Dressage-News

LEXINGTON, Kentucky, Oct. 12, 2017–US Equestrian and the United States Dressage Federation have joined in launching a new emerging athlete program for under-25 riders that was announced Thursday.

Discover Dressage, a newly formed group headed up by Kimberly Van Kampen will be the title sponsor for the next four years with a mission to ‘inspire and encourage American youth to discover dressage.”

The program launches with a High-Intensity Training Session led by USEF Dressage Youth Coach George Williams and assistant Charlotte Bredahl-Baker in Gladstone, New Jersey this weekend. Discover Dressage will then select riders for the program who have the likelihood of developing into future team athletes.

Riders must have competed at a minimum of three qualifying competitions for the dressage national championships and North American Junior and Young Rider Championships and/or CDI or CDIO events for young, junior, children and pony riders over six months to participate in the training and evaluation sessions. Wild card invitations will also be considered.

Under-25 riders not qualified for the USEF Dressage Development Program are also eligible for support and membership to the Discover Dressage program, as well as Children and Pony riders looking for educational opportunities. The program will also work with organizations, clubs or individuals that provide educational events and opportunities to youth dressage athletes.

Additional benefits of program membership include opportunities to participate in training sessions and clinics, select individual coaching, access to USEF human and equine sports science and medicine educational programs, score analysis, assistance in competition age bracket transitions and possible financial assistance toward training and competition goals.

Applications for training and evaluation sessions to be conducted throughout the year can be made online.