Our Young Riders

Ottawa, ON—Shelbie Friesen, Lane Wilson and Emily Wilson earned top individuals honours in reining on July 30 at the 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships. Presented by Gotham North, these Championships were held July 27–31 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

Shelbie Friesen of Saskatoon, SK rode Golden Lena Chex, Robert Brickley’s seven-year-old Quarter Horse stallion, to a bronze medal finish in the Young Riders division. Photo credit—Waltenberry, Inc.

Shelbie Friesen of Saskatoon, SK rode Golden Lena Chex, Robert Brickley’s seven-year-old Quarter Horse stallion, to a bronze medal finish in the Young Riders division. Friesen tied for the silver medal with American Laura Sumrall with a score of 217.50 after the first run, so a run-off was required to determine the individual silver medalist. Sumrall went in the arena and earned a 215.50 with her horse Einsteins Fancy Pine. Friesen was next up and completed her opening spins and started on her right circle. Out of character, Golden Lena Chex did not follow Friesen’s aids, which resulted in a rough right turn, and as a true sport, Friesen realized that she would not earn a score of over 215.50 and retired herself from the competition, winning the bronze medal instead.

"Beau (Golden Lena Chex) was tired. He did not have long to rest before we had to go again and he had given me everything in the first run," said Friesen.

Lindsay Wankel of Elbow, SK rode Okie Dokie Juice, her seven-year-old Quarter Horse mare, to a fifth place finish with a score of 213.50. With a score of 210.50 riding her own seven-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, Rooster Kicker, Nancy Pratch of St. Paul, AB was seventh. In eighth place, with 210, was Brett Dembisky of Saskatoon, SK riding Melody of the West, Kevin Smith’s six-year-old Quarter Horse mare. Rounding out the top 10 was Antony Jolin St-Laurent of St Francois Xavier de Brompton, QC who scored 207 riding Custom Stop, his six-year-old Quarter Horse gelding.

In the Junior Rider division Lane Wilson of Goodwood, ON, won the gold medal, scoring 207 for his run, on No Finer Shiner, Mark Lipfeld’s 10-year-old Quarter Horse stallion. Emily Wilson of Uxbridge, ON, earned the individual bronze medal riding Miss Cielo Chex, Tamalyn Wilson’s nine-year-old Quarter Horse mare.

“I was so proud of No Finer Shiner. I have been riding him for a couple of years and he paid me back this morning," said Lane Wilson.

“The Canadian Reining Committee is immensely proud of our Junior and Young Rider teams that so competently represented Canada at The North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Kentucky,” remarked Gary Yaghdjian, the chair of the Canadian Reining Committee.

“I am so proud of all the teams that represented Canada,” said Wendy Dyer, who is the Chef d’équipe for all four Canadian teams. “Everyone enjoys having the Canadian reiners around. They are such a great group.”

Complete results are available at www.youngriders.org.

For additional information on the CRC and its programs, including selection criteria, please visit the Reining section of the Equine Canada website at www.equinecanada.ca/reining or e-mail ac.adanaceniuqe@gninier. 

About the Canadian Reining Committee
The Canadian Reining Committee is the discipline committee of Equine Canada that is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of reining programs in Canada. The Canadian Reining Committee's objective is to foster the growth of reining and the pursuit of excellence in the sport at the local, national and international levels. For more information, please visit www.equinecanada.ca/reining. 

About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognised by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organisation representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca. 

L’or et le bronze en individuel pour les cavaliers canadiens de reining aux Championnats nord-américains pour Cavaliers juniors et Jeunes cavaliers

Ottawa, Ontario, le 18 août 2011 — Shelbie Friesen, Lane Wilson et Emily Wilson se sont mérité les honneurs en reining individuel le 30 juillet à l’édition 2011 des Championnats nord-américains pour Cavaliers juniors et Jeunes cavaliers FEI Adequan. Présentés par Gotham North, ces championnats avaient lieu du 27 au 31 juillet au Kentucky Horse Park de Lexington, KY.

Dans la division pour Jeunes cavaliers, Shelbie Friesen (Saskatoon, SK) a été médaillée de bronze sur Golden Lean Chex, un étalon quarter horse de sept ans dont Robert Brickley est propriétaire.

