2002 Northeast Junior/Young Rider Dressage Championships

Northeast Junior/Young Rider Dressage Championships Reward Every Rider

"It's the one place you really feel like you're a star no matter how you do," said Alison End, describing the Northeast Junior/Young Rider Dressage Championships held at Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, Connecticut, August 17-18. Alison was the Gold Medalist in the Lalique Fourth Level Division, the highest placed rider at the highest level offered at the show. She was awarded a beautiful Lalique horse sculpture. "It feels great especially because it's my last year," said the 20-year-old student from Dartmouth.

In the three-phase championship, Alison tied for second place in the Written Test, placed second by .25 in the Dressage Test, and was third in the Dressage Equitation class. "I didn't top any of them, but I was consistent," she said. This was Alison's second time competing in the show that was launched four years ago by Lendon Gray. Alison not only trains with Lendon, but is also living at her house this summer and working at Gleneden Dressage as an instructor and rider. Being privy to the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into this show is part of what inspired Alison to participate. "I was impressed with the work that goes into it and all the dedication that makes it a really wonderful show for us juniors and young riders. I've certainly been a big supporter of the show. I taught NEDA junior camp and five of my campers came to this show. It's a neat opportunity to let people shine as all-around horse people."

Alison rode her 10-year-old Danish warmblood May Star, a horse she acquired in January. She pinpointed his best qualities at this show, "He was very strong in my test yesterday. I was impressed with his focus, especially in my Equitation today." The Equitation class was the duo's first experience together riding in competition with other horses in the ring. "He didn't really seem to notice all the other horses. He only paid attention to me, so that was a big step in the right direction for us."

Alison recently returned from the North American Young Riders Championships in Wadsworth, Illinois, which was also her last year riding as a junior in that competition. She placed 14th overall. "I had a really good time. It was a great chance for me to go and ride my new horse. It was a lot of pressure on a new horse, so it was really great to make it all the way to the freestyles."

Alison takes a lesson on May Star every day with Lendon and credits the trainer with adding even more to her learning than the ridden sessions. "Something that's really unique about Lendon is that she's so generous about the opportunities that she gives. She's always finding some creative way for me to learn something new, whether it's a different horse or another student or [she asks me to] write an article or read something unusual that she has." Lendon has also encouraged Alison to attend the USDF Instructor's Certification in December to be certified to teach through Fourth Level. "She never ceases to amaze me with the things that she presents as opportunities."