The USDF Youth Dressage Rider Recognition Pin Program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of youth in the dressage community at all levels. This program is open to USDF Participating or Group Members enrolled in grades 6-12 of a middle/high school or homeschool program.
Here, a Youth Dressage Rider Recognition Pin Program participant shares how her partnership with her horse has taught her invaluable life lessons, and how the sport of dressage has opened doors for her future.
By Lauren Anderson
My name is Lauren Anderson, and my horse’s name is Over the Moon, aka Lakota. We’ve been together exactly four years now. With me being young and not having much experience with a difficult horse, we struggled for a long time. But with dedication, research, and training, our partnership really came together about a year and a half ago, and we truly became a team.
While my early years with Lakota were difficult and discouraging, I would not change our journey. Despite the challenges, Lakota taught me more about working with horses, life, and myself than anything else ever could. I learned how to be patient and confident on the ground with him. I learned to correct the bad habits I had developed so I could help him with his tension under the saddle. I learned how to work hard to make myself a better rider, so that I could help him reach his highest potential. I learned to overcome my own insecurities and fear to become a confident rider, which lessened his anxiety and improved our performance in the show ring. I learned that dedication, hard work, and persistence does pay off. I pushed through the struggles and constantly strived to be the best I can be for him and for myself!
Lakota and I now compete at the First Level, where I have found that working with several different trainers, each with strengths in a multitude of areas, such as accuracy, biomechanics, seat, and position, has greatly benefited us and given us so much well-rounded training. I have a lot of dressage goals for this year and the next year; this year, I want to continue improving at First Level, and start competing at larger showgrounds and competitions. Next year, I would like to work on Second Level and try a First Level Musical Freestyle. The idea of dancing with Lakota to my favorite music sounds like so much fun to me.
My greatest accomplishment with Lakota has been the overall change in his demeanor, in how he carries himself, and his trust in me. With help from my trainers, I have transformed him from an anxious, tight, headstrong, and spooky jumper into a confident, supple, and relaxed dressage horse. It is wonderful to hear from those who haven’t seen Lakota in a while, and when they say he looks like a completely different horse. We have finally formed a strong connection, and have both gained confidence to be the best pair we can be.
For me, the most special thing about Lakota is his big personality. He is very lovable and loves attention. His favorite thing to do is smile for snacks, and then roll them around his mouth and savor them. Lakota has never once gotten mad at me or tried to hurt me intentionally. He always listens and tries to be his best.
This is my fourth year participating in the USDF Youth Dressage Rider Recognition Pin Program. Through the program requirements, I have stayed on track with volunteering in my community, where I attend clinics and seminars to broaden my equine knowledge. Because of my participation in the Program, I have had the opportunity to shadow farriers and saddle fitters, attend many dressage clinics, volunteer at an equine therapy center, and so much more.
Volunteering at the equine therapy center inspired me to complete my Girl Scout Gold Award project by developing an equine-assisted mental health program for kids in my community. The program will allow kids struggling with depression, stress, or anxiety to work with horses to build confidence, peace, and happiness through groundwork, grooming, and communication. The Youth Dressage Rider Recognition Pin Program has also introduced me to two local Group Membership Organizations (GMOs), year-end award opportunities, and networking with other passionate horse people.
While completing the program requirements, I learned that the dressage community is full of people who are excited to help younger generations develop a love for dressage and improve the connection between horse and rider. Those people have inspired me to pursue a career in teaching kids to love horses and dressage. My dream is to one day own an equestrian facility that has wonderful care for horses, a large lesson program for children, great business management, and opportunities for students to advance in dressage.
I would recommend young riders to try dressage because of all that it will teach them in and out of the saddle. There is nothing like the rewarding feeling once you achieve harmony with your equine partner. Though showing dressage can be really hard and sometimes discouraging, it is a sport that highlights the beauty, subtlety, and power that come from a horse and rider team. It is the best feeling in the world when you salute after a great test!
The USDF Youth Dressage Recognition Pin Program leads participants to further their knowledge in the sport, helps them network with industry professionals, gives them the opportunity to give back to the community, encourages education, and rewards them for all of their hard work! A knowledgeable, dedicated, proactive, and passionate equestrian is a great equestrian!
