Lexington, KY - On the last day of the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, the USEA Eventing Championships concluded with the stadium-jumping phase of the three-day event for both Juniors and Young Riders on Sunday.

In the Juniors, the Gold medal went to Kelly Loria, representing Area VI/VII/VIII, who proved she is a new rising star on the eventing horizon.

Riding her mare, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, the 16-year-old from Lafayette, CA, took the lead in the dressage phase with only 40 penalty points and held on to it with a vengeance. A no-fault cross-country run and a clear jumping round secured her the coveted top spot in the International One-Star event.

Last to go in the jumping order, Loria had the luxury of two rails, yet she and her 10-year-old Thoroughbred mare would have none of that. They cleared all 13 jumping efforts with time to spare for a flawless finish.

The pressure was on, but "I tried to go in thinking of it as just another jump round," said Loria. "It doesn’t matter is watching. I just pay attention to where we’re going."

Loria noted that Lucy is "still very green," but Olaf Peterson’s course worked to some of her strengths. "I enjoyed the course technically," she said. "The related distances helped me to set up well. None of the turns were scary for us, and sometimes we have issues with that, but it was fun."

The Silver medal went to Claire Kelley aboard Clifton Peekachu, who entered the jumping phase in second place. On the course, the pair incurred eight jumping penalties and finished with a score of 50.5. Kelley represented Area IV.

“I really felt honored to be riding on the Rolex course," said Kelley, who will be attending the University of Kentucky this fall. "It’s been an amazing opportunity to run this course at Young Riders."

And earning the Bronze medal was Lizzie Snow and Pop Star, representing Area VI/VII/VIII, with a score of 54.6. In seventh place after the cross-country phase, Snow moved up the ranks by dropping only one rail in the jumping phase.

“I love the atmosphere in the huge arena. It helped my horse get a little up after yesterday "in a good way," said Snow. "Jumping is his hardest element, so this was very confidence boosting for him."

In the Junior Eventing Teams, Area VI/VII/VII - boosted by performances by teammates Snow and Loria - took the Gold. The Silver went to Area IV, while the team from British Columbia/Quebec earned the Bronze.

Young Riders Complete Their USEA Junior Eventing Championship

In the Two-Star Event, Young Riders Kelly Pugh and Copycat Chloe, representing Area VI/VII, earned the Gold medal with a score of 55.9. Entering the phase in third place after the cross-country run, Pugh jumped a clean round and was beyond thrilled with her finish.

“It’s like the next step for us," said Pugh, 20. It hasn’t really set in yet. But it’s an amazing accomplishment for my horse and myself. Hopefully, it will open some doors for us."

Chloe or ‘Chlo bug,’ is an eight-year-old Thoroughbred/Trakehner mare that Pugh got as a "green six-year-old. It was a little rough at first," laughed Pugh. "But, I certainly can’t complain now. The whole weekend was amazing. Her dressage was amazing. It was the first time it all came together for us."

The Silver medal went to Missy Miller and TSF Amazing Grace, representing Area III. Miller and ‘Gracie’ were able to rise from fifth place by having a beautiful ride with only a single rail down in the final jump phase.

“She hasn’t always been a medal-winning horse," said Miller of her Trakehner mare. "But, I am so happy that she was able to step up to the plate, and I am so happy I rode her well enough for this. She never quit on me on through the cross-country," Miller added. "I came across that finish line so happy and so proud."

Danielle Dichting and Tops found themselves in the Bronze position after incurring only four faults in the jumping round.

“That arena was so amazing," marveled Dichting. "Afterwards, I looked at Missy and said ‘Did we really just do that?’"

Of Tops, or "Nemo," her nine-year-old Irish sport horse, Dichting said she bought him after seeing some videos. "He was going to be a resale prospect. Obviously, not anymore," she laughed. "It’s been very rewarding to bring along a horse to his first major competition."

In the Young Rider Eventing Team competition, the Gold medal went to Area III, Silver to Area VI/VII and the Bronze to Area V/IX.

To sum up their NAJYRC experience, all of the riders noted the importance of team spirit and added that, medals and competition aside, the support and friendship they found was the most memorable part of their week.

"To be on this team was great," said Emily Renfro of the Area III Gold medalists. "You don’t have any better friends than these people right here. I couldn’t have asked for anything more."

All of the NAJYRC champions received their medals in a special closing ceremony held in the hospitality event following the end of competition.

Individual winners receive an Albion saddle of choice, leather bridle, leather girth, wrapped stirrup leathers and a numnah. Albion is the "Official Saddle of the NAJYRC."

For more information, visit www.youngriders.org.

Cynthia Grisolia

ENDS