USDF Youth

09/02/2026

USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Award

New for 2026, USDF and Dressage4Kids are proud to present the USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Award.

Awards will be presented to the highest and second highest placing juniors, age 13 and under, in the Training Level and First Level Junior/Young Rider Championship classes, at each of the nine Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships.

This award is generously supported by Dressage4Kids, which provides educational, competitive and scholarship opportunities for youth riders.

Please contact [email protected] for any questions.

09/02/2026

Early Bird 2027 USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Application fee deadline is September 30th!

The USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program is a two-day educational seminar that focuses on crucial topics that young adults, ages 20-28, need to know to prepare for a professional career in the equine industry. Topics include goal setting, sponsorship, international competition and business subjects such as contracts, insurance and tax practices. These subjects are taught by some of the top professionals in the country to foster strong role models for the future.

Date: January 16-17, 2027
Location: Embassy Suites West Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Fl
FMI: https://www.usdf.org/education/other-programs/yr-graduate/index.asp
Early bird fee = $425 if received by 9/30/26.
Late fee = $500 if received between 10/1 and 10/15/26
Application deadline is 10/15/26

Grants Available
With funding provided through the Carol Lavell Gifted Memorial Fund, support for young professionals, The Dressage Foundation is pleased to offer grants of up to $750 each to individual participants to attend the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program. For more information, please visit The Dressage Foundation.

Funding support for the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate program is generously provided by The Dressage Foundation

Graduates of Program are welcome to Audit

09/02/2026

Region 5! Don't delay!
The Region 5 FEI Youth Clinic application deadline is this Friday (9/4/26). Get your applications in by 11:59pm ET.

Clinic details:
October 17-18 at Nighthawk Equestrian Center with George Williams
FMI: https://www.usdf.org/education/clinics/jryr/index.asp

New this year, each USDF FEI Youth Clinic will provide the opportunity for up to one athlete to be selected to participate in the USEF Dressage Youth Training Series. Selection will be at the discretion of the USDF FEI Youth Clinic clinician and athletes will have the choice to attend the East Coast or West Coast segment of the USEF Dressage Youth Training Series in early 2027.

USDF Region 5 FEI Youth, USDF Region 5

Support of the FEI Youth Clinics is provided by The Dressage Foundation and US Equestrian

Photo: Nighthawk Equestrian Center

09/01/2026

Remember to join us for tonight's USDF Virtual Town Hall Series! 💬

This session will be focused on all things US Dressage Finals. Whether you’re a seasoned Finals veteran or looking to make your first trip, you’ll be sure to learn something new from our line-up of experts.

Panelists will include Debra Reinhardt (USDF Vice President & US Dressage Finals Manager), Lisa Gorretta (US Dressage Finals Organizing Committee Chair), and Kevin Reinig (USDF President), with Krystina Wright (USDF Competitions Director) serving as moderator.

📆 September 1, 2026
⏰ 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT
❓ Topic: US Dressage Finals

Register now at the link below:
🔗 https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2017863809226/WN_4fbYrKtyTACglVa-a2oEvg

To learn more about the USDF Virtual Education Series and save the date for future events, visit the USDF website:
🔗 https://usdf.org/education/university/virtual-town-hall.asp

09/01/2026

YOU'RE INVITED to the 2026 Pre-Convention Committee Meetings! 👩‍💻

From October 12 to November 6, USDF will be hosting virtual pre-convention meetings for each of its standing committees! Open to all members, each committee meeting will give you the opportunity to gain insight into the ongoing work of that committee, ask questions, provide feedback on topics that are most important to you, and ultimately play a role in the future of USDF and dressage in the US.

This is your chance to get involved! USDF’s committees are constantly working behind the scenes for the betterment of the organization and the sport, and as a USDF member, they want your input. 🗣️

Click the following link to sign up for email updates and reminders 🔗 https://www.usdf.org/admin/pre-convention-meeting-email.asp

09/01/2026

Headed to Dressage at Devon? Join Jeanne McDonald (USEF ‘S’ Dressage Judge) and Heather Gillette (USEA ‘S’ Eventing Judge) for a discussion and Q&A that dives into why dressage tests are designed the way they are, and how to master the sequence of movements with confidence and clarity.

📆 September 24, 2026
⏰ 2-4 PM ET
📍 Devon, PA

This event is USDF University-accredited. Email [email protected] with "Dressage at Devon" in the subject line by September 22 to register!

More information 🔗 https://dressageatdevon.org/lecture-series/

09/01/2026

Love this to pieces!!!

A generational talent 🐴❤️

Meet Pedro, a $900 rescue pony who has been a partner and friend to the Lewis family for over a decade.

Brought to you by Aspen Leaf Farm

Learn more about him 🔗 https://olympics.usef.org/u-s-dressage-festival-of-champions/

Aspen Leaf Farm | USA Dressage

08/26/2026

BREAKING NEWS!

New this year, each USDF FEI Youth Clinic will provide the opportunity for up to one athlete to be selected to participate in the USEF Dressage Youth Training Series. Selection will be at the discretion of the USDF FEI Youth Clinic clinician and athletes will have the choice to attend the East Coast or West Coast segment of the USEF Dressage Youth Training Series in early 2027.

The list of our FEI Youth Clinic and links to the application can be found here:
https://www.usdf.org/education/clinics/jryr/index.asp

Thank you to The Dressage Foundation and US Equestrian for their support of our FEI Youth Clinics!

08/26/2026

We have a busy clinic schedule this fall! Check out the list of clinics that are currently open and accepting applications.

2026 USDF FEI Youth Clinics Schedule
Region 1: November 21-22 at Licking Creek Farm with George Williams
Region 3: October 24-25 at Noble Steed, LLC with Lilo Fore
Region 5: October 17-18 at Nighthawk Equestrian Center with George Williams
Region 6: November 21-22 at DevonWood Equestrian Centre with Sabine Schut-Kery
Region 7: October 24-25 at Hi Hopes Farm with Sabine Schut-Kery
Region 8: October 24-25 at Weatogue Stables with George Williams
Region 9: November 14-15 at Paragon Farm with Lilo Fore
https://www.usdf.org/education/clinics/jryr/index.asp

2026 USDF Youth Outreach Clinics Schedule
Region 6: November 21-22 at DevonWood Equestrian Centre with Ben Winger and Ben Albright
Region 9: January 9-10, 2027, at Tex-Over Farms with John Mason
https://www.usdf.org/education/clinics/youth/index.asp

Thank you The Dressage Foundation and US Equestrian for your support of the FEI Youth Clinics!

Thank you to Absorbine, Adequan, Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supplies, BUCKEYE Nutrition, Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences, Inc., discover Dressage, Hodges Badge Company, Mrs. Pastures Cookies for Horses, Platinum Performance, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, SmartPak, USRider, Sterling Thompson Equine, The Dressage Foundation and US Equestrian for sharing your product with our participants!

08/26/2026

This is fantastic Tillie!

You can count on Coco🍫

Meet the mare Tillie Jones developed from training level all the way to U25!

Learn more about this partnership ➡️ https://www.usef.org/media/newsletter/equestrian-weekly/partnership-comes-first-for-tillie-jones-coco

Brought to you by Adequan®️

📸 Centre Line Media, Emma Bermeo Creative

Adequan®️ | USA Dressage