Rising Stars Youth Dressage was very pleased this year to host the Dressage Canada Youth championships for 2010. This show , which is bid on by show organizers each year, was in BC for the first time. “ We are very proud to boast the highest number of declared and qualified riders in the show this year since it was started in Ottawa six years ago” says show manager Susan Holtby.” We had riders in all four categories and for some of our riders it was the first time riding in front of a three FEI judge panel…. It is a milestone in their riding careers” adds co manager Wendy Christoff . Our judges were impressed with the venue and organization of the show. Joan McCartney wrote – I was so impressed with the caliber of your riders and horses. The organization was impressive – it was the highlight of my year”. Jayne Ayers wrote “GREAT show – thank you for inviting me” Rosina Franco said she was very impressed with the caliber of riding, especially in the freestyles and she had to keep reminding herself that she was judging kids.
With the terrific coaching and training here in the west we were very pleased to show the judges our riders. Rising Stars also has a philosophy of “Kids camp goes to a horse show” and we have educational activities all weekend long. We want to impress upon our Youth riders that competition is only a very small part of riding and that “giving back” to the horse community in some way makes for a better relationship with your horse and will increase the enjoyment or owning and riding your horse. This year we were a benefit show for the Equine Health Research Fund at the Veterinary School in the University of Saskatchewan and were proud to have Dr John Twidale come to the show to give a presentation. Our other activities included RCMP Constable Angelina Bowen talking about safety in the barn and with your truck and trailer; and “B” judge Nancy Olson giving an “educate your eye” session for all the riders.
In the Youth championships the results are:
Young Rider Technical and freestyle
Ch Lindsey Seidel-Wassenaar and Oslo AB
Reserve Lindsey Seidal-Wassenaar and Bondfide AB
FEI Jr Technical and freestyle
Ch Esmee Ingham and Norseman BC
Reserve Monica Houweling and Stentano BC
FEI Pony technical and freestyle
Ch Ehren Volk and Daisy Duke BC
Reserve Elexis Ortleib and Harrison AB
FEI Children technical
CH Elizabeth Fraser and Summerset Coletta BC
Reserve Angelica Kilberg and Martell BC

All in all it was a terrific show and riders, supporters and sponsors alike enjoyed the parade of Champions on Saturday night. We pass on the torch for the Youth Championships to the next organizing group as Rising Stars turns our energies towards a Can + Am Challenge with Donida Farms in auburn Washington for 2011.