United States Eventing Association

The first eventing phase of the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships began bright and early this morning as 34 junior riders flaunted their flatwork in the Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. With the dressage phase concluded, an initial blue print of potential top medalists in the CH-J* took form this afternoon.

Standing in first place for the individual medal, with a dressage score of 47.7, is 17-year-old Lauren Clark from Ontario, Canada. Riding her 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Yoscha Bosche, Lauren sprang into the lead at the end of the day as the third to last rider to go. The heat of the afternoon did not inhibit the pair’s performance, as both remained sharp and competitive.

“Yoscha was a really good boy today,” said Clark. “I had a pre-ride this morning and he felt great. And he always feels better after a pre-ride, coming back out. He gets really competitive when he’s about to go in the ring, so I was really happy with him.”

Currently claiming second place is 15-year-old Nicole Doolittle from Matthews, North Carolina and her horse Tops, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse Gelding. Starting the event with a score of 48.1, Nicole goes into the second phase at NAJYRC with her family close at hand. Her older sister, Jamie Doolittle, who rode in the 2012 CH-Y**, is currently competing alongside Nicole in the NAJYRC Dressage discipline. With Nicole and “Nemo’s” promising score, a family legacy may be continued at Young Riders.

“It’s wonderful to come with my sister. She’s in the dressage this year, representing Region III with her Thoroughbred who she used to event on,” said Doolittle. “She’s so supportive, and she always knows what to say.”

Sitting in third place is 16-year-old Reagan LaFleur from Lafayette, Louisiana. She and her 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Orient des Touches, have a dressage score of 49.6. After coming to the NAJYRC last year as a groom, Reagan is looking forward to riding the cross-country course with lengthy gallop lanes, inviting combinations and a water jump into the head of the lake.

“Young riders don’t really get this opportunity often, to gallop where the World Games horses have galloped, and jump into the same water as them, “ LaFleur said. “It’s just really an honor for us, as kids.”

Currently holding on to the CH-J* Team gold medal is Area V with a score of 155.9. Contributing team members for the Area V success were Reagan LaFleur and Orient des Touches with a score of 49.6, Bailey Moran and Loughnatousa Caislean with a 56.5, Ann O'Neal Pevahouse and Don Bosco with a 54.4 and Elizabeth New and Uppercrust D with a 51.9. Though all of the girls show great talent, the Area V riders attribute their team’s success to team work and communication as much as they do to individual skill.”

“We’ve all known each other for a really long time and obviously we compete together a lot,” said New. “I think it really helps all of us because we are all really close friends and we have been for a long time. Ever since we were on our evil ponies.”

Cross-country day is looming ahead, and CH-J* riders have one day of rest while the CH-Y** complete the dressage phase. On Saturday, the juniors will hit the Rolex track and jump into the head of the lake.