August 8, 2001

Rizzi Sizzles on First Day of Dressage

Wadsworth, IL – August 8, 2001 – Equestrian action kicked off today at the 2001 North American Young Riders’ Championships (NAYRC), Presented by State Line Tack, at Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, IL with the dressage competition. Over 200 of the nation’s finest young riders and horses have arrived in the past days from throughout North America for the world-class competition in show jumping, dressage, and eventing.

Despite the record breaking heat wave which peaked at 109 degrees F, the competition began without a hitch. Leading the way midway through the first part of the dressage championship was Jessica Rizzi of Bedford, NY and her elegant horse Jamboree with a score of 65.38%. In second place is the warmblood Kazon with owner and rider Kerri Sowers of Egg Harbor, NJ. They hold a score of 65.13%. The dressage championship continues tomorrow at 9:00. Championship show jumping also starts tomorrow, along with the CCI-J/Y* three-day event dressage phase.

Admission is FREE on Thursday, August 9. Tickets are available at the gate for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at a cost of $7.00 a day, or $18.00 for a three-day pass. For further information, please call (847)244-9207.

The NAYRC is the premier competition for young riders, age 16 through 21, in the Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and three-day eventing. Olympic veterans Karen O’Connor, Mara Depuy, and Greg Best, as well as Olympic alternates Buck Davidson and Kathleen Raine, all began their international careers at the NAYRC.

NAYRC riders are invited from each country’s National Federation in North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda, as well as each Province of Canada, each USA Equestrian Zone (show jumping), USDF Region (dressage), and USCTA Area (three-day event) to compete. The NAYRC is considered a USA Junior Olympic– Equestrian event.

The broad range of nationalities and fierce competitors that attend the Championships produce a “mini” Olympics atmosphere throughout the competition week. For many riders, it is their first competition under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules, and their initial experience of intense international competition.

The North American Young Riders’ Championships began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada in Jokers Hill, Ontario. Canada swept all three team medals in the competition that was then known as the North American Junior Team Championships.

In 1985, the competition landed at Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, Illinois, setting the stage for their continuing support of the Championships.