Lexington, VA - The CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC) are adding officially-sanctioned Championships in reining to this year’s schedule. This addition paves the way for the biggest and best Championships ever when the NAJYRC returns to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, July 31 – August 5.

The North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships is the premier equestrian event in North America for riders, age 14-21. Many young equestrians travel from around the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands for a chance to compete for team and individual championships in the Olympic equestrian disciplines of dressage, show jumping, eventing and now the western riding discipline of reining. The NAJYRC operates under the rules of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport.

“We are thrilled to be able to add reining Championships to our schedule at this year’s NAJYRC,” said Penny Ross who, along with her husband Brian, serves as NAJYRC event director. “It’s very gratifying for us to know that in addition to the juniors and young riders who are able to compete in the three Olympic disciplines, North America’s best young reiners will now also have an opportunity to experience what it’s like to compete in an international event under FEI rules.”

The NAJYRC is the continuation of an annual competition that began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between Canada and the United States. In the years since its inception, it has grown considerably with the addition of a Dressage Championship in 1981 and the Show Jumping Championship in 1982. The first complete Championships with all three Olympic disciplines was held in British Columbia, Canada in 1982.

Last year’s Championships saw the addition of officially-sanctioned championship divisions for junior riders in all three disciplines for the first time. Now, with a fourth discipline joining the world-class line-up, the Championships have reached a whole new level of significance.

Dressage is primarily about the balance and harmony between horse and rider. Careful attention to detail and seamless transitions are a top priority. Competitors perform a standard test, demonstrating obedience, ability, and precision. Each movement is judged subjectively and scored separately.

Show jumping tests horse and rider team over a course of fences and other obstacles. The objective is to make it over the course with as few faults as possible. Going over the designated time allowed, knocking down rails, as well as any refusals or falls, accumulates faults or results in elimination. Show jumping has been referred to as having the excitement of horse racing mixed with the daring of downhill slalom skiing.

Eventing combines dressage, show jumping and cross country to give each horse-and-rider combination a cumulative score over the course of three days. Eventing begins with the dressage test, with cross-country following, and then ends with show jumping, testing the endurance and ability of both horse and rider. The cross-country element consists of a timed ride over an outdoor course, jumping over natural or natural looking obstacles. The rider must ride the same horse for all three phases of the competition.

Reining is designed to show the athletic ability of ranch type horses in the confines of a show arena. Riders are required to run one of 10 approved patterns which include seven or eight compulsory maneuvers based on movements a cattle horse would adopt while working.

In addition to the championship competition in dressage, show jumping, eventing and reining, this year’s CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships will also feature demonstrations of the FEI discipline of vaulting.

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities connected with the Championships are available! Please call (508) 698-6810 or email to classic.pr@verizon.net for further information.

For more information on the 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships, please call (540) 348-1152, email to vht@cfw.com, or visit www.youngriders.org.