For Immediate Release
May 22, 2002

The 2002 Northeast Junior/Young Rider Dressage Championships

An Equestrian Competition Extraordinaire
by Theresa Davidson

Bedford, New York (May 22, 2002) Every month on a weekday evening a group of women gather in the living room of a charming clapboard colonial house hidden at the end of a quiet street in beautiful Bedford, New York. In an atmosphere charged with purpose and excitement, participants feverishly scribble information that flies across the room from several simultaneous conversations. At the end of a couch positioned next to a phone which never ceases to ring, is the visionary of the group, two-time Olympic Dressage rider and trainer, Lendon F. Gray. The planning committee is in the final hour of preparations for the fourth annual Northeast Junior/Young Rider Dressage Championships scheduled to return to the landmark Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, Connecticut on August 17 and 18, 2002.

Ms. Gray’s eyes shine with pride when she explains the genesis of this extraordinary competition with an unparalleled format. "I was distressed by the absence of a strong support system for developing young riders in our part of the country. For years, I envisioned creating a year-round program that emphasizes teaching of correct basics, provides opportunities for riders to acquire knowledge in all aspects of riding and horse care and allows them to hone their competitive skills-- all in an atmosphere of fun and good sportsmanship!" Finally in 1999 together with USDF Region 8 Director Fern Feldman and a handful of like-minded horsewomen, Gray launched the NEJ/YR Dressage Championships.

The word dressage (rhymes with "massage") is derived from a French term meaning training and is both a method of schooling and a competitive equestrian sport. Dressage develops the horse’s physique and suppleness and improves its three natural gaits -- the walk, trot and canter -- through a series of gymnastic exercises systematically introduced. Dressage riders communicate with the horse through subtle shifting of weight, leg and rein pressure. To ride harmoniously with the horse, riders must follow the horse’s movements with their seat and back, maintaining an elegant upright posture and quiet, independent legs and hands. The gradual, logical progression of the gymnastic exercises produces an advanced horse that responds willingly and obediently, moves freely and energetically and is an athlete who performs with grace and athleticism, demonstrating strength, flexibility, and brilliance and lightness in its movements.

Unique in the ranks of equestrian competitions, the championships are limited to riders up to age 21 but encourage participation from riders in all the equestrian disciplines: dressage, hunter, jumper, eventing and trail riding. Originally targeted to Northeast equestrians, the championships have attracted riders from all across the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and South Africa! Expected to compete in this year’s competition are teams from Brazil, Bermuda and Germany.

In order to participate in the championships, riders must qualify with two scores of 55% or higher from any USA Equestrian dressage test of the level in which they intend to compete. The championships are a three-phase event, with each phase counting equally: a written test, a dressage test, and a group equitation class. The event is further sub-divided into age groups and five levels of riding (Training, First, Second, Third and Fourth levels). The written test assesses competitors’ knowledge of horse anatomy and nutrition, equipment and safety rules, riding aids and position. The Equitation section is a group class in which riders show at the walk, trot and canter and are judged on their position, seat, and correct and effective use of the aids. The individual Dressage tests assess suppleness, balance and the forward nature of the horse and the correctness and effect of the rider’s position and aids while guiding the horse through a specific pattern of movements and figures at the walk, trot and canter.

Riders as young as 4 but not older than 8 can compete in the Leadline division and will show at the walk, salute the judge and answer questions. Last year, nearly one-third of the riders also competed in the Prix Caprilli test, a dressage ride with jumps included. Drawn to this challenging test were both hunter/jumper riders with limited dressage experience and dressage riders testing their mettle over fences. The opening date for entries is June 4, 2002, and entries close July 29, 2002. More detailed information about championship requirements can be found on the website www.dressage4kids.com.

To provide riders opportunities to train for the event, every summer Gray conducts weekday afternoon clinics at her Bedford, New York training facility, Gleneden Dressage at the picturesque Sunnyfield Farm. The nominal fee for world-class training is even waived if riders help out at the barn on the day of the clinic or at a mutually agreeable alternative time. "I am determined to make this Championship accessible to anyone who qualifies to compete!" Ms. Gray states emphatically.

Also through the generosity of Ms.Gray and her clients, competitors unable to bring their own horses are loaned appropriate mounts. In addition, complimentary assistance and coaching is provided at the show by yellow-shirted professional Roving Trainers, including USDF Bronze and Silver medalist and Certified Instructor Jen Baumert and former North American Young Rider and Pony Club clinician Courtney King.