The Region 2 riders, Allie Nichols, Kaitlyn Hamilton, Kassandra Barteau and Lauren Sprieser, won the dressage team gold over Region 7 (Alycia Mondavi, Ashley Schempp, Skyler Evans, Dani Judy, 195.333) and Region 5 (Leigh Romano, Megan Gregg, Tyler Haney, Anna Wood, 193.867) with a score of 199.289. The Region 2 team, awarded the win by judges Lorraine Stubbs (CAN), Minako Furuoka (JPN) Lois Yukins (USA), Joan McCartney (USA) and Natalie Lamping (USA), included two NAYRC veterans—Sprieser and Hamilton—but their best previous finish had been fourth place last year.

“It was pretty clear from the beginning [of the season] that there were four stand-out riders in Region 2, and no one else came close [to qualifying for the team],” said Sprieser. “We totally rocked. Region 2 has always been a group of amazing riders, but this team in particular is so supportive of each other. We got along great, and our parents behaved, and our trainers are fabulous. It’s a team you dream about, in riding and in the quality of people.”

Sprieser, 20, of Oak Brook, Ill., bought her horse, L’Etoile 6, from Monica Theodorescu and spent four months last fall training with her in Germany. She works with Ken McGrath while at home and with Lendon Grey while attending Sarah Lawrence College (N.Y.).

Hamilton, 19, from Rochester, Mich., stands in third place individually after scoring 67.11 percent in the Team Test on Noviembre, a horse she bought four years ago. “It was probably the best ride I’ve ever had on him,” she said of her test.

Barteau stands fifth individually on Gabriella, a 13-year-old mare owned by Robert Oury and trained by Barteau’s mother, Yvonne Barteau of Gilberts, Ill. “This is my first year competing at this level,” said Kassandra, who especially likes the mare’s extended work at the trot and canter and her flying changes.

Nichols stands eighth individually on Lexington, who she bought three years ago at an auction. Last year the pair won the junior/young rider division of the Region 2 third and fourth level championships. She credits her trainer Sasha Newman. “She’s the only person who’s really gotten him anywhere,” said Nichols, 20, of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Catherine Malone of Region 1 leads individually on Michigan (68.97%), and Dani Judy of Region 7 stands close behind in second place (68.62%). In the CCI* junior championship, Area VI (Alison Pavlis, Kelly Pugh, Fiona Dodson and Alexandra Caspary, 148.9) lead after dressage over Area II (Madeleine Blackman, Julia Ward, Alexandra Zavoyna and Nate Chambers, 156.7) and Area V (Madison Buchanan, Paige Hewlett, Diana Brown and Coren Morgan, 161.1). Chambers leads individually (45.7) over Katlyn McMorris (48.3) and Caspary (48.8).