Equine Niagara News - Stefanie Kyrsiak

St. Catharines Youth Sets Her Sights for the Dressage Championships in Kentucky

In a press released dated June 12, 2009, Dressage Canada announced that 39 Canadian Youth and Junior riders have set their sights on the FEI North American Junior & Young Rider's Championships (NAJYRC) to be held in Lexington, Kentucky July 21-26th.

"I am impressed with the number of Juniors and Young Riders striving to achieve a team position for the NAJYRC in 2009. Our past success with the Youth Programs in Canada continues to establish a high standard of excellence in both horses and riders," remarked Ali Buchanan, Dressage Canada Youth High Performance Chair. "I wish all the declared riders the best of luck in achieving their goals for the NAJYRC.

One of those Junior riders is Stefanie Krysiak, a 16 year-old from St. Catharines, Ontario on her mount Nabucco, (aka Nico) - a 12 year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jane McClure.

Stefanie has been riding since the age of 5 with dressage being her passion for the past 4 years, competing in the FEI Juniors for about 1 year. Currently training under Esther Mortimer (Pan American Games competitor) as well as Esther's father Ralph, past Canadian Olympic team coach.

This year Stefanie set her goals to try for the NAJYRC. After completing all the forms and entries, her next objective - to get the 64% or better combined score from the team test and the individual test and then 65% or better in the freestyle score. Only the top four individuals with qualifying scores are sent to the NAJYRC to represent Canada.

Stefanie just returned from her first international competition in Blainville, QC, trying to make the NAJYRC team. A long two-weeks for a young girl, having an experience of alife-time competing next to Olympians and Pan-Am riders.

"This year I was very intimidated by the competition and at some points I didn't feel that I belonged there. It would have been easy for me to give up and I must admit sometimes I felt like I was but I didn't. I worked harder, pushed harder, fought harder and tried harder and by the end of it all I wasn't riding for the scores or for the ribbons but to improve myself, my horse and my riding abilities. Always ride for the betterment of yourself because you can always improve and then when you do win, it will be all the more sweeter. And remember to ALWAYS smile and have fun! " said Stefanie.

Stefanie's long-term goals are to make it to the NAJYRC as well as to the Olympics. Riding is her life, which as a Ridley College student, is hard to balance between the long hours and dedication to her drive to become an accountant - her career of choice. Stefanie feels she will need a good career to support her continued effort to ride and strive to reach the Olympics.

A second press release was received yesterday announcing the team members for the NAJYRC. Unfortunately Stefanie's name wasn't on the list as she had predicted, but she is not discouraged. There is always next year.
stefanie 2

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