Wadsworth, IL - August 10, 2001 - The USA Zone 1 (New England) show jumping team won the Gold Medal at the 2001 North American Young Riders’ Championships (NAYRC), Presented by State Line Tack, at Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, IL.

The Gold Medal Team, coached by Jimmy Doyle, consisted of Ashley Baker of Greenwich, CT on Beaucoup; Amanda Baird of Greenwich, CT on Poleander; Katelyn Denby of Somers, CT on Leonardo; and Sarah Willeman of Hamilton, MA on Lapeti. They totaled 12.00 faults through two rounds (with best three scores of each round counting) to outdistance the team from Canada-Ontario that finished second with a score of 24.00. The Bronze Medal went to the USA Zone 2 team (NY-NJ) with a score of 32.00.

Emily Williams of Loveland, OH (USA Zone 5) maintained her lead in race for the individual Gold by completing the two rounds with a total of no jumping and 1.00 time faults on Oyster. She leads with a score of 0.00 and is followed by Ashlee Bond of Calabassas, CA on Pablo with a score of 0.91. The individual medals in show jumping, as well as in dressage and eventing, will be determined on Sunday.

In the junior jumping championship, USA Zone 10 (west coast) won the Gold Medal with a team score of 9.00 faults. Canada-Quebec placed second with 30.00 and Canada-Ontario/Alberta was third with 55.00. The NAYRC is the premier competition for young riders, age 16 through 21, in the Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. Many Olympic veterans such as Karen O’Connor, Mara Depuy and Greg Best began their international careers at the NAYRC. The NAYRC is recognized as a USA Junior Olympic- Equestrian event.

The broad range of nationalities and fierce competitors that attend the Championships produce an Olympic-type atmosphere throughout the competition week. For many riders, it is their first competition under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules, and their initial experience of intense international competition.

The North American Young Riders’ Championships began in 1974 in Jokers Hill, Newmarket, Ontario as an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada. In 1985, the competition was held at Tempel Farms for the first time. It has returned there 12 times since.

Tickets are available at the gate for Saturday and Sunday at a cost of $7.00 a day. For further information, please call (847) 244-9207.

Full results of all disciplines are available at the North American Young Riders’ Championships website at www.youngriders.org.