The James Atkinson designed cross country course at the Colorado Horse Park caused a significant shake up in the standings today at the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championship, presented by Gotham North.
CH-J*
The CH-J* kicked off the morning. The team scores were quite close after dressage with less than ten points separating the top four teams. Area I produced three double clear rounds to move into the lead from fourth place on a combined two-day score of 146.7.
Hear what team members Erica Jarrell, Katie Lichten, Madeline Lichten and Cornelia Dorr had to say about the day in the press conference video below.
Posted by The FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships on Saturday, July 30, 2016
Major kudos to my home Area III, who brought all four of their riders through finish double clear to fly into second place from sixth! Mikensey Johansen, Carson Richards, Parker Miller and Haley Curry got the job done in fine form today and are in a good position before the final phase on a team score of 152.8.
Team Ontario picked up a rider fall and a refusal to move down from first to third, but they’re far from out of the game on 169.8.
In the individual competition, Annick Niemuller and FE Akari moved into the lead with a double clear round and a two-phase score of 43.5. Lee Camiolo and Charron V.E. moved up from fifth to second with a fast, clear round.
There is a three-way tie for third place on a score of 45.9 between Carmen Holmes-Smith and Spartacus, Haley Curry and Resolute Protector and Haley Rosenberg and Evil Munchkin. Should they all show jump clear tomorrow, Carmen and Spartacus would win the tie breaker as they crossed the finish just two seconds under optimum time.
There were 26 double clear rounds and 35 total completions in the division of 44 starters. However there were several eliminations for refusals and two rider falls. Ruairi Smith and Fernhill Gucci were eliminated for a horse fall at the water but both horse and rider are reportedly okay.
CICY2*
The team standings in the CICY2* were completely rearranged. The three-rider scramble team of Area V and IX moved up from third to first with an overnight team score of 183.7. Close behind is Area VI/VIII on 188.8. Third is Team Ontario/Alberta, which moved from first to third with a team score of 208 after cross country.
Clara Cargile, Madeline Backus and Alyssa Phillips of Area V/IV talk about their rides:
Posted by The FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships on Saturday, July 30, 2016
Clara Cargile and White Indian produced one of four double clear rounds to move up from fourth to first place on the individual leaderboard. Their score of 49.5 leaves little breathing room, however, as Shelby Brost and Crimson are hot on their heels with a 50.2. Dressage leaders Elena Hengel and Zipp picked up 9.6 time penalties dropping to third, but they’re within one rail of a gold medal on a two-phase score of 52.3.
Check out the course the Young Riders tackled today in this photo gallery from the NAJYRC Facebook page. The final horse inspection will be bright and early tomorrow morning with show jumping beginning at 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time. Stay tuned to EN for more from NAJYRC.
We can’t wait to see the eventing athletes navigate the cross-country course designed by James Atkinson tomorrow! What is your favorite jump?
Check out more behind-the-scenes video on USequestrian Snapchat!
Posted by The FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships on Friday, July 29, 2016