Dans la division pour Jeunes cavaliers, Shelbie Friesen (Saskatoon, SK) a été médaillée de bronze sur Golden Lean Chex, un étalon quarter horse de sept ans dont Robert Brickley est propriétaire. Étant à égalité au premier tour avec l’Américaine Laura Sumrall pour la médaille d’argent avec un résultat de 217,50, un second tour fut nécessaire pour les départager. Sumrall s’est mérité 215,50 sur Einsteins Fancy Pine, puis vint le tour de Friesen qui compléta ses vrilles en ouverture. Elle se dirigeait vers le cercle à droite lorsque Golden Lena Chex, de façon inattendue, n’écouta pas ses aides, et le couple exécuta un virage plutôt abrupt. La cavalière réalisa qu’elle ne se mériterait pas un résultat supérieur à 215,50 et en véritable sportive, se retira de la compétition, ce qui lui valut la médaille de bronze.

« Beau (Golden Lena Chex) était fatigué. Il n’a pas pu se reposer avant le deuxième tour, et il venait de se donner entièrement », a-t-elle dit au sujet de son cheval.

Lindsay Wankel (Elbow, SK) était aux rênes de Okie Dokie Juice, sa jument quarter horse de sept ans. Le couple s’est classé cinquième avec un score de 213,50. Au septième rang, avec 210,50, on retrouvait Nancy Pratch (St. Paul, AB) sur Rooster Kicker, son hongre quarter horse de sept ans. Brett Dembisky (Saskatoon, SK) s’est classé huitième avec une note de 210 sur Melody of the West, la jument quarter horse de six ans de Kevin Smith. Antony Jolin St-Laurent (St-François-Xavier de Brompton, QC) a clôturé le top dix de cette division avec un résultat de 207 sur Custom Stop, son hongre quarter horse de six ans.

C’est Lane Wilson (Goodwood, ON) qui a enlevé la division pour Cavaliers juniors. Sa prestation de 207 points lui a valu la médaille d’or sur No Finer Shiner, l’étalon quarter horse de dix ans de Mark Lipfeld. Emily Wilson (Uxbridge, ON) a été médaillée de bronze sur Miss Cielo Chex, la jument quarter horse de neuf ans de Tamalyn Wilson.

« Je suis tellement fier de No Finer Shiner. Je monte ce cheval depuis deux ans et il m’a fait tout un cadeau ce matin », a dit Lane Wilson.

« Le Comité canadien de reining est extrêmement fier de ses équipes de cavaliers juniors et de jeunes cavaliers qui ont été des représentants canadiens d’une compétence admirable aux Championnats nord-américains pour Cavaliers juniors et Jeunes cavaliers du Kentucky » a mentionné le président du Comité canadien de reining Gary Yaghdjian.

« Je suis tellement fière de toutes les équipes qui ont représenté le Canada », a ajouté Wendy Dyer, qui était au poste de chef des quatre équipes canadiennes. « Tout le monde est heureux de côtoyer les cavaliers canadiens de reining. C’est un groupe formidable. »

Tous les résultats sont disponibles au www.youngriders.org. 

Pour obtenir plus de renseignements sur le Comité canadien de reining, ses programmes et les critères de sélection, veuillez visiter la section réservée au reining sur le site Web de Canada Hippique www.equinecanada.ca/reining. Vous pouvez aussi écrire à ac.adanaceniuqe@gninier. 

À propos du Comité canadien de reining
Le Comité canadien de reining est un comité de discipline de Canada Hippique chargé de veiller à l’élaboration et la mise en place des programmes de reining au Canada. L’objectif du Comité canadien de reining est de favoriser la croissance du reining et la recherche de l’excellence dans le sport aux niveaux local, national et international. Pour obtenir plus de renseignements sur le Comité canadien de reining, veuillez visiter le site Web de Canada Hippique www.equinecanada.ca/reining. 

À propos de Canada Hippique
Canada Hippique est l’organisme national chapeautant l’hippisme. Institution caritative axée sur le service aux membres, Canada Hippique est la division administrative de l’Équipe équestre canadienne faisant autorité en concours hippique national. Elle est la voix nationale des cavaliers de loisir, l’association nationale représentant le bien-être du cheval, l’élevage et l’industrie. Canada Hippique est reconnue auprès du gouvernement du Canada, de la Fédération équestre internationale et du Comité olympique canadien en tant qu’organisme représentant les sports équestres et les intérêts équins. Pour plus de renseignements sur Canada Hippique, veuillez visiter le www.equinecanada.ca.

Source : Julie Cull
Coordonnatrice des communications de Canada Hippique

Tél. (613) 248-3433 poste 136
Courriel : ac.adanaceniuqe@llucj 

Lexington, KY - High-quality runs and terrific scores from a field of top-quality reining horses and the continent's most elite junior and young rider athletes made for a spectacular night at the 2011 SmartPak Reining Team Championships at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North.

