Shannon Lilley has generously offered to keep us posted on all things Area VI. As always, thanks for writing this Shannon and thank you for reading.
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From Shannon:
NAJYRC started off with a bang Thursday morning at 7 am EST. Both the Young Riders and the Juniors rode dressage and both divisions ended up in an extremely tight race. Area VI had a fantastic day with our combined team leading and three of its riders are placed 1,2, and 3, Lizzie Snow with Coal creek, Teresa Harcourt with Bonza Twist of Fate, and Kendyl Tracy with Ever So Lucky, respectively. The Junior team had a solid performance as well with two of the Area VI riders, Erin Murphy with Mytster E and Gigi Herron with Beacon Hill, standing third and tied for fourth. The entire Junior division is separated by less than 8 points, which makes for a very exciting weekend.
Year in and year out, Area VI has proven to be competitive in all three phases, and dressage this year is not unlike the last four years I have been Chef d’Equip. Dayna Lynd-Pugh, our coach, has done an incredible job, not only bringing out the best performance in each rider, but building an enormous amount of camaraderie among the entire Area VI team – riders, grooms, vet, chef, and family members. This can be a tough feat. After having been a part of the most fantastic team experience last year at the Pan American games, there are no words that can describe the importance of ‘team spirit’.
Area VI could not travel the thousands of miles across the country without the support of its sponsors. On dressage day, we would like to thank Fleeceworks, our main sponsor, for the incredible pads they supplied us. Each year Fleeceowrks supplies pads for the riders for both dressage and show jumping. Area VI tries to express its gratitude each year by riding well! Thank you so much Judy! If you have never owned or used a Fleeceworks pad, you are missing out; they are the best!
I look forward to seeing how all the riders tackle the incredible cross country course that David O’Connor designed. He always produces a fair but difficult test for each level and I know Area VI will rise to the challenge.
I wish all of the riders a strong and safe trip around!
Go Area VI and Go NAJYRC!!!
Photos via Betsy Braun:
