Old Mill Creek, IL – August 9, 2002 – The local riders of Region 2 won the Dressage Team Gold Medal today at the 2002 North American Young Riders’ Championships (NAYRC), presented by State Line Tack, held at Tempel Farms in Old Mill Creek, IL. This is the first time Region 2 has taken top honors at the NAYRC since 1990.

The Gold Medal Team consisted of: Lindsey Holcomb of Batavia, IL, riding Chevriot, Lindsey Koffler of Lexington, KY on Alfredo, Martin Kuhn of New Berlin, IL aboard Romulos and Jacqueline Paxton of Batavia, OH and Sangmelima. The Region 2 team won convincingly with a total score of 3809. Paxton helped the team accomplish their goal with an outstanding score of 1367 and 70.103% and was thrilled with her personal best.

“This was the most fun I ever had in a test,” said Paxton. “I worked so hard to get here and have a good test. The fact that it happened at Young Riders makes it ten times better.”

The silver medal went to Region 7 with a combined total score of 3773. Christina Beal of Fullbrook, CA on Artiste, Josslyn Chandler of San Juan, CA riding Domani, Natalie Hamilton of Murrieta, CA and Donnerworth and Leahe Webb of Temecula, CA aboard Hugo made up the second place team.

Region 3 received the bronze with Brittain Knight of Greensboro, NC and Diodor, Nicole Levy of Ft. Meyers, FL riding Korrado Krista Peek of Rosewell, GA and Legatto and Courtney Raiser of Liburn, GA on Pegasus receiving a team score of 3672.

In the Show Jumping Championship Division, the first Individual qualifying competition took place and local rider Maggie Jayne and Jubulent finished on top. Two Canadians rounded out the top three with Carly Campbell-Cooper of Ontario, CAN riding Rex Get Busy finishing second and Elliott Stone also of Ontario, CAN aboard Freestyle coming in third.

The NAYRC is the premier competition for young riders in the three Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and three-day eventing. Riders, ages 16 through 21 are eligible to compete in this USA Junior Olympic – Equestrian event.

Additionally, the NAYRC will host the fourth annual Mills Team Challenge, a dressage competition a dressage competition for young riders with disabilities who range from 16-25 years of age. The event is organized by the National Disabilities Sports Alliance (NDSA), the national governing body for equestrian sports for riders with disabilities.

The North American Young Riders’ Championships began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada in Jokers Hill, Ontario. Canada swept all three team medals in the competition that was then known as the North American Junior Team Championships. A dressage championship was added in 1981, and since that year the Championships have been recognized by the FEI and are conducted in accordance with FEI General Regulations. Show jumping made its’ debut in 1982 in British Columbia, when the first complete Championships were held. In 1985, the competition landed at Tempel Farms in Old Mill Creek, Illinois, setting the stage for their continuing support of the Championships.

NAYRC competition continues through Sunday. Admission is $7.00 a day, or $18.00 for a three-day pass and tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are available at the gate. For further information, please call (847) 244-9207.