USEF: Keenan and Garza Perez Win Jumping, Steed and Phillips Lead Reining Medals; Freestyle Medals Go to Uhlir and Tetreault, Roberts Wins Endurance Gold, USA Southeast Takes Endurance Team Gold at 2

Source: News Release/Jennifer Wood for USEF - Jennifer Wood and Brad Ettleman for USEF

Keenan and Garza Perez Win Jumping, Steed and Phillips Lead Reining Medals

Freestyle Medals Go to Uhlir and Tetreault, Roberts Wins Endurance Gold, USA Southeast Takes Endurance Team Gold at 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North

Jumping Young Rider Individual Medalists: Kate Morrison (Zone 5), Bronze; Lillie Keenan (Zone 2), Gold; Charlotte Jacobs (Zone 5), Silver (Sportfot)

Lexington, KY - Saturday's morning competition at the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) featured exciting sport and medal presentations for two disciplines. Individual medals were given in jumping and reining. In the jumping, Lillie Keenan (Zone 2) and Londinium won Young Rider Gold, while Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) and Bariano received the Junior Gold with no faults throughout the week. The Young Rider Reining Gold medal went to Madison Steed (CAN) and Jumpin Jac Trash, while James Michael Phillips (USA) and Shining Shoes won the Gold in the Junior division. Eventing continued with Cross Country and will conclude competition tomorrow with their final Stadium Jumping phase.

Starting out the day were the Individual Jumping Finals for Juniors and Young Riders. The top 18 riders advanced to the finals in the Young Rider division, and 13 of those came through to the second round. Going into the second round, the top five stood on their faults from the first two days as they all had first round clears. The race really came down to the top three: Kate Morrison (13.70 faults), Lillie Keenan (8.00 faults), and Charlotte Jacobs (7.58 faults).

Morrison (Zone 3) and Windoctro went double clear and received the Bronze medal with 13.70 faults. With another beautiful clear round, Lillie Keenan and Londinium stayed on their eight faults. Charlotte Jacobs and Kachina were having a foot-perfect round until a light rub at the final fence, the skinny horseshoe vertical, rolled the rail out of the cups for a heartbreaking four faults. They would finish on 11.58 faults for the Silver medal.

"It was tough of course," Jacobs recalled. "She left the ground at the last fence and she's usually such a great vertical jumper. I was like, 'I have it,' and I landed and I heard the crowd and I was like 'Oh my God, I knocked it down.' It was instant shock. I was upset, but Lillie and I were reminiscing the other day and we were here doing Pony Finals together. We've been friends forever, so of course I'm happy for her."

The Gold medal in the Young Riders went to Keenan, a 16-year-old from New York City, NY. She and Londinium, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Lord Pezi, have been paired together since January.

Keenan expressed, "Charlotte is one of my closest friends and if the roles were reversed I'd be very, very happy for her, as she is for me. It's great to be able to be so close with people when you're neck and neck for medals."

Regarding the pressure of being one of the top riders coming back today, Keenan replied, "If I start thinking too much about the pressure and the points and what I can do to move up, I make myself crazy. I knew my horse wanted to jump clear every round. I knew I needed to ride better than than I did in the Nations Cup first round. The pressure we both feel, but we try to block it out."

The riders noted that time allowed was a factor for the competition this week. Keenan thought that it helped her and her horse. "I have a really fast horse. Even in the speed round, I didn't realize I could go that fast. He jumps best out of a gallop," she said. "When I ride him forward in more of a hunter seat and allow him to jump to the best of his ability, that's really when it goes best. Having a tight time allowed works in my favor."

Keenan went on to describe Londinium, "We started showing at (the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival) this year and he was a star right away. We got along very, very well. He's a really special horse."

Jacobs, who is 18 years old and from East Aurora, NY, shared that nerves have been something she has worked on. "I've never been able to deal with pressure, usually I'm very bad with it," she shared. "Going in last the first round was a lot of pressure. But I took a lot of deep breaths and tried to do the best of my ability, and tried to do the same in the second round."

