Has anyone ever done the FEI JR/YR Program and if so what were your thoughts?
I haven’t but my daughter is at the tail end of it now. Was it worth it… well… its very, very, VERY expensive. Last year alone cost us $25,000 all said and done. And, the championships this year is in Colorado, and we live in NY. The shipping of the horse alone to CO is going to cost us roughly 10,000.
The expected caliber of horses for JR’s is less than it is for the YR’s. Some of the horses that are competing are actually worth in the 200+ range.
Its tough, I have seen friendships between mothers and children alike ruined completely because of the fierce competition of it all.
You also have to wonder how fun it is when they are competing like that, but I must say my daughter felt like it was worth it. My pocket book doesn’t. :lol:
I don’t know, it really depends on what your willing to do. If your kids horse isn’t good enough, do you just sell the horse and get a new, more expensive one and teach them its ok to just throw away a horse for a stupid ribbon, or do you hold on to the one you have and hope for the best, and spend countless amounts of dollars on a horse who will not even have a chance on winning at the championships at the end?
Maybe its all worth it, but its definitely a personal decision.
I have a close friend that went out for young riders, she had a 16h paint trekhaner cross (lightbay/no color). Her horse was phenominal, nicer than the young rider horses that were currently on the team. She went out to all the qualifying shows, placed in the top three and won many of the classes. Her coach was a short listed rider for the team. Did she get picked to ride for the YR team though? No, her horse wasn’t “money” enough. So, she decided to say “!$!* it”, and went out and showed PSG and what not in the regular classes. She was 2nd in her first one, and was high score at the same show in her second class. She won the classes at the next show, against all the BNRs. Isn’t it funny that the team selectors were all of a sudden ready to give her a spot on the team. She declined. She will be showing GP next year and going for a spot on the REAL team.
I say don’t waste your time, instead put your energy into training with a great trainer and go from there. You can still show in the classes, and won’t have to deal with the drama/politics involved in YR dressage.
How do you get “picked” to be on the YR team?
According to the YR’s (wonderful group of kids, btw) in the last boarding barn that I was at, selection for participation in the NAYRC was strictly based on qualfiying scores achieved in specific classes. Has the program changed siginificantly, or is there now some sort of selection committee? Jealoushe, I am confused as to how your friend could have gotten the required scores in the required classes, but not been allowed to participate.
I have to say that in our area, at least, some of the best young trainers locally have come up through the YR program, much to our benefit here in the PNW.
However
There is nothing wrong with this Youthplan
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4692046
But when it comes down to the dressage YP i have only heard negative things.
OK. You may all jump on me !
I did YRs during my last year of eligibility. I live in an area where there is little dressage, and even less juniors doing dressage, so I qualified for the NAYRC with my 5 scores over 60% which is probably one of the easiest criteria around (in most other regions I would not have qualified:eek:). These scores were my goal for the year, and I was thrilled. We had a wonderful ride at the championships - for us - but in the big scheme of things we ended up near the bottom of the field. The competition was mind blowing, lots of VERY nice and VERY well trained horses there, most were advanced or even grand prix schoolmasters, most in full-time training of some sort.
Was it worth it? Well it depends on your criteria. I did spend money on horse shows to qualify, although I did them on the cheap (went alone, shipped my own horse and slept in my trailer) and did only 5 or 6 that year. I am happy I did it and am proud of it, although my expectations of it early on were wayyy off. I went to the championships because they were only 3 hours away, knowing very well I would not be competitive for a medal. I enjoyed the “team” atmosphere, and there were some truly talented riders which I enjoyed watching and learning from.
In retrospect, on my limited budget I don’t think it was truly necessary to do YRs. Maybe spending these funds on training instead would have been just as rewarding. I find it quite a difficult strech to go from an ordinary junior rider at training level to being able to navigate a PSG test, not to mention training the horse to do it as well, all in a few years. And this is while attending school full time, part-time job, and taking a lesson every month, every 6 weeks, or even once in a blue moon…
waves hand
I did Young Riders back in the 90’s…does that date me or what? :lol: I loved the program, had great experiences, met lots of BN folks (riders & trainers) and learned a whole heck of a lot that I still use today on my horses. 
And this next bit might shock some of you - I made friends with my competitors…we still get together occasionally or run into one another at shows and are good friends. :yes: I was on the Region 1 team in both 95 & 96 and switched to eventing for my final year (which I didn’t make the team but had had enough dressage for a while and wanted to go back to jumping)
My sister did YR’s every year that she was eligible and pulled out of the NAYRC in 92 (I think but it could have been 93) due to back problems. But having grown up watching her do it and seeing how nice people were, I thought it was a wonderful experience! 
The clinics & prep sessions were the best parts IMHO…we had access to trainers and instruction that are hard to come by these days and I am forever grateful to have worked with those individuals. :yes:
Bottom line - loved it! Learned a whole lot! Made lifelong friends!
Good luck & have fun!
[QUOTE=molliwog;3162159]
How do you get “picked” to be on the YR team?
