This is my heart horse, Amos CVS, or better known as Charlie. He and I have spent 11 years together. From barely being able to get him to trot as a child, to dressage pony finals. He has been through every bit of life with me. Because of him, I have become heavily involved with the Haflinger breed and their performance in the sandbox. Dressage has been such a large part of my life. The connection between horse and rider in the sport is incredible. As a professional photographer, I spend my time perfecting capturing that connection in the ring. - Markley Main
This August, we are celebrating youth riders on YourDressage! From features on remarkable young dressage enthusiasts across the country, to articles about some of the opportunities USDF offers to youth, we want to hear from the future of our sport!
We recently asked our youth community to share a photo with their favorite dancing partner and let us know what they love about the sport of dressage for your chance to be featured in an upcoming gallery. Check out all the awesome submissions we received below!
This is Loki, my beloved Arabian who loves to put his dancing shoes on. While dressage has taught me a lot, what I love the most is how it teaches patience. The little blocks you place each day build into a beautiful picture in the long run. Never skip the tiny steps. – Jetta MilamThis is my Frisian stallion Freark. Not only had dressage been such an outlet and a learning experience for me but it’s truly disciplined me into the person I am today. I’m blessed to be able to learn through this sport about not only the sport itself but things about me I wasn’t even aware of. Through this sport I’ve made many friends, dance partners, and just an environment I’ve come to cherish. – Morgan MorrisMyself and my mare, Romantic Rose (better known as Pala)! The sport of dressage has made me not only a better rider, but a better person as well! It has taken me to places I could have never imagined riding at, like NAYC, US Finals, and most recently at ADGF in Wellington! Pala has made me a confident rider, while always reminding me that the best partner is one who listens to the other, regardless of whether or not words are spoken. (photo by Susan J. Stickle Photography) – Mackenzie BrownBandera Tiger Moth – Sage Smith RHRGV Cricket’s Song – Sage SmithI love dressage because there is always something new to learn and be perfected Journey C – Sage SmithThis is my daughter Alyssa’s dance partner, Charm. They have gone through their teenage years together and have both come out the other side. They act more like brother and sister sometimes. She is now 18 and he is 17+ and he likes to remind her to never take this all too seriously. They have been through it ALL the past 6.5 years starting in Intro and now working on 2.3. Their goal is to get their bronze together. Charm is and Andalusian/Quarter Horse crossed with spice. He is 16hh and she is 5’11”. If you zoom in, you can see the huge smile on her face. There is so much to their story. 💙 – Jen GaspersonQuote from my 14 year old, as she’s not on social media. “I love dressage for what it has done to rebuild my horse from a near fatal track accident years ago. As we work the levels I see his body change. He’s rebuilding and getting stronger and I’m getting stronger too” . Pictured here with Atlas, a 2009 OTTB – Dianne PontiaThis is me and my KWPN mare Kroonfee “Faira”. One of my favorite parts about dressage is the reliable structure. Since I don’t come from a family of riders, the detailed description and structures of the levels, as well as the training scale, have been beneficial and consistent for my learning and understanding as a young rider. – Aubrie Juda
