USEF Dressage Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg with Rebecca Cohen at the training session. (Carol Cohen)

Lexington, KY - The first of two USEF Elite Youth Dressage Training Sessions for 2012 wrapped up Sunday at Shannondale Farm in Alpharetta, Georgia. The two-day training session, made possible by a generous donation from Kristen McDonald and the Marquis George MacDonald Foundation, was led by USEF Dressage Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg. The invitation-only session included eight of the top youth dressage riders from the East and Central U.S., and was an opportunity for Steinberg to work directly with a core group of promising riders. The training session included two days of instruction as well as lectures and discussions on long term strategic planning, media training, championship selection procedures, and USEF rules.

"Kristen and the Marquis George MacDonald Foundation generously created a great opportunity for the country's rising dressage talent to hone their talents both on and off the horse," said Steinberg. "These sessions provide a productive environment where we aim to grow this core group of up-and-coming youth riders and assist them in having successful careers in the sport."

Riders in the first training session included:
Caroline Adams, Lafayette, LA
Kalie Beckers, Independence, LA
Kaitlin Blythe, Rougemont, NC
Rebecca Cohen, Wellington, FL
Lindsey Holleger, Whigham, GA
Mallory Kent, Birmingham, AL
Rebekah Mingari, Crestwood, KY
Tori Retamoza, Goshen, KY

Invitations to the training sessions are based on average scores from the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North and the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Additionally, several discretionary spots are awarded to riders who are scouted through the USDF Youth Clinic Series or by USEF Coaches. The next USEF Elite Youth Dressage Training Session will take place November 3-4, 2012, at W Farms in Chino Hills, California. This session will be open to auditors who must be registered with W Farms. For more information please contact Hallye Griffin, USEF Director of National Dressage at [email protected].