Johnson Wins Individual Gold at 2008 North American Young Riders Championships

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2008 North American Junior/Young Riders Championships

Katie Johnson won individual test gold in the Young riders division at the 2008 North American Junior/Young Riders Championships at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO, on 2 August 2008.

Gold for Johnson

The North American Individual Young Rider Gold Medalist Katie Johnson rode a stellar test on Millenium to take top honors on a score of 69.050%.

The 19-year-old rider from El Cajon, CA was a member of the Region 7 Gold medal winning team but when she came to the Championships her goal was a top 10 individual finish. She achieved her goal, but never expected to win.

“It hasn't sunk in yet,” said Johnson fighting her tears in the press conference. “It is spectacularly amazing. I came here hoping to make the top 10 and I'm a total disbelief - complete disbelief. It’s insane.”

Johnson leased Millenium (by Inspekteur) from Pam Schachter three months ago with the specific goal of qualifying for NAJYRC. The lease runs out in August, so this win was particularly emotional for Johnson.

“I just love him,” she said about the 14-year-old Dutch gelding. “He's very special and he works so hard. He's so honest and he loves to work and loves to please. I couldn't be happier. This is a very special horse.”

Silver for Brianna Dutton

19-year-old Brianna Dutton made her first trip to the NAJYRC with a very green horse very successful. Johnson's Gold medal winning teammate rode Tibet, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood by Idocus to an Individual Silver medal on a score of 68.450%. The Tracy, CA rider has had Tibet for two years and was proud of how much he has achieved.

“His attitude is all there,” she said of Tibet. “He has a great work ethic. To come here for the first time with a green horse… I just wanted to make it through to the freestyle, so to be a medalist is unbelievable.”

Dutton trains with Nadine Pestana and, while she vows to continue riding and competing well into life, she does have another career goal. She is currently studying biology at St. Mary's College in California and is considering a career as a chiropractor. "I go to a chiropractor and it interests me. It's a social job working with people and not a desk job." Her other interest, when not riding, is spending time in the mountains where she likes to kayak.

Bronze for Chelsea Pederson

Chelsea Pederson was impressed with her Bronze medal winning H.S. With Honors (by Wistar) picking up a score of 67.900%. The 9-year-old Hungarian Warmblood is reasonably inexperienced but rose to the occasion for his 20-year-old rider.

“I'm so glad to be here,” said Pederson. “This is my last year and I'm starting school full time this fall.”

Pedersen and H.S. With Honors traveled from Gig Harbor, WA to NAJYRC. A partnership formed five years ago, Pedersen forgot the rein back in her individual test picking up an error.

“It was just one movement,” she said of a test that was otherwise very accurate and confident. “But he was amazing, it was amazing to make it here and be able to hold our own.”

Results - 2008 NAYR - Individual Test

Results NAJYRC Dressage Young Rider Individual

1 - Katie Johnson - Millenium - 69.050%
2 - Brianna Dutton - Tibet - 68.450%
3 - Chelsea Pederson - H.S. With Honors - 67.900%
4 - Kassandra Barteau - Gabriella - 67.550%
5 - Laura Noyes - Syncro - 67.300%
6 - Kristen Becker - Ramses - 67.200%
7 - Sarah Cunningham - Ivan - 67.150%
8 - Jessica Blackmon - Irnas 65.950%
8 - Christine Stephenson - Charly 285 - 65.950%
10 - Jaimie Holland - Fleurina - 65.550%
11 - Brittany McCarthy - Cinbad - 65.250%
12 - Chelsea Seburn - Rolex - 65.000%
13 - Amy Jager - Jive - 64.850%
14 - Julie McKean - Stravinsky - 64.700%
15 - Emily Wagner - Wagnis - 64.250%
16 - Anya Bershad - Wonderboy - 64.050%
17 - Holly Bergay - Soliloquy - 63.700%
18 - Thomas Walker - Grundstein's Legacy - 63.700%
19 - Danielle McKinnon - Noma Tender - 63.500%
20 - Bonnie Efird - Magie Noir - 63.500%
21 - Jade Deter - Mastermind - 63.250%
22 - Jessica Zoskey - FA Patriot +- 63.200%
23 - Jillian Costello - Kismo - 62.250%
24 - Rachel Campbell - Wandango - 62.150%
25 - Meagan Davis - Cachet - 61.750%
26 - Maya Dalla Valle - Tiolivi - 61.250%
27 - Alexa Rice - Maarten - 59.850%
28 - Rhiannon Williams - Rockstar - 59.700%
29 - Dan Kreitl - Fruhlich - 59.250%
30 - Elisabeth Steel - Caramello 7 - 59.100%
31 - Meredith Kenyan - Rambunctious - 58.750%
32 - Kristina Wang - Belladiva - 58.550%
33 - Sara Winkleman - Icarus - 57.800%