2000 North American Young Riders' Championships
Parker, Colorado, USA
2nd - 6th August 2000

Astrid Daily: August 4th

Poor Leah, she just arrived in Denver round 12.30 M and had to wake up at 5 AM again to get ready for her first day 'at work'. Todat, the NAYRC featured the showjumping nation's cup, the CCI** dressage leg and the consolation final for dressage riders. Mary shot the dressage while Leah was fed to the lions in the show jumping arena. She had to pick out a jump and shoot every single riders passing by. After carrying around her camera (Eos 3 with a 400 mm lens) all day, she was bound to be exhausted round 4 PM. I had to guard the booth. In the evening we ate at the Mexican across the hotel. The restaurant looked very crummy outside but from the inside it was cosy and the food was actually great. We returned to our room round 11 PM and both hit the pillow right away.

Astrid Daily: August 5th

I think I made a major mistake. I didn't finish numbering the dressage photos and Mary was very disappointed in me for that. So, the day took off with me being in a rather depressed mood and I was happy to go to the cross country field to chill out and get sun burnt. I first took some photos at a drop down jump with the wide angle lens but I was too far away for taking good photos of that jump. I moved to the water jump and that obstacle is so much fun. Many riders had a refusal over there and fell into the water. Only two persons out of 55 got injured. One girl broke her collar bone at the water jump, while another fell off on the steeplechase and her shoulder got dislocated.

The evening was a small highlight of the week. The party in the indoor arena was absolutely fabulous. The evening started off with the renowned golf cart races in which judges and officials get dressed up and have to complete three fases in a golf cart race. The region 3 young riders got completely gunned down with water pistols and balloons. Region three framed some young riders last year at Tempel Farms and the 2000 NAYRC was pay back time. Unfortunately, things got out of hand and Kate Poulin got injured as a water balloon hit her eye. Mr Koffler, the father of Region 2 team members Reese and Lindsey Koffler, is an eye doctor and took care of Kate. The dinner buffet, set up in the indoor arena, was really good. I had a great time with Leah, Jodie Kelly and her two barn friends. After dinner we danced to some music which sounded rap or hip hop like. The music was very different to the tunes they play at Belgian parties. Nevertheless, I had a a great time but we left the gig way too early in my opinion (9.30 PM).

Image by Astrid Appels and copyrighted for Phelps Photo
No reproduction without permission