Sunday August 6, 2006

Alexandra Zavoyna and Katlyn McMorris Lead Young Riders and Junior Eventing Competitions After Cross Country at CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships

Lexington, VA—August 5, 2006—Alexandra Zavoyna of Unionville, PA, leads the Young Riders’ CCI** Eventing competition following the completion of cross country at the 2006 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC) at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. Katlyn McMorris of Barrington Hills, IL, leads the Junior division.

The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders. Young equestrians come from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. This year marks the first time that fully-recognized Championships for Junior riders (age 14-18) are being held along with those for Young Riders (age 16-21).

In the Young Riders’ division, Alexandra Zavoyna had no penalties on cross country for a two-phase total of 49.2 on Merloch. Moving up a place to second is Rebecca Barron of Monticello, FL, whose clear round on the cross country gives her a two-phase score of 51.5 on Oberon IV. Jessica DiGenova of Norval, Ontario, had no jumping penalties but her four time penalties drop her from first place to third with total of 52.1 on Upolu. The horses and riders sailed around David O'Connor's beautifully presented course in the rolling Shenandoah hills.

In the team competition, where each team counts its three best scores, Area II and the combined team of Area I & III are tied for first place with 159.2 penalties, followed by Area V with 168.7 penalties.

In the Junior division Katlyn McMorris had a clear round on cross country for a two-phase total of 47 penalties on Clifton Peekachu. Second is Cassidy Lundmark of Barrington Hills, IL, who has a two-phase score of 51 on What's Shakin'. Third is Melissa Miller of Hamilton, OH, who has 51.2 penalties on Schotchfelder's Fantasy.

Cooler temperatures were a welcome relief for competitors and officials, as the record high temperatures earlier in the week subsided. Officials had made some changes to the CCI* Junior division course, shortening the course and removing two obstacles, to allow for the effect of the heat on the horses. Few horses had problems, with 20 of the 29 competitors going clear within the time allowed.

In the CCI* team competition, Area IV leads with 143.6 penalties, followed by the combined team of Area VI & VIII with 156.2 and Area II with 166.4.

Saturday’s dressage competition featured the second round of the individual competition for Juniors. Winning the individual Junior Dressage championship was Hannah Holland Shook of Charlotte, NC, with a score of 69.6% on Cape Town. The top 15 competitors of the Young Rider's division will be competing in the Musical Freestyle competition Saturday evening.

Saturday’s show jumping competition featured two non-championship farewell classes. The 1.30m class was won by Callie Layland of Clements, CA, on Anblick 16 and the 1.40m class was won by Ashton Belcher of Manotick, Ontario on Karolus K.

Sunday's featured events begin at 7:45 AM with the NAJC Individual Show Jumping final, followed by the NAYRC Individual Show Jumping final. The Dressage Junior Freestyle competition begins at 9 AM. In Eventing, the final phase of show jumping will begin at 9 AM with the CCI** Championship Young Rider division and finish with the CCI* Championship Junior Division. The Awards and Closing Ceremonies will commence at 1PM.

The 2006 NAJYRC is supported by its Title Sponsor, CN, and is also supported by this year’s Platinum Sponsors - Howard and Martha Simpson. Gold Medal Sponsors are the United States Equestrian Federation, Equine Canada and Zone 4.

Other sponsors for the 2006 NAJYRC include Silver Medal Sponsors Devoucoux, Rebecca Broussard, Blue Ridge Farm Center, Practical Horseman, Horsecity.com, The United States Dressage Federation, Antares, Waterjumps.us, Southeast Equine, Dressage Today, Ariat and The Mosaic Foundation; and Bronze Medal Sponsors Becker College, Dover Saddlery, Virginia Dressage Association, Stewart Title, The Jefferson Florist, Larry and Marnye Langer, Thornhill, U.S. Hunter-Jumper Association, and Der-Dau.

Blue Ribbon Sponsors include Rambo Blankets, VTO Saddlery, Mary Phelps—a Markel Equine Insurance specialist, Kelly’s Ford Equestrian Center, Beval, and Cynron Saddlery & Footwear. Other sponsors are American Horse Trials Foundation, Starr Vaughn Equestrian, Inc., Harmony Sporthorses, EMO Insurance, Flame Treating Systems, Inc., Foxden Equine, Mead Associates, North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association, Southern States/Triple Crown, Virginia Golf Cars and Tennessee Valley Dressage & Combined Training Association.

Additional donors include Cowboy Magic, Dermafas, Mrs. Pastures Cookies for Horses, Southern States/Triple Crown, Absorbine, Red Ridge Tack, Green Mountain Coffee, Janet Crawford, Charles Owen, Brandy, Straight Arrow, Royal Riders, Sunbelt, Intervet, Hamilton Products, Davis Boots, Cavalia, Best Shot Equine, Horse Tech, Inc., Flair Nasal Strips, Summit Dynamics, Ladysmith Chaps, Equus Entries, Shenandoah Connection, The Clothes Horse, Exhibitor Labs, Nutramax Labs, Hadfields, Fortiflex and Omega Fields.

For full results and further information on the 2006 CN North American Young Riders’ Championships, please visit www.youngriders.org.