2000
North American Young Riders Championships
Parker, Colorado, USA
Facing the Challenge
It
was the first year that the Prix St Georges Freestyle
counted as an individual final and, although many young
riders were worried about this experiment, it worked.
"It does lengthen the competition but it gives you a
more overall feeling," Louise uttered. Assembling a
composition was, for most riders, a new challenge to
face. "It's actually fun to put it together and to do
it," Labrucherie said. Her kur to music was clean, flawless,
accurate, simply immaculate. The extensions did improve
in regard to the day before and the pirouettes were
also better jumped. A 68,550% score put her first once
again, making her the overall young riders champion
in dressage.
On the sideline Debbie McDonald was coaching for her
new student. McDonald, who is the steady trainer at
River Grove Farm in Sun Valley, Idaho, was very enthusiastic
about Louise's freestyle. Louise switched from Gerard
Politz to Debbie McDonald only a small year ago. "She
comes for monthly clinics and I just spent two months
at her place," Louise explained.
Image copyrighted: Mary
Phelps - reproduction without permission/payment
It
was the first year that the Prix St Georges Freestyle
counted as an individual final and, although many young
riders were worried about this experiment, it worked.
"It does lengthen the competition but it gives you a
more overall feeling," Louise uttered. Assembling a
composition was, for most riders, a new challenge to
face. "It's actually fun to put it together and to do
it," Labrucherie said. Her kur to music was clean, flawless,
accurate, simply immaculate. The extensions did improve
in regard to the day before and the pirouettes were
also better jumped. A 68,550% score put her first once
again, making her the overall young riders champion
in dressage. 
