Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Returns to Michigan at Hampton Green Farm, June 28-30, 2019

The annual summer Youth Dressage Festival at Hampton Green Farm in Fruitport, Michigan, will again feature the direction and teaching of founder Lendon Gray, in addition to some very special guests.

Now in its ninth year, the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest has maintained the three day format, featuring a two-day intense clinic for more advanced riders, kown as the TEAM clinic, followed by a one-day three-part competition open to all riders, regardless of level or dressage experience.[nbsp]

Sunday's all-youth horse show is open to any rider under 21, and consists of 3 divisions: Written Test, Dressage Test, and Equitation Test. Modeled after the highly successful LYDF held every summer in New York, the Midwest version is a one-day event, preceded by a Saturday night Exhibitor's Dinner featuring United States Developing Grand Prix Trainer Charlotte Bredahl (more about Charlotte below...)!

[nbsp]

Dates are:

Friday and Saturday, June 28-29: TEAM Clinic with Lendon Gray and others

Saturday night, June 29: Exhibitors Party—Friends and Parents Invited, Featuring Charlotte Bredahl

Sunday, June 30: Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest, 3-Part Competition

Where: Hampton Green Farm, Fruitport, MI www.hamptongreenfarm.com

[nbsp]

The following speakers and commentators will be involved with this year’s event:

Lendon Gray, Founder and President of Dressage4Kids:

Two-time Olympian Lendon Gray believes dressage is for every horse and rider. Generous, outspoken, and pragmatic, Lendon has devoted her energies to the improvement of all riders (not just the privileged ones) and all horses (even the littlest ones).[nbsp] With the goal that all youths might learn how to become not just better riders, but all-around horsemen, Lendon established Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival (formerly known as the Northeast Junior/Young Rider Championships) in 1999. Lendon will be training and lecturing to the riders throughout the weekend, as well as overseeing all of the Divisions.

Saturday Night Speaker and Dressage Commentator:[nbsp]

Charlotte Bredahl is a 1992 Bronze Medalist on the US Olympic Dressage Team, FEI 4* Judge, and new USEF Grand Prix Developing Team Coach. Charlotte works closely with US Senior Dressage Team Trainer Debbie McDonald to produce quality pairs for future United States Team potential. Formerly part of the team of Youth Trainers for USEF, Charlotte has a special passion for young riders and their educational progress.

Sunday afternoon Lecturer:

Since her childhood riding horses in Spain and following her university studies in communications,[nbsp]Lily Forado[nbsp]has quickly established herself as an international photojournalist of dressage, becoming an integral player in the promotion of the sport through outstanding photography of the most briliant competition and behind-the scenes-moments between horse and rider. She attends all of the Dressage Championships in Europe and around the world and has received her press credentials for the Tokyo Olympics. We look forward to having Lily Forado with us and having her share her unique experiences, relationships, and lessons learned.

Dressage Judge:[nbsp]Merrilyn Griffin, USEF “r” Dressage Judge

Equitation Judge: Barbara Crossmyer Reis

LYDF Midwest Prizelist and Entry Form now available on the Home Page of this website. Read all information carefully!

TEAM riders must apply through the Dressage4Kids website. Information and application available at[nbsp]https://dressage4kidsorg.presencehost.net/programs/team-program.html

All TEAM Riders MUST enter the LYDF on Sunday, June 30.