September 2019 - In This Issue:
Tessa Holloran at the North American Youth Championships
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 7-8, 2019
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
Rein Dance Equestrian
Delano, MN

September 14-15, 2019
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
Peridot Equestrian Center
San Marcos, CA

September 21-22, 2019
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
Avant-Garde Equestrian Farm
Luskville, Quebec

September 24-29, 2019
Dressage at Devon
Devon, PA

October 12-13, 2019
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
Tempel Farms
Wadsworth, IL

October 19-20, 2019
NEDA Fall Symposium
Mount Holyoke Equestrian Center
South Hadley, MA

October 19, 2019
D4K Meet and Greet 
With Dorothee Schneider
Mount Holyoke Equestrian Center
South Hadley, MA

October 25-26, 2019
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
Georgia Int'l Horse Park
Conyers, GA

October 27, 2019
Atlanta Youth Festival
Georgia Int'l Horse Park
Conyers, GA

November 2-3, 2019
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
Heritage Equestrian Center
East Greenwich, RI

November 9-11, 2019 
D4K Horsemastership Clinic
Hilltop Farm
Colora, MD

November 16-17, 2019
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
Scarlet Day Farm
Gray, ME

November 23-24, 2019 - 
NEW
RER Ponies
Hatfield, MA

December 14-15, 2019 
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
With Ali Brock
Hampton Green Farm
Wellington, FL

June 6-7, 2020 
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
WindReach
Warwick, Bermuda

June 18-19, 2020
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
With Ali Brock
Prince George's Equestrian Center
Upper Marlboro, MD

June 26-27, 2020
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
Hampton Green Farm
Fruitport, Michigan

June 28, 2020
Youth Dressage Festival Midwest
Hampton Green Farm
Fruitport, Michigan 

July 19-20, 2020
D4K TEAM Program Clinic
During USPC Festival
Kentucky Horse Park
Lexington, Kentucky

Website:
www.dressage4kids.org
Atlanta Youth Dressage Festival
Now in its 7th Year, the Atlanta Youth Festival will be held on October 27th at the Georgia International Horse Park and will be preceded by a Dressage4Kids TEAM Program Clinic on October 25th-26th.

Show manager Liz Molloy, owner and operator of Taramia Riding School in Cumming, Georgia, is passionate about developing riders.  After bringing a United States Pony Club team to the Dressage4Kids Youth Dressage Festival Midwest in 2012, Molloy knew she wanted to start a Festival in Georgia and so the Atlanta Youth Festival was inaugurated in 2013. 

The Festival offers a truly unique experience - there is a three-phase competition designed specifically for youth riders to promote their development in Dressage and good horsemanship all while having fun!  

For more information regarding the Atlanta Youth Festival, contact Show Manager Liz Molloy at 770-634-4089 or at  MissLiz@TaramiaRidingSchool.com .  

For questions regarding the Dressage4Kids TEAM Program, contact Mary Livernois at d4k.org@gmail.com.
Maya Ryan on her D4K TEAM Experience
As an 11-year old rider, I was very nervous to ride in front of Lendon Gray. I was terrified to make mistakes in front of Lendon, and I made a lot. What I learned was that Lendon was just there to help me learn how to be a better rider. Even though I made a lot of mistakes, I learned from them and rode much better my second day. It really helped me to see other more experienced riders ride too. I was able to see that we all make many of the same mistakes and I am not alone.  I was also able to see how other people corrected their mistakes so I could learn from them too. It helped to see what I am supposed to look like when riding which helps me more than just listening to someone. It helps me to "see" things. 
 
Some helpful things I learned were to "be one with the horse" by following her movements. I also learned that I need to train my pony to listen better. If she doesn't respond to my aids the first time, then I need to use a different aid. Then I need to stop and make her do it again until she responds the first time. I have a lot of work to do to re-train my pony but it will be worth it. I am thankful for all that I learned in the clinic! 
Dressage4Kids Riders Shine at the 2019 Festival of Champions
Congratulations to all the riders at this year's Festival of Champions!  Approximately 70% of the riders in the U-25, Young Riders, Juniors, Children's, and Pony Divisions have participated in Dressage4Kids' Programs including:

USEF Young Rider Dressage National Champion Kayla Kadlubek (VA) on D4K's Perfect Step

USEF Junior Rider Dressage National Champion Jori Dupell (OR) on Fiderprinz 2  

Congratulations to all!
Dressage Explorers at Dressage at Devon
All Kids (and Kids at Heart) are Invited to Join Dressage Explorers at Dressage at Devon
For five years, kids have enjoyed the activities in the Dressage Explorers program and this year, even more activities have been added. 
 
