Submitted by Jennifer O'Brien, from Region 6; Ella Chedester Photography
The 2026 Great American/USDF Regional Championships were held over two weekends this year, presenting competitors the opportunity to earn their ticket to the US Dressage Finals Presented by Adequan® in Wilmington, Ohio next week. We rounded up some of the social media posts here to celebrate the horse and rider pairs from each region. Congratulations to all competitors!
We will be cheering on Jenna Brown and Flexi but here is my horse Icarus Blue and I earning 6th place in the Region 1 Adult Amateur Dressage Seat Equitation championship! – Meaghan C.
Region 2
Autumn Vavrick & One De La Fazenda (Region 2): Great American/USDF Freestyle Third Level Open/JR/YR Champion, Great American/USDF Third Level JR/YR Reserve Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 14 to 18 Champion Andrew Ryback PhotographyHarbour Morris (12) & FHF Thelina (Region 2): Great American/USDF Training Level JR/YR Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Merit Award Training Level Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Award First Level Reserve Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 and Under Reserve Champion Andrew Ryback PhotographyHarbour Morris (12) & FHF Thelina (Region 2): Great American/USDF Training Level JR/YR Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Merit Award Training Level Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Award First Level Reserve Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 and Under Reserve Champion Andrew Ryback PhotographyJennifer Roth & Kamar’s Bravissimo (Region 2): Great American/USDF Intermediate I Open Champion, Great American/USDF Prix St. Georges Open Champion, Great American/USDF Intermediate I Freestyle Open/JR/YR Champion Andrew Ryback PhotographyJuliette Uresti (12) & Jasper (Region 2): Great American/USDF Training Level JR/YR Reserve Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Merit Award Training Level Reserve Champion Andrew Ryback PhotographyLucy Dawson (13) & Donna Bella CS (Region 2): Great American/USDF First Level JR/YR Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Merit Award First Level Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 and Under Champion Andrew Ryback PhotographyNicole Bangasser & Nautilus (Region 2): Great American/USDF Second Level Adult Amateur Reserve Champion, Great American/USDF Second Level Freestyle Adult Amateur Champion, USDF Adult Amateur Equitation Regional Final presented by Big Dee’s Tack and Vet Supply Champion Andrew Ryback PhotographyMy horse Wally aka Sardonyx ridden by David Kohn! So very proud Wally made it to regionals at Lamplight in Illinois! We had a fantastic time and really enjoyed this venue. – Lisa H.Penelope Sachs & Frisbee 55 (Region 2): Penelope Sachs & Frisbee 55 (Region 2): Great American/USDF Intermediate I Freestyle Adult Amateur Champion Andrew Ryback PhotographyHarbour Morris (12) & FHF Thelina (Region 2): Great American/USDF Training Level JR/YR Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Merit Award Training Level Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Award First Level Reserve Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 and Under Reserve Champion Andrew Ryback PhotographyKiri Freeman-Parker & Gifted Glamour (Region 2): Great American/USDF Second Level Open Champion, Great American/USDF First Level Open Champion, Great American/USDF Second Level Freestyle Open/JR/YR Champion Andrew Ryback PhotographyLucy Dawson (13) & Donna Bella CS (Region 2): Great American/USDF First Level JR/YR Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Merit Award First Level Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 and Under Champion Andrew Ryback Photography
Good luck to everyone and hope you have the best rides!!! We can’t make it this year. Here is my favorite moment from region 3 championships!!! – Ashley M.Region 3 at Regionals Sandra Dee, 25 years young, was the oldest competitor at the show and competed in the 1st level juniors championship ride. Sandra Dee is a Dressage4Kids donation horse and a US Pony Club dressage 1st level and freestyle champion. She had an amazing weekend. Rode by Elizabeth Junius and owned by Elizabeth Molloy and Dressage4KidsLeft – Valentina Melecio (12) & Talento DE (Region 3): Dressage4Kids/USDF U-13 Regional Merit Award Training Level Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 & Under Champion / Right – Emma Hartley (12) & Samina (Region 3): Dressage4Kids/USDF U-13 Regional Merit Award Training Level Reserve Champion High Time PhotographyLeft – Valentina Melecio (12) & Talento DE (Region 3): Dressage4Kids/USDF U-13 Regional Merit Award First Level Reserve Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 & Under Champion / Right – Maya P. Daniel (13) & De La Muse (Region 3): Dressage4Kids/USDF U-13 Regional Merit Award First Level Champion High Time PhotographyVery proud of Samantha and Santi from Region 3, we unfortunately can not make the trip this year. – Ashley W.
