Old Mill Creek, IL—March 30, 2004—The Maui Jim North American Young Riders’ Championships (NAYRC), presented by CN, has announced an impressive list of officials for this year’s event, August 10-15, at Tempel Farms in Old Mill Creek, IL.

This year’s team of judges and stewards was hand-picked by the show committee according to its commitment to creating one of the finest equestrian competitions for Young Riders, age 16-21. The list includes some of the sport’s top names from the United States and other countries.

The Dressage Jury at the 2004 NAYRC is headed by Jury President Gary Rockwell (USA). Rockwell is joined by Marian Cunningham Becker (USA), Janet Lee Brown (USA), Joan Macartney (CAN), Susan Rothgeb (CAN), Lorraine Stubbs (CAN), and Jane Weatherwax (USA). Jerry Schwartz (USA) is the Dressage Competition Organizer, and Linda Zang (USA) is the Foreign Technical Delegate.

The Eventing Jury President, Lord Patrick Carew (IRL), is joined by Julie Purgly (BRA) and Jo Young (CAN). Michael Deutsch (USA) is the Eventing Competition Organizer, and Andrew Bowles (NZL) is the Foreign Technical Delegate.

The NAYRC Jumping Jury President is Francois Ferland (CAN). Ferland is joined by Larry Langer (USA), Paul Pereech (BER), and Jack Robson (USA). The Jumping Competition Organizer is David Distler (USA), and the Foreign Technical Delegate is David Ballard (CAN).

“We feel very fortunate to have so many distinguished officials working with us this year at the Maui Jim North American Young Riders’ Championships,” said NAYRC Event Director Howard Simpson. “We’re constantly striving to provide Young Riders with the best opportunities for growth and with so many wonderful officials on board for this year, 2004 will definitely be our best event yet!”

The 2004 Maui Jim North American Young Riders’ Championships, presented by CN, is the premier equestrian competition in North America for Young Riders. Young equestrians come from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual Championships in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. The NAYRC is an official USA Junior Olympic-Equestrian event.

For many competitors, the NAYRC is their first experience riding on a team, as well as their first time competing under the rules of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport. While some of these riders go on to ride for their countries in Olympic Games and other international competitions, others reach the pinnacle of their careers at the North American Young Riders’ Championships.

The North American Young Riders' Championships began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada. A Dressage Championship was added in 1981, and Show Jumping debuted in 1982. The first complete NAYRC was held in British Columbia, Canada in 1982. Tempel Farms has hosted the Championship more than any other location, 13 times since 1985.

For more information on the 2004 Maui Jim North American Young Riders’ Championships, presented by CN, please call (847) 295-3285 or visit www.youngriders.org.