The day will begin with the Blessing of the Animals (horses included!). Next follow the signs to make and decorate your own stick horse then ride it down the Centerline in the Dixon Oval. Have tea with the Princess and the Unicorn (also know as Markey), join the Selfie Scavenger Hunt and "pick" for prizes in the Luck Lump.
 
Plus, we are really excited to have Lendon Gray , founder of Dressage4Kids, at Dressage at Devon. She will join the Explorers in the afternoon to watch top junior rider classes and answer questions about the rides, the riders and the horses, helping Explorers understand what goes into a winning ride.
 
And Jessica Fay , Assistant Trainer at Hilltop Farm, will talk to Explorers about her career in dressage: How she got her start, her education, her training, her riding, her job as a working student  and some of the more unconventional horses she has ridden in her career.
 
The 2019 Dressage at Devon will take place September 24-September 29 at the Devon Horse Show Grounds in Devon, PA. For reserved seating, visit dressageatdevon.org/box-office.

Click here for general info regarding the show.
Meet Olympian Dorothee Schneider
Photo credit: Julia Rau
Come meet Olympian Dorothee Schneider!

Saturday, October 19th

during the NEDA Fall Symposium at  Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center in  South Hadley, Massachusetts

Dorothee recently scored over 90% in the Grand Prix Kur at the European Championships!

The D4K Youth Meet and Greet is open to all youth ages 21 and under and to Dressage4Kids TEAM Program members ages 25 and under and is free of charge. 

RSVP to Mary Livernois at  d4k.org@gmail.com  if you would like to attend the D4K Youth Meet and Greet.

All youth must also have purchased a NEDA  auditor ticket for Saturday, October 19th .  Auditor tickets can be purchased online at https://www.neda.org/event/2019FallSymposium
NAYC Champions
Congratulations to all the riders at this year's North American Youth Championships!  Approximately 2/3 of the riders are part of Dressage4Kids.  Here are the top results (D4K riders highlighted in blue):

Juniors Team Competition
Gold -  Region 4 - Hannah Thiher, Maggie Elsbernd, Averi Allen, Nicolas Beck
Silver - Region 2 - Maggie Tifft, Katie Teehan , Missy McGinn, Annelise Klepper
Bronze - Region 9 - Sydney Lipar, Gage Miles, Skye Simpson, Emma Claire Stephens

Young Riders Team Competition
Gold - Region 1 - Anna Weniger , Megan Peterson, Kayla Kadlubek, Hannah Irons
Silver - Team ON/QB - Jade Morrissette, Julie Barrett, Sophie Dean-Potter, Vanessa Creech-Terauds
Bronze - Region 3 - Melanie Doughty, Alessandra Ferrucci, Marline Syribeys, Nicole Scarpino

Juniors Individual
Gold - Annelise Klepper
Silver - Dennesy Rogers
Bronze - Isabelle Braden

Young Riders Individual
Gold - Callie Jones
Silver - Vanessa Creech-Terauds
Bronze - Kayla Kadlubek

Juniors Freestyle
Gold - Annelise Klepper
Silver - Jori Dupell
Bronze - Dennesy Rogers

Young Riders Freestyle
Gold - Callie Jones
Silver - Kayla Kadlubek
Bronze - Vanessa Creech-Terauds

Congratulations to all!
Tell Us About Your Favorite Horse - From The Dressage Foundation
Carol Lavell first told us the story about her beloved Gifted during The Dressage Foundation's 10th anniversary year in 1999.  

She helped The Dressage Foundation kick-start the "Favorite Horse Fundraiser" as a way for riders to recognize their equine companions and help the Foundation at the same time.

Now, in honor of TDF's 30th anniversary, we would love for you to join us in this year's "Favorite Horse Fundraiser!"

Your donation to The Dressage Foundation's 30th Anniversary "Favorite Horse Fundraiser" will give you the opportunity to recognize your equine partner in a special way. When you send your donation, be sure to tell us why your horse was special - or still is.

Your horse's name will be then added to our online "Book of Memory" and your donation will be used to help the sport you love.

Questions?  Learn more about The Dressage Foundation here or contact Jenny Johnson, Executive Director, at (402) 434-8585 or jenny@dressagefoundation.org.
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About Dressage4Kids Inc

Dressage4Kids, Inc. is a non-profit organization incorporated for the express purpose of providing educational and competitive opportunities for youth riders and the adults who support them.