Jacobs and Kachina have had a long history together. The 15-year-old Selle Francais mare by Voltaire has been in the Jacobs family since she was six, and used to be ridden by Charlotte's father, Lou Jacobs, in the Amateur Jumpers before Charlotte took over the ride two years ago.

Jacobs said that time allowed was very much on her mind since Kachina is a big horse who spends more time in the air. Jacobs had to think about going forward between the jumps. "We were only .4 points away from each other, so if I had a time fault, I would be Silver. It was land from every jump and just go," she said.

Jacobs almost didn't make it to the NAJYRC this year since Kachina was injured and she was sixth on the list to attend for Zone 2. After a rider had to drop out, Jacobs got moved up to the alternate spot. She expressed, "I was very lucky in that situation that I was even here. I'm very thankful that she's healthy again and she's here showing. I'm even more thankful that I got a Silver medal."

Morrison and Windoctro have stepped up this year to the national grand prix level and she was excited to medal in this year's NAJYRC. Morrison is 19 years old and from Dublin, OH. She has been riding Windoctro, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding by Indoctro, since September.

Morrison said she "considers him really special." She said further, "Anytime he goes into the ring, he gives his all. He's not the easiest. He goes in the ring lagging a little bit and you have to kick him up. Once he's there though, he jumps amazing. He's going to try as hard as I do. I was giving my all and he obviously did too. I was really happy with how he went. He jumped amazing for me."

Windoctro was at this level when Morrison started riding him and said, "He's given me a lot of confidence. My other High (Amateur Jumper) horse is nervous. Him starting me out in the grand prix has given me a lot confidence with her."

Zone 2 had another extremely strong showing at NAJYRC this year, and Chef d'Equipe Ralph Caristo commented, "I think the success comes from the support system we have, starting with my wife. Mostly it's the Zone itself and the committees that support us, the parents, the trainers. We have a very good relationship with everybody. They want to do it. I'm very lucky to have them go around. I'm just the cheerleader here. They have trainers and they're the ones who should get all the credit."

Keenan added, "Being a member of the team, I can say Ralph and Holly are a lot more than cheerleaders. Zone 2 really has an edge having such an amazing support system, but as a group of riders we're really close. Throughout the year, yes we're competing against each other, but we're also thinking ahead. This is really the peak event for the year. We have it in the back of our minds, that we're getting ready for Young Riders. Throughout the year, Ralph and Holly, our trainers and family, we're really aiming for this."

Along with the medalists in round one, there were clear rounds from Jacqueline Steffens (CAN) on Quercus van Generhese, Hannah von Heidegger (Zone 10) on Geledimar, Wilton Porter (Zone 7) on Radio City, and Mattias Tromp (Zone 2) with Casey. In the second round, Porter had just one time fault, as did Michael Hughes (Zone 2) and Luxina and Chloe Reid (Zone 3) with Victor E.

Five Clears Wins Gold for Garza Perez

Jumping Junior Individual medalists: Sydney Shulman (Zone 1), Bronze; Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX), Gold; Katherine Strauss (Zone 2), Silver (Sportfot)

The top 25 Juniors took to the course this morning over a track designed by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL. It was challenging with the wide open water going into the morning sun, and the skinny vertical jump shaped like a giant horseshoe that stands almost 13 feet tall.

With an incredible performance of five clear rounds over three days, 16-year-old Eugenio Garza Perez of Mexico and Bariano, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Jetset-D, took the Gold medal in the Junior Jumping Final. Garza Perez is the third rider from Mexico to win an Individual Gold medal in the history of the NAJYRC, joining Manuel Alvarez Ruiz Galindo and Olympian Alberto Michan. In addition to his five clear rounds, Garza Perez added another clear round in the jump-off for the Team competition to help Mexico win the Silver on Thursday.

While Garza Perez is from Monterrey, Mexico, he has lived in Dallas, TX, for two years. He started riding Bariano just over a year ago and said that his first NAJYRC "has been an amazing experience." He continued, "We've really become a great team. All the coaches, parents, everyone who has backed me up, I feel like I kind of could repay them and show them our hard work has paid off. It's just incredible. We knew we had a strong horse, but never knew we could do this much of a good job. It was awesome that we could keep it going and produce that many clear rounds."

