Parker, CO - August 4, 2000 - Canadians made their presence felt today in the show jumping arena at the 2000 North American Young Riders' Championships (NAYRC), Presented by State Line Tack, at High Prairie Farms Equestrian Center in Parker, CO. Exciting show jumping victories were scored by British Columbia in the CSIOY team competition and Toronto in the CSI-JY team competition, while U.S. Region 3 ruled in team dressage.

The CSIOY team championship was decided by just 4 1/4 faults, with British Columbia scoring 30.25 faults to triumph over U.S. Zone 10 - Nina Herrera, Claire Prieto, Jennifer Williams, and Rebecca Wolfson - who took the Silver Medal with 35.50 faults. Ontario earned the Bronze Medal with 41.50 faults.

Riding for the British Columbia team was Lindsay McLean, 18, of White Rock and her horse, Caldero, Briana Hughes, 20, of Edmonton and her horse, Pele, Sandra Hardy, 19, of Victoria and her horse, Keepsake, and Cathleen Calvert, 18, of Vancouver and her horse, Shania.

"We're thrilled," said Hughes. "It hasn't sunk in yet!"

Chef d' Equipe Morgan Thomas commented, "We're extremely proud today as Canadians. Not only did British Columbia win the Gold Medal in the CSIOY team competition but Toronto won the Bronze, and Toronto also won the CSI-JY team competition. With this accomplishment, we hope to raise awareness of the importance of young riders having the goal to come here."