The 1999 North American Young Riders' Championships (NAYRC), Presented by State Line Tack, return to Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, IL on August 10-15. The premier equestrian competition in North America for young riders, age 16-21, equestrians come from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for the Championships.

Riders will compete in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing. The competition is run under rules of the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale, the international governing body for equestrian sport). Additionally, the NAYRC is designated as an official USA Junior Olympics - Equestrian Event.

Many of the world's best equestrians got their start at the NAYRC including Olympic Silver Medalists Greg Best and Karen Lende O'Connor, as well as McLain Ward, Alison Firestone, Chris Kappler, Nicole Shahinian Simpson, Ray Texel, Chris Pratt, Lisa Carlsen Lubitz, Harold Chopping, Martina Pracht, Kathleen Raine, Heather Mason, David Wilson, Gwyneth MacPherson, Tiffani Loudon, Buck Davidson, Abigail Lufkin, Missy Ransehousen, Mara DePuy, Molly Bliss, and Julie Gomena.

The NAYRC began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada. A Dressage Championship was added in 1981, and Show Jumping was added in 1982. The first complete NAYRC was held in British Columbia, Canada in 1982. The 1998 NAYRC was hosted by High Prairie Farms in Parker, CO and Tempel Farms was the site of the 1994-1997 NAYRC

The 1999 NAYRC will feature a new competition at the Championships this year, the Finish Line Team Challenge. Presented in conjunction with ACORD (American Competitive Opportunities for Riders with Disabilities), the Finish Line Team Challenge at the NAYRC is a competition for young riders with disabilities. Each rider in the Finish Line Team Challenge will perform a Dressage ride set to music. Their scores will be combined with NAYRC participants (one Show Jumper, one Dressage competitor, and one Eventer) for the overall championship in the Finish Line Team Challenge.

The site of the 1999 NAYRC, Tempel Farms, is home to the world's largest private herd of Lipizzan Horses. It is widely considered to be one of the finest equestrian facilities in North America with extraordinary facilities, excellent footing, and a challenging CCI** cross-country course.

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.