The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that sales of their Horses Inspire Olympic Rings have raised in excess of $40,000 for the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). Over the next couple of months, that number is expected to double. The Horses Inspire Olympic Rings are bracelets made of red, white, and blue rings imprinted with “achieve,” “believe,” and “dream,” held together by a Team USA and an Olympic Rings clasp. Passion clasps may be added to display your preference of the four disciplines represented at the NAJYRC—dressage, eventing, reining, and show jumping.

For junior and young riders, ages 14-21, the NAJYRC is the paramount equestrian competition. Riders from every North American country have the opportunity to compete as teams and as individuals in the three Olympic disciplines—dressage, eventing, and show jumping. Reining will premiere for the first time on the schedule this year, as well. In the U.S., each discipline divides their teams by area (eventing), region (dressage), or zone (reining and show jumping), and each team may send four riders and an alternate. The championships will be held this year at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO, July 29-August 3.

Every U.S. young rider team was offered the opportunity to sell the bracelets and keep a percentage of their sales to help defer the significant expenses associated with qualifying for and competing in the NAJYRC. Eleven teams took on the project and are expected to raise a collective total of nearly $30,000.

The USEF undertook this project from the United States Olympic Committee as a way of creating a fundraising mechanism for the NAJYRC, both on the national as well as an individual team level. The Horses Inspire Olympic Rings also honor and celebrate the 2008 U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team.

The Horses Inspire Olympic Rings are also being made available at various premiere equestrian competitions and tack shops around the country. Dover Saddlery partnered with the USEF and has participated in the sale of the Horses Inspire Olympic Rings through their catalogs and stores. To show your support for equestrian sport and our young riders, please visit www.usef.org/contentPage2.aspx?id=bracelet to purchase your Horses Inspire Olympic Rings today.