April 8, 2026
Florida Youth Dressage Championships Return to the International Stage at Ocala WEC
The Florida Youth Dressage Championships return to the international stage at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala April 22-26.
The championships, presented by Discover Dressage, will welcome the next generation of athletes to the Grand Outdoor Arena in front of the flag-bedecked Equestrian Hotel.
Originally founded in Wellington and moved to Ocala in 2022 as a national-level event, after a comprehensive revamp the championships return to the international spotlight while maintaining their mission of developing future dressage stars.
Over the years, FYDC has played a key role in guiding riders through the FEI youth pathway, helping develop athletes who now represent their countries at major championships such as the European Championships, Pan American Games, and Olympic Games.
The 2026 edition will feature the traditional FEI Pony, Children, Junior, Young Rider, and Under-25 Grand Prix divisions, with riders competing in the Team Test, Individual Test, and Freestyle. Championship titles will be awarded in each division, along with an overall champion.
“I’m especially excited to see the Florida Youth Dressage Championships return to the international arena at WEC,” said Kim Van Kampen, founder of Discover Dressage.
“The Grand Arena in front of the Equestrian Hotel is one of the most iconic settings for dressage in the world, and it’s the perfect stage for the top youth competitors of the winter season.”
Created in 2013 by U.S. Olympian Lendon Gray and Hampton Green Farm, the Florida Youth Dressage Championships has become one of the largest international youth dressage championships in Florida, providing a vital platform for developing young talent and shaping the future of the sport.
Over the years, FYDC has showcased many of dressage’s rising stars, including Christian Simonson, Naima Moreira, Juan Matute, Diana Porsche, Camille Carier Bergeron, Pablo Gomez, Genay Vaughn, Mathilde Blais Tetreault and Codi Harrison.
