2002 Northeast Junior/Young Riders Championships

Opening Day At Northeast Junior/Young Riders Championships

There are almost as many awards given at the Northeast Junior/Young Rider Dressage Championships as there are riders participating. Lendon Gray has seen to it that all of the competitors feel special and rewarded for their participation, whether they win the "Pony with the Most Dapples Award," or the Overall Championship after the two days of competition, August 17-18, at Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, Connecticut. Opening day hosted nearly 250 entries at the four-ring competition, a marked increase from the inaugural event four years ago when 150 riders competed. And the sponsor list of those who have donated money and prizes this year is more than 100 names long.

"We give awards for first through third in the Dressage Test, the Written Test, and the Equitation," explained Lendon, the two-time Olympian who conceived of and launched the annual show. "Then in the divisions, places one through 10 receive products and ribbons. There's also an overall winner in each division, and then the winner of the Overall Championship for the show." The championship awards will be presented in special ceremonies on Sunday, August 18, the final day of the show.

Two optional Championship classes riders can enter are the Turnout Inspection and Prix Caprilli competitions. And one of the most unusual concepts in award presentations is the Roving Judges who spot particularly unique people and horses at the show and spontaneously make a product award from the list of donating sponsors. "It can be for the 'Fattest Tail' or the 'Most Helpful Mom'," explained Gray. In addition to the people and horses awards, there's a contest for the best Tack Room.

Not only is the concept and presentation of this event different from any other dressage championship, but the equine participants are also not the norm; you see every size, shape, color, breed and crossbreed imaginable - this is definitely not a warmblood-dominated show! What is also apparent is that it is a family-oriented event. Lots of show moms and dads (and little brothers and sisters too) were on hand to groom, give a leg up, applaud, and supply moral support as well as bottles of water in the 90° heat.

Roving Trainers Courtney King, Jennifer Baumert, and Nancy Later are available both days to offer their help to riders who sign up for pre-class coaching. The three 'Rovers' were decked out in marigold-colored T-shirts with their first names emblazoned on the back in black bold letters. There was always one or two of them in the warm-up working with a rider.