This past weekend, the North East Junior/Young Rider Dressage Championships took place in Darian, CT, USA.
There were 240 riders including international competitors from Austria, Mexico, South Africa, England, Lithuania, and Canada. The Overall Champion was a rider from South Africa and the Overall Reserve Champion was from Canada.
Erin Shaw and her mount, Zack had a successful weekend - Erin was the Third Division Champion and won a beautiful new Bates Isabell dressage saddle and Mountainhorse championship jacket! She also placed first in the Written test with a 94% and first in Equitation with an 81%. Out of the 240 riders competing she was the Overall Reserve Champion in Equitation and the Northeast Junior Young Rider Overall Reserve Champion for which she received a gorgeous Kyra coat and Crosby dressage bridle. She was also one of the 6 riders who qualified for a free clinic in New York in November with Patrick Burrsens.
There were also team awards and Erin was placed with three other US riders in her age group. Her team placed fourth overall and she received the Reserve Championship for highest individual score within all teams.
Sue Fraser joined Erin & Zack on the trip and was a terrific help. We cannot thank her enough for her support! Erin and Zack went so well and have Sue to thank for super training and guidence during the show. We were treated wonderfully at Ox Ridge and received a warm welcome to return next year! Lendon Gray has created a wonderful venue for juniors where they can develop an appreciation for all around horsemanship in a dressage setting. The encouragement they give the juniors and the sponsorship they have built up is impressive!
A big thank you to Roz Farber who provided a wonderful hat and Canadian flags for Erin's saddlepad - they looked great! As always, we appreciate her support of the juniors and the Junior Rider program her and others have worked so hard to develop. Erin and Zack's development this past year are a direct result of this innovative program and the training they have received from Albrecht Heidemann and her coach, Sue Fraser.
For further information on this wonderful event, please visit www.Dressage4Kids.com
~As reported by Ruth Shaw