Garza Perez had a tough task going into the final rounds being tied with three other riders. "We knew that one rail could cost us and we would be out of the medals. I was nervous, I'm not going to lie," he acknowledged. "I feel like I rise to the occasion when I need to and perform well under pressure. My coaches believed in me and I'm glad I could show them."

The Silver medal went to 14-year-old Katherine Strauss from Zone 2. She rode Chellando Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Chellano Z to four faults over the five rounds. Clear through Wednesday and Thursday, Strauss had four faults in today's first round with a foot in the open water, which caused many faults throughout the opening round.

"I was really nervous going into the first round, because it was make it or break it time," Strauss disclosed. "I could either totally be out of the medals or I could hopefully catch (Eugenio)...but I didn't! I just thought you have to know yourself when you get nervous. My tendency is to go slow and backwards. I knew just to ride faster than I usually would. My parents and trainers are so supportive, and they told me you can't control what everyone else does, so do the best you can and focus on the course and your horse."

Strauss, who wasn't old enough to be on the Young Rider team this year, hopes to move up and come back to NAJYRC. "I know my horse can do it; I hope I can do it too," she said.

With a great double clear ride, Sydney Shulman (Zone 1) secured the Bronze medal. The 18-year-old rider from Greenwich, CT, rode Quidam 13, a nine-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Bogegardens Quattro. Shulman finished on five faults, which she accrued in the first round of the Team competition.

Shulman explained that having just gotten Quidam 13 in April, she doesn't know him well. "I chose to show as learning experience for both of us," she mentioned. "I'd never shown him two days in a row, much less two times in one day. It was interesting to see how he held up."

Of her rounds, she said, "I made a silly mistake the first round on the second day. I thought I had to make up for that, so I was riding a little bit stronger and a little faster, because I had a time fault. I was pleased with how he was."

Along with the three medalists, there were three other clear rides in round two: KC Van Aarem (Zone 3) and Mastermind, Juan Pablo Gaspar Albanez (MEX) and Puertas Catena, and Barbara Ruziska (Zone 3) on Victoire VH Dingenshof. Garza Perez and Shulman were the only double clears on the day.

Young Rider Reining Gold to Steed

Reining Young Rider Individual medalists: Jonathan Stepka (USA) - Bronze; Madison Steed (CAN) - Gold; Jamie Erickson (USA) - Silver (Waltenberry)

The 2013 SmartPak Reining Championships concluded today in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park with two high-scoring rounds of high-level reining.

For the Young Riders, it was the scorching hot score of 219 from Canada's Madison Steed to secure the Gold medal showing Jumpin Jac Trash (2007 AQHA Gelding). Steed, a veteran of FEI Young Rider competition, showed with great confidence and skill securing a five point lead over the Silver medal score.

Steed said that her pattern felt "really good" in the Individual competition. "I stayed out of the penalty box this time, so I was really happy with it," she said. "It all goes back to my horse. He doesn't stop; he has so much try in him. He's a cool horse that way. You can push him as hard as you want. I really owe it to him."

Steed (17, Cochran, AB, CAN) has been riding "Jac" for two years and said he has a huge personality. "Anything within a 10 foot radius is his jurisdiction," she laughed. "Anything he can get at, he'll chew up and eat. He has the hugest heart you can ask for."

A Silver medal effort was turned in by Jaime Erickson of the United States riding Rocky Mountain Whiz (2005 AQHA Gelding) to a score of 214. And the Bronze medalist, Jonathan Stepka (16, Little Rock, AR), rode his own Sweet Mega Brown (2004 AQHA Gelding) to secure the final place on the championship podium.

This was only the fifth show that Erickson (18, Keytesville, MO) and Rocky Mountain Whiz have competed in, but Erickson said that lots of practice this summer helped them to the Silver medal performance. "Each time we ride, we're always improving," she said. "The more we ride, it'll get better and better. There's still more to come out of my horse. It's an honor to be here, and I'm thankful for my horse."

For Stepka, the air-conditioning in the Alltech Arena certainly helped his horse. "The air-conditioning
plays a major role in warming up your horse," he explained. "I can feel her energize up and she's ready to go again. I know my horse is going to walk in there and be ready to go all over again."

