At the 2010 North American Junior & Young Rider Championships the spotlight was on Junior dressage riders today as they vied for the Gold in Junior Individual test, phase two of the Dressage Championship.
When the scores were tallied, it was Winzalot who lived up to his name, earning the top score and catapulting California rider Jamie Pestana into the elite group of FEI Gold medalists.
The pair, representing Region 7, improved upon their score of 69.351 from Wednesday’s Team test (where they earned a Silver medal) with an exceptional performance to earn a 71.105 from the judges.
“He has a great work ethic. He loves to work," said Pestana of the six-year-old Hanoverian gelding. "We had a great warm up, and as soon as we got in there, he just gave me his all."
According to Pestana, the young Winzalot was not at all intimidated by vast Main Stadium of the Kentucky Horse Park, and, in fact, has no trouble being in the limelight. "He is quite a character," she laughed. "He wants to be the center of attention at all times. When my teammates say, ‘Oh, quiet, don’t cheer,’ I say, ‘Oh, no…cheer, cheer, he loves it!’"
The Silver medal went to Arizona-based Catherine Chamberlain and Verdicci, representing Region 5/6, who earned a score of 70.368, and the Bronze position went to Georgia’s Stephanie Bedford and Wahlen, representing Region 3/4, who earned a score of 67.632.
Both were thrilled with their horses’ performances. "It’s the nice thing about the Individuals," said Bedford. "There’s a bit more play, and you can show off the gaits more."
With major competition behind them the Junior medalists were looking forward to watching the other NAJYRC disciplines for the remainder of the week. "That’s was so great about this competition," said Chamberlain. "It’s not like this at other horse shows."
By Cynthia Grisolia
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