Lexington, VA—August 1, 2007—US Region 7 won the first Gold Medal of the 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC), presented by Gotham North and UlcerGard, when they won the Young Riders Dressage Team Championship. The 2007 NAJYRC is being held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, July 31 – August 5.

Region 7 received a team score of 204.223 points to claim the win over Silver Medalist Region 2 who totaled 202.578 points and Bronze Medalist Region 3 who scored 200.488.

The all-California Region 7 team was led by Emily Tears of Rancho Santa Margarita with a score of 69.867 on Luciano. Joining her on the Gold Medal team were Amanda Harlan of St. Helena who scored 67.778 on Liberte, Crystalyn Hoffman of Santa Clara who scored 66.578 on Diamo 10 and Jaclyn Meinen of Dana Point who received a score of 65.467 on Rockette DG.

“I just feel so lucky to be on this team with these teammates,” said Tears whose individual score was topped only by the 70.622 turned in by Kassandra Barteau of Gilberts, IL and the Silver Medal Region 2 team on Gabriella.

Young equestrians have come to the Championships from the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as a South American rider from Argentina, to vie for team and individual medals in the three Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. For many, the NAJYRC, the premier competition in North America for Juniors (age 14-18) and Young Riders (age 16-21) is their first experience riding on a team, as well as their first time competing under the rules of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport.

“These Championships are truly outstanding,” said Rosalie LeBow of Platinum Performance. “We are proud to be a sponsor and to help educate these talented riders about the importance of good nutrition for their horses.”

The USDF/Platinum Performance Dressage Division continues with the team competition for Junior riders on Thursday. Young Riders have individual Prix St. Georges tests on Friday, followed by a musical freestyle championship on Saturday for those who qualify. Juniors compete for the individual championship on Saturday and a freestyle competition for qualified riders on Sunday.

Competition in the USHJA Show Jumping Division begins on Thursday with individual qualifying rounds that lead up to Friday’s Nations’ Cup-style competition that determines the team medals. Saturday features a farewell competition for riders who have not qualified to compete in Sunday’s individual championship. Those that have qualified will compete for individual medals in the championship rounds on Sunday.

The USEA Eventing Division includes dressage tests on Thursday and Friday, followed by cross-country on Saturday. All eventing competitors then ride in the final show jumping phase on Sunday when both team and individual medals are awarded.

The NAJYRC operates under the rules of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). In addition to the championship competition in dressage, show jumping and eventing, this year’s NAJYRC also features demonstrations of two other FEI disciplines—vaulting and reining.

The NAJYRC is the continuation of an annual competition that began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between Canada and the United States. In the years since its inception, it has grown considerably with the addition of a Dressage Championship in 1981 and the Show Jumping Championship in 1982. The first complete Championships with all three Olympic disciplines was held in British Columbia, Canada in 1982. Last year’s Championships saw the addition of officially-sanctioned championship divisions for junior riders in the three Olympic disciplines for the first time.

Dressage is primarily about the balance and harmony between horse and rider. Careful attention to detail and seamless transitions are a top priority. Competitors perform a standard test, demonstrating obedience, ability, and precision. Each movement is judged subjectively and scored separately.

Show jumping tests horse and rider team over a course of fences and other obstacles. The objective is to make it over the course with as few faults as possible. Going over the designated time allowed, knocking down rails, as well as any refusals or falls, accumulates faults or results in elimination. Show jumping has been referred to as having the excitement of horse racing mixed with the daring of downhill slalom skiing.

Eventing combines dressage, show jumping and cross country to give each horse-and-rider combination a cumulative score over the course of three days. Eventing begins with the dressage test, with cross-country following, and then ends with show jumping, testing the endurance and ability of both horse and rider. The cross-country element consists of a timed ride over an outdoor course, jumping over natural or natural looking obstacles. The rider must ride the same horse for all three phases of the competition.

The 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships, presented by Gotham North and ULCERGARD, are sponsored by the American Horse Trials Foundation, Ariat, Beval Saddlery, Blue Ridge Farm Center, Borné Saddlery, Brandy Parfums, CN, Davis Manufacturing, Devoucoux, Dover Saddlery, Dressage Today, The EMO Agency, Inc., EquiFit, Equine Canada, Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI—the International Equestrian Federation), Foxden Equine, Gotham North, Hadfields, Harmony Sporthorses, Hint Water, The Horse Tack Review, The Jefferson Florist & Garden, Larry and Marnye Langer, Mary Phelps, a Markel Equine Insurance Specialist, Mead Associates, Merial, the makers of UlcerGard, The Mosaic Foundation, New England Dressage Association, North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association, Northern Ohio Dressage Association, Practical Horseman, Prestige Saddlery, Rebecca Farm, Royal Riders, Howard and Martha Simpson, Southern States/Triple Crown, Starr Vaughn Equestrian, Inc., Tennessee Valley Dressage and Combined Training Association, U.S. Dressage Federation/Platinum Performance, U.S. Equestrian Federation, U.S. Eventing Association, U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, Virginia Golf Cars, Virginia Horse Shows Association, VTO Saddlery, Waterjumps.us, and www.Horse.dk.

Full results and further information on the 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships, presented by Gotham North and UlcerGard, are available on line at www.youngriders.org.