riders. These riders, who take part in individual classes in addition to an unofficial team competition, gain valuable first-hand experience of what it's like to compete in international show jumping. The North American Young Riders' Championships is pleased to welcome the fourth annual Mills Team Challenge, a dressage competition for young riders with disabilities who range from 16-25 years of age. The competition will be coordinated this year by the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA), the national governing body for equestrian sports for riders with disabilities. NDSA is a member organization of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and is recognized by the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (IPEC).

The NAYRC 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. Tempel Farms has hosted the Championship 12 times since 1985.

Tempel Farms is home to the world's largest private herd of Lipizzan Horses. It is widely considered to be one of the finest equestrian centers in North America with extraordinary facilities, excellent footing, and a challenging CCI** cross-country course.

For more information on NAYRC activities, please visit www.youngriders.org. At the NAYRC website you will find zone, region, area contact information, a competition schedule, Tempel Farms information, and many other details pertaining to the event.