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United States Dressage Federation

Youth FAQs

  1. What is the Youth Programs Advisory Subcommittee?
  2. What is the USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award?
  3. What is the High School Dressage Club Pin Program?
  4. What is the USEF Youth Sportsman's Award?
  5. What is Youth Convention Scholarship?
  6. What is Youth Shining Star Program?
  7. What is NAJYRC?
  8. What is the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program?
  9. What are Youth Regional Team Competitions?
  10. What are the Platinum Performance/USDF Junior/Young Rider (Jr/YR) Clinics?
  11. What is the USEF/USDF Dressage Seat Medal Program?

What is the Youth Programs Advisory Subcommittee?

The Youth Programs Advisory Subcommittee, former Youth Executive Board, is a committee made up of youth that provide input to the Youth Programs Committee.

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What is the USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year?

The Youth Volunteer of the Year is a prestigious national award recognizes a USDF youth member who demonstrates a commitment to USDF’s mission through exceptional volunteer effort. Any USDF member may nominate a deserving youth for this award, but nominees must be current USDF members, 21 years or younger. Nominations must be submitted by August 31.

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What is the High School Dressage Club Pin Program?

USDF members who meet their High School Dressage Clubs standards for achievement in equestrian sport will receive a recognition pin from USDF. Guidelines are available to provide helpful information for organizing high school dressage clubs/teams in your area, with the approach that the club may be sponsored by, or affiliated with a local USDF Group Member Organization (GMO). Learn more about The High School Dressage Club Pin Program.

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What is the USEF Youth Sportsman's Award?

The USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award was designed to develop leaders in the equine industry from all breeds and disciplines.

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What is Youth Convention Scholarship?

Supported by funds raised at the annual USDF Youth Silent Auction, held at the annual convention, these scholarships provide financial support to young dressage enthusiasts to help defray the expenses associated with attending the annual convention. Learn more about the Youth Convention Scholarship.

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What is Youth Shining Star Program?

The Youth Shining Star Program is offered by the USDF Youth Programs Committee, this award recognizes outstanding sportsmanship by USDF youth members.

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What is NAJYRC?

The North American Junior and Young Riders Championships (NAJYRC) is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, age 14-21. Young equestrians come from the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing and the World Equestrian Games (WEG) discipline of reining. In 2011, the sport of Endurance will debut as championship event. The competition is run under rules of the Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport, and is the only FEI championship held annually on this continent.

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What is the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program?

With funding support provided by The Dressage Foundation, this program consists of a weekend 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 top professionals in the country in hopes of fostering strong role models for the future. Learn more about USDF/USEF Youth Rider Graduate Program.

What are Youth Regional Team Competitions?

Youth Regional Team Competitions may be hosted in each of the nine USDF regions and are open to anyone age 21 and under riding between Introductory Level and Grand Prix. Each competition features an educational component, along with riders competing on teams and much more fun and excitement.

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What are the Platinum Performance/USDF Junior/Young Rider (Jr/YR) Clinics?

With the funding from The Dressage Foundation, USDF will be utilizing four well-known and highly respected teachers as our FEI Jr/YR Clinic clinicians. Kathy Connelly, Sue Blinks, George Williams, Jan Ebeling, and Jeremy Steinberg will conduct the clinics throughout the country. Youth members between the ages of 14 to 21 at all riding levels are encouraged to apply. Auditors of all ages are welcome. Click HERE to find a Jr/YR Clinic near you!

Rider selection guidelines can be found HERE.

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What is the USEF/USDF Dressage Seat Medal Program?

The USEF/USDF Dressage Seat Medal Program celebrates excellence in equitation and strives to develop a solid foundation for future success in the international dressage arena. Guidelines can be foundHERE. By achieving a qualifying score in any open Dressage Seat Equitation class at a USEF/USDF Dressage competition OR by qualifying for the USDF/GAIG Regional Championships, riders can qualify for the USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi Finals held annually at each of the 9 Regional Championships. Riders from the Semi Finals can, by virtue of their placing, qualify for the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals held in the next calendar year.

Click HERE for USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals Dates and Locations.

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Questions? Contact the the youth coordinator at (859) 971-2277 or via e-mail at youth@usdf.org.

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