The North American Young Riders' Championships is a major goal for all enthusiastic young riders, who want to compete and achieve. One week of total pressure on rider and horse, disappointment or tremendous happiness, team spirit or rivalry between the regions are all common factors on international events like the NAYRC. Featuring Dressage, Showjumping and Three-Day Event riders from the age of 16 to 21 compete for team and individual medals. This is the closest experience to an Olympic Games these talented young equestrians will have. In fact many young rider competitors have gone on to represent their countries in the Olympics.

Nineteen year old Louise Labrucherie considers herself ready for the 1998 NAYRC. With Artiste, her 15 year old Brandenburger chestnut (by Arsenal), she won the 1997 individual gold medal and contributed to the Region 7 Team Gold Medal victory.

Last year has been a very exiting one for her. As the reigning Young Rider Dressage Gold Medalist many opportunities have opened up for her. This year she showed Artiste only once but was immediately selected for the USDF Region 7 Team, which covers California and Nevada. Region 7 has dominated the Dressage Young Riders' Championships and is the team to beat.

Is Louise going for the individual gold again? "I'm just going to do my best and it would be fun to win, but competing is an individual thing and anything can happen. There is a good atmosphere in the team and everyone is very relaxed; this will only contribute to a better performance of all Region 7 riders."

Under the guidance of her trainer Gerard Politz, Louise is training three other horses. One older schoolmaster and two nice youngsters. One recently became training level champion at a Californian show.

Louise is looking ahead to a bright future. At the moment she's pursuing a legal program and a course in correspondence in college. Her future career will exist in riding horses and her dream goal, like every enthusiastic dressage rider, is representing her country in the Olympic Games.