AMERICAN EQUUS CHOSEN RIDER VANESSA CREECH-TERAUDS WINS INDIVIDUAL SILVER MEDAL AT FEI NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS
Gilbert, AZ. – Aug. 9, 2019 – American Equus is happy to congratulate Chosen Rider Vanessa Creech-Terauds for her outstanding performance in the FEI North American Youth Championships, where she earned an individual silver medal for her performance aboard Louise Leatherdale’s Fleur de Lis. The 19-year-old rider put in strong performances throughout the championships, also helping the Quebec/Ontario team take home silver and earning a bronze medal in the Young Rider Freestyle competition.
Vanessa Creech-Terauds and Fleur De Lis L
In the team test, Creech-Terauds helped the Quebec/Ontario team from Canada take home the silver medal. Creech-Terauds and Fleur de Lis, a 10-year-old Hanoverian mare, earned a personal best score in the team test of 72.5 percent, putting them in a good position going into the following day’s Individual test. Keeping the momentum going from the team competition, Creech-Terauds went on to claim a silver individual medal after being awarded a 71.029 percent.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic. It’s the best feeling in the entire world. After my ride, I was literally shaking with joy. I was really happy with her tempis and her extensions. They felt super. We both really went for it, and I feel like our canter pirouettes have become so solid lately. We’ve really figured that out. Everything feels so solid right now; she knows her job and loves her job.”
No stranger to the North American Youth Championships, Creech-Terauds was happy to return to New York for the fifth time to compete. In 2016, she earned silver in the Junior Individual test and gold in the Junior Freestyle with Fleur de Lis.
“It’s amazing to me to come here and get the silver medal in the Young Rider division as well,” said Creech-Terauds. “We’ve made so much progress together. I can’t thank her owner and my sponsor, Louise Leatherdale, enough for partnering me with this mare. It’s been the best experience of my life. She’s my favorite horse in the whole world.”
To finish off the championship, Creech-Terauds also earned a score of 73.49 percent in the Young Rider Freestyle to claim the bronze medal. Although she missed the silver medal by just .01 percent, she was extremely happy with her individual and team results, and was thankful to American Equus for helping contribute to her success in the international arena as a sponsor. Creech-Terauds rode down centerline in style during the championships, sporting the American Equus Elite English Stirrups.
“Up until this year, I’ve actually taken a different horse to the championships every year,” said Creech-Terauds. “This is my first time taking the same horse. This championship is always one of the best weeks of the year, so I just really look forward to it. This year, having taken Fleur for the second time, this time in the Young Riders, I was extremely motivated. I’m so proud and happy to say that she exceeded my expectations.”