Stepka enjoyed representing the United States at the NAJYRC and that with this experience, he hopes that he can continue his riding career to be on senior level teams at such competitions as the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). "Going overseas to WEG would be absolutely mind-blowing," he expressed. "To think that I'm a little ole kid from Arkansas and could compete on an international level? It would definitely be an honor."

Phillips Is Golden in Junior Reining

Reining Junior Individual medalists: Maxine Whiteside (CAN) - Bronze; James Michael Phillips (USA) - Gold; Emily Wilson (CAN) - Silver (Waltenberry)

Claiming top prize and top honors in the Junior championship, James Michael Phillips riding Shining Shoes (1995 AQHA Gelding) turned a gold medal effort to win the top podium position. Crediting his 18-year-old horse for wisdom and experience, Phillips rode as the final draw in the class to a 217 score, punctuating the win with a full six and a half point difference above the next placing rider.

This is Phillips' (14, Hartsch, OK) first time competing at the NAJYRC and said that today's Individual competition was a different ball game from the Team class. "In the Team competition, if you messed up, someone could come in and pull you out. In the Individual, it's all on you if you mess up. I did improve a lot on the pattern (from Thursday), and it got better and better as I went on with the pattern today."

Phillips has been riding Shining Shoes for four years. "He's real loving and he tries hard and loves his job. He never wants to cheat you on anything," he described.

He said of his Gold medal experience, "To get to stand on the podium with the flag being raised and hear the anthem is amazing."

Silver medalist Emily Wilson (16, Oxbridge, ON) carried on the tradition of medals for the Canadian family, all of whom have shown the same Miss Cielo Chex (2002 AQHA Mare) all the way to the podium. Marking a score of 211.5, Wilson led the competition as the one to beat all the way up to the final round. "It was tough competition down here," Wilson said. "I want to try and get on another team. I'll definitely come back again next year and try."

In Bronze, Maxine Whiteside was aboard Sailors Good Sackett (1996 AQHA Gelding) and rode to a score of 207. Whiteside (14, Olds, AB) has been riding Sailors Good Sackett for two years and it was her godmother who got her into reining. "I'd like to try and get on another (NAJYRC) team, but I might try to get another horse," she said. "He's done his best for me."

Known throughout the world as the epicenter for the sport of reining, North America presented the world's most elite Junior and Young Riders at these Championships, providing exciting and high quality competitions. Organizers look forward to a strong future and continued growth in FEI Reining programs in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Adams Leads CCI2* After Clear Cross Country, Doolittle at Top of CCI1*

Rowdie Adams (Area V) and No Money Down tackle Saturday's CCI2* cross country course (Brant Gamma)

Rowdie Adams (Area V) and No Money Down had a spectacular cross country ride today and were the only ones to finish with no jumping or time penalties. They remain on their dressage penalties of 50.9 for the lead. In second place is Caroline Martin (Area III) on Quantum Solace, who had two time penalties and stands on 52.2. Jennifer Caras (Area III) and Fernhill Stowaway had 11.6 time penalties for a total of 63.6 and third place before tomorrow's final phase.

With Caras and Martin leading Area III, they remain in first place in the Team competition with 179.5 penalties. Area VII, VIII & IX is in second place on 226.1 penalties. With 265.4 penalties, Area V is in third place.

The standings in the CCI1* are all close for the top four riders, who are within five penalties of each other after finishing cross country with no time or jumping penalties. Leading is Nicole Doolittle (Area III) on Tops with 48.1 penalties. In second is Mary Peabody Camp (Area VII & VIII) with Rave Review on 50.6 penalties. Emily Macauley (Area VII & VIII) and Canadian Exchange are in third place with 50.8 penalties.

Area III moved up to first place after cross country and stand on 157.7 penalties. Area VII & VIII also advanced to second place and have 159.7 penalties. Area II came from fourth place into third and have 187.2 penalties.

The Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North conclude tomorrow with the stadium jumping phase for Eventing, which will determine the Team and Individual medals for CCI1* and CCI2*.

For full results or to learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, please visit www.youngriders.org.

