Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals and the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials. The USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals will take place August 16-18, 2013 in Estes Park, Colorado, held in conjunction with the Paragon Dressage CDI3*. While the Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials will be held in two locations; the Western Selection Trials at La Cañada Flintridge, California May 23-26, 2013 during the Dressage at Flintridge and the Eastern Selection Trials as part of VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage in Leesburg, VA June 7-9, 2013.

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The purpose of the Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward correct seat, position, and use of aids in dressage for junior riders. The program focuses on equitation and the development of a solid foundation for future success in the international dressage arena. Youth wishing to qualify for the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals must compete at the USEF/USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals held at the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships. Riders placing in the top two in the Semi-Finals are invited to compete in the Finals.”We are very excited about holding the 2013 Dressage Seat Medal Finals in Estes Park. It is a great way to expose the joint USEF/USDF Dressage Seat Equitation program to other parts of our country,” said George Williams, USDF President and Chair of the USEF Dressage High Performance Committee. “We feel this will help highlight the importance of equitation as the key part of the solid foundation needed to be successful in our sport.

The Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials, held for both five and six-year-olds, are an opportunity for horse and rider to qualify for the FEI World Breeding Championships. Additionally, they serve as an opportunity for athletes to qualify for the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships.  Scott Hassler, USEF Young Horse Coach, believes holding the 2013 Selection Trials in Virginia and California will once again bring the best young horses from throughout the country. “These two locations for the Eastern and Western Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials have proven to be successful locations in the past,” said Hassler. “I’m looking forward to being part of them again in 2013 and I expect we will see the quality 5 and 6 year-old horses that these sites have historically attracted. “The Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program promotes the importance of selective breeding and correct training of horses in the United States, and encourages participation of breeders, riders, and trainers of young horses in dressage competition.

The purposes of this program are to encourage the properly structured development of young dressage prospects through the training scale, to identify and recognize outstanding talent and the training of international-caliber horses, and to prepare these horses for future careers at the FEI level and participation on U.S. High Performance teams. To learn more about the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program visit; http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/NatlYHProgram.aspx.