The new Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge at Fairview Partners Dressage at Devon this September will give riders between the ages of 14 and 18 a chance to win $5,000 in cash and a variety of other prizes.
The new competition, believed to offer the largest cash prize in U.S. youth dressage, will debut Sept. 27, the final day of this year’s show.
Participants will compete in both the Dressage Seat Equitation and Junior Handler classes, with the highest combined score winning the overall championship. In addition to the cash prize to the champion, other prizes will be awarded through eighth place and will include gift certificates for various products, including boots and a customized helmet.
“It’s no secret that our sport faces a few significant challenges. One, how do we get more youth excited about dressage at a younger age?, ” asked the show’s president, Nicole DelGiorno.
“Two, how do we develop the next generation of handlers and get riders interested in sporthorse breeding early on? And three, how do we celebrate and elevate the backbone of the sport, and ensure there is a next generation to pass the baton to one day?”
She explained, “The Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge was our way of addressing some of these challenges. Exceptional horsemanship, especially at the foundational levels, is something that deserves to be rewarded in a serious way. I think the $5,000 prize makes it clear that we want to invest in the future of our community.”
The format of this groundbreaking event reflects the kind of equestrian the program is intended to recognize. That’s not simply the young person with the most advanced horse, but rather, one who can ride effectively, present a horse beautifully and safely, and demonstrate a broader understanding of horsemanship.
Dressage4Kids was a natural partner for the inaugural program. Founded by Olympian Lendon Gray, the organization has spent more than two decades developing young riders through education that places horsemanship, responsibility and long-term development ahead of short-term results.
When asked about how the Youth Challenge dovetails with the mission of Dressage4Kids, Lendon said, “Dressage4Kids is definitely set up for the overall education of the rider, not just to focus on competition. The Youth Challenge makes it so that those riders who maybe don’t have the fancy horses get their chance to come and really prove that they’re becoming horsemen.”
Emelia Lewis is a young rider local to Devon, Pa., and a Youth Challenge-hopeful. When asked what the financial development means to her, she said, “I think this new class presents an exciting opportunity for a wide range of horses and riders.
“For those who may not have the ability to compete in a CDI environment, it offers the chance to still experience that elevated level of competition and atmosphere. I also believe it is incredibly important to highlight a rider’s ability to properly handle and present a horse from the ground. I am truly excited about the addition of this class and look forward to the opportunity to participate in it!”
The Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge is part of a broader effort to make Sunday at Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon even more welcoming to families, while giving the next generation a visible place within one of the country’s best-known dressage competitions.
“We already have wonderful Sunday programming for young people with our very popular Dressage Explorers program,” Nicole said.
“There are so many things to take part in, from our famous stick horse ride to face painting to fascinating presentations from equine experts to children’s games. But we wanted kids to see that there is an attainable pathway for them here. Maybe today they are riding a stick horse down centerline, but one day they may be riding a Grand Prix horse under the lights in the Dixon Oval. The Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge gives them their first stepping stone.”
Interestingly, giving prize money for equitation is a hot topic in the hunter/jumper ranks. The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association held a forum last month on the subject that brought out advocates both for and against the concept. Prize money is not allowed in hunter/jumper equitation, but Nicole said there is no rule against it in dressage.
Those in favor of having prize money in hunter/jumper seat equitation felt with the high costs of horse-keeping, training and competition, it is important for riders to get a financial boost. Trainers also benefit financially for the classes under some formats. And others pointed out that prize money could be extended to adult amateur equitation, but someone else mentioned that might run afoul of the amateur rule.
Those against the idea of hunter/jumper equitation prize money felt it could lead to over-use of horses.
“Any time you introduce money into a horse event, the horses are the ones who take the brunt of it,” said Geoff Teall, an author, judge and trainer.
“Philosophically, I think the money for children is wrong.”
Sissy Wickes, chair of USHJA’s joint equitation task force, spoke in favor of the idea, saying she didn’t think horses would be used more because of the financial incentive, noting the idea would be to “provide some relief for the cost of horse showing.”
USHJA President Britt McCormick emphasized that no rule proposal is under consideration to allow prize money in equitation.
“The purpose of that virtual Town Hall was not to introduce a rule change, but rather to have the conversation before any proposal was developed and to determine whether the idea merited further discussion,” Britt explained.
“That is the purpose of all our Town Halls. The goal is simple: to promote discussion and create opportunities for members to engage in meaningful conversations together about issues affecting our sport. These in-person Forums and virtual Town Halls are intended to give all members a voice early in the process, so we can better understand different viewpoints before ideas advance any further.”