Freestyle Medals Go to Uhlir and Tetreault, Roberts Wins Endurance Gold, USA Southeast Takes Endurance Team Gold at 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North

Dressage Young Rider Freestyle medalists: Jamie Pestana (Reg 7) - Silver; Ayden Uhlir (Reg 6) - Gold; Tanya Strasser Shostak (CAN) - Bronze (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, KY - On Saturday afternoon, dressage riders competed for their Freestyle Individual medals in the Rolex Stadium at the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC). Ayden Uhlir (Region 6) and Sjapoer won their second Individual Gold medal of the week in the Young Rider division. Laurence Blais Tetreault and Lowelas also won another Gold medal in the Junior division. Endurance riders competed in their 75-mile race yesterday, and it was Cassandra Roberts (Team USA Southeast) who won the race for the Gold medal with Viktory Banner. The USA Southeast team took Gold in endurance.

The top 15 Individuals advanced to the Freestyle Championship today and were judged by Bernard Maurel (FRA) at E, Linda Zang (USA) at H, Jane Ayers (USA) at C, Martin Richenhagen (GER) at M, and Annette Fransen-Iacobaeus (SWE) at B.

The highest score of the day went to Ayden Uhlir (18, Kirkland, WA) and Sjapoer, her 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Contango. They had judges' scores of 74.000% at E, 68.375% at H, 73.625% at C, 73.625% at M, and 71.250% at B for a total of 72.175% and the Gold medal.

Uhlir showed no loss of concentration when her music went out as she did tempis down the diagonal. She continued with her test without a hiccup and when the music came back on again, she was in time and finished as her music ended. "I'm pretty happy with it even though my music went out," she smiled. "Two years ago I probably would have had a conniption, but I think it shows progress that I kept my cool."

She explained, "I was on time with my music when it went out. I just stayed on my exact pace. I knew that when the music would come back on, I'd be where I was supposed to be. I didn't let the music affect me in any way. I knew my pattern, I just rode it, and it all worked out in the end."

Uhlir revamped her Freestyle music for Sjapoer since last year and this was the first time they performed it in competition. "This year I wanted to do something that was maybe a little bit classier. I really think it fits Sjapoer really well," she said. "He just has that special quality about him that makes him so fancy. We needed to find the music that fits his personality and not the music that I just wanted to get. I'm really happy with my Freestyle."

Although she won Gold yesterday, Uhlir "didn't have any expectations at all" for today. "I had to forget about yesterday and I was riding a completely new day. It worked well because I didn't feel as much pressure and was focusing on what we had to do at that moment," she related. "I was very happy and it was a good end to our last Young Riders year."

Jamie Pestana (20, Livermore, CA) and Winzalot had another Silver medal performance with a score of 70.975%. Their scores were E: 66.625%, H: 70.250%, C: 70.750%, M: 74.750%, and B: 72.500%.

She said of her test, "I was pretty happy with my test. There were a few things that could have gone better, but overall I was really happy with his attitude. He really likes his extended trots, so those were fun. Some of his tempis were good today. He felt really rideable."

Her pop rock music included tracks from Nickelback, Pink, and the Slumdog Millionairesoundtrack. "It really clicked with Winzalot; he kind of picked the music for me," she said.

After this success, they are "taking it slow and seeing" what future plans will be. "Usually when I try to make plans with my horse, they go awry," she said wryly. "We'll see how the year of training goes."

The Bronze medal went to Tanya Strasser Shostak (18, St. Adele, QB, CAN) on Action Tyme, a 13-year-old Oldenburg stallion by Aktuell with a score of 70.500%. Their judges' scores were E: 68.500%, H: 72.875%, C: 70.250%, M: 73.000%, B: 67.875%.

Action Tyme has been competing at the Grand Prix level for years with Tanya's mother, Evi Strasser, and it took time and convincing for Tanya to get the ride on him. They became a pair just two months ago.

"We purchased him when he was five and I rode him then. I always loved him because he's got the best personality. I've been trying to convince her for quite a few years, probably eight years now, to let me compete him," Strasser Shostak said with a smile. "She said when her other horse is ready for Grand Prix, she would let me ride Action Tyme. She held up her end of the deal, so I couldn't be happier right now."

