Rebecca Farm Annual Chinch Challenge: Whichever team holds the current NAYC CCIJ1* lead is the Keeper of the Chinch. May the Chinch be with you, Area II! I better not see that guy again until Sunday! Photo by Leslie Wylie.
After taking the lead in yesterday’s Adequan FEI North American Youth Championships CICOY2* dressage, Area II came out swinging again today, topping the CCIJ1* team leaderboard.
The squad: Haley Carspecken and Center Stage (2nd, 29.0), Olivia Wall and Mandolin R (4th, 31.7), Katherine Christopher and Frodo of The Shire (14th, 34.9), and Maia Kantorowski and Kiltubrid Rebel (16th-tie, 36.3).
Top placed Area II rider Haley says her test today with “Connor” was the result of a lot of hard work, with the help of her trainer Mara DuPuy. “When I first got Connor I could not sit his trot or anything, and so she really taught me how to move his body around so it gives me a place to sit,” she says. “All the events leading up to this have basically just been schooling for this. This was our best test we’ve had so far so I’m really pleased with how it went.”
Area II’s Maia Kantorowski gives Kiltubrid Rebel some love after their test. Maia participated as a groom at the 2017 NAYC and this is her first year competing. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Here, the teams talks about their (long!) journeys to Rebecca Farm and what makes the NAYC team experience special:
The Area II Young Riders team is coached by Holly Payne-Caravella with chef d’equipe as Meg Kepferle. The Area II YR coordinator is Chris Donovan. Area II’s all-important groom roster is comprised of Caitlin O’Roark, Dylan Phillips, Zoe Bruno, Colette Leber, Cori Jarman, Anna Fitzhugh and Ella Braundel. Teamwork makes the dream work!
NAYC CCIJ1* individual leader McKinsey Wickman and Dassett Profile. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Area V’s McKensey Wickman and her own Dassett Profile, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, lead the division on a 28.6.
“He had a very lovely test,” McKensey says. “He stayed very consistent and everything I asked of him he reacted to, so I’m very happy.”
McKensey and “Pro” led the NAYCJ1* dressage last year, but a hiccup on cross country cost them a top placing. “It was really heartbreaking last year to lose the leading position after a silly stop on cross country, but I decided to have an action plan,” McKensey says. Since then, she has revamped her training program under the guidance of Rebecca Brown: “She has transformed me and Pro into a new pair.”
“I’m really blessed to be in this position today,” McKensey says. “Tomorrow is a new day and I have to go out there and do what I know I need to do.”
McKinsey Wickman and Dassett Profile. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Leading Ride: McKinsey Wickman and Dassett Profile
McKinsey Wickman and Dassett Profile hold the lead of the CCIJ1* on a 28.6 heading into cross-country tomorrow at Rebecca Farm!
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Posted by Adequan FEI North American Youth Championships on Friday, July 20, 2018
Haley Carspecken and Center Stage of Area II are 2nd on a score of 29.0. Harper Click and Rubia, who are representing the Area IV & VII mix team, round out the top three on a 29.0.
Watch the full press conference for comments from the top three riders on their day and their thoughts on the cross country test ahead:
NAYC 2018 continues tomorrow with cross country Saturday and show jumping Sunday. Best of luck to all!
NAYC CCIJ1* Team Standings After Dressage:
- Area II (95.6)
- Area VI & VIII (97.9)
- Area IV & VII (98.3)
NAYC CCIJ1* Top 10 Individual After Dressage:
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