Markel/USEF National Young Horse and Developing Horse Championships Celebrates 16 Years as Title Sponsor

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce that Markel® has renewed its title sponsorship of the Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse National Championships for 2021, marking the 16th year Markel has been a USEF Sponsor for this productive program (since 2005). These championships will take place at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions in August and include the following divisions:

• Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championships for Four, Five, and Six-Year-Olds
• Markel/USEF Developing Horse Dressage National Championships for Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix

Markel has been the sponsor of this program since 2005, just a few years after the FEI World Young Horse Championships began. "I remember going to Arnhem in 1999 for the second World Young Horse Championships the year Sandro Hit won, starting a new era in Dressage by launching him as a top stallion for breeding," said Mary Phelps long time Equine Insurance specialist with Markel. In 2005, Markel sponsored the USEF National Young Horse Championships, a new program just beginning to gain momentum. What has grown from