Submitted by Natasha R. - Sheer joy winning the Region 1 Youth Team Challenge Second Level and above division. Photo by E. Berkery Photography
August is Youth Month on YourDressage! From stories about remarkable young dressage enthusiasts across the country to articles about some of the opportunities USDF offers to youth riders, join us all month long as we celebrate equestrians aged 25 and under. They are the future of our sport!
We recently asked our youth social media followers to share photos of them with their favorite horses, and to let us know why they love the sport of dressage. Here, in Part 2, we proudly present a full gallery of photos they shared.
If you’re a junior, young rider, or young adult equestrian, let us know what you love about dressage and send us a photo at yourdressage@gmail.com for your chance to be featured in an upcoming photo gallery. We will also be looking for stories from youth riders across the US to share all August long.
Submitted by Addy B. – I love dressage because there’s always something to work towards. Everyone (and every horse) can benefit from dressage. I’ve also met my closest friends, and many other great people, through this sport; it’s such a great community! Photo by John Borys Photography
Submitted by Alanna S. – My favorite thing about dressage is how it is meant for every horse no matter the breed, age, or confirmation. Every single horse and rider benefits from dressage! Dressage is just the fundamentals of riding! I took a break from jumping for about 6 months and it has helped my jumping tremendously, you know what they say, jumping is just dressage with obstacles!Submitted by Ashley M. – Aubrey age 8 and Tinkerbell age 20 competed in their first show at Intro A. “My favorite thing about dressage is being with horses and having fun.” Aubrey saysSubmitted by Elizabeth P. – Dressage truly molded me into the person I am today. After losing my heart horse I had just my passion for the sport and my barn family to keep me going, after many months of grief I was given the opportunity to ride this talented mare to continue the journey my heart horse and I dreamed to do! The dressage community has shaped me into the young adult I am today without it I don’t know where I would be today! Dressage is not just about the riding but the life lessons you learn and the people you meet along the journey. Dressage to me will always be more than just the sport but the family it has given me! Submitted by Jo Anna W. – Sophie Wayner with Andy (Hafie) and mare Libbie AnnSubmitted by Katie S. – Dressage has taught me an unbelievable amount as a rider, but most importantly as a person. Like all equestrian disciplines, the learning never ends, and I think that is what makes the process of training up the levels of dressage even more exciting and rewarding!Submitted by Lucy S. – I think one of my favorite things about dressage is that there is always more to learn. Regardless of your age, years of experience, horse, trainer, or level at which you’re competing at there is always something you could do better. Photo of my pony (Budweiser) & me
Submitted by Meredith L. – My heart horse Max and I started together when I was 17 and he 15. I still competed him now that we are 25 and 23!
Submitted by Paige E. – Me and my horse Simi. What I love about dressage is that we get the chance to be creative. At our last competition we competed in our first ever level 1 freestyle. Our show also had an exhibition freestyle where we got to dress up and perform our freestyle again! Read more about Simi’s inspirational story in this YourDressage exclusive.Submitted by Paige Z. – What Ducati and I love most about dressage is the finding joy in any victory, large or small, and celebrating each step in the journey to a greater partnership!!Submitted by Riley S. – Dressage to me is a kind of horsemanship that creates a harmonious and refined relationship between the horse and rider. That is what I love so much about the sport. This is Spotty, a full breed Quarter Horse. While he definitely doesn’t stand out amongst the crowd, he has taught me to be the rider and the person I am today. Most of all, he has taught me the true meaning of dressage. He has taught me that you don’t need the fanciest horse to do well if you have the right support system and an amazing partnership. I am so blessed to be able to learn so much from such an amazing horse.Submitted by Rylee P. – I am a Junior young rider. I love that with dressage you can do things that not other sports can do. I love the bond that you create with the horse on and off the ground. It’s a unique sport telling a story with music and movements. Horses get to show off their sets of skills and what they have learned. Dressage has been around and will be around for years to come.
The United States Equestrian Federation licenses dressage judges at three levels. Here we give a brief explanation of licenses, as well as requirements for judging specific classes.
