Region 7 and Christina Beal became the gold medal winners at the 2004 North American Young Riders’ Championships at Tempel Farms in Old Mill Creek, IL, on 10 - 15 August 2004.
More than 150 of the nation’s finest horses and young riders competed in this world-class competition featuring the Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. The week-long event culminated in an Olympic-style presentation and closing ceremony on Sunday, August 15.
Team Gold for Region 7
At the end of the first half of the Dressage Team Championship, Veronique Lavalle of St. Lazare, Quebec led the way riding Pryme Tyme, owned by Evi Strasser and Good Tyme Stables, with a score of 64.622%. Alison Bush of Elmhurst, IL, placed second on Entheos, owned by Kathy Klammer, scoring 64.489%. Caitlin Masiel of Danville, CA, riding Melvina, owned by Melvin Sousa, and Lauren Sprieser of Chicago, IL, aboard her horse Bellinger, tied for third with a score of 63.600%.
However, after two days of Team Championship competition it was Region 7 that rose to the top.
The riders of U.S. Region 7 won the Dressage Team Gold Medal. Christina Beal of Fallbrook, CA, riding Ray Ace, Stephanie Hamar of Visalia, CA, aboard Jasper, Dani Judy of El Cajon, CA, with Antaeus, and Caitlin Masiel of Danville, CA, on Melvina comprised the Gold Medal Dressage Team.
The Region 7 team won convincingly with a total score of 199.244%, nearly 4% higher than Silver Medal team Canada–East. Beal helped her team win the Gold by turning in the highest individual score in the team competition, a 68.711%.
Beal Gets Individual Gold
Christina Beal of Fallbrook, CA; Jennifer Libby of Branchville, NJ; and Caitlyn Shiels of Sheffield, MA, won Individual Gold Medals
In the dressage division, Beal, riding for U.S. Region 7, earned a score of 73.350% in the Freestyle Championship, clinching the Individual Gold Medal with a combined total score of 210.961% on Ray Ace. This was Beal’s third year at the NAYRC.
“Every year you learn something valuable,” said Beal. “You grow a lot! It’s a great experience.”
Elisabeth Austin, of Region 8, rode Hierarch to the Silver Medal with a three-round total of 203.053%.
The Bronze went to Jody Kelly of Region 3, who piloted Weltkaar to a total score of 201.144%.
Howard B Simpson High Five Trophy for Simpson
New for this year at the North American Young Riders’ Championships is the inaugural Howard B. Simpson High Five Trophy.
The trophy, named for NAYRC Event Director Howard Simpson and presented by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, will be awarded annually at the NAYRC to the volunteer who best exemplifies Simpson’s spirit of giving back to a sport that he loves.
Simpson is more than just a beloved Event Director. His encouragement of the athletes who work diligently to qualify for the NAYRC and his dedication to the Championships and to the many volunteers that have helped him over the years has been an inspiration to all the people around him.
In that spirit, the first Howard B. Simpson High Five Trophy was awarded to Simpson, himself, in a surprise presentation during Sunday’s closing ceremonies.
Related Links
U.S. Riders Selected for 2004 North American Young Riders Championships
Canadian Riders Selected for 2004 North American Young Riders Championships
Previous NAYRC Coverage
Region 3 and Mary Haskins Gray Win Gold at 2003 North American Young Riders Championships
Mary Haskins-Grey and Fregat, 2003 North American Young Riders Champions
Jacqueline Paxton Earns Double Gold at 2002 NAYRC
Region 2 and Jacqueline Paxton Win Gold at the 2002 North American Young Riders Championships
Eurodressage On the Scene at the 2000 North American Young Riders Championships
Meet the 1998 NAYRC Medallists: Labrucherie, Perry, Hites
Scores - 1998 North American Young Riders Championships