Reining Canada e-Newsletter Archives 2008
Information from Reining Canada
(August 5, 2008)
Information from Reining Canada
CN North American Junior and Young Rider Championship
Canadian Young Riders Slide into Colorado to make History!
Go Canada Go
Reining Canada is excited to report the Young Riders
are having a great experience in Colorado at the CN North American
Junior and Young Rider Championships representing our Country. Below is
a brief journal from the Young Rider's Chef d'Equipe, Wendy Dyer. A huge
thank you to both Wendy Dyer and Wendy Nelson for contributing to this
amazing experience for these youth!
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CN North American Junior
and Young Rider Championship
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July 29th - prior to the stable area becoming secured the FEI
vet, Dr. Wayne Burwash (from Calgary, AB), did a stall to stall inspection to
compare each horse with the documentation that was submitted (FEI passport and
Coggins). The stabling area was the secured with a person on guard at the gate
checking for wrist bands at all times.
July 30th - in the morning Eric Straus (FEI General Steward
for Reining) gave the Canadian Team instruction on how to properly present at
the jog and the Canadians had an hour or so practice. The actual FEI jog was in
the afternoon and one of our team members from Manitoba - Allison Love -
unfortunately did not pass. It was a heartbreaking experience. One of the
American parents came over and said if it were at all possible he would bring
his top horse down for her to ride. Allison, true to Canadian style is
demonstrating her team spirit and has devoted her energy helping everyone else.
Allison has been appointed Team Captain and assistant trainer, soaking up all
the information she is able to being at Wendy Nelson's side during each training
session.
July 31st - The first Reining competition called the Welcome
Competition to ease the girls nerves and let them get the feel for the ground
and pen. Carlie Thompson won the class followed by the rest of the US team and
Darcy placed 5th followed by the rest of the Canadian team.
August 1st - The pen was again lined with people interested
in the reining competition and asking about the pattern, equipment and rules.
The Canadian Young Riders did very well and uped their game but it was not good
enough to get the gold. The top Canadian rider was Darcy in 3rd place. Team USA
got 640 and Canada got 622 for the silver. The whole competition was televised
and will air on AQHA TV in the fall. Some of the Reiners were interviewed after
their runs. At the end of the competition all teams were invited to a Press
Conference to be interviewed by the press. A couple Canadian present commented
how pleased they were with Canada's representation and what great ambassadors
Canada sent for the sport of reining.
The Canadian Young Riders than had the Opening Ceremonies
where each team marched into the arena waving national and FEI flags - just like
the Olympics - a thrilling and amazing experience. Afterwards there was a party
for the participants. Each day there have been events scheduled for the teams.
One night the Canadian 3 Day Event team held a party for all the Canadians at
the event. The whole experience has been jam packed with events and the Young
Riders have had the opportunity to experience other disciplines such as a behind
the scenes experience of the Eventing Cross Country course. In exchange for the
Eventing Cross Country experience the reiners are allowing the Eventing team to
experience the spin and slide after the last competition on Sunday. Sunday night
will busy with the last competition, Closing Ceremonies and medal presentations
and a closing party.
A wonderful experience thus far and each rider received a
bundle of goodies from the organizers, an Ariat bag, jacket, polo shirt, cap,
pin and an FEI medal stall plaque. Everything is geared to giving the riders the
ultimate experience and sample the rigid rules of international competition.
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Canadian Young Riders Slide into Colorado to make History!
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For the first time Western riders competed at the CN North American Junior and
Young Rider Championships in late July. They took take their place proudly
alongside the Olympic disciplines of dressage, jumping and eventing at the
Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado. Five young people from across Canada
represented their county in the most recently internationally recognized sport
of Reining and came home with the Team Silver Medal.
Congratulations to Canada's Silver Medalists at the CN North American Junior
and Young Rider Championships
The Team members were Stephanie Gruhle, Kylie Wasiuta, Allison Love all from
Manitoba, and Kelly Truesdell and Darcy Wilson of Ontario. The official coach
for the team was Wendy Nelson of Cochrane, Alberta and Wendy Dyer, of Keswick,
Ontario was Chef d'Equipe for the Team.
Wendy Nelson worked with the team and each rider improved under her expert
instruction but the US team edged out Canada to take the Team Gold Medal and the
individual gold, silver, and bronze medals.
At the end of the competition the Reiners hosted a "ride a Reiner" hour for
the Eventers when several riders tried their hand at spinning and sliding. They
were surprised to find that it is much more difficult than it looks and one
commented "I feel like a beginner".
It was a great experience for everyone in beautiful surroundings and in good
company. The camaraderie amongst the Reiners was amazing and the other
disciplines were curious to see the reining competition and were pleased to have
their participation.
The NAJYR Championships, which are run in a similar format as the Olympic
Games have become a stepping stone for many youth progressing to international
competition. The schedule in Colorado included a "Welcome" class as a warm-up
for everyone then the Team competition and an Individual competition with medals
for both classes. All competitors had a chance to feel what an Olympic Games is
like with international rules in place.
The Reining Canada Team was chosen last year through a series of Young Rider
competitions run under very specific guidelines provided by the International
Equestrian Federation, known as the FEI and Equine Canada. The guidelines have
been developed with the horse and riders safety uppermost in mind followed by
fairness for all of those wishing to enter. Young Riders classes were held in
Eastern and Western Canada with a final selection competition held in both
geographic locations. Three riders from the West and two riders from the East
have been chosen for the team and each are representative of the best Canada has
to offer for this competition.
Complete scheduling, photos, results and in-depth information on the CN North
American Junior and Young Riders Championship can be found at:
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