YOUNG RIDERS

The needs of riders previously served by the former Young Rider Program have come to overlap with those of the High Performance Program. To gain efficiencies at the developmental and instructional levels, those young riders that are preparing to represent the Province of Alberta at the North American Junior Young Riders Championships (NAJYRC) will be qualified to participate in the HP Program. Our goal is to support all levels of riders from (PRE) Pre-Entry to Preliminary and beyond. Young Eventers who may not yet be riding at higher levels of competition are encouraged to participate in AHTA's Eventing Clinics. For further information regarding Young Eventers opportunities, please contact Kathleen Ziegler,

NAJYRC
Sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation, the North American Junior Young Riders Championship (NAJYRC) enables young riders to compete in the international arena and move closer to Olympic and world championship levels in the three disciplines: dressage, jumping and 3-day eventing. This international calibre show involves more than 300 competitors aged between 16 and 21 years from a number of countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the United States, Mexico and Uruguay. A National Federation may enter one team of not more than four competitors with two horses each of which only four horses are allowed to travel. A competitor may ride only one horse; no reserve horse may be brought to the Championship. The National Federation must send a Chef d'Equippe when it has 3 or more competitors.

NAJYRC Goal
One of the ultimate goals of the Young Rider Program is to field a team at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships. The program and selection process in which the Young Riders participate and the event's Championship Format are designed to prepare them to one day represent Canada in International competition.

AHTA Requirements: For Alberta Young Riders declaring for the NAJYR Championships, the selection/approval format for NAJYRC will be done through a committee approved by the AHTA board and reporting to the Young Riders chair.

Criteria will include the following:
Must be a member in good standing of the AHTA
Complete current FEI requirements (see the Equine Canada website)
Strongly recommended to attend YR preparation clinic Required to attend provincial evaluation clinic (unless a rider already has 3-day experience at the preliminary level or higher)
Veterinary inspection/approval will be required for the horse, by a vet approved by the YR committee
Riders should also be aware of the FEI critera.

However the AHTA/Board of Directors has the authority to establish criteria in addition to those required by the FEI for any competitors wishing to represent the province at the NAJYRC.

The AHTA Selection Process:
The Selection Committee reserves the right NOT to nominate a rider/team, should it consider horse/rider combinations unsuitable to compete. Candidates meeting the criteria may not necessarily be chosen. Selection is not automatic, even if the team is not filled.
Candidates must be participants in the AHTA Young Rider program, communicating with the Program Chair and/or the Selection Committee as follows: Candidates must indicate in writing their intention to be considered for the NAJYRC Team. This should include a copy of any Declaration to Compete sent to Equine Canada. The candidates regular coach must submit a summary report identifying horse/rider suitability for the level of competition being considered. An outline of the candidate and horses fitness and conditioning program. Ongoing competition results, including scores for all phases, including discussion of any problem phases encountered.
Riders should outline their participation in the Young Rider Program in order to qualify for subsidies. It is the riders responsibility to maintain the required communication.

Through the Young Rider Program, the AHTA is committed to assisting and developing safe, competent and competitive young eventers that are planning to compete at the international level. The selection criteria and process have been developed to help achieve this goal for competing not only at the NAJYRC, but also at other CCI* events, which may also be considered for inclusion in the Young Rider program.

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