2002 Northeast Junior/Young Riders Championships

Lendon explained that any money the show makes goes to scholarships. "Any child, even one who comes in dead last in this competition, can apply for an education grant," she said. If the applicant is approved, he or she is given an award of usually $300 to $500. "The requirements are that they have to have competed here and that they have to write a report afterwards about their experience - basically 'what the money did for me'. This year Alison End was awarded a scholarship to train with Conrad Schumacher, but it can be for lessons at a place down the road too."

Previously, a young rider was awarded a trip to Aachen. This year, a trip to the riding academy at Warendorf in Germany will be awarded. "We also give away seven or eight saddles," Lendon added. "We have wonderful sponsors."

The show has become the goal of many young riders and Lendon said that this year several barns have created team 'uniforms' with matching T-shirts made especially for the show; and riders have told her about study groups they've formed to prepare for the written test. "It's a big thing for some of the local groups and some from farther away - one man in Maine arranged for a tractor trailer to bring the kids here."

In addition to the sponsors who donate so much in awards, Lendon has a legion of volunteers who donate their time to make the event happen. "We have a committee of 15 that meets once a month year round. Most of them are on the committee because they know me. Some of them don't have kids and some don't ride. The hours they put in are amazing, and so is the support of the sponsors."

Lendon also mentioned some of the special awards that will be presented this year, including the Perpetual Trophies - actress Glenn Close donated the Morgan trophy and Francine Walker honored her retired horse with the Abaluga Award, which will sponsor six riders in a two-day clinic with Patrick Burssens.