Ottawa, ON, July 23, 2012 – Canadian Endurance riders Lee Hutten, Emma Webb and Jessica Yavis won the team gold medal at the 2012 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships in the NAJYRC-CH 4* FEI Championship race held July 20, 2012.

In an incredible display of team unity, all three members crossed the finish line together to earn top honours in the first ever FEI 4* 120 km race held at the Championships. Hutten of Chesterville, ON, riding Parker AES, Dessia Miller’s 12-year-old Arabian gelding, finished in seven hours and 33 seconds for fifth place individually. In sixth place was Emma Webb of Flesherton, ON, and and Serloki, Janice Worthington’s 12-year-old Arabian gelding, in a time of seven hours and 34 seconds. Jessica Yavis of Winfield, AB, riding Jahlad, a 10-year-old Arabian gelding owned by Jaye Yavis, rounded out the Canadians in a time of seven hours and 35 seconds.

The gold medal winning Canadians finished in a total time of 21:01:42, and they were the only team to finish the race and be awarded a medal. “We came to the 2012 NAJYRC with an incredible team of young ladies, and their performance was fantastic which resulted in a team gold,” said chef d’équipe Maura Leahy. “We are so proud of you. We also had a great team of grooms and team vets.”                                  The North American Junior/Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC) are held annually under the rules of the Federation Equestre Internationale-the international governing body for equestrian sport. The 2012 competition hosts the Olympic disciplines of eventing, dressage and show jumping as well as FEI disciplines of reining, endurance and vaulting. Many of the world’s top event riders, including many Olympic gold medalists, began their careers at the NAJYRC. For more information on NAJYRC, please visit www.youngriders.org.     About Endurance CanadaEndurance Canada is a committee of Equine Canada, and the National governing body of the sport of Endurance Riding in Canada, from the grassroots to the international level. Endurance Canada is responsible for the growth and pursuit of excellence at all levels of the sport, providing support and guidance through various programs and committees: veterinary; rules and sanctioning; athlete and sport development; education and coaching; communication and awards. For more information, please visit the Endurance Canada section of the Equine Canada website.Photos: (left to right)-Lee Hutten on Parker AES, Jessica Yavis on Jahlad and Emma Webb on Serloki;  (left to right)-Lee Hutten, Jessica Yavis and Emma Webb (far right – chef d’équipe Maura Leahy)   Photos – MacMillan Photography