Area 6 NAJYRC 2014: One Last Thing

Looking back 2013 was a hard year for all Area 6 young riders. We had unfortunately low levels of participation in all of our events. Well, we want to change that!

From Kelly Loria:
This was my third year returning to the horse park for NAJYRC and I have to say it was my favorite. The camaraderie between all of the Area 6 Event Team was impressive. The combined Areas of California and Hawaii are extremely large and we have struggled to raise enthusiasm for the Young Rider Program in recent years.

Not only is NAJYRC one of the most fun times you will ever have it is one of the few competitions that gives young event riders a taste of how it feels to represent something greater than yourself and ride on a team. Olympic coach, David O'Connor, has spent a lot of time working to improve the quality of American riders. This weekend DOC held a conference along with Show Jumping's Robert Ridland and Dressage's Robert Dover and emphasized the importance of fostering young talent in structured programs. (Link to Conference Coverage) He stressed the importance of increasing the expectations on young riders to use competitions like NAJYRC to prepare them for careers as professional athletes. He highlighted some of his new programs such as the U25 and 18/ Advancing Athletes Program, however all the competitors at NAJTYC were already working towards those goals.

(http://eventingnation.com/home/new-eventing-18advancing-athletes-program.html)

Area 6 is very lucky to have many gifted horse and rider combinations, however it seems that lately we have had trouble pushing these riders to dream bigger and strive to represent their homes at this prestigious championship competition. Being a young rider, I understand all to well all the difficulties associated with qualifying and actually getting to NAJYRC. However, as the current young rider representative I also realize that we are the only ones who can make it easier and more accessible. 2013 was a great year and I am very proud of both Brynn and Natalie but I am disappointed that we lacked a full team.

We are determined to make 2014 even better! But we need some help!

Area 6 will be increasing its fundraising activities and we urge all you riders out there to share any of your ideas! (Facebook) (email: area6youngriders@gmail.com) It is our wish to not only have bigger team for 2014 NAJYC but a closer knit area which helps riders of all levels improve and hopefully achieve their goals of competing in NAJYRC.

And again ALL of us here in Area 6 owe a huge thank you to all our show organizers that not only tolerate our social events but donate event entries and so much more!

Teran and James Atkinson of Copper Meadows