KALISPELL, Mont. (July 23, 2017)-When teammates Cornelia Dorr (Sir Patico MH), Lily Geelan (Luksor), and Melanie Rousseau (Sullivan) qualified for the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, the excitement was palpable. The long hours of training, commitment and sacrifice had paid off - they were headed to the big show.

However, before hitting the road, they needed to overcome several major obstacles. None had a team or the accompanying support staff for Young Riders. Banding together, the girls joined a combined team representing both Area I (East Coast) and Area IV (Midwest) and recruited their mothers to serve in the roles of team coach and Chef d'Equipe. Travel costs were no small challenge, either, but Dorr, Geelan, and Rousseau weren't taking no for answer. They mucked stalls, sold signed memorabilia, and organized fundraisers; and in the end, their hard work paid dividends. When horse trailers from across North America rolled into Rebecca Farm on July 19, the Area I/Area IV team was among them.

It was that united spirit of determination that carried the Area I/Area IV Young Riders Team to a decisive victory in the CICYO2* today at Rebecca Farm on a final team score of 198, well ahead of second place, Area VII. Team standings changed regularly over the course of the weekend, as Area VII finished on 215.8 followed by Team Canada in third on 245.5.

There is no doubt the ladies of Area IV's Young Rider team exude leadership. When asked how she will use her Young Riders' experience to grow the sport, Geelan said, "I think there's a lot of talent in Area IV and it's getting them looking up and getting them out to events...I think in a couple years it will be really, really strong.

Area I/IV teammates Cornelia Dorr (Sir Patico MH), Lily Geelan (Luksor), and Melanie Rousseau (Sullivan) share a smile on the podium Rebecca Farm. (Photo courtesy of official event photographer, Shannon Brinkman Photography)

Area III team member William Zuschlag had one rail down but still prevailed over the overnight leader Cornelia Dorr, to secure the individual gold medal aboard his own RF Southern Command on a final score of 46.2. Cornelia Door joined Zuschlag on the podium, adding both individual silver and bronze with Louis M (49) and Sir Patico MH (50.7) respectively.

In CHJ-CCI* action, the competition was tight, separated by less than a rail. Area VI, comprised of Mallory Hogan (Clarissa Purisima), Delaney Vaden (RedRox Jazzman), Isabella Dowen (Lasse 73) and Kaley Sapper (Tuscan Sun) charged to the lead with a strong showing in show jumping, grabbing the gold on a final score of 161.6. Area II moved up into silver position, scoring a final 164.1. Overnight leader Team Canada settled for bronze with a score of 165.2.

A mere half-point separated the top individual Junior competitors. Eventual silver medalist Area VIII team member Alexandra Baugh on Ballingowan Pizzazz laid down a clear round to finish on 47.7 and put pressure on Team Canada veteran Tosca Holmes-Smith. Holmes-Smith's Fiat jumped flawlessly to maintain the lead and take home the gold on 47.2. Mallory Hogan (Clarissa Purisima) moved up the leaderboard with a clear round to celebrate taking the bronze medal.

 

The top three CHJ-CCI* teams celebrate (Photo courtesy of official event photographer, Shannon Brinkman Photography)

Significant milestones were also made in FEI competition today. Taking home her first ever CCI3* victory, Erin Sylvester sailed across the show jumping course on Frank McEntee's Paddy the Caddy, a 10-year-old Thoroughbred, to clinch the round, completing the day on 54.2. Among her firsts, it was 'Paddy's' first three-star, and it was also Sylvester's first time to Rebecca Farm, made possible by a Rebecca Broussard Travel Grant, allowing her to make the journey from Pennsylvania.

Erin Sylvester on Frank McEntee's Paddy the Caddy (Photo courtesy of Shannon Brinkman Photography)

Tamra Smith, also had cause for celebration. Smith teamed with Fleeceworks Royal, an eight-year-old Holsteiner owned by Judith McSwain, to finish show jumping with just two time penalties, good enough to claim the title of 2017 Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* champion. In the CCI2* division, Olympic 2020 cross country course designer Derek Di Grazia took first on his own Ringwood Justice, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse.

For more information visit www.rebeccafarm.org .

Tamara Smith rides Fleeceworks Royal to victory in the CIC3* (Photo courtesy of official event photographer, Shannon Brinkman Photography)

 

ABOUT THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM

The Event at Rebecca Farm presented by Montana Equestrian Events is held every July in Kalispell, Montana. One of the largest equestrian triathlon in the United States, The Event is also considered to have some of the world's finest scenery. Each year it draws hundreds of riders of all levels, from amateur to Olympians.

The Event at Rebecca Farm features ten courses ranging from novice to Olympian qualifier, which were originally developed by world-renowned course designer, Mark Phillips. In 2012, Scottish equestrian Ian Stark redesigned the Rebecca Farm courses. Known for his immense contributions to Eventing, Stark has won multiple Olympic medals and was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.