The 2005 Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival, created by former United States Olympian Lendon Gray will take place Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14, 2005. This year’s sponsors have committed to $90,000 in prizes and funds and include dozens of companies, corporations and individuals who support the objectives of the annual event for kids.

Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival (LYDF) is a “kids-only” international equestrian competition that draws riders, ages 7 to 21 from all over the United States and abroad. Although the emphasis of the event is on dressage, it attracts young people with hunter/jumper, eventing, trail riding and Pony Club backgrounds.

“Lendon’s show” is regarded as a unique educational opportunity for young riders in a supportive environment. This year’s event includes two ParaEquestrian divisions so that the extensive learning opportunities that distinguish LYDF can be available to all youth riders, regardless of disability. “The chance to ride in front of world class judges and trainers is what makes this weekend so valuable,” says two-time (former) United States Olympian Lendon Gray. “We could not hold this show without the support of our wonderful sponsors, many of who have been with us since we began seven years ago. This show is about kids of all ages from different backgrounds working together, performing, and sharing experiences.”

Some of the over 150 sponsors who have already committed to sponsoring this year’s event include Hermes, Equestrian Education Systems, Inc., Equine Journal, Primedia Equine Network/Dressage Today, Knight Equestrian Books, LightSpeed Realtime Event Photography, and Nail Tek. Over 20 sponsors have supported LYDF from its inception including Ariat International, Ben & Jerry's, Beval Saddlery, Custom Saddlery, Euro-American Saddlery, Fox Ledge Tack Shop, Beval Saddlery, Euro-American Saddlery, Thornhill Enterprises, Inc., Trafalgar Square Publishing and Young Rider Magazine.

The comprehensive three-day “Dressage Festival” tests virtually all aspects of the rider’s ability and skill and is open to riders at training through the most advanced FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) levels. Each year a prestigious group of internationally acclaimed riders, trainers and judges officiates.

According to Gray, many former LYDF participants have gone on to successfully compete as far as the National Junior and North American Young Rider Championships, and some hold international rankings.