Mixed Team from Zones 2,5,7 win the YR Gold. Photo courtesy of Adequan NAJYRC Media
The FEI North American Junior / Young Rider Championships are an Olympic-sized experience for riders in small packages, and this past week, many got the chance to taste true glory. While the NAJYRC claims to simulate the Olympic format and experience for its competitors, winning here is a memory, an experience and a challenge all its own, no Olympic comparison necessary.
HITS-on-the-Hudson hosted jumper and dressage riders for the week as they participated in both team and individual competition, mimicking the format used for the Olympic Games. They also have opening ceremonies, parades, and team presentations to add to the pomp and circumstance.
The NAJYRC has had Young Rider (16-21) and Junior (14-18) jumper divisions for years, but added a Children’s championship (12-14) just this year. Riders of all ages flocked from Canada, US and Mexico to bring home glory for their region, their country and themselves.
Team Competition
The Team Jumping Competitions got underway on Thursday July 20 with final team rounds wrapping up on Friday. In the Children’s team competition, Zone 10 (California and Nevada) clinched the win with a team total of eight faults thanks to double clears by Virginia Bonnie and Alexa Leong. Canada took silver on nine faults (Anya Bereznicki was also double clear over two rounds), and Mexico clinched bronze with 20 faults.
In the Junior Division, team gold went to a consistent and stable performance by all the team members of Zone 7 (TX, OK, KS, MO, AR, LA), who ended their day on top with 12 faults among them. Briley Koerner was the lone double clear for the winning team.
Mexico took Junior silver, with Nicole Meyer going double clear over two rounds and every single rider going clear in round two. They finished on 16.
Bronze went to a combined team of Zone 2 & 3 (Mid-Atlantic, North Carolina to New York) which included a perfect performance by Dagny Mactaggart and teammates Taylor St. Jacques and Caitlyn Connors adding a rail per round each.
Young Riders Gold went to the talented Zone 2,5,7 team comprised of Brian Moggre, Caitlin Creel and Aillish Cunniffe, who finished on a total of 12 faults. Silver would go to Canada on a 24-point total, and bronze to Zone 10 on a bit of a rough day for that team.
Individual rides wrapped up on Sunday, July 23rd, and the following riders took home a little piece of glory with them in the form of some new fancy neck metal to polish.
JUMPING – CHILDREN’S INDIVIDUAL FINAL
GOLD |Dylan Laiken (USA Zone 10) and Callao – 0/0 – 0
SILVER |Anya Bereznicki (CAN) and Diazella – 4/0 – 4.00
BRONZE | Kyara Semrau (CAN) and Wings Sublieme – 0/0 – 5.00
JUMPING – JUNIOR RIDER INDIVIDUAL FINAL
GOLD | Nicole Meyer Robredo (MEX) and House – 0/0 – 3.190
SILVER | Hannah Loly (USA Zone 10) and Ayma De La Demi Lune – 0/0 – 6.010
BRONZE | Briley Koerner (USA Zone 7) and For Jef VD Wezelse – 0/4 – 7.410
JUMPING – YOUNG RIDER INDIVIDUAL FINAL
GOLD | Julia Madigan (CAN) and Farfelu Du Printemps – 0/4 – 12.660
SILVER | Alexanne Thibault (CAN) and Chacco Prime – 4/0 – 16.000
BRONZE | Veronica Bot (CAN) and Cool Down 3 – 4/0 – 16.100
Finally, there were several special awards distributed during the week:
- The Caristo Cup was awarded to Martien Van Der Hoeven of Zone 7 for a masterful performance as his team’s Chef d’Equipe (named in honor of Rob Caristo)
- The Andrew B. De Szinay Memorial Sportsman Trophy was given to Zachary Yariv of Zone 4 for demonstrating integrity, sportsmanship, honor, courage, team spirit, good temper and unselfishness.
- Brian Moggre of Zone 7 was given the style award, which applies not only to good equitation, but also good manners and demeanor with peers and officials throughout the week.
Congratulations to all, and keep it locked on JN for more post-event coverage and interviews from the NAJYRC!
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