By Ross Creech
First awarded at the 2007 US Equestrian Federation (USEF) Annual Meeting, the USEF National Youth Sportsman’s Award is designed to identify potential future leaders in the equine industry from all breeds and disciplines and recognize them for their achievements both in and outside the sport. Each year, the different breeds and discipline affiliates put forth a nominee to USEF, representing their organization. As the national dressage affiliate of USEF, the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) nominates a dressage youth, annually.
In addition to the general requirements set forth by USEF; active Junior Member in good standing, age 17 or under as of December 1 (start of the current competition year), an ongoing commitment and dedication to the promotion of equestrian sport, services as a positive role model to peers, competitor at local, regional or national events, exhibition of characteristics exemplifying positive sportsmanship principles, and community involvement, the USDF nominee must also exhibit an ongoing commitment and dedication to USDF and dressage in the US. This commitment and dedication should span the local (Group Member Organization or local club), regional (USDF regional events and competitions, such as the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships), and national (USDF national education events such as the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention, competitions such as the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® or FEI North American Youth Championships, etc.) levels.
USEF’s overall winner of the National Youth Sportsman’s Award receives a commemorative plaque, a $1,000 grant to be paid to an education program, and a nomination for USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year. (The USEF Reserve Overall Winner will receive a $500 grant.) In addition to being put forth for the overall USEF award, the USDF nominee also receives a plaque commemorating their nomination and a complimentary 1-year USDF Participating Membership, extended to a 5-year if they go on to win the USEF award.
Previous USDF Nominees include:
| 2023 | Ryder Mosqueda (Hemet, CA) | 2014 | Jessica Fan (Jackson, TX) |
| 2022 | Gabriella Escobar (Moseley, VA) | 2013 | Anna Campbell (Wylie, TX) |
| 2021 | Savana Garvy (Dallas, TX) | 2012 | Ayden Uhlir (Kirkland, WA) |
| 2020 | Not Awarded – COVID Pandemic | 2011 | Drew Carlin (Columbia, SC) |
| 2019 | Isabelle Braden (Decatur, GA) | 2010 | Isabelle Liebler (Greenwich, CT) |
| 2018 | Tillie Jones* (Lincoln, NE) | 2009 | Taylor Noonan (Portland, ME) |
| 2017 | Jackson LaTorre (Hillsborough, NC) | 2008 | Drew Elizabeth Carlin (Columbia, SC) |
| 2016 | Brianna Relucio* (Danville, CA) | 2007 | Meagan Davis (Loxahatchee, FL) |
| 2015 | Mary Baker (Wooster, OH) | 2006 | Meredith Baker (Lanham, MD) |
*designates those recognized as the USEF Reserve Overall Winner
Nominations for the USDF nominee to the USEF National Youth Sportsman’s Award are due to USDF by August 15. Only complete applications will be considered, so nominees are encouraged to review our Application Instructions and Tips for Successful Applications as they complete their packets. The USEF Overall Winner and Reserve Overall Winner will be recognized during the 2025 USEF Annual Meeting and Award Dinners, held in Lexington, Kentucky, January 23-25. For more information about the criteria, process, or USDF nominations, visit the USDF website.
