The competitive action jumped into high gear on Day Two of the 2011 North American Junior & Young Rider Championships, which got underway at the Kentucky Horse Park yesterday and will continue through Sunday. In the Rolex Stadium, it was a quest for Individual Gold for dressage competitors.
In all, 34 Young Riders vied in the Individual test championships today, but it was Region 8 representative Isabelle Leibler aboard PSI auction horse Watson who earned the Gold. Team Gold medalist Brandi Roenick (Region 5) and Pretty Lady took silver while Chase Hickok (Region 1) and Palermo captured the bronze.
Kelli McLean Newton and Luciano (Region 7) sat at the top of the leader board for a good part of the day with a 64.526, but soon after the lunch break the scores just kept growing higher. But it was Leibler, a Team bronze medalist, who turned in the winning performance that scored a 67.289. In the end, less than half a point separated the top three riders.
“The competition was very tough in the final five,” confirmed Leibler. “We just rode our hearts out for every point we could get. These ladies rode absolutely amazing,” she added of her fellow medalists. “But good competition is when it’s close, and you have to get down and dirty for every point. It’s very exciting.”
“I knew I was riding against some of the top riders in the country,” said Roenick. “I knew both of these girls have amazing horses. But, I worked my tail off, my horse worked her heart out for me, and I was grateful for every single point I was given.”
For Leibler, her first NAJYRC has been nothing short of memorable. “I have no words to describe this,” she said.
Lahey Wins Junior Riders Individual Test Gold
Over in the Junior ring, Region 6’s Sadie Lahey and Up to Date were the last to go but the first to pocket the Gold with a dazzling score of 67.868 – the highest of the day in both divisions. Silver went to Canada’s (Canada-Manitoba) Sarah Loewen aboard Ricardo and the bronze went to fellow Canadian Monica Houweling and Stentano.
“I came last year, and I was the drop score for my team, so I’m very excited to be where I am,” laughed Lahey.
“Up to Date just went into the arena and was there for me, even when I was nervous.” The 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood, added Lahey, is endearingly referred to as Denise the Menace around the barn. “He has loads of personality, and he loves to show it to everyone.”
Loewen was equally thrilled with Ricardo. “This is my second year at North American,” she said, “We did even better than last year, so I am really pleased with his performance.”
-- USEF Press release
Photo © Mary Phelps / Phelpsphotos.com
More Coverage on the Young Riders Individual Test on Dressagedaily.com
Related Links
Scores 2011 North American Junior Young Riders Championships