North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC)

The North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) is a prestigious, weeklong competition in which the best young athletes from the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands meet to compete for FEI team and individual medals. The NAJYRC is run under the rules of the international governing body for equestrian sports, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). It is the only FEI championship that is held annually in North America, and it is host to eventing, dressage, show jumping, reining and endurance.

This competition is a fabulous opportunity for young people to get a feel for international competition, and for many it is the beginning of a serious career in the sport. In the past years, Region Two’s teams have won six team gold medals, along with individual medals. In addition, two years prior, Region 2 produced the highest scoring young rider in the country who qualified and competed in Europe.

Each year junior and young rider teams are selected to compete in the NAJYRC. Each of these teams consists of 4 riders, making 8 total riders that represent the region. For Region 2, the top riders are selected to represent the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia for a week of intense competition.

Read more ...

London is Calling the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team

Source: USDF

London, England, United Kingdom-August 20, 2012 - Passports in hand and the final tack box loaded, the United States Paralympic Equestrian Team is on their way to London. Chef d'Equipe Missy Ransehousen and equestrians Rebecca Hart, top ten FEI Paralympian Jonathan Wentz, Donna Ponessa, and Dale Dedrick will shortly accompany their horses when they arrive in the United Kingdom. From the logistics of international travel to the intense competition, the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team has a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks.

As the only athlete in the Paralympics that has four legs, these high-performance horses will be traveling first-class aboard a FedEx Express MD-11 with the finest of luxuries. The amenities include, groom accompaniment, social interaction when necessary, their own team veterinarian, and a large box stall for each horse.

Future of the Sport on Display at Lamplight Equestrian Center as Seven USEF National Dressage Champions to be Crowned

Source: USEF

Lexington, KY- The top rising dressage talents in the U.S. will descend on the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL this week as seven USEF National Dressage Championships will be up for the taking. These championships will once again be held in conjunction with the Dressage at Lamplight competition August 23-26, 2012.

In the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships three national titles will be awarded for the Four, Five and Six-year-old Championships. Additionally, the best rising Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix horses will vie for top honors in the USEF National Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage Championship presented by The Dutta Corp. and Performance Sales International and the USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Dressage Championship supported by Hilda Gurney and Carol Lavell respectively. Additionally, two champions will be crowned in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today, where awards will be bestowed upon juniors in the 13 & Under division and 14-18 division.

Prize Money Announced for Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships

Source: USDF

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) and the title sponsor, Great American Insurance Group are pleased to announce the prize money which will be awarded for the 2012 Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, presented by SmartPak and supported by Merial. The prize money awarded is divided evenly among the nine regions and 35 divisions that are offered, allowing each region to present competitors with over $18,000 in prize money and awards. Champions in each region and division will receive $279 in prize money, and an embroidered jacket and cooler both provided by SmartPak, Inc., official horse clothing supplier of USDF. Reserve champions in each region and division will receive $186 in prize money, along with a saddle pad provided by the Great American Insurance Group, title sponsor of the championships.

USDF is proud to recognize the sponsors of the USDF Regional Championships and would like extend a special thank you to the title sponsor, Great American Insurance Group, delivering long term value to their customers, as well as to the USDF Regional Championship program.

For more information about the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, presented by SmartPak and supported by Merial, please visit the USDF website or contact the USDF office.