Horse Illustrated Magazine

For the first time, the United States will have its own national dressage championship thanks to a decision announced at the United States Dressage Federation Convention (USDF) last weekend in San Diego. The championships will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in fall of 2013.

The Collecting Gaits Farm/US Equestrian Federation Festival of Champions has served as a national dressage championship for the FEI levels, but the new event, which does not yet have an official name, will be open to amateur adults and open riders competing at all levels from training through grand prix. Junior and young rider divisions may be added in the future.

Competitors will be invited to compete at the national once they’ve qualified through a USDF Regional Dressage Championship.

The effort to create a national championship began nearly 20 years ago. The USDF National Championship sponsored by Insilco was held briefly in Nebraska (then-home of the USDF) in the early 80s, but this will be the first time a national for non-FEI riders has been held since that time.