This year, a new award was presented at the 2026 Great American/USDF Regional Championships to honor a very special demographic in our community. With the generous support of Dressage4Kids, the brand new USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Awards recognize the highest and second highest placing 13-and-under riders in the Training and First Level Junior/Young Rider Championship classes at each of the nine Regional Championships.
In the press release announcing this new award and partnership, Lendon Gray – Olympian, USDF Hall of Famer, and Dressage4Kids founder – said it best: “We want to support the efforts of our youngest competitors and are delighted to recognize the hard work that these kids, and their wonderful instructors and parents, have done to get to their regional championships. We know they’ll be role models for others who are working for similar goals.”
As the 2026 Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships have now concluded, please join us in congratulating the winners from each region.
Region 1
| Training Level 1- Ella Horonetz (13) & Bennett Alan 2- Samantha Wood (13) & Rumor Has It | First Level 1- Samantha Wood (13) & Rumor Has It |
Region 2
| Training Level 1- Harbour Morris (12) & FHF Thelina 2- Juliette Uresti (12) & Jasper | First Level 1- Lucy Dawson (13) & Donna Bella CS 2- Harbour Morris (12) & FHF Thelina |
Andrew Ryback Photography
Andrew Ryback Photography
Andrew Ryback Photography
Region 3
| Training Level 1- Valentina Melecio (12) & Talento DE 2- Emma Hartley (12) & Samina | First Level 1- Maya P. Daniel (13) & De La Muse 2- Valentina Melecio (12) & Talento DE |
High Time Photography
High Time Photography
Region 4
| Training Level 1- Mary Etta Warmke (11) & SRC Anastasia 2- Olivia Ormsby (11) & Cookies ‘n’ Cream | First Level 1- Brooke Stillwell (12) & Phaedra LLR |
Region 5
| Training Level 1- Victoria Fitzgerald (10) & Trystan | First Level N/a |
Una Schade Photography
Region 6
| Training Level 1- Chloe Pallot (12) & Rosmel’s Dancing Queen | First Level 1- Aven Mellor (12) & Fürst Class IPH 2- Chloe Pallot (12) & Rosmel’s Dancing Queen |
Ella Chedester Photography
Ella Chedester Photography
Region 7
| Training Level 1- Sierra Smoot (13) & Mega 2- Dominique Scarpete (12) & Evans Pretty Baby | First Level 1- Dominique Scarpete (12) & Evans Pretty Baby 2- Lily Grant (11) & Shamrock Sea Lion |
Terri Miller Photography
Region 8
| Training Level 1- Emery Lazares Scaretta (10) & Angel Sparkle 2- Elena Lazares Scaretta (10) & Starlight Glimmer | First Level 1- Anna Banas-Chen (13) & Devon 2- Brendan Baker (12) & Irish Endeavor |
Q2 Photography
Q2 Photography
Q2 Photography
Q2 Photography
Region 9
| Training Level 1- Addison Spinelli (12) & Don Huerico 2- Sophia Bandurski & Ntec Draco Malfoy | First Level N/a |
Susan J. Stickle Photography
Susan J. Stickle Photography
For over 25 years, Dressage4Kids has been committed to building a strong and sustainable future for the sport. Its mission remains the same today as it has always been: to encourage riders under 25 to become true horse people; to offer scholarships; to develop good sportsmanship; to support programs for adults who in turn educate youth, and to have fun! For more information on Dressage4Kids and their other programs and opportunities, visit the Dressage4Kids website.
For more information on the USDF/Dressage4Kids U-13 Regional Merit Awards, Great American/USDF Regional Championships, or other USDF youth opportunities and offerings, please visit the USDF website or contact regchamps@usdf.org.
