Old Mill Creek, IL – August 8, 2002 – The 2002 North American Young Riders’ Championships (NAYRC), Presented by State Line Tack, officially began on Wednesday with dressage and show jumping action at Tempel Farms in Old Mill Creek, IL. Nearly 200 of the nation’s finest young riders and horses arrived on the scene to compete in this world-class competition featuring show jumping, dressage, and eventing.

At the end of the first half of the Dressage Team Championship, Alison End of South Freeport, ME led the way riding her Danish Warmblood May Star, with a score of 63.949%. Leahe Webb of Temecula, CA placed second on Hugo, owned by Kathleen Webb, with a score of 63.795% and third went to Courtney Raiser of Liburn, GA and Pegaus, owned by Lori Bell, scoring 63.231%. The remaining dressage riders compete for the Team Championship on Thursday at 8:00 am.

The other two disciplines get underway on Thursday with Show Jumping beginning at 9:00 a.m. and Eventing Dressage at 1:00 p.m. Admission is still free on Thursday and tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are available at the gate 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 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 for young riders with disabilities who range from 16-25 years of age. The competition will be coordinated by the National Disability 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 free on Thursday, and tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are available at the gate at a cost of $7.00 a day, or $18.00 for a three-day pass. For further information, please call (847) 244-9207.