Canadian Riders Selected for 2025 North American Youth Championships

Dressage

Canada

Equestrian Canada has named the athletes who will represent Canada at the 2025 North American Youth Championships in Traverse City, MI, July 29 - August 3.

NAYC

NAYC brings together top athletes aged 12 to 21 years from Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean for the chance to compete for team and individual medals in a Championship format.

Once again, the Championships will be held at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival at Flintfields Horse Park.

Canada at the NAYC

The NAYC is the most important, international youth competition in North America.

The event began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between Americans and Canadians young riders at Joker’s Hill, Ontario. In 1981 dressage was added and ran as the North American Young Riders Championships (NAYRC). In 2006 the Junior division was added it it became the NAJYRC. In 2023 an Under 25 division was implemented and the NAJYRC ran under the North American Youth Championship (NAYC) banner. In 2025 the Children division got added to the programme.

This year Canada is fielding 12 riders in total across 4 age categories. A quick look back in history reveals a major drop in riders representing Canada since the mid 2010s. In 2004 and 2005 there was just one Canadian Young Rider team but by 201 1 Canada was fielding three (!!) full junior riders teams plus one individual (13 total) as well as two full Young Riders teams. In 2013 there were even more Canadian riders, and in 2014 there were three junior and three young riders teams. As of 2016 the amount of riders gradually decreased. By 2022 there were only 8 riders left in total in two age categories. Last year there were 10 in three age divisions. Six of them have returned on the team this year, a delegation of 12 riders in four age groups.

An interesting take on Canada's presence at the NAYC can be read on Horse Sport.

Eurodressage first ever event covered live as a journalist was the 1998 North American Young Riders Championships in Parker, CO.

Canadian Riders for 2025 NAYC

Children Team

Gwendolyn Joinson - Blind Date AT, an 11-year old Westfalian by Belissimo M x Hotline
Estella Gosniak - Impact, a 12-year old KWPN gelding by Zambesi TN x Caretano Z
Annabelle Gauthier - Northwind Marrakesh, a 17-year old Canadian bred riding pony by Small Land Martello x Cusop Jovial

Junior Riders - Team ON/BC

Ainsley Leach - Frangelico, a 14-year old Oldenburg by Fidertanz x Regazzoni
Taylor Wells - Hidalgo AYM, a 14-year old PRE by Karacol Azores x Gnidium
Alison Campbell Wright - Slapstick, a 12-year old Hanoverian by Savoy x Reccio L
Imogen Hawes - Knights Cavollo Dolce, a 9-year old U.S. bred Anglo Arabian by ?

Junior Riders - Individuals

Lea Landreville Cloutier - Guus, a 14-year old KWPN gelding by Zhivago x Nobility
Petra Soderstrom - For Fun, a 12-year old Westfalian by Franziskus x Rock Forever

Young Riders - Individuals

Sophia Rokstad - Lord Nunes, a 13-year old Rhinelander by Lord Loxley x Jazz
Anna Swackhammer - Fabienna GV, a 12-year old Westfalian by Fackeltanz x August der Starke

Under 25 - Individuals

Brooke Mancusi - Dejohn Ymas, a 17-year old KWPN by Johnson x Sandro Hit

Three of Canada's riders achieved their qualification via national shows and have never ridden at a CDI.