Oklahoma City, OK – June 23, 2008 – The North American Young Riders Championship (NAYRC) is the training ground for tomorrow’s equestrian Olympic medalists. Nearly 30 Olympic medalists in equestrian sports have advanced through the ranks of the NAYRC. The 2008 NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City is host to a selection trial for the first ever reining competition to be included in NAYRC. The selection trial starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 28 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.

The NAYRC is a premier international competition in North American for riders age 14-21. Reining is the newest discipline, and the only western discipline, to be added to the competition and is making serious headway to be included as an Olympic sport. The young riders competing on Saturday, June 28 in at the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City will very likely be representing their countries as Olympic medalists in the future. The NAYRC is scheduled for July 29 - August 3 in Parker, Colo.

Saturday’s competition is run under rules of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) which is the international governing body of equestrian sports and the NAYRC. The NARYC is the only FEI championship held in this country.

The first component of competition, the FEI Jog, is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, June 27. The jog includes a Ground Jury consisting of five horsemen and one veterinarian selected the FEI. The horses are inspected for soundness, and allowed to proceed to competition after they pass the jog examination. Following the jog at 11 a.m., a draw party is held to determine the order of reining competition. The youth competitors draw their working order randomly at this time. After Saturday morning’s reining competition, the gold, silver and bronze medalist will be recognized and will move one step closer to their dreams of being a reining Olympic medalist.