Katie Lichten and RF Luminati. Photo by Joan Davis/ Flatlandsfoto.
Northeast eventers will be saying bon voyage to the 2016 NAJYRC team later this week as the riders, horses, and grooms begin their trek to Parker, Colorado to compete in North American Junior and Young Rider Championships from July 27-31.
After a six-month selection process, the CCI* team was announced last week and includes Cornelia Dorr, Katie Lichten, Maddie Lichten, and Erica Jarrell along with Eliza Eddy and Haley Rosenberg as individual riders. Sloane Pierpont and Natasha Knight were named as first and second reserve riders, respectively. Katie Litchen and Erica Jarrell are both returning team members, having represented Area 1 last year in Kentucky.
Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH. Photo by Joan Davis/ Flatlandsfoto.
Eliza Eddy and LVS Jackson. Photo by Joan Davis/ Flatlandsfoto.
The team was finalized after the last mandatory selection outing which was held at GMHA on July 3. This year, a Young Rider Advancement Program Invitational was held alongside the final selection event, which invited promising Training level young riders to participate in the competition as well, gaining valuable experience along the way.
Young Riders that will be joining the team as grooms are Laine Metz, Sloane Pierpont, Anna Billings, Grace Bartolotti, Magdalene Meek and Bridgette Kuchta. Anna Billings also represented Area 1 in 2015 as a rider; this year she is giving back to the team as groom.
Erica Jarrell and Uni Sprite. Photo by Joan Davis/ Flatlandsfoto.
Maddie Lichten and Yarrow. Photo by Joan Davis/ Flatlandsfoto.
The Area 1 Young Riders Program had a record-breaking season of fundraising this year. Thanks to the hard work of the riders and the generosity of donors around the Area, this year’s goal was knocked out of the park.
“This is an exceptionally talented group of horses and riders heading for Colorado,” Deb Meek, Area 1 Young Rider Program Coordinator, said. The team will be competing under the guidance of coach Mikki Kuchta and Chef d’Equipe Carol Mayo.
Haley Rosenberg and Evil Munchkin. Photo by Joan Davis/ Flatlandsfoto.
Best of luck to the team in Colorado and special thanks to Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto for these great pictures from the final selection outing at GMHA.
