The North American Youth Championships will not be hosting an inaugural North American Children Championship in 2024 despite earlier announcements. The time frame to launch the programme and attract sufficient competitors is too short.
The 2024 edition of the North American Youth Championships is scheduled for 30 July - 4 August at Flintfield Horse Park in Traverse City, Michigan. It was supposed to host championships for children, juniors, young riders and Under 25.
The FEI even announced the ground jury for the Children division, but those plans have now been cancelled.
Children classes have found their way into U.S. competitions starting six years ago in 2017. The first U.S. Children Championships were won by Abby Fodor.
"As I understand it, after many discussions with the North American countries, it was agreed to postpone the inaugural NAYC Children's Championships for 2024. There just wasn't enough time to develop the qualifying process in each country that would allow the athletes enough time to prepare and plan out their competitions," USDF FEI Youth Committee Chair Roberta Williams told Eurodressage.
Williams added, "As I understand, we will be holding the Championships in 2025. The feeling is that it is crucial to do so in order to strengthen the youth pipeline in dressage across not just the US but across North America. It will happen, I have absolutely no doubts."
Photo © Susan Stickle
Related Links
Ground Jury Appointed for 2024 North American Youth Championships
Rowe, Piller, Hewitt Win Individual Gold Medal at 2023 North American Youth Championships
Sumner, Piller, Robinson grab Kur Gold at the 2023 North American Youth Championships
Fodor Wins Inaugural 2017 U.S. Children's Champion