Karen O'Connor competing for the USA at London Olympic Games 2012
Several top American riders from various disciplines, including eventing Olympian Karen O’Connor, experienced their first taste of international competition at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships
The North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYR) is the major equestrian competition in North America for riders aged 14-21. Run under the FEI banner and sponsored by Aquedan, the Championships, which run from July 17th– 21st this year, are like a mini World Equestrian Games. Young riders come from the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual FEI medals in show jumping, dressage, eventing reining and endurance.
The NAJYRC began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada with other disciplines being added over the years. The eventing championships are divided into Junior and Young Rider divisions; Junior riders ages 14-18 compete at CCI* while Young Riders aged 16-21 contest at CCI2* level.
The eventing starts on Thursday 18th, with dressage for the 1* / Junior division while dressage for the 2* / Young Rider division takes place on Friday. Both divisions do cross country on Saturday and show jumping on Sunday.
