Parker, CO - August 2, 2000 - Show jumping began today at the 2000 North American Young Riders' Championships (NAYRC), Presented by State Line Tack, at High Prairie Farms Equestrian Center in Parker, CO.

In CSIOY show jumping, Tara Coombs of Ruidoso Downs, NM and her mount, Mondavi, galloped to victory in the Preliminary Competition in a time of 56.15 seconds, more than five seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. Morgan Fauth of Wayzata, MN and her horse, Iveco, captured the CSI-JY show jumping warm-up in 63.87 seconds, while Summer Bruington of Boerne, TX and Aerolite won the non-championship jump-off.

Equestrian action continues tomorrow with the dressage team championship, the eventing dressage phase, and more exciting show jumping action.

Young Riders' Fundraising Activities
Many of the young riders competing here at the NAYRC have worked as hard at fundraising as they have on their equestrian pursuits. One such group is the Region 2 Dressage Team.

Comprised of Jacqueline Paxton, 19, of Cincinnati, OH, Joanne Chmiel, 20, of Northbrook, IL, and sisters Reese, 20, and Lindsay Koffler, 16, of Lexington, KY, the Region 2 Team raised funds for their journey to the NAYRC by selling raffle tickets for a trip to Paris. Along with their Chef d' Equipe, Deirdre Toner, the teammates sold raffle tickets at horse shows and to local businesses in their hometowns. The eventual raffle winner was Al Nahra of Lexington, KY who has little interest in horses, but bought raffle tickets to encourage the dreams of these fine riders.

The riders also asked many businesses and organizations for their support. Sallee Horse Vans, Inc. of Lexington, KY sponsored travel for the team's horses from the mid-west to Colorado. Kentucky Dressage Association and the Mid-South Combined Training and Dressage Association each gave $500 to help defray competition expenses. Many other businesses and individuals, such as KBC of Lexington, Bob Michlers, Florabunda Designs, Fast Signs, and Schmidt's Signs all donated goods or services.

Through their fundraising activities, the team has grown close to one another and has developed great team spirit. Paxton, who will be a freshman at the University of Cincinnati in September, echoes the sentiment of the team. "I want to ride my best and get the best out of my horse to help the team. And, as a team, we want to give everyone a run for their money!" This is Paxton's second year competing at the NAYRC; in 1999 she was a member of the Region 2 Silver Medal team.

Chmiel, a former team silver medalist, is in her third year competing at the Championships. She wants to "show off all our work. The hard work and dedication we've put into our riding has led to this opportunity, as individuals and as teammates."

Meanwhile, sisters Reese and Lindsay Koffler are relishing the chance to ride on the same team. "This is our first time on a team together," said Reese. "It is very special to share this experience with my sister as well as with the rest of the team."

NAYRC Facts
The premier equestrian competition in North America for young riders, age 16-21, equestrians come from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for the Championships. NAYRC riders compete in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing. The competition is run under rules of the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale, the international governing body for equestrian sport).

Many top international and Olympic riders began their successful careers at the NAYRC. Such great riders as Olympic Silver Medalists Greg Best and Karen O'Connor, as well as Megan Johnstone, 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 all competed at the NAYRC.

NAYRC History
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. The 1998 NAYRC was hosted by High Prairie Farms Equestrian Center, while Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, Illinois was the site of the 1994-1997 and 1999 NAYRC.

NAYRC On Television
If you can't join the excitement of the NAYRC at High Prairie Farms Equestrian Center, you can still watch it on TV. Both the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) and Fox Sports will broadcast the competition. Fox Sports coverage airs on Sunday, August 27 at 10:00 a.m. (MDT).

Further Information High Prairie Farms Equestrian Center is located on Bayou Gulch Road, just off Parker Road, in Parker. The beautiful facility is perfect for a family picnic while watching talented horses and riders compete. Exciting equestrian action at the NAYRC continues daily through Sunday and admission is FREE Thursday and Friday, $6 per day on Saturday and Sunday (or $10 for both days), and children 11 and under are free each day. For more information, please call High Prairie Farms Equestrian Center at (303)841-5550 or go to www.youngriders.org or highprairiefarms.com on the Internet.