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Saturday, August 4, 2007

CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships
Presented by Gotham North and UlcerGard

Devon Kane and Douwe Win Individual Young Rider Dressage Championship
By Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com

Terri Kane is proud of her daughter. Michelle Gibson is proud of her student. And Devon Kane is proud of her horse – and maybe also of herself. Clearly, there were a lot of proud, happy people after Kane and her partner, the 17-year-old Dutch gelding Douwe, won Friday’s Individual Young Rider Dressage Championship at this year’s NAJYRC with a score of 69.55 percent.

“I’m definitely the proud mom. She’s just an amazing person,” said Terri Kane after her daughter’s win. “She works hard. She puts her eyes on a goal and she doesn’t give up.” Terri Kane’s job after her daughter’s victory was to walk the horse. “Well, Devon is busy cleaning tack.”

No less proud of Kane was her instructor and coach, Olympian Michelle Gibson. “I’m very proud of her. She has ridden so well this week. She’s had beautiful changes. She’s had really nice trot extensions. She’s really taken some chances in her test and just ridden everything to the best of both of their abilities.”

Gibson made it clear that she feels Kane most definitely deserved her win. “She really stepped up to the plate. She’s worked really hard and shown that she can put it together and make it happen.” When asked about post-NAJYRC plans, Gibson laughed and said, “we’ll take a little break after this.” But not for long. Gibson said Kane and Douwe will be on the small tour next year and Kane will be aiming for the Brentina Cup with another horse. PhelpsPhoto: Michelle Gibson and Douwe's former rider Karen Lipp look on in the warm up.