2007 North American Junior Young Riders' Championships

Area II/VI and Area IV Lead Eventing Competitions After Cross Country at 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships

Presented by Gotham North and UlcerGard

Lexington, VA - Jessica DiGenova of Norval, Ontario leads the Young Riders’ CCI** Eventing competition following the completion of cross country at the 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC), presented by Gotham North and UlcerGard, at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. Nina Ligon of Parker, CO leads the Junior division CCI*.

Young equestrians have come to the Championships from the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as a South American rider from Argentina, to vie for team and individual medals in the three Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. For many, the NAJYRC, the premier competition in North America for Juniors (age 14-18) and Young Riders (age 16-21), is their first experience riding on a team, as well as their first time competing under the rules of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport.

In the USEA Eventing Young Riders’ division, Jessica DiGenova had a score of 4 penalties on cross country for a two-phase total of 50.4 on Upolu. Second is Jennifer Brannigan of Chicago, IL who has a two-phase score of 55.8 on Kozmo. Third is Nate Chambers of Upperville, VA who has 58.2 penalties on Rolling Stone II.

The true spirit of camaraderie between disciplines was evident today as show jumpers trooped to the cross country course to cheer on the event riders. The most vocal was Frank Madden, who ran from fence to fence cheering for the horse named “Beacon Hill”.

In the team competition, where each team counts its three best scores, the combined team of Area II and VI is in the lead with 180.2 penalties, followed by the combined team of Area III and X with and 182.8 and Area VIII with 209.4.

In the Junior division, Nina Ligon had no penalties on cross country for a two-phase total of 48.1 on Pacific Storm. Second is Cassidy Lundmark of Barrington Hills, IL who has a two-phase score of 48.3 on What’s Shakin’. Third is Anisa Tracy of Parker, CO who has 48.9 penalties on Tigger VIII.

In the team competition, Area IV is in the lead with 157.4 penalties, followed by Area IX with 163.4 and Area II with 169.8. Sunday will feature the culminating show jumping phase that will determine team and individual medals.

Full results and further information on the 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships, presented by Gotham North and UlcerGard, are available on line at www.youngriders.org.