Unique Features of the Youth Dressage Festival

We are the world….

• The Youth Dressage Festival is a “kids only” competition.
• Competitors come from the ranks of the hunter/jumper, Eventing, trail riding and dressage disciplines and Pony Club. Riders with physical disabilities may choose to compete in either the ParaEquestrian division or division championships from Training through the FEI levels.
• Riders hail from 25 states and 10 countries on four continents.
• Our horses, ranging in age from 3 to 33 years young, represent many breeds:
  • Akhal-Teke, American Paint, Andalusian, Appaloosa, Arabian, Australian Pony, Chincoteague, Cleveland Bay, Connemara Pony, Haflinger Pony, Morab, Morgan, New Forrest Pony, Norwegian Fjord Pony, Pinto, Quarter Horse, Shetland Pony, Thoroughbred, Trakehner, Warmbloods and Welsh Pony

We honor our leaders and thank our supporters…

• An annual leadership award is bestowed on an individual who has been instrumental in the development of dressage in the United States.
• Prizewinners pen personal thank you notes to sponsors.
• Sponsors are recognized in multiple ways at the event and throughout the year in advertising, press releases, promotional materials and on the Dressage4Kids, Inc. website.

We celebrate good sportsmanship…

• An award is given annually to a competitor who demonstrates unusual poise and sportsmanship when faced with an unexpected challenge or adverse circumstance.
• A Roving Judge seeks out and publicly acknowledges instances of helpfulness and good sportsmanship observed throughout the weekend.

We share the wealth…

• Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for continued equestrian education.
• Young professional trainers, many veterans themselves of the North American Young Rider Championships, provide complimentary coaching and assistance.
• All competitors provide one hour of volunteer service at the Festival.
• Horses are loaned to foreign competitors or riders traveling from great distances.
• Competitors may — and many do — share their horses.
• Almost the entire event is staged by a loyal group of volunteers from the ranks of Olympic medalists, devoted equine industry professionals, Lendon’s adult amateur clientele and parents of competitors.
• Some volunteers don’t fall into any of these categories: they help because they love this wonderful event and they believe that….

..."Isn’t this how we want to raise our youth?”
The late Victor Hugo-Vidal, explaining why he volunteered as an Official,
in The Chronicle of the Horse, Sept. 7, 2001.

The Youth Dressage Festival is a Dressage4Kids, Inc. Event.
www.Dressage4Kids.com