Youth Mundial 2004 - Brittain Williams, representing the USA, won a championship in a class of about 30 others from other countries, except one other rider from the USA. Every rider from the age of 12 years and older (Junior Division) had to take a written test that was in Spanish through a translator of course.

The countries that participated were Aruba, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Curacao, Puerto Rico and the United States. Altogether there were 300 riders, ages 4 through 24 (age 24 seems a bit old), and approximately 100 horses in what is called a lottery. Each horse in the lottery must be available to three (3)  riders in the competition.

Each team was allowed three practice sessions after practice times were drawn. The practice times lasted approximately 10 minutes per horse/per rider. Each country practiced as a team and were timed. Due to the horse and rider changes, several riders, US included, were alloted only one or two practice sessions on the horses they would ride in the competition. The arena was 1/3 the size of the one in Perry, Georgia that US Nationals is held in, and that was one purpose in the practice, to learn the arena and manage it. In the practice for equitation, a new way to hold the reins had to be learned by our older riders. They received much help from members of other countries making sure the rules were understood, and even helping spotting them in practice.

The girls competed on Saturday, the boys on Sunday. Each class had an average of about 30 riders and lasted about two hours! In the Equitation Division (I'm not sure of the correct title) emphasis is placed on riding skills, equitation; each rider expected to maintain perfect equitation, managing their horse perfectly.

The next Division, of which I haven't ascertained what it was, Brittain Williams (age 17) won the championship out of 30 riders, one other being a fellow American. There was a workoff after a cut was made, Brittain obviously making that cut. In the next competition, Clarissa Schwartz (19 years old) also made the cut, though she did not place, but still performed very well. Raymond Vega (17 years old) and the only male rider in the USA group rode Sunday and did quite well on a horse that he had only practiced on once.

The riders that represented the USA for Youth Mundial in Puerto Rico 2004 were Michelle Baker (17 YO), Katie Berry (22 YO), Brooklyn Besse (13 YO), Cassie Oakes (13 YO), Clarissa Schwartz (19 YO), Brittain Williams (17 YO) and Raymond Vega (17 YO). Ramon Figueroa was the team coach and Kathy Williams the coordinator.

 2010 Team USA Equitation Mundial

Here's a more complete list of 2010 USA EQUITATION TEAM MUNDIAL

Team USA Places 3rd Overall
In Equitation Mundial Competition

Congratulations to the entire USA team along with Head Coach Rick Meyer and Coaches Christy Meyer, Sharon Londono and Javier Suarez for an outstanding job.

Girls 9-11:  Julia Suarez Silver Medal, Ali Bedell - Made the Cut

Boys 9-11:  Jorge Suarez World Champion (Gold Medal), Diego Figueroa - Fifth Place

Girls 12-14:  Julieta Suarez - Made the Cut

Boys 12-13:  Jaime Suarez - First Place (Silver Medal)

Girls 15-17:  Emily Vasquez - Second Place (Bronze Medal)

Boys 15-17:  Westley Chandler - Made the Cut

Girls 18-20:  Christina Mintor - Second Place (Bronze Medal); Monika Salgado, Michelle Gomez, Cynthia Sabin - All Made the Cut

Girls 21-24:  Lysandra Venegas-Singer - Fourth Place; Christine L. Meyer, Natalie Oudin, Sarah King - All Made the Cut

I will have to find out what the placements are for the other Countries' Teams who participated. Congrats to each and everyone of them.