Strasser Shostak took a Freestyle test from another horse and then realized it "suited him quite well," so they adjusted it to fit Action Tyme. This week, Strasser Shostak was fifth in the Individual class and fourth with her team. "I definitely had high expectations, maybe not with the horse, but with myself," she said. "As the days went on, I really wanted it more because I was always so close. I tried to go for the scores, and it paid off."

Blais Tetreault Repeats Junior Freestyle Gold Performance

Dressage Junior Freestyle Medalists: Naima Moreira Laliberte (CAN) - Silver; Laurence Blais Tetreault (CAN) - Gold; Barbara Davis (REG 1) - Bronze (SusanJStickle.com)

In 2012, Laurence Blais Tetreault (16, Montreal, QB, CAN) was the Junior Freestyle Gold medalist, and while she was on a different horse this year, she was able to repeat that accomplishment. Riding Lowelas, a 13-year-old Trakehner gelding by Hockey 41, she scored a 71.525% for the win. Her judges' scores were E: 69.750%, H: 70.875%, C: 72.750%, M: 73.375%, and B: 70.875%.

The judges for the Junior class were Merecedes Campdera (MEX) at E, Joan Macartney (CAN) at H, Janet Foy (USA) at C, Axel Steiner (USA) at M, and Bo Jena (SWE) at B.

Tretreault chose her music and put it together with her sister Mathilde, who competed here as a Young Rider.

She said she feels lucky to be able to be at NAJYRC, and to go home with another Gold medal. "It just means so much because you realize when you put a lot of time practicing at home that it pays off so much. It's just really great," she expressed. "I would definitely recommend NAJYRC to other riders. It prepares you if you want to go further (in the sport). In my future, I think I'm going to look back and be so happy that I got the chance to do this."

Naima Moreira Laliberte (16, Montreal, QB, CAN) and Windbreaker 3, a 12-year-old Westphalian gelding by Windspiel As, were also competing with little experience with their Freestyle music due to their three-month-old relationship. Laliberte had chosen her music for another horse and found that it matched with Windbreaker 3.

Laliberte echoed Tetreault's feelings. "I'm really grateful to be here because it was a really last minute qualification," she pointed out. "This competition, I'm grateful because I won three medals. It was pretty consistent and I'm happy with my horse."

Barbara Davis (15, Bedminster, NJ - Region 1) rode to her first NAJYRC medal in her first time at NAJYRC with Rotano, her 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Rotspon. Their score of 69.875% gave them the Bronze medal. Her judges' scores were E: 70.875%, H: 69.500%, C: 69.250%, M: 70.250%, B: 69.500%.

Davis picked out her "techno pop" music and prepared it two weeks ago with new music for the trot work. "This is the first time I've competed with this particular music," she said. "I rode it three or four times at our barn. I've listened to it the entire day today to get the transitions. I was really comfortable with it because I only changed the trot music."

She said of her experience here, "I really enjoyed myself. Now when I do go to a CDI or regular show, I'll feel like it's less stressful."

Endurance Has Improved Turnout for Great Results

Cassandra Roberts of the USA Southeast and Viktory Banner finishing the 75-mile endurance race (Brant Gamma Photography)

Four teams were fielded for this year's endurance race and it was a great opportunity for young riders to experience the FEI competition and what they can do for their country in the future. Leading the Gold medal-winning team for the USA Southeast was Cassandra Roberts (16, Bronson, FL) on Viktory Banner, who also won the Individual Gold medal with a winning time of 6:19:31.

This was the first time that Roberts had ridden Viktory Banner in competition. She got the ride on him after her mare was injured. "I've ridden him a little in training, but that's all," she said. "I expected to go fast! He had a lot of experience before I started riding him. He's an amazing horse. It was pretty exciting. It makes me feel pretty good to win two Gold medals."

The Individual Bronze medalist was also on Team USA Southeast. Heleen deBeer (19, Atlanta, GA) and DCL Mooi Penny finished in 8:19:22. Although she was born in South Africa, deBeer has lived in the United States for 12 years. She has been riding DCL Mooi Penny for two years.

"Penny is a very sensitive, loving mare to her riders. She is a delicate mare with a lot of staying power and fantastic heart rate recoveries," deBeer said.