Brooke Stillwell (12) & Phaedra LLR (Region 4): Dressage4Kids/USDF U-13 Regional Merit Award First Level Champion
Region 5
AA 4th Level Freestyle – 🎶 how to finally relax when riding a dressage test. 🎉 – Shannon C.My curly mustang, Curly Serendipity WHR, had a great time at Region 5 championships winning her class. We are so grateful to the show management and the volunteers who worked tirelessly putting on a fabulous show. Thank you Grace Davis for training and riding this special curly girly! Thank you, USDF for these opportunities! 💙🤍 – Jennifer D.Victoria Fitzgerald (10) & Trystan (Region 5): Dressage4Kids/USDF U-13 Regional Merit Awards Training Level Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Final 13 & Under Reserve Champion Una Schade Photography
Region 6
Aven Mellor (12) & Fürst Class IPH (Region 6): Great American/USDF First Level JR/YR Championship, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Awards First Level Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Final 13 Year & Under Champion Ella Chedester PhotographyAven Mellor (12) & Fürst Class IPH (Region 6): Great American/USDF First Level JR/YR Championship, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Awards First Level Champion, USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Final 13 Year & Under Champion Ella Chedester PhotographyBenjamin Albright & DSP Dominy (Region 6): Great American/USDF Intermediate II Open Champion Ella Chedester PhotographyRegion 6 Championships hosted a bit fitting presentation by StubbenDolly Hannon and Lilo ForeMaking the trip from R6 to help with my friend with her vendor booth (High Score Equestrian). My favorite moment at R6 Champ- my PRE who went from “fling legs faster” to a real extension (max effort on her part). – Kimberly R.USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Award prizesUSDFDressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Award prizesUSDF Regional AA Equitation Program prize displayChloe Pallot (12) & Rosmel’s Dancing Queen Ella Chedester PhotographyBenjamin Albright & DSP Dominy (Region 6): Great American/USDF Intermediate II Open Champion Ella Chedester PhotographyChloe Pallot (12) & Rosmel’s Dancing Queen – Region 6 U13 Merit Ella Chedester Photography
Region 7
📸: Terri Miller Paintings and Photos – Elena F.Elizabeth Ruiz Photography – Elena F.Sierra Smoot (13) & Mega (Region 7): Great American/USDF Training Level JR/YR Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Awards Training Level Champion Terri Miller Photography
Region 8
Favorite moment of the entire year, winning the Region 8 Dressage seat Equitation AA final! We qualified for the USDF finals in 1st level AA and 2nd Level freestyle AA but aren’t able to go. Someday we will!!! Q2 Photography – Margaret B.Elena Lazares Scaretta (10) & Starlight Glimmer (Region 8): USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Awards Training Level Reserve Champion Q2 PhotographyEmery Lazares Scaretta (10) & Angel Sparkle (Region 8): USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Awards Training Level Champion Q2 PhotographyAnna Banas-Chen (13) & Devon (Region 8): USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Awards First Level Champion Q2 PhotographyBrendan Baker (12) & Irish Endeavor (Region 8): USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Awards First Level Reserve Champion Q2 Photography
Region 9
Sophia Bandurski & Ntec Draco Malfoy (Region 9): USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Award Training Level Champion Susan J. Stickle PhotographyAddison Spinelli (12) & Don Huerico (Region 9): Great American/USDF Training Level JR/YR Champion, USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Award Champion Susan J. Stickle PhotographyLauren Bays & Skovgårds Kasimba (Region 9): Great American/USDF Training Level Open Champion Susan J. Stickle PhotographySarah Isham & Kaptain Jack V.O.D. (Region 9): Great American/USDF Fourth Level Adult Amateur Champion, Great American/USDF Third Level Adult Amateur Reserve Champion Susan J. Stickle Photography
