Lexington, VA—July 29, 2005—Zone 2 continued its dominance of Young Riders’ team show jumping by winning the team Gold Medal for a record seventh time at the 2005 CN North American Young Riders’ Championships (NAYRC) presented by Adequan. The 2005 NAYRC are being held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, the Championships’ first appearance in the mid-Atlantic region.

Zone 2, coached by chef d’equipe Ralph Caristo, had a score of 8 faults for the two rounds where each team counts its three best scores. Brianne Goutal of New York City rode clear twice in her two rounds on Onira; Blythe Marano of Bedminster, NJ scored 4 and 0 on River; Addison Phillips of New York City scored 4 and 0 on Flight; and Sarah Segal of New York City scored 4 and 8 on True Love.

“I actually felt a little less pressure than last year,” said Goutal who the individual Gold in last year’s championships. “The experience helped. The event is so great that I definitely wanted to come back. Ralph and Holly (Caristo) make you believe that you can do it and we’re thrilled that we did it for them.”

Zone 6/7/8 placed second with a team total of 32 faults and Mexico was third with 36.

Friday also featured the team championship for the Junior/Young Rider* division that was also won by Zone 2. The team of Gabby Slome of Riverdale, NY on Salsa, Hillary Dobbs of Sussex, NJ on VDL Lotus Excel, Miasha Fisher of New York City on Kitty 41 and Whitney Goulart of Mendham, NJ on Eclat finished with a two-round total of 2 faults to claim the win. Ontario placed second with 17 faults and Zone 10 was third with 38.

“This was the first time that Zone 2 has sent a B team and they really rose to the occasion,” said Caristo of his riders, all of whom were making their first Young Riders appearance. “I look for them to move up to the A team next year.”