Tori is second from the left.

I mentioned last week that we were going to Lexington to support my sister and the USA dressage team at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championship. I bet many of you are wondering exactly what that means.

The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, age 14-21. Young equestrians vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing and the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and endurance. Many of North America’s best equestrians who now regularly represent their country on Olympic, World Championship and Nations Cup teams got their first taste of international experience at NAJYRC.  (Source)

Six countries competed in an event that one might call the equestrian junior Olympics.  There was a moving opening ceremony in which the teams paraded in carrying flags and banners.  One by one their names were called.

We were in the nosebleed section. See all the countries lined up in the back?

The heat was unbearable.  It was so hot the dress jackets were banned and the riders were ordered to wear their team shirt.

Can you believe I forgot my camera? All I have is this picture from our iphone.

It was no easy decision to postpone college and train full time with hopes of making the team.  In spite of not having a horse for this level of competition, my sister put off all fear of failure and decided to go for her dreams.  This attitude most definitely comes from our Dad.

Tori rocked the scoreboard the first day but she did not do as well the second day. Though she was disapointed, we were and still are very proud of her. One of her coaches wrote on her facebook page “‘Success is a journey, not a destination.’  Stay with the journey, Tori!”  I can’t wait to see what she does next year!

This post is part of GratiTuesday.