They were joined by Taylor White (15, Camden, SC) on Hoover the Mover with a time of 9:08:10, as well as Katie Baldino with Reminisonce +/ and Mallory Capps (19, Atlanta, GA) with Masterpiece Vlad. The USA Southeast had a team time of 23:47:03.

Capps said of the experience, "Riding for a team is definitely a good experience. Everyone is very supportive and you have a great crew. Everybody, including myself and Katie, as soon as we got pulled, we hopped in and supported our team because we wanted to see our team get a Gold medal. It's a team sport and that's what endurance is really about. We helped Northeast and Canada (too). It doesn't matter what team you're on. It's like one big family."

Endurance Young Rider Team Gold medalists, USA Southeast: Cassandra Roberts, Heleen deBeer, and Taylor White (Waltenberry)

The USA Southeast Chef d'Equipe, Ann Stuart, was excited to see more riders compete in Endurance at NAJYRC this year. "I really appreciated it because a lot of us are getting older. We were looking around a few years ago wondering who was going to come up and ride in endurance races. We have an incredible squad. We filled in gaps in other teams. We're lucky in Southeast to have so many riders; I'm really encouraged about that. They had great attitudes," she said.

Emma Webb (19, Flesherton, ON, CAN) from Team Canada was a double Silver medalist with Vagas. She led the team with a time of 7:29:40. Jessica Yavis (17, Winfield, AB, CAN) and Jahlad (8:33:11) and Jaylene Janzen (20, Edmonton, AB, CAN) on Sakic (9:42:51) helped their team finish second with a total team time of 25:45:42.

Webb spoke about her relationship with Vagas, noting that she borrowed him for this competition, "Last December, I got to race him 75 miles and that went really well. I've been riding him a bit this summer, but this is the second time I've actually competed on him. He's a fun pony. We had a good time."

Webb was a part of the Gold medal-winning team at last year's NAJYRC. This year, she was on a new horse, Vagas, who is owned by her neighbor. "I've ridden him more than just at this competition," she acknowledged. "He's an eight-year-old Arabian off the track."

It was not all a smooth ride for Webb, however. She explained, "It was stressful, but we made it around. He lost the same shoe twice. The shoe has been put on four times in the last 10 days, so there wasn't much foot left by the time we were done. But with his shoe on, he was sound and he passed the vet checks."

Webb has aspirations to make Canada's team for next year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France. It is a big goal for a young rider. "Maybe we'll make it to WEG next year, it may be on my own horse," she remarked. "There are only so many people that have horses that are at that level (in Canada) and want to go to WEG. It is a really big commitment."

The Bronze Team medal went to USA Northeast Combined with a team total time of 26:49:48. Michael Bishop (16, Raleigh, NC) and TEF Sunflash had a time of 8:33:14 to lead them, while Forest Green (16, Star Tannery, VA) and LR Amana Tabi finished in 9:08:15. Just behind him was Maria Muzzio (15, Fairfax, VA) on Khlil Asam in 9:08:19, and a split second behind was Hunter Green (15, Star Tannery, VA) and DJB Braveheart, who finished in 9:08:20. Sydney Sumrall (16, Atlanta, GA) and DCL Mooi Koedoe were also part of the team.

Bishop's horse, TEF Sunflash, won the Best Conditioned Horse Award. "Flash is a very high energy, strong horse. He loves to go and he hardly ever stops really. He drinks well and he's very fit. He's done three 75-mile races since December."

They have only been paired together since the beginning of May. "We had to figure everything out at the Biltmore Endurance Ride, which was our qualifying ride for Young Riders," he said. "The Best Conditioned Horse Award was great to get, but the Team medal was a big honor."

The Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North conclude tomorrow with the Stadium Jumping phase for Eventing, which will determine the Team and Individual medals for CCI1* and CCI2*.

For full results or to learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, please visit www.youngriders.org.

NAJYRC showcases the best young rider and junior horse/rider combinations in dressage, eventing, jumping, reining, and endurance. Young equestrians from across the continent will descend on the Kentucky Horse Park to vie for FEI medals at these Championships.

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