Brandi Roenick Wins Individual Gold at 2008 North American Junior Riders Championships

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2008 North American Junior/Young Riders Championships

Brandi Roenick became the winner of Individual Test Gold in the Junior Dressage Championship at the 2008 North American Junior/Young Riders Championships at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO, on 2 August 2008.

Brandi Roenick of Scottsdale, AZ, and Pretty Lady picked up their second Gold medal, adding individual honours to the Team Gold medal they won on Wednesday. The 13-year-old rider is the youngest Gold Medallist at the NAJYRC ever. Roenick's birthday is in October but under FEI rules she rides as a 14-year-old.

Roenick impressed all the judges ending on a score of 69.900% for gold.

"It's really fun competing against the other prominent riders," said Roenick who also won the 2008 USEF Junior National Championship at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions at San Juan Capistrano, CA.

"I had a lot of confidence going to San Juan Capistrano," said Roenick. "And coming here I was feeling confident, I was really excited to win Team Gold for the first time and I was really confident."

Roenick only finished one point clear of 17-year-old silver medalist Ari Lopez from Pleasant Hill, CA, aboard Corlander II, a Rhinelander gelding that she used to event.

"This has been really great," said Lopez. "You get to meet all those people that you hear about."

Fifteen year-old Mckenzie Jenkins riding Tsarina Bint RII won the Individual Bronze medal with a score of 66.800%. The Thoroughbred/Polish Arab cross is unique in her line of work.

"Everyone is really excited," she said. "It is a lot of fun and I have a lot of support. There isn't much competition in Tennessee."