CN North American Junior Young Riders Championship Begins in Lexington Virginia
Submitted by: Jennifer Kappler
Phone: (561) 753-3389
Email Address: pmginfo(at)phelpsmediagroup.com
Date Added: 8/2/2006
Lexington Virginia – August 1, 2006 – The opening ceremonies and riders meeting kicked-off the much anticipated 2006 CN North American Junior Young Riders Championships (NAJYRC) at the Lexington Horse Center in Virginia. Since its 1979 inception in Massachusetts, this is the first year that NAJYRC includes both Junior and Young Riders Championships together in one place on the same date.
Co-Directors Brian and Penny Ross are the Masters of Opening Ceremonies and welcomed riders, trainers, grooms and parents from all over North America and three different disciplines. The eight zones scheduled to compete at this year’s event bring teams of athletes from areas such as Wisconsin, Texas, California, Mexico, Canada, Vermont and New York.
David O’Connor, President of the United States Equestrian Federation, welcomed everyone, and spoke of the depth of talent in the building. He said that there are many riders and trainers present this week who are preparing for their major championship (World Equestrian Games) that begins only two weeks from now in Aachen, Germany.
He thought that the mix of juniors and top professionals preparing mentally and physically together offers a special attachment, which is unique to this year’s event. “There are examples of the best athletes in our midst, and you have an opportunity to learn what it takes to compete at an international level,” he explained. O’Connor then ended his speech with a caution to everyone, “We are going to have a hot week with record temperatures. Think of your horses. We are all here for one reason; because we are horsemen.”
Zone 2, with Chef d’Equipe Ralph Caristo, has won more Show Jumping Gold Medals than any other zone in history. Riders Hillary Dobbs, Addison Phillips, Carolyn Kelly and Miasha Fisher will be defending their Zone 2 title from last year’s team and individual victories. Zone 2 includes riders from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
“We are lucky to live in an area that has such high quality riders, trainers and horses,” Holly Caristo (Zone 2 Coordinator) commented. This particular zone has won the Team Gold Medal a record seven times and the Individual Gold Medal five times. Past winners from Zone 2 include Brianne Goutal, Georgina Bloomberg, McLain Ward, Nicole Shahinian Smith, Darren Graziano and Greg Best.
Chef d’Equipe Ralph Caristo has been with the Zone 2 for eleven years. He and his wife Holly came to Young Riders when their daughter Heather qualified for the team in 1995. “Debbie Stevens was the Chef that year, and we won,” Ralph remembers. “We had such a good first experience and have been coming ever since.”
Ralph Caristo was honored at last year’s event with “The Caristo Cup”. This perpetual award will be given annually to the Chef d’Equipe who exhibits the same spirit of sportsmanship, horsemanship and enthusiasm that Ralph brings to his position. Caristo was a pioneer of professionalism, insisting that his athletes be neatly and properly turned-out from the minute they step into the stable.
“I always wear a coat and tie on competition days,” Caristo stated. “I feel that it is a very important event, and it is an honor to represent your zone. Having team spirit, proper dress, and tidy work space enhances the competition for our riders and makes it a serious environment,” he explains. “We try to make it a good experience for the kids,” Holly adds passionately from the red, white, and blue tack room that she is setting up. “This is a special event, and athletes strive all year to make the team.”
Competition starts today, August 1, 2006 with the Veterinary Inspection. Jumping starts tomorrow with 1.30m and 1.25m training sessions and the draw for Thursday’s opening Table C Speed events. Friday is the Team Finals, on Saturday are the Farewell Competitions, and Sunday hosts the Individual Final and Medal Ceremonies.
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