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Grier School

USDF Youth Partnership Program

The USDF Youth Partnership Program gives aspiring youth and young adults the opportunity to shadow competition management and dressage officials at competitions. The program encourages participants to learn more about the behind-the-scenes professions that make our sport possible. The Youth Partnership Program will strive to achieve the goal of giving participants intensive and personal experience to understand the needs of managing and officiating at competitions. The program will also encourage future involvement in the sport.

Selected participants will be invited to shadow competition management and official(s) in their briefings, experience their decision-making processes, learn the methods of scoring and receive one-on-one instruction from some of the most experienced officials and managers in the country. Participants will learn how competition is conducted under USEF and USDF rules.

Selected participants will be able to experience the competition with:

  • Technical Delegates
  • Judges
  • Veterinarians (if possible)
  • Show Managers
  • Show Secretary

Three competitions are slated for the program in 2026 with up to 4 participants at each competition.

  • West Coast - Dressage at DevonWood July 17-19, 2026, Sherwood, OR
  • Midwest - Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 4 Dressage Championships October 1-4, 2026, St Louis, MO
  • East Coast - HITS Hudson Valley Dressage August I/II August 14-16, 2026, Saugerties, NY

Benefits include:

  • The opportunity to learn from some of the most prestigious experienced officials and management teams in the sport
  • Make connections and lasting relationships within the industry
  • Resumé builder and USDF University education credit for each full day of participation.
  • Emersion experience and education in all aspects of a dressage competition
  • Exploration of a career pathway in equine sport
  • The chance to be featured in the USDF magazine, Connection and yourdressage.org

Who can apply?

  • Any USDF Group or Participating member ages 18-28
  • Must not be competing or volunteering at the selected event
  • Must be able to spend majority of the day with officials, which requires outdoor work, standing, walking, and observing as well as sitting, riding in golf carts or other ground transport, in all weather conditions
  • Must have a desire to further their dressage education

The application process for the USDF Youth Mentorship Program will be as follows:

  1. Interested candidates must be 18-25 years of age and a current member of USDF.
  2. Qualified candidates must fill out the Youth Mentorship Program application to be considered.
  3. One equine related reference from a non-family member

The program is free for qualified applicants, but travel, accommodation, and meals will be at the applicant's expense.

Following the successful completion of the program, participants will be required to write a brief reflection on their experience for publication and may be asked to participate in other post-event promotions through the USDF.