Reba McIver and Fileepe are currently tied for second place in the Junior Championship division of the 2007 CN North American Young Riders' Championship. Photo by Flashpoint Photography

August 3, 2007 – Lexington, Virginia – The Ontario Show Jumping Team finished in fourth position on Friday at the 2007 CN North American Young Riders’ Championship, presented by Gotham North and UlcerGard, taking place July 31 to August 5 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. Ontario Team member Mark Leyton of Manotick, ON, is tied for second place individually.

Ontario is represented in the Young Riders' Championship division, open to competitors aged 16-21, by Kathryn Lefebvre, 19, of Stittsville, ON, Leyton, 19, and Michelle Matthews, 21, of Athens, ON.

In Thursday's speed phase, Leyton guided Sunday B to a score of 1.89 seconds, placing him seventh in the individual standings. Lefebvre, riding Kilimandjaro, earned a score of 13.74 to place 30th. Matthews and Hey Jude were eliminated.

Coming back for Friday's two-round team final, Leyton, the only member of the team who had previously competed at the North American Young Riders' Championship, anchored the team with a first round score of four faults before returning to post a clear in the second round. His performance moved him into a tie for second place in the individual standings.

Lefebvre incurred 25 faults in the first round but improved with a score of nine in the second to place 24th individually. Matthews had scores of nine and five to finish in 26th position individually. With no drop score, the Ontario Team counted all scores for a total of 52 faults to place fourth overall among the nine teams competing. USA Zone 10 won the gold medal with a score of 20 faults while Alberta earned the silver a score of 43 faults. Mexico South finished third to capture the bronze with 46 faults.

"These riders should be commended for the performance they gave us, it was absolutely a team effort on everyone's part," said Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill who is acting as the chef d'equipe, assisted by Lindy Welsby. "It was a very difficult course with a lot of eliminations and a lot of falls. The kids were really pulling together and supporting each other, and it showed in their results. They really wanted it, and they deserve a lot of credit for that."

Leyton will contest the Individual Final on Sunday while Lefebvre and Matthews will compete the Consolation Final on Saturday.

In the Junior Division of the North American Young Riders' Championship, open to athletes aged 14 to 18, Ontario is represented by two individuals, Reba McIver, 18, of Annan, ON, and Sarah Johnstone, 16, of Aurora, ON.

In Thursday's Speed phase, Johnstone incurred just four faults over the course designed by Anthony D'Ambrosio to place sixth riding Starlet. McIver had eight faults riding Fileepe to place 17th among the field of 30 starters.

In Friday's two-round team final, where Johnstone and McIver were competing as individuals, McIver jumped two clear rounds to catapult up the leader board into a three-way tie for second place, putting her in position for a silver medal heading into Sunday's Individual Final. McIver and her mount, Fileepe, were one of only two horse-rider combinations to deliver double clear rounds.

"It was a pretty tough course, there were lots of turns, but since I had eight faults yesterday, I went in today and rode a lot harder and it worked out well. I am very happy," said McIver, who is making her debut at the North American Young Riders' Championship. "I have never shown indoors before, and the whole experience is absolutely incredible. Everyone is amazing!"

McIver has been paired with Fileepe, an 11-year-old bay Czechoslovakian Warmblood gelding, for three seasons, and describes the horse as, "really cute. He is very personable, and he loves people and treats. He is really kind. This is the first season we have been jumping at a height of 1.40m, and he has been so good for me."

Johnstone, meanwhile, incurred four faults in the first round and 16 in the second to finish the day in 13th position overall.

"I was really proud of the two girls," said Underhill of the two individual junior competitors. "For Reba, it was her first time showing indoors, let alone at the North American Young Riders' Championship, and she kept her head and gave her horse the ride it needed. To deliver two clear rounds is outstanding. Sarah is on a sensitive mare, and she was good about keeping the horse calm. I was impressed with everyone."

Both McIver and Johnstone advance to Sunday's two-round final where the individual medals will be decided.

First established in 1974 as an eventing challenge between Canada and the U.S., the North American Young Riders’ Championship is considered a ‘mini-Olympics’ for riders competing in the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and show jumping. Teams and individuals representing Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. are compete in the annual event.