The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has announced the list of dressage riders who have qualified to compete in an international championship against riders from the U.S., Canada, Central America, South America, Caribbean and Bermuda on August 10-15 in Wadsworth, Illinois, north of Chicago. This prestigious competition, titled the North American Young Riders Championship (NAYRC), draws the best young equestrians to compete in the Olympic disciplines of dressage, show jumping and combined training.

The NAYRC is a special competition for advanced-level equestrians age 16 through 21. Governed by international rules, this championship is training ground for competitors who may one day represent their country as senior competitors in international competitions and Olympic Games. Not only are these riders talented equestrians, but their dedication, goal-setting, team-building and sportsmanship skills make a strong foundation for no matter where their future takes them.

To become a member of the regional team, the riders competed in a series of demanding selection shows. Their scores were averaged and the top four riders in the region were named to the team. The following horse/rider combinations were selected to compete in the dressage competition, where they will ride tests equivalent to Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges:

Region One: (N.J., N.C., Pa., Va., Md., Del., and Wash. DC)
Nicole Zaccheo, 20, of Phillipsburg, N.J., on Zanger, owned by Kathy Adams
Tanya Marie Kelly, 17, of Southampton, N.J., on Galateo
Mary Alice Malone, Jr., 16, of Coatesville, Pa., on Fresco, owned by Iron Spring Farm
Brooke Green, 18, of Greensboro, N.C., on Folly

Region 2: (Ill., Ind., Ky., Mich., Ohio, Wis., and W. Va.)
Jessica Jo Tate, 21, of Fort Atkinson, Wis., on Wjedro owned by Candace Tate
Jacqueline Paxton, 18, of Batavia, Ohio, on Fly Over
Bethany Peslar, 17, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., on Bannzayir
Joanne Chmiel, 19, of Northbrook, Ill., on Dominion

Region 3: (Ala., Fla., Ga., S.C., Tenn.)
Virginia Hewitt, 20, of Charleston, S.C., on MacDuff owned by Sally Frkonja,N.C.
Jodie Kelly, 16, of Destin, Fla., on Reagan owned by Dr. Amy Williams, Ala.
Gwen Poulin, 20, of Deleon Springs, Fla., on Fuerst Paldi, co-owned by Judith Thompson, Ala. and Michael Poulin, ME
Katherine Poulin, 18, of Deleon Springs, Fla., on Herb Commander

Region 4: (Iowa, Kan., Mo., Minn., Neb., N.D., and S.D.)
Robert G. "R.G." Wilson IV, 20, of Derby, Kan., on Durban
Jonni Adams, 16, of Pleasant Hill, Mo., on Rousseau
Amanda Johnson, 17, of North Liberty, Iowa, on Glissade
Amy Podoll, 20, of Fairfield, Iowa, on Debonair

Region 5: (Ariz., Colo., eastern Mont., N.M., Utah, western Texas, and Wyo.)
Michelle Lee Coutts, 17, of Cave Creek, Ariz., on Rustan
Sarah Dodge, 21, of Broomfield, Colo., on Format
Kristine Gliege, 21, of Tempe, Ariz., on Alaskan Shadow, owned by John and Jeanette Harrison, Ariz.
Zachary Kolasa, 19, of Conifer, Colo., on Charboneu

Region 6: (Wash., Ore., Idaho, Alaska, and western Mont.)
Ryan Hites, 19, of Redmond, Wash., on Staatsman
Brooke Irving, 19, of Gig Harbor, Wash., on American Graffiti
Heather Oleson, 20, of Beaverton, Ore, on SB Flame Dancer
Robyn Sandblom, 18, of Bellevue, Wash., on City Fashion, owned by Leigh Cochran, Wash.

Region 7: (Calif., Nev., and Hawaii)
Amanda Cargile, 20, of Laguna Hills, Calif., on Haydn owned by Ann Cargile
Jennifer Coyne, 20, of Hollister, Calif., on Distinguished Gentleman
Nicole Perry, 21, of El Cajon, Calif., on Batido co-owned by Dale and Linda Hackney and San Diego Sporthorses
Stephanie Washburn, 19, of Ojai, Calif., on Ico

Region 8: (Conn., Mass., Maine, N.H., N.Y., R.I., Vt.)
Anne Barbarick, 17 of Lewiston, Maine, on Evident
Amber Walker, 18 of Durham, Maine, on Rabelais

Region 9: (Ark., La., Miss., Okla., Texas)
Kristin Wasemiller, 18, of Oklahoma City, Okla., on Gulliver
Nyssa Wittliff, 17 of Tulsa, Okla., on Entertainer

Related Links
HorsesDaily Young Rider News and Reporting
For more information about the North American Young Riders' Championships, please call (508) 698-6810.
Visit the Phelps Photo Database for photos from 1998 and 1997 Young Riders, search by show from the dropdown list.