The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF) is proud to announce the launch of the USEF Dressage Youth/Pony Pilot Program this fall of 2009. The USEF Dressage High Performance Committee appointed Lendon Gray to oversee the program. This program is designed to seek out, educate and assist the development of the young riders.
This program will consist of clinics held throughout the United States. These clinics will be conducted by Ms. Gray and High Performance Riders such as Michael Barisone, Pam Goodrich, Arlene “Tuny" Page and David Wightman. For further information regarding the clinics please visit the USEF website.
“I am thrilled that USEF is going to help to develop the best equitation and riding skills in our younger riders." Gray said. “It is so much easier to develop correct riding from the early ages than to try to change bad habits later. The clinics will include emphasis on position and seat, technical skills, and riding and stable management theory."
The clinics will be available to youth 20 years old and under with a special emphasis on riders age 10 to 17. In order to meet the minimum requirements to participate, riders age 10-15 on a horse or pony should have obtained a 62% or high from two different judges at First Level and above. Riders age 16-17 should have obtained 62% or higher from two different judges at Third Level and above. If space permits, clinics will be open to riders 18-20 who have obtained 62% or higher from two different judges at Fourth Level and above. Youth riders who do not qualify as well as instructors are encouraged to audit, each organizer may charge an auditing fee. There will be up to ten (10) riders at each clinic.
The following are clinic date and location for the USEF Youth/Pony Pilot Program:
Lendon Gray Carson City, MI, November 14-15, 2009 APPLICATIONS CLOSED
Pamela Goodrich, Boscawen, NH November 21-22, 2009
Lendon Gray Newtown, PA, November 21-22, 2009
Arlene “Tuny" Page Wellington, FL December 5-6, 2009
Michael Barisone, Long Valley, NJ December 5-6, 2009
Lendon Gray Marion, TX, December 19-20, 2009
David Wightman, Murrieta, CA December 19-20, 2009
Lendon Gray Kansas City, MO January 9-10, 2010
Any rider interested in the clinic must apply through the USEF Dressage Department. The application is available on the USEF website Dressage Page
Applications for November clinics extended until November 11, 2009 and applications for December clinics close November 20, 2009.
For further information, please contact: Jenny Van Wieren, USEF Assistant Director of Dressage at jvanwieren@usef.org or (859)225-6949.