August 9, 2018 – North Salem, NY – The Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships, presented by Gotham North, received rave reviews from competitors, visitors, and chefs d’equipe alike after debuting at Old Salem Farm with five days of competition from August 1-5.
Old Salem Farm was selected by US Equestrian (USEF) and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) to host NAYC for the first time in 2018 and again in 2019. Dressage and show jumping competitors from the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, and Puerto Rico all participated this year.
Old Salem Farm, located in North Salem, NY, hosted the 2018 Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships, presented by Gotham North, from August 1-5. Photo by Jump Media
Held as a standalone event in 2018, Old Salem Farm highlighted the prestige of NAYC and recognized its position as a pivotal stepping stone in the development of young riders for international and Olympic level sport. Additionally, Old Salem Farm partnered with event sponsor Gotham North to provide prize money for the first time.
“Old Salem Farm was proud to host the 2018 NAYC and even more proud to be a part of the success experienced by a talented group of young riders,” said Old Salem Farm Manager, Alan Bietsch. “Thanks to the support of event sponsors, the Old Salem Farm Foundation, and private donors, the event was a huge success and we look forward to welcoming the NAYC back to Old Salem Farm in 2019.”
The 2018 Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships, presented by Gotham North, featured five days of dressage and show jumping competition hosted at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.
Photo by Jump Media
From the NAYC chefs d’equipe:
“The facility is breathtaking as always and the footing held up spectacularly. The warm-up, schooling, and show rings were all perfect the entire weekend. Also, the grounds staff and management were very friendly and accommodating to all of us, which we as visitors to the property really appreciate.
“The weather created some delays, but the show office was great about keeping us informed and my riders used that time to write 49 thank you notes!”
~ Meagan Davis, Region 8 Dressage Chef d’Equipe and three-time NAYC medalist
“This was my tenth year as a rider, coach, or chef at NAYC and I don’t see how we could have had a better venue. This is a gorgeous facility and everyone that I have seen has bent over backwards to try to make our stay here as enjoyable and safe as possible.
“The weather wasn’t always cooperative, but management was always seeking to make improvements where they could.”
~ Martin Kuhn, USA Region 4 Dressage Chef d’Equipe and recipient of the Albers Award
“I thought the week was fantastic. The competition rings were better than I ever expected they could be and the course designer did an outstanding job. I really love that it was a standalone event because it made it more intimate. I also really appreciated how they encouraged more Central American and Canadian teams to attend. If we can grow that piece of it, I think it makes it all the more interesting and a real international competition.
“There was also a lot of coverage produced on social media and the kids really enjoy seeing that and sharing all the photos!”
~ Kim Land, USA Zone 4 Jumping Chef d’Equipe
The 2018 Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships, presented by Gotham North, featured five days of dressage and show jumping competition hosted at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by Jump Media
“The event has been top-class. The surroundings, facility, and farm is something really special for us. The sport has been great and the kids are having the time of their lives.
“The footing held up great and everything from the management to the stabling was handled very well. The rain we had created some problems, but the entire team was always immediate in their response.”
~ Juan Andres Rodriguez, Guatemala Jumping Chef d’Equipe and recipient of the Ralph Caristo Cup
“I think that we are overwhelmed with the facility and how welcome we’ve been made to feel by our friends here in the United States. It’s always good sport, but the organization was great and course design was brilliant.
“Winning is always good, but for me, the best part was the atmosphere and the fact that it was a standalone competition. It deserves to be a standalone competition because it makes it special. That’s what made it an outstanding week for us.”
~ Beth Underhill, Canadian Jumping Chef d’Equipe
Catch all the action of the NAYC on demand through the USEF Network and read about the week’s medal winners at JumpMediallc.com. Click HERE for a recap video of the entire week.
For more information on the NAYC, visit USEF.org.