Canada's YR Reining Gold team, l-r: Lisa Hiebert, Kylie Wasiuta, Jessica Green, Nancy Pratch.
Photo: Diana De Rosa.

Canada reclaimed the top of the podium at Thursday night's team competition, this time with its Alberta/Manitoba team earning a score of 623. All three counting scores on the Gold medal team came in above the 200 point mark. Team members Jessica Green (201), Lisa Hiebert (206.5), Nancy Pratch (215.5), and Kylie Wasiuta (194) powered through the competition with determination and heart and their efforts paid off in a big way. Defending the Gold medal on behalf of Canada was a top priority for the team, and seasoned team veterans Pratch and Wasiuta knew just what it would take.

"The horses were great and we had very nice, consistent runs that helped us stay on top," said Pratch. "It is a huge honor and we are super proud to represent Canada at such an important competition."

Pratch wins her third FEI Gold medal in two years, as she was the anchor rider for the Gold medal Canadian team at the Adequan North American Junior & Young Rider Championships last year and won the Individual Gold medal in 2010. All eyes turn now to see if Pratch will also defend her Individual Gold on Saturday morning in the final round of championship FEI reining.

Wasiuta is perhaps the most experienced reining competitor at these championships. She is the only rider that has competed at every NAJYRC since reining was introduced at the 2008 Championships in Parker, CO.

"I've been to each and every Young Riders since Parker, and I cannot think of a better way for me to go out on this, my last year competing as a Young Rider," said Wasiuta. "I never dreamed that I would one day be a Gold medalist. It is the most important thing I've ever accomplished, and I am so proud," an emotional Wasiuta said.

Mexico's YR Reining Silver team, l-r: Jesus Arturo Leal, Gilberto Leal, Gerardo Leal, Alberto Aguilar.
Photo: Diana De Rosa.

Team Mexico made its debut at the 2011 Championships, fielding a full team of Young Rider athletes and bringing with them some exceptionally nice horses. Taking their inaugural trip to the continental championships very seriously, the team has been in the U.S. training and preparing for the championships since June. After what would have been a devastating blow to any team, the Mexican Young Riders lost a strong team member at the horse inspection when their likely anchor, Alberto Aguilar's horse, failed the jog. Undeterred, Mexico reorganized and advanced only three to the team competition, knowing that they would not have the security of the dropped fourth score. However, when the pressure was on, competitors and cousins Jesus Arturo Leal (199.5), Gerardo Leal (206) and Gilberto Leal (214) rose to the occasion and in the end, claimed the Silver medal with a team score of 619.5.

Mexico's competitors and coaches all had the goal of reaching the podium. They enjoyed the challenge of possibly taking home some hardware to Mexico on their first attempt, and after the first two rounds, team scores revealed the Gold medal was within reach. It wasn't until the second to last run of the night that Canada edged out Mexico in an incredibly tough fight for the top honors.

Asked about their experience so far at the Junior & Young Rider Championships, Aguilar, speaking for the entire team said, "It is a great place...so beautiful. We are very proud to bring the Silver medal back to Mexico and we give many thanks to our horses, our coaches and to the sponsors and organizers of this amazing event."

Team Mexico has raised the bar of competitions at these championships and it is clear they will be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come.

Canada's YR Reining Bronze team, l-r: Jon Katzman, Shelbie Friesen, Brett Dembisky, Lindsay Wankel.
Photo: Diana De Rosa.

While many come from far and wide to participate in the NAJYRC, perhaps none so far as team Saskatchewan, Canada. Determined and resolute, the team goal was to find a way to the podium in 2011, which began as far back as qualifying events. The team drove long hours, remained focused and kept an incredible team spirit - and was rewarded with the team's first FEI medals. Bronze medalists from Canada - Brent Dembisky (208.5), Shelbie Friesen (202.5), Jon Katzman (202.5), and Lindsay Wankel (204) - combined for a team score of 615.

In addition to NAJYRC, the sport of reining presented for the first time a Juniors division at the SmartPak Reining Championships. All three junior riders earned qualifying scores to advance them to the individual medals round. Juniors include Lane Wilson and Emily Wilson of Canada, and Tiffany of the U.S.

For more information and results, visit http://www.youngriders.org. 

For blogs, video and more, visit USEFNetwork.com's NAJYRC page at:
http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/NAJYRC2011 

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