New Youth and Young Horse National Champions Crowned on Final Day of 2026 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions
Wayne, Ill. – The final day of the 2026 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions got off to a wet start with rain forecasted for Wayne, Ill. but the competition at the HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center could not be dampened with four new national champions crowned across both arenas including the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final 14-18, the Markel/USEF 6- and 7-Year-Old Dressage National Championships, as well as the Aspen Leaf Farm/USEF Children Dressage National Championship.
Partnership Comes First for Tillie Jones and Coco as They Contest U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions
An impromptu shopping trip for a student turned into Tillie Jones finding her now up-and-coming Grand Prix partner, Cilla Franchesca. “Coco,” as she’s known in the barn, came into Jones’ life when she least expected it, and the pair has blossomed into serious competitors and partners.
From Yearling to Prix St. Georges, Halegro Has Been by Cassie Benson’s Side
Practically raised in the dressage saddle, Cassie Benson grew up riding alongside her family members at Hilltop Dressage, located in Heber City, Utah. Eventually, Benson took over her grandmother’s role in the business as a trainer alongside her aunt, Margo Gogan.
Bitsy’s Itsy is All Business: A Cheerleader With Boss Mare Energy
Elan Stremmel of Syracuse, N.Y., is making her first appearance at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions this week, riding her longtime partner Bitsy's Itsy, an 11-year-old Connemara-Oldenburg-Thoroughbred cross (Wasabi x Bitsy), in the Aspen Leaf Farm/USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship.
Adam Steffens-Smienk's Return to the Saddle with Candoit’s Scala
Adam Steffens-Smienk made the move to Wellington, Fla. at the age of 16 to chase his dreams. Originally from Minnesota, he worked his way up the levels, learning and working under Olympians while pouring his heart and soul into the sport and the horses he works with.
From Rescue to Show Ring: Zoe Lewis and Pedro's Multi-Generational Journey to the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions
Some horses are purchased, but some are priceless. Pedro was rescued for $900 out of a neglect situation, and more than a decade later, he's carried two generations of the same family to national competition, most recently finishing sixth in the Aspen Leaf Farm/USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship with 15-year-old Zoe Lewis of Elgin, Texas, in the irons.
Four National Champion Titles Awarded at the 2026 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions
Wayne, Ill. – Competition continued at the HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center on Saturday with four new champions crowned in the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage National Championship, Adequan®/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship, and the Markel/USEF 4- and 5-Year-Old Dressage National Championships. The Children division began in the HITS Grand Prix Arena for their first day of testing as part of the Aspen Leaf Farm/USEF Children Dressage National Championship.
New Dressage National Championship Titles Decided and Young Horses Take Center Stage at U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions
Wayne, Ill. — Competition continued Friday at the U.S. Dressage National Championships, hosted at HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Ill. Three new national champions topped the podium in the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix National Championship, Aspen Leaf Farm/USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship, and the USEF Dressage Medal Seat Final 13 & Under. Six- and 7-year-old horses entered the HITS Arena for the first time this week, marking the start of both the Markel/USEF 6-Year-Old Dressage National Championship and Markel/USEF 7-Year-Old Dressage National Championship.
Three New Dressage National Champions Top the Podium at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions
Wayne, Ill. — Three new national champions were recognized on the fourth day of the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions at the HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Ill. The Developing PSG and Young Horses also took their first turns down the centerline in the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges National Championship, as well as the Markel/USEF Four-Year-Old and Five-Year-Old National Championships, all taking places in the HITS Arena on Thursday afternoon.
Two New Para Dressage National Champions Crowned at 2026 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions
Wayne, Ill. — Two new national champions were crowned today at the 2026 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. The Adequan®/USEF Para Dressage National Championships came to a conclusion in the HITS Grand Prix Arena with Maura Wamsley and Arteon earning the Adequan®/USEF Grand Prix Para Dressage National Championship title, and Elizabeth Welch and Baltico BRH securing the Adequan®/USEF Intermediaire I Para Dressage National Championship title. The Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Dressage National Championship got underway with the FEI Intermediate II, followed by the FEI Young Rider Team test, part of the Iron Spring Farm/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship.
Action Continues at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions for the Brentina Cup, Intermediaire I, and Adequan®/USEF U.S. Para Dressage National Championships
Wayne, Ill. — Competition continued today at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, hosted at HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Ill. The Adequan®/USEF Brentina Cup, Intermediaire I, and Adequan®/USEF U.S. Para Dressage National Championships took the stage for the second day. The Adequan®/USEF Brentina Cup Dressage National Championship moved into its second phase Tuesday with the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test, and the leaderboard held firm, with all three riders retaining their positions from Monday's opening FEI Intermediate II test.
Competition Gets Underway for the Brentina Cup, Intermediaire I, and Adequan®/USEF U.S. Para Dressage National Championships at U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions
Wayne, Ill. — The 2026 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions opened Monday at HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center, with the first tests underway for the Brentina Cup, Intermediaire I, and Adequan®️/USEF U.S. Para Dressage National Championships. Competition follows a clean bill of health for the combinations. Every horse entered across the three championship divisions passed the veterinary inspection held Sunday afternoon in the Grand Prix Arena, clearing the way for this week's championship action.
2026 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions Set to Begin at HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center
Wayne, Ill. — The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (FOC), the annual showcase of American dressage talent, returns to HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center in Northern Illinois for seven days of competition, August 24-30, 2026. Horse inspections begin on Sunday, August 23, ahead of a full slate of championships spanning para dressage, young and developing horses, and youth divisions, alongside the sport's top senior competitors.
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