Opportunities and Support From Trainers

Amanda Harlan and Jaclyn Meinen had been to the NAJYRC last year, so they had experience and were able to share it with the others. Harlan said the previous trip made this one much easier for her. “I knew the layout of the place and what to expect and that made it less stressful. Last year, no one on our team had been here before so we had no idea what would happen.”

Were it not for such a broad team effort, two of the members would have never competed. Emily Tears, 21, owns a seven-year-old Holsteiner gelding named Lopaca (Lorentin x Lagos) that wasn’t ready for the qualifying competitions. Hence, Karen Ball gave her the ride on the 13-year-old Luciano (Lasandos x Libretto) back in February so she could qualify.
PhelpsPhoto: Emily Tears and Lopaca

“It was kind of a last minute decision,” Ball said. “I injured myself in December and couldn’t ride. When I found out that Emily was turning 21 this year and this would be her last chance to go to the Championships, we realized we had to push on and make it happen this year. I wanted her to have the chance to live the dream I never had.”

And a dream come true it was for Tears. “It was an incredible experience. Everyone has been so great and I couldn’t have asked to be part of a better team,” she said.