Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival 25 Lake Avenue Bedford, New York 10506   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

7TH ANNUAL LENDON’S YOUTH DRESSAGE FESTIVAL COMING IN AUGUST 2005
World Class Riders & Olympians to Judge One-of-a-Kind Event for Youth Riders

BEDFORD, NY – The 2005 Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival will return to the HITS (Horse Shows in the Sun) on the Hudson in Saugerties, NY. The annual show for youth riders, which was created by former U.S. Olympic rider Lendon Gray and managed by Dressage4Kids, Inc., will take place Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14, 2005.

Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival (LYDF) is a “kids-only” international equestrian competition that draws riders, ages 7 to 21 from all over the United States and 13 countries including from Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Germany. Although the emphasis of the event is on the discipline of dressage, the show attracts young people with hunter/jumper, eventing, trail riding and Pony Club backgrounds. The show events will also feature the FEI CanAm Concours and USDF Region 8 Youth Team Championships.

The three-day “Dressage Festival” is a unique equestrian competition because of its comprehensive nature, testing virtually all aspects of the rider’s ability and skill. Riders compete at Training level through the most advanced FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) level. Each year a prestigious group of internationally acclaimed riders, trainers and judges officiates the Festival events. In 2005, LYDF judges will include Olympic medalists Carol Lavell and Michael Poulin, Grand Prix trainer Pam Goodrich, Pan Am medalists Kay Meredith, and Pierre St. Jacques, International Grand Prix rider George Williams, and “S” dressage judge Margaret Freeman.

“Lendon’s show,” as it is popularly known, is regarded as a unique educational opportunity for young riders in a supportive environment. “The chance to ride in front of world class judges and trainers is what makes this weekend so valuable,” says two-time (former) United States Olympian Lendon Gray. “We also emphasize having fun! Kids of all ages work together, perform, and share experiences, which is a great way to reinforce learning.”

According to Gray, many former LYDF participants have gone on to successfully compete in USDF (United States Dressage Federation), National Junior and North American Young Rider Championships, and some hold international rankings.

This year LYDF will introduce two ParaEquestrian divisions in an effort to provide quality competition, education and inclusion for athletes with disability. These new divisions will provide an important avenue for these riders to develop into the best athletes they can be. ParaEquestrian has recently been accepted by both the FEI and USEF as a full discipline, providing national and international competition in both Dressage and Driving for individuals with a disability.Gray is an active ambassador for the sport of dressage. She conducts seminars and riding clinics on the art of dressage across the United States and abroad. Dressage4Kids, Inc. was created by Lendon Gray as a vehicle to advance the sport of dressage by providing information on dressage and scholarship funding for talented young riders. Entries for LYDF will be accepted beginning June 9. For entry information and/or a prize list for Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival, visit www.dressage4kids.com, or contact Show Secretary Chris Peterson at 516 922-2132 or Lendon Gray by email, graydressage@optonline.net.