| Junior Olympians Go For the Gold at Dressage
at Devon
 On Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3 members
of the Junior Olympic Dressage Team will compete for the gold,
silver and bronze. The AHSA/Cosequin@ 1999 Junior Dressage Team
Championship takes place at Dressage at Devon, the highest rated
dressage show outside of Europe. Dressage is a classical equestrian
discipline that is based on the development of a horse's natural
movement, often described as poetry in motion.
Shown here are the 1997 participants of the Junior Young Riders'
Championships held for the first time at The Washington International
Dressage Competition. The twelve 14- to 18-year-old riders who
will ride at Dressage at Devon represent the top young dressage
riders in this country. They have been competing all year to qualify
for the Junior Olympics. The top three competitors at Dressage
at Devon will receive official United States Olympic Committee
(USOC) medals in an Olympic-style ceremony.
Junior Olympics, the largest grass-roots youth development program
in the country, involves over 3.5 million participants annually.
The dressage program was launched three years ago as a championship
program by Anne Gribbons, co-chair of the American Horse Shows
Association, to promote dressage among young riders. Last year,
the Olympics committee incorporated Gribbons' program into the
Junior Olympics. Gribbons views the program, in part, as an opportunity
to help young riders become future Olympians.
Dressage at Devon is also a qualifying competition for the 2000
Olympic Games. The show draws top riders, including past Olympians,
from across the United States and around the world. Dressage at
Devon takes place at the Devon Horse Show Grounds, Route 30, in
Devon Pennsylvania from September 28 through October 3. It includes
a breeding competition, dressage competition, special exhibitions,
food, shops, and children's activities. General admission is $6;
children under 12 are admitted at no charge. Reserved and box
seats are available. For information, call 610.449.0243.
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