According to the YR’s (wonderful group of kids, btw) in the last boarding barn that I was at, selection for participation in the NAYRC was strictly based on qualfiying scores achieved in specific classes. Has the program changed siginificantly, or is there now some sort of selection committee? Jealoushe, I am confused as to how your friend could have gotten the required scores in the required classes, but not been allowed to participate.
I have to say that in our area, at least, some of the best young trainers locally have come up through the YR program, much to our benefit here in the PNW.[/QUOTE]
You do not necessarily make the team just because you have qualifying scores. There is a selectors panel and they decide who goes to thr training camps, and the championships. This is also in Canada.
[QUOTE=Jealoushe;3162595]
You do not necessarily make the team just because you have qualifying scores. There is a selectors panel and they decide who goes to thr training camps, and the championships. This is also in Canada.[/QUOTE]
For clarification, in the States, the top four scoring Juniors and Young Riders from each region make up the team.
I went to NAYRC three times, and it was a blast. It’s tremendously expensive, and very time consuming, but if the option is available, I think it’s a heck of a learning experience, and a great springboard onto other things. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat - I’d do it a little differently, but I’d do it all again!
Its an amazing program, with so many advantages but it isn’t for everyone- one season at JR/YR runs upwards of $20,000 and with Championships in Colorado this year the cost is going to be even higher! It’s not fair that that is what it takes to be competitive, but for those who have the resources (be it family, sponsorship or otherwise) it is a tremendous experience and provides so many connections for future careers in the sport.
The reason I asked is I’m competing this year and trying for the team, doubt we’ll make it, but wonder if it was worth it. It seems to me unfair pressure is being put on my horse because at the shows i’ve been at, i’ve been told what i had to ride certain days. so my poor horse is going to a to do a three day show next month simply because the officials refuse to offer the tests on multiple days. to me, i’m not sure it is worth it. i’d rather ride 4th level/PSG but on MY terms picking what tests I want to ride when and how long to stay at a show. I feel as some of you do that the horse almost gets scarificed for the sake of a ribbon. call me a wimp but in the long run my horse is more than just a machine, he’s an animal and a my best friend, not the impetus for a fancy scrap of satin. anyway this is my rant
I’m a young rider drop out I guess. Unless you really have a dream to do it, and think you’re going to make it to championships and do well, I don’t think its really worth it. I mean, with twenty thousand (or more!) you get buy yourself another horse. Its a lot of stress on the horse, yourself, and the bank. People that I’ve talked to who tried but didn’t get on the team said that they wished they never bothered and had put the money and time into something more rewarding.
Careful planning under the supervision of a trainer that has done this before would be my top priority if I were to do this all over again.
The schedule and expectations demand that you are prepared to commit yourself like any adult representing the U.S. in elite competition. Many people who ride in YRs are planning on moving on to Brentina Cup and/or becoming full-time trainers.
Just as with the FEI young horse tests and non-horsey competitions like those going to the Olympics as a young gymnast, going for the NAYRC is not for everyone.
However, I have found the rewards of participation balanced out the tremendous sacrifices required (money, time and the chance to do other extracurriculars).
USDF offers the Brentina Cup, Young Rider Graduate Program and offers incredible YR clinics with BNTs. If you plan on being a competitive FEI rider for the rest of your life, these opportunities are priceless.
[QUOTE=CDNJumperGirl;3162744]
Its an amazing program, with so many advantages but it isn’t for everyone- one season at JR/YR runs upwards of $20,000 and with Championships in Colorado this year the cost is going to be even higher! It’s not fair that that is what it takes to be competitive, but for those who have the resources (be it family, sponsorship or otherwise) it is a tremendous experience and provides so many connections for future careers in the sport.[/QUOTE]
A little off-topic, but STOP COMPLAINING. Yes, it’s in Colorado this year. It’s been on the east coast for HOW MANY years? For years, all of us on the West Coast have been spending that money to ship our horses to Virginia. Yeah, it’s expensive, but it’s only fair that you guys get a turn now.
Back on topic: I’ve done the jr/yr stuff, and it is a lot of fun. Sometimes a lot of pressure, but you do gain a lot of experience, and meet some great people. My best friend is someone I met through doing YRs.
I didn’t see it listed but where will the championships be for 2009? that may determine whether my daughter forgoes even trying to make the Region 1 Jr Team. She is riding an Arab/Saddlebred and has done fairly well so far in the classes (although we didn’t declare this year she just wanted to get some experience doing the classes to assess if it was a realistic goal for them) but some of the posts above have me worried now it may not even be worth trying for…sigh. Wish I’d chosen to be born wealthy.
MediaMD I doubt they’ve finalized a location for NAJRYC in 2009, but the past generally points to somewhere in the east. If its something you’re daughter really wants and you can afford it then why not? It can be fun and is a great way to gain experience for showing in FEI classes. Its just ones of those decisions where you have to weigh all the pros and cons before pursuing or ditching.
