Lexington, KY – For the first time in 2009, the USEF is sending athletes to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. In its fifth year, the Australian Youth Olympic Festival showcases the world’s best in Youth Sports. More than 1500 athletes from 25 countries in 17 sports have arrived at the Olympic village at Homebush in Sydney, Australia.

The US will be represented in Equestrian by four of our most promising show jumping riders from across the country. Taylor Land, 16 (Atlanta, GA), Mavis Spencer, 17 (Santa Monica, CA), Jennifer Waxman, 17 (Chagrin Falls, OH) and Kylie Wright, 16, (Sparks-Glencoe, MD) will all be representing the US for the first time. All four athletes were very impressed with the venue and the atmosphere when they arrived in Sydney.

The riders will all compete on borrowed horses which were drawn randomly. Riders have limited time to get to know their new horses and training sessions start tomorrow morning, the First Individual Qualifier class will take place on Friday, January 16, followed by the Team final on Saturday and the Individual final on Sunday.

“We were really lucky with our draw and all get along well with our horses,” said Spencer.

For more information and results please see: http://corporate.olympics.com.au/games.cfm?GamesID=3016.

ENDS