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
1st: Ella Horonetz (13) & Bennett Alan
2nd: Samantha Wood (13) & Rumor Has It
First Level
1st: Samantha Wood (13) & Rumor Has It
Region 2
Training Level
1st: Harbour Morris (12) & FHF Thelina
2nd: Juliette Uresti (12) & Jasper
First Level
1st: Lucy Dawson (13) & Donna Bella CS
2nd: Harbour Morris (12) & FHF Thelina
Andrew Ryback Photography
Andrew Ryback Photography
Andrew Ryback Photography
Region 3
Training Level
1st: Valentina Melecio (12) & Talento DE
2nd: Emma Hartley (12) & Samina
First Level
1st: Maya P. Daniel (13) & De La Muse
2nd: Valentina Melecio (12) & Talento DE
High Time Photography
High Time Photography
Region 4
Training Level
1st: Mary Etta Warmke (11) & SRC Anastasia
2nd: Olivia Ormsby (11) & Cookies ‘n’ Cream
First Level
1st: Brooke Stillwell (12) & Phaedra LLR
Region 5
Training Level
1st: Victoria Fitzgerald (10) & Trystan
First Level
N/a
Una Schade Photography
Region 6
Training Level
1st: Chloe Pallot (12) & Rosmel’s Dancing Queen
Training Level
1st: Chloe Pallot (12) & Rosmel’s Dancing Queen
Ella Chedester Photography
Ella Chedester Photography
Region 7
Training Level
1st: Sierra Smoot (13) & Mega
2nd: Dominique Scarpete (12) & Evans Pretty Baby
First Level
1st: Dominique Scarpete (12) & Evans Pretty Baby
2nd: Lily Grant (11) & Shamrock Sea Lion
Terri Miller Photography
Region 8
Training Level
1st: Emery Lazares Scaretta (10) & Angel Sparkle
2nd: Elena Lazares Scaretta (10) & Starlight Glimmer
First Level
1st: Anna Banas-Chen (13) & Devon
2nd: Brendan Baker (12) & Irish Endeavor
Q2 Photography
Q2 Photography
Q2 Photography
Q2 Photography
Region 9
Training Level
1st: Addison Spinelli (12) & Don Huerico
2nd: 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.
