July 31, 2005 – Lexington, Virginia – Kim Farlinger of Annan, ON, narrowly missed winning a medal by finishing fourth individually at the 2005 CN North American Young Riders’ Championship held July 27-31 in Lexington, VA.

Sitting in second position coming into Sunday’s Individual Final, Farlinger had one rail in the opening round to drop to third place in the standings riding La Forza, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Peter Farlinger. Coming back for the second round, held over a different course, Farlinger again incurred four faults over the tough test set by American course designer Linda Allen. Unfortunately, the result dropped Farlinger to fourth place overall, with her three-day score putting her .11 faults behind the Bronze Medal winner.

“I am optimistically disappointed,” noted Farlinger, 20, who remained consistent and was fighting for a medal throughout the three days of competition. “The medal winners just kept putting in the clear rounds that they needed to and deserved to win. I needed to jump clear in the second round if I wanted to win a medal, but my mare, who is only eight years old, showed her inexperience at this level by having one rail down. It is nothing to be disappointed about because I know that we have a great future to look forward to.”

Tonya Henning of Cambridge, ON, was the only other Ontario rider to qualify for the Individual Championship Final. Henning incurred 19 faults in the first round riding Mill Creek Rosalinde, her 10-year-old black Hannoverian mare, but came back to jump clear, incurring just one time fault, in the second round. When the final standings were tabulated, Henning, 20, completed her Young Riders’ debut in 17th position.

“I went into the first round thinking everything would be okay,” said Henning, 20. “I was mad at myself when I came back for the second round, and ended up jumping clear with just the one time fault. I wanted to do better overall because I am a perfectionist, but I am not disappointed, making it to Sunday’s Final was my biggest goal.

“I have never shown under so much pressure before,” continued Henning, who was competing in her first international event. “I really came in not knowing what to expect, I had never even been to the Young Riders’ Championship as a spectator. But my horse, Rosalinde, was such a good girl; she did everything I asked of her. I was nervous and when I get nervous, that affects her, but overall it was such a great experience.”

Farlinger and Henning, joined by Asta Torokvei of Toronto, ON, formed the Ontario Team that placed seventh overall in Friday’s Team competition.


Three Ontario Athletes in Top 12 in Junior/Young Rider Final

After winning the Team Silver Medal on Friday for the second year in a row, the Ontario Team members went solo for the two-round Individual Junior/Young Rider Final. Laura Kelk, 21, of North York, ON, finished just out of the medals to end her Young Riders’ bid in fourth position individually. Riding Gladdis, her eight-year-old Bavarian Warmblood mare, Kelk incurred four faults in the first round and eight in the second to bring her three-day total to 20.01 faults.

Mark Leyton, the only member of the Ontario Junior/Young Rider Team to be making a return visit to the North American Young Riders’ Championship, placed sixth individually. Riding Nairobi, his 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Leyton, 17, of Stittsville, ON, was faultless in the first round but incurred nine faults in the second to bring his overall total to 25 faults. Leyton, who trains with Ontario Team chef d’equipe Jill Henselwood, had won Thursday’s opening speed round.

Hannah Anderson, 15, of Caledon East, ON, placed eleventh individually riding Papillon, her eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. After leading the Ontario Team to its Silver Medal on Saturday with a double clear effort, Anderson picked up 15 and four faults in Saturday’s Final to end her week with a total of 32.28 faults. Both Kelk and Anderson train in King City, ON, with Canadian Olympian, Mac Cone.


Amanda Knowles Wins Junior/Young Rider Consolation Final

The youngest competitor on the Ontario Team, 14-year-old Amanda Knowles of Toronto, ON, contested the Junior/Young Rider Consolation Final on Saturday morning. Knowles, who was making her North American Young Riders’ Championship debut after competing at the last two consecutive FEI Children’s Finals, was the only rider to post a clear round over the course designed by Linda Allen. Riding Joconde de Sisse, her eight-year-old selle francais mare, Knowles claimed the victory without a jump-off. Knowles trains with Mark Hayes of Kestrel Farms in King City, ON.

The Junior/Young Rider division allows developing riders the opportunity to experience competition at an international event, but over fences set a lower height. Held concurrently with the Championship division, the Junior/Young Rider competition is considered a ‘stepping stone’ for riders with the ability to compete at future North American Young Riders’ Championship events. The Ontario Teams for both the Championship and Junior/Young Rider Divisions saw two-time World Cup Finalist Jill Henselwood acting as chef d’equipe, assisted by Team Manager Sally Sainsbury.

The North American Young Riders’ Championship, which this year was held July 26 to 31 at the Virginia Horse Center, is considered a ‘mini Olympics’ for riders aged 16-21 in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage and eventing. First established in 1974 as an eventing challenge between Canada and the U.S., the current North American Young Riders’ Championship format sees teams and individuals representing Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. For more information and complete results, please visit www.youngriders.org.

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For more information on the Ontario Young Riders’ Show Jumping Team, please contact Jill MacRae at mjillmacrae@aol.com.