Journey to the 2018 Championships!

Area VI Young Riders realize that this sport we love depends SO heavily on a vast support system…family, coaches, organizers, coordinators, volunteers and, especially, our sponsors and donors…to facilitate our climb from the lower levels of eventing to get to the pinnacle of representing our country in international competition. The North American Youth Championships ("NAYC", formerly known as the North American Junior & Young Rider Championships, "NAJYRC") is the first opportunity for us, as aspiring upper level riders, to experience the challenge, pressure, and excitement of team competition but it involves a huge financial undertaking.

From now until the time we leave for Montana, Area VI Young Riders will be fundraising to help offset costs associated with travel, lodging, food, team apparel, coaching, and show & venue fees. Successful fundraising enables us to keep the thrill of Championships a realistic goal for all Young riders.

The Area VI Young Rider Program is offered through the United States Eventing Association (USEA...a 501(c)(3) organization) for equestrians 21 years of age or younger. The program accommodates riders of all levels. Our hope is to generate involvement early on, helping all levels of riders realize their goals and achieve success through dedication, hard work and discipline.

In 2018, Area VI hopes to send two full teams (8 riders) and four individual riders to the North American Youth Championships ("NAYC") taking place in Kalispell, Montana (July 18-22, 2018).

The NAYC serves as the only annual FEI Championship hosted in the United States every year and has remained a staple on the equestrian calendar since its inception in 1974. The NAYC began in 1974 as an Eventing challenge between the United States and Canada. A Dressage championship was added in 1981, and Show Jumping was added in 1982. The first complete Young Riders championship was held in British Columbia, Canada in 1982.

The NAYC is considered to be the pinnacle of a young rider's equestrian achievement. Teams from all areas of the U.S. as well as from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean are invited to compete in this international championship event. Special invitations have also included countries from South America. The NAYC is also recognized as the official Junior Olympics for Equestrian Sport by the United States Olympic Committee. In the Eventing competition, each area will send teams (and select individuals) to represent their area, as designated within the United States Eventing Association. From very early on, many young riders see this as a potential goal for themselves as they progress through the levels of competition.

Area VI Young Riders have done very well in recent years! In 2017, one of our CH-YR** riders placed 4th in a very competitive field of eighteen starters and our CH-J* team brought home the Team Gold Medal while one team member earned an additional individual Bronze Medal. In 2013 and 2015 Area VI had riders finish in the top 10. In 2012, our CH-YR** team brought home Team Gold. In 2011, our CH-J* team brought home the Team Silver Medal – with two of our riders finishing in the Top 10. In 2010, our CH-J* team brought home the Team Gold Medal, while our CH-YR** team earned the Team Silver Medal. Also in 2010, Area VI won BOTH the CH-YR** and CH-J* Individual Gold. NAYC 2009 saw another CH-YR** Individual Gold for Area VI, a CH-YR** Team Gold and a CH-J* Bronze. NAYC 2008 saw Area VI achieve double Gold at the CH-YR** level.