USDF Region 7 JR/YR Clinic

Region 7 is hosting a Jr/YR Clinic at The Paddock Riding Club in Los Angeles, CA on October 21-22, featuring George Williams!

The USDF Jr/YR Clinic Series is an educational opportunity for young riders striving to compete at FEI levels. The goal of this series is to promote hardworking, talented youth riders who want to rise to the top of the discipline.

The clinic includes two days of private lessons, theory sessions, and auditing. Riders must submit an online application and eight riders will be selected to participate. Riders must be 14-21 years of age. Riders ages 12-14 competing in FEI Pony classes may also apply. Auditors of all ages are welcome.

The rider application deadline is September 8.
Rider Information: https://www.usdf.org/education/clinics/jryr/riders.asp

The auditor pre-registration deadline is October 6.
Auditor Information: https://www.usdf.org/education/clinics/jryr/auditors.asp

For more information, please contact Jamie Humphries at jryrclinics@usdf.org.

USDF Youth Outreach Clinic at The Paddock Riding Club

Dear Region 7 youth members,

We are excited to let you know that we will be offering one of our new USDF Youth Outreach Clinics in Region 7 on October 21-22, 2017. The goal of these clinics, held in conjunction with the USDF Jr/YR Clinic Series, is to introduce those USDF youth members who are dedicated dressage riders, but who have not yet entered the realm of FEI level competition, to the USDF "youth pipeline" and the opportunities it offers.

The Region 7 Youth Outreach Clinic, featuring Rosalind (Roz) Kinstler, will be held at The Paddock Riding Club, Los Angeles, CA. Rider applications are being accepted through September 15, and must be submitted online. (All applications must be accompanied by a link to a video of the rider completing a test, on the horse they wish to ride at the clinic. Please make sure the horse and rider can be clearly viewed.) There is no application fee, but the clinic registration fee for selected riders is $200.00.

These clinics are open to USDF Participating or Group Members, between the ages of 10-21, who are able to complete a Training Level test. The clinics will be held over two days, and will include a variety of instruction. On the first day, participants will observe the Jr/YR Clinic riding sessions, sitting together as a group, as their clinician leads the discussion for each session. They will also join the riders of the Jr/YR Clinic during selected activities, where they can participate in the lecture and interactive discussion with the clinician of the Jr/YR Clinic. On the second day, each clinic participant will ride in a 45-minute session with their clinician.

If you have any questions, please contact youth@usdf.org.

Jan Scarbrough
Senior Education Coordinator
United States Dressage Federation
4051 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511
jscarbrough@usdf.org
Phone: (859) 271-7876
Fax: (859) 971-7722

Region 7 Strikes Gold and More at the 2017 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships

Region 7 Strikes Gold and More at the 2017 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships

The United States Dressage Federation Region 7 Junior and Young Rider Teams win Junior Team Gold, Junior Individual Gold and Silver, Junior Freestyle Silver, and Young Rider Freestyle Silver at the 2017 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Saugerties, New York.

Saugerties, New York. -  July 2017 - The North American Junior and Young Rider Championships is the most prestigious competition for youth equestrians on the North American continent. A team as well as an individual event, the NAJYRC creates a unique high performance atmosphere that fosters collaboration, organization, and a mental toughness that young people will rarely find elsewhere. The NAJYRC helps riders improve their skills on horseback but it more importantly creates stronger individuals for lives within the equine community and beyond. 

After a rigorous qualifying process, teams come from all over North America to compete in Junior or Young Rider Divisions. The United States Dressage Federation Region 7 North American Junior and Young Rider Championship Teams are comprised of riders from California, Nevada, and Hawaii. This year, the Junior Team was represented by Christian Simonson (Ventura, CA) with Herzkonig, Ben Ebeling (Moorpark, CA) with Behlinger, Aleyna Dunn (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) with Bivera, and Ava Dingley (Simi Valley, CA) with Fürst von der Heide. The Young Rider team was represented by Lauren Asher (San Diego, CA) with Hønnerups Event and Nila Venkat (Hayward, CA) with Skyler Ace.

Although being one of the youngest teams in the competition, the Region 7 Junior Team had tremendous success. The Junior Team placed 1st in the Team Competition, Aleyna Dunn with Bivera placed first in the Individual competition and second in the Freestyle competition, Christian Simonson with Herzkonig placed second in the Individual competition, and all of the Junior riders placed in the top ten in the Individual competition. The Young Rider team also had strong showing and Lauren Asher placed second in the Freestyle competition.

However, the real story is not in the medal count but the poise and sportsmanship the riders demonstrated in and out of the show ring.

A fellow rider and gold medalist even commented about Region 7, “That if there was an award for sportsmanship then that region should get it”.

Congratulations to Region 7 for their success and for the legacy they are leaving for future generations of youth riders.