Area V Packs Powerful Punch with NAJYRC Team Announcement

The NAJYRC keep coming as the event draws closer and closer, and Area V has recently announced their CH-J* and CH-Y** riders for this year’s championships in Lexington.

Six CH-J* with one alternate and three CH-Y** horses and riders will represent Area V this year, and we’ve got the full scoop on the team.

CH-J*

Olivia Alland and Fable. Photo courtesy of Savannah Weaver.

Olivia Alland and Fable. Photo courtesy of Savannah Weaver.

Olivia Alland and Fable: “I got Fable about a year ago from Florida. We completed one Training before moving up to Prelim and winning Poplar in September of 2014. After returning from Rocking Horse in February, Fable got strangles and had to be in isolation until the end of March. We only had a month to get her back in work and conditioned to compete in the CCI* at Greenwood Farms. She came back better then ever and we finished 2 nd in the event. I am so excited to be going to NAJYRC for my first time! Go Area V!”

What was your first reaction when you saw you made the team?: Well the email came around 9 at night, and I actually made my mom look first because I was so nervous! When she told me, I was so excited and immediately called my trainer Angela Gryzwinski and teammate Barrett Phillips.

Barrett Phillips and Mercedes. Photo courtesy of Kelly Phillips.

Barrett Phillips and Mercedes. Photo courtesy of Kelly Phillips.

Barrett Phillips and Mercedes: “Michi is one of the quirkiest horses that I have ever met. Her strange ways saved her life about 10 months ago when she had emergency colic surgery. After her recovery of about 3 months, she came back better than ever before.We have been together for almost four years, going from beginner novice to the 1* level. We hit the ground running to get ourselves ready in time for the fall season leading up to both of our first FEI competition. I could not be more proud of the horse that I have today and everything I have learned from her. NAJYRC has always been a goal of mine and I’m thrilled to get to go and represent Area V!”

What will be the most difficult part of NAJYRC for you and your horse?: Getting here is a privilege that not everyone is able to have, saying that I think it is important to stay focused. Michi and I both have high energy levels, which need to be used for our benefit.

Staying focused on everything will be the hardest part for both of us, but overall I am so excited that I have been able to get this far and I know that we have been preparing all that we can so I am optimistic of the outcome.

Kristen Turner and Merging. Photo courtesy of Terry Tinney.

Kristen Turner and Merging. Photo courtesy of Terry Tinney.

Kristen Turner and Merging: Kristen and Merging have been together since last October. After one Training level, they moved up to Prelim followed by a win at Meadow Creek Park.

For the winter they traveled down to Florida with lots of success there, finishing winter season with a first at Rocking Horse III. They then went back home to Texas to get their CCI* qualification. The pair is ecstatic about making the Area V NAJYRC team and cant wait to be in Kentucky!

Which phase will be the most challenging at this year’s NAJYRC?: Dressage will be the hardest phase for us. Merging is very energetic and it is sometimes hard for me to keep her calm and focused in the dressage arena.

Caroline Testi and Crimson Tide. Photo by Melissa Reyes-Abbey.

Caroline Testi and Crimson Tide. Photo by Melissa Reyes-Abbey.

Caroline Testi and Crimson Tide: Crimson Tide, aka Red, is a 12 year old chestnut Thoroughbred. We began our journey together in August of 2013, however we both had been eventing many years before.

My trainer Mike Huber found Red through Jennie Brannigan who was the agent representing him. With his old owner, Red had competed through Intermediate level, had performed through 4th level dressage, and done 1.35 meter jumpers.

Together we have competed successfully in many national and international competitions at the Prelim and one-star level. Some of our top finishes include: 3rd at AECs in Prelim Junior Young Rider, 7th at Red Hills CIC*, and 1st at Greenwood CCI*. We also competed in the 2014 NAJYRC.

My groom this year will be Kit Ferguson, a fellow eventer from Oklahoma, whom I trust to take care of Red with me.

What was the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome to get to this point?: The biggest challenge I had to overcome was definitely stadium jumping. Red and I had to learn to trust each other.  He had to learn that I would not put him in a bad spot and I had to learn to trust that he would go over the jump.

Through much hard work we have finally been able to click in stadium jumping and are much more comfortable together overall in all three phases. We understand each other and are ready to rock it at NAJYRC.

Margaret Stocker and Second Hand Rose. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Stocker.

Margaret Stocker and Second Hand Rose. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Stocker.

Margaret Stocker and Second Hand Rose: I got Rose two years ago on my birthday as a project horse. She had been started by my farrier, but had never competed. I didn’t think much of her and wasn’t sure if she would be able to go past Training level.

She wasn’t a very energetic horse, but we found out later the she has really bad ulcers. We put her on ulcer medication and she became a completely different horse.

After having her for only ten months, we qualified and competed in NAJYRC at the CCI1* level in 2014 for Area V. Since then we have successfully moved up to intermediate and won first place in the CIC 2* are Greenwood Farms.

I decided to do the CCI1* at NAJYRC this year because I wanted to give Rose more experience before doing a CCI2*. I am so honored to be representing Area V again and so excited to have such great teammates!

What are your goals for NAJYRC?: My goal is to not fall off this year, and to help the Area V CCI 1* team bring home the gold!

Alex Mulconnery and Toute Va Bien. Photo courtesy of Allie Morrison.

Alex Mulconnery and Toute Va Bien. Photo courtesy of Allie Morrison.

Alexandra Mulconnery and Toute Va Bien: The first time I saw Benji I told my trainer, Laura Welsh, that I thought his head was too coarse. Two years later we were back in Florida and completing our first recognized, clear Preliminary cross-country and I could not be more in love with his face!

I was not originally setting my sights on NAJYRC, but after finishing the Ocala CCI1* on our dressage score we decided to give it a shot. We are so excited to travel to Lexington with the entire Area V team and go for gold!

What are you looking forward to the most about NAJYRC?: I haven’t competed on a team since my USPC days and it’s very motivating to be a part of a team competing together. Rooting each other on and bonding will be a great experience.

CH-Y**

Bailey Moran and Loughnatousa Caislean. Photo courtesy of Storey Crenshaw.

Bailey Moran and Loughnatousa Caislean. Photo courtesy of Storey Crenshaw.

Bailey Moran and Loughnatousa Caislean: I got my “goofy chestnut” as a tall, lanky, green five year old from Loughnatousa Farms in Ireland. It was love at first sight, and after two rides, I was hooked. We schooled cross country once, and I told my parents, “I’ve never felt this confident on a horse.” Needless to say, I never dreamed of feeling just as confident galloping around a 2* course! He’s so, so special.

What is it that makes you want to return to NAJYRC this year?: So many reasons! The atmosphere is infectious. Every year as July approaches, I get a familiar itch that just can’t be scratched at any other event. The people, the horses, the experience, it’s all unforgettable and creates memories that last a lifetime.

I’ve been twice now, both times without the results I was ultimately hoping for. I’m excited and ready to be back this year as a more experienced rider with a more experienced horse and am crossing my fingers that this is the year I can work out all the kinks and give my boy the rides he deserves.

Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino

Do you think your time spent over in Europe will be to your advantage while competing at Young Riders?: I had the opportunity of competing against and watching some incredible riders week in and week out this past year while I was based in England.

I got to learn a lot this past year and I am still always trying to continue my education. I am hoping that my time working with Kevin McNab this past year and my continued work with Mike Huber will lead to a successful last Young Riders!

Nicole Hatley and ACE. Photo courtesy of Kim Dyer.

Nicole Hatley and ACE. Photo courtesy of Kim Dyer.

Nicole Hatley and Ace: Ace is a one of a kind horse. He isn’t a flashy horse or fancy mover in the dressage but is a complete cross country machine. He is one of the hardest horses I have ever ridden, but he has taught me so much. I could not be any more thankful to own such an amazing little pocket rocket!

Has NAJYRC always been your biggest goal?:  Ever since I heard of Young Riders it has been a goal of mine. I have worked hard, as well as many others that have helped me, to make it to Young Riders and it feels so good to have finally reached my goal.