The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced its plans for the 2015 USEF Dressage Youth Program. Under the direction of recently named USEF Dressage Youth Coaches George Williams and Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, the revamped Youth Program will incorporate expanded support for the USDF Jr/YR Clinics, rider meetings, coaching support at major events, Outreach Clinics, and a Young Rider European Tour.
The USEF Youth Dressage Program is part of the overall pipeline of the USEF Dressage Program which is supported by the USET Foundation.
Taking place once again in each of the nine USDF Regions, the USDF Jr/YR Clinics will provide educational opportunities for youth riders age 14-21, and riders 12- and 13-years-old riding FEI ponies. These clinics will be alternately led by Williams, Bredahl-Baker, and other highly respected instructors. Also continuing in 2015 will be rider meetings held at competitions where the coaches are in attendance and coaching support at the NAJYRC, U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, and the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals.
"I am very excited to be a part of this growing program and look forward to sharing my years of experience as rider, trainer, and international judge with the American youth," said Bredahl-Baker.
New additions to the Program will include Outreach Clinics and a Young Rider European Tour. Outreach Clinics will be held in areas of the country which are either ‘hot spots’ for youth dressage, or areas identified as needing dressage promotion. With the goal of promoting and exposing elite-level U.S. Young Riders to international competition, the Young Rider European Tour will send two Young Riders to attend National and FEI competitions in Europe.
“Our goal is to build a more comprehensive program that not only ties together existing programs, but fills in the gaps and adds new dimensions, taking us to a world-class level,” said Williams. “The Outreach Clinics will bring dressage to more of our youth around the country, while the European Tour will inspire our top young dressage riders by providing an opportunity to compete head-to-head against their peers abroad.”
Related Links
Williams and Bredahl-Baker Named US Dressage Youth Coach and Assistant Dressage Youth Coach
Steinberg Resigns as USEF Youth Dressage Coach to Focus on Own Riding
Riders Announced for 2014 USEF/USET Foundation Dressage Pipeline Clinics