It's Official
It's official, the 2007 Area VI, Young Rider Teams have been selected and officially announced at the YR Camp at Kingsway Farms, in Temecula by Coordinator and Chief D'Equipe, Louise Hales, "We could not be prouder of these kids and the hard work they have put into the qualifying process, I am excited for the teams and we look forward to the competition in Virginia".
Our CCI * One Star Team - NAJYRC
Meredith Ragno and Sentential K, Max Mc Manamy aboard Beacon Hill, Tara McKenna Polkabla on Current Leader.
Our CCI ** Two Star Team - NAYRC
Jennie Brannigan, aboard Kozmo, Olivia Loiacono on Subway and Bret Elise Handy from Area X on Promising Sportsfield.
Our Chef d'Equip is Louise Hales, our Coach is Derek di Grazia, Grooms, are Fiona Graham, Janelle Riddle and Rachel Dwyer.
The NAYRC
The NAYRC began in 1974 as an Eventing challenge between the United States and Canada. A Dressage Championship was added in 1981, and Show Jumping debuted in 1982. The first complete NAYRC was held in British Columbia, Canada in 1982.
The North American Young Riders' Championships is the premier equestrian competition in North America for young riders, age 16-21, and the North American junior young rider championships is for young riders ages 14-18. Young equestrians come from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual Championships in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. The NAYRC is an official USA Junior Olympic-Equestrian event.
This year's competition is being held at Virginia Horse Center from August 1, - August 5, 2007.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Our teams need your help! Fundraising efforts are underway and here is how you can help support the Area VI Teams. Team Sponsorship opportunities are open and available in several areas. Specifically, we are asking for Delta and United miles to be donated to help offset the airfare for the Teams as well as product and cash donations.
Cash Donations:
Our Non-profit status allows for cash donations and in addition to being recognized on the web site, cash donors receive a write off for their donation.
Adopt a Young Rider Team:
Adopt a Young Rider Team is a new program this year which allows cash
contributions to go directly to a "Team". A great idea for corporations or
business or other sport-minded folks, and again, a tax write-off benefit is
associated with the sponsorship.
Mail check with note in memo section if for a specific Team, made out to Area VI Young Riders.
Contact Christina Gray, Area VI Treasurer at:
Christina Gray
P.O. Box 164, Paso Robles, CA 93447
cgray3day1@comcast.net or 805-239-3930
Product Donation:
Contact Jen Polkabla at biomaxenv@aol.com.
Delta and United Miles:
Contact Christina Gray, Area VI Treasurer at:
Christina Gray
PO BOX 164
Paso Robles, CA 93447
cgray3day1@comcast.net or 805-239-3930
Meet The Team
| Tara McKenna Polkabla and Current Leader | |
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CCI * Star Team Rider Age: 16 Hometown: Orinda, Ca Age Started Riding: I started riding when I was six years old at local festivals and my first pony's name was Espresso. Horse Info: Current Leader aka "Katana" is a registered Thoroughbred, 16.2 dark bay, 9 years old. Biography: When not riding horses, Tara rides dirt bikes, loves pumpkin pie, hard rock music and her most admired rider is Yves Sauvignon. Best Advice Ever Given: "Have a plan and try your hardest and have fun". Career Highlights: Being selected to represent Area VI, NAJYRC 2007. 2nd place Galway Downs CIC*. |
| Max Mc Manamy and Beacon Hill | |
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CCI * Star Team Rider Age: 15 Hometown: Templeton, Ca Age Started Riding: I started riding when I was two years and I haven't stopped since. My first pony's name was "Paley-o-Paint" and I still have him! Horse Info: Beacon Hill, aka Taylor is a 17, 10 year old dark bay, registered Thoroughbred. Biography: Besides her love of horses, Max loves motorcycles, scuba diving, listening to all kinds of music and her most admired rider is Gina Miles. Best Advice Ever Given: "Hard work equals Championships", from friend and mentor JH Leale. Career Highlights: 3rd place at CCI* at Twin Rivers Ranch in May 2007. Nominated for USEF Junior Rider of the year by the Connemara Pony Society. |
| Meredith Ragno and Sentenial K. | |
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CCI * Star Team Rider Age: 17 Hometown: Palo Alto, Ca Age Started Riding: Started riding at age 7 and her first mount was Flying Encounter or "Count" as he was known. Horse Info: Sentenial K, is a 16. 2, 7 year old dark bay, registered Dutch Warmblood. Biography: When not riding Meredith enjoys reading, and cooking and her most admired rider is Pippa Funnel. Career Highlights: 2nd at Twin Rivers CIC* in September 2006. 15th at Galway Downs CCI* in November 2006. 7th at Galway Downs CIC* in March 2007. 1st at Ram Tap HT Preliminary in April 2007. |
| Brett Elise Handy and Promising Sportsfield | |
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CCI ** Star Team, Joining in from Area X Rider Age: 17 Hometown: Santa Fe, NM Age Started Riding: I first started riding in Taos, NM when I was about four. Horse Info: Promising Sportsfield is an 11 year old, bay, 16.3 Irish Sport Horse. Biography: When not riding, Brett Elise is backpacking, skiing or running, her most admired rider is Darren Chiacchia. Best Advice Ever Given: "Be true to yourself". Career Highlights: Completed 3CIC** and 2CCI** 3rd in the CCI* at Morven Park 2006 |
| Jennie Brannigan and Kozmo | |
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CCI ** Star Team Rider Age: 19 Hometown: Temecula, CA Age Started Riding: Taking lessons in Galena, IL because I just really liked horses and thought it would be cool to ride. Horse Info: Kozmo, 10 year old, 16.1, bay, Thoroughbred gelding. Biography: When not riding Jennie loves dancing, snowboarding, running, and working out. Her ideal career would be riding and training. Jennie and Kozmo earned Area VI, Intermediate Rider of the Year. Best Advice Ever Given: "Trust your natural instincts... They cannot be taught and if you haven't been nervous yet you will be and have to just remember to trust them." - Mike Winter Career Highlights: I would have to say that the career highlight of this horse would be getting picked for the 2007 Developing Rider List. |