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Articles: Press Release
US Zone 2 Takes Show Jumping Team Gold Medal at the
North American Young Riders’ Championships
Contact:
Beth Gold (847) 244-7249,
classic.pr@verizon.net
Jamie Saults (847) 244-7249,
jmsaults@aol.com
Old Mill Creek, IL – August 9, 2002 –The show jumping riders from US Zone 2
snagged the Team Gold Medal with a faultless performance in a tiebreaking
jump-off in one of the most exciting competitions in the history of the
North American Young Riders’ Championships (NAYRC), presented by State Line
Tack, on Friday at Tempel Farms in Old Mill Creek, IL.
An unprecedented jump-off for the gold medal caught the riders of Ontario
and Zone 2 by surprise as no one expected a tie following the two round
Nations’ Cup format. The jump-off became necessary when each team totaled
25 faults. The four riders of the Gold Medal Team in order of appearance
were Kristy McCormack and Marga; Vanessa Stevenson and Galiana; Michelle Pia
and Mable and Georgina Bloomberg and Riviera. Bloomberg was the anchor in
the pressure cooker situation, but seemed to take it all in stride.
“There was a lot of pressure,” said Bloomberg. “It’s also a compliment
because it means someone believes in you enough to come through. It makes
you determined to do well. We all worked very hard to win.”
The silver medal team from Ontario was impressive with only eight jump-off
faults and consisted of Carly Campbell Cooper and Rex Get Busy; Elliott
Stone and Freestyle and Rebecca Irvine and Quincy.
The top twenty riders move on to the final round of Show Jumping
for the Individual Medals on Sunday. Scores from the first qualifier on
Thursday and the two rounds from Friday determine the placings.
Show Jumping was not the only competition going on. In the
CCI** Eventing division, Team Brazil took the lead following dressage with
182.41 penalties. The enthusiastic team consisted of Ricky Candi riding
Justiceiro, Rafael Mauridio Gouveia, Jr. on Ava, Paulo Eduardo Limongi
Pacheco on Planetarius J. Men and Jesper Sigfrid Martendal aboard Nijord.
In the Dressage Championship, the top 25 competed in the Grand Prix Special
test to qualify for the Individual Final on Sunday. Jacqueline Paxton and
Sangmelima once again surpassed her personal best receiving 70.737% giving
her a two day total of 140.840 to firmly place them in the lead going into
the Freestyle competition that will feature the top fifteen. Lindsey
Anderson and Intrepid are in second with a combined score of 132.635% and
Christiana Beal on Artiste with a combined score of 130.436%.
The Mills Team Challenge, a dressage competition for young riders with
physical disabilities who range from 16-25 years of age, also began on
Friday. After the first day, Keith Newerla with a very impressive score of
68.788% on Atticus took the lead and Rebecca Hart and Miss Jane Marple took
second with a score of 68.000%. The Mills team challenge, run under the
auspices of the by the National Disabilities Sports Alliance (NDSA),
continues Saturday with the musical Freestyle.
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.
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.
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are available at the gate. For further
information, please call (847) 244-9207.
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