Tag Archives: Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trial

USEF Announces Dates and Locations for 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals and 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals and the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials. The USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals will take place August 16-18, 2013 in Estes Park, Colorado, held in conjunction with the Paragon Dressage CDI3*. While the Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials will be held in two locations: the Western Selection Trials at La Cañada Flintridge, California May 23-26, 2013 during the Dressage at Flintridge and the Eastern Selection Trials as part of VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage in Leesburg, VA June 7-9, 2013.

The purpose of the Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward correct seat, position, and use of aids in dressage for junior riders. The program focuses on equitation and the development of a solid foundation for future success in the international dressage arena. Youth wishing to qualify for the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals must compete at the USEF/USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals held at the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships. Riders placing in the top two in the Semi-Finals are invited to compete in the Finals.

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Biscaya Takes the Six-Year-Old Division at the 2012 Eastern Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials

Lexington, KY – The final Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trial was held over the past weekend in conjunction with the VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage show in Leesburg, Virginia. A field of eight horse entered the competition, three in the five-year-old division and five in the six-year-old division, to try and earn a spot on the USEF Young Horse Dressage Short List. At the end of the weekend, two horses from the six-year-old division managed to score better than the required 7.8 and earn that spot on the short list which in turn could grant them an automatic invitation to the 2012 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championships. Horse/rider combinations on the USEF Young Horse Short List who have earned an 8.2 or higher could also be invited to compete in the FEI World Breeding Championships on August 5-10 in Verden, Germany.

Six-year-old division winner Biscaya (Johnson-SPS Hauptstutbuch by Argentinus) was superbly ridden into the top spot by Ulla Parker. Together the pair managed to score an 8.24 on the Preliminary Test, which counted for 40% of the total, an 8.28 on the Final Test, which counted for the remaining 60%, and end up with a final score of 8.26. Nancy Holowesko’s Oldenburg mare won the division and secured herself a position on the USEF Young Horse Dressage Short List. The overall 8.26 will also count as the qualifying score for the 2012 FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Dressage. The weekend was an unquestionable success for Biscaya, but she was not the only young horse that had a good couple of days.

Continue reading Biscaya Takes the Six-Year-Old Division at the 2012 Eastern Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials

Nine Horses to Contest Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trial in Leesburg, Virginia

Lexington, KY – The final 2012 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trial will be held this weekend at historic Morven Park in Leesburg, VA. Five- and six-year-olds will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in hopes of earning a place on the USEF Young Horse Dressage Short List, and ultimately vying to represent the U.S. at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Dressage in Verden, Germany. The Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trial is being held in conjunction with the VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage show June 8-10.

A small but strong field of three top young horses has lined up to compete for top honors in the five-year-old division. Brandi Benedict will ride her own Hot Mama (Hotline-SPS Ladybug by Londonderry) and looks to showcase the form that guided the Hanoverian mare to fifth place honors in the 2011 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship four-year-old division.

Continue reading Nine Horses to Contest Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trial in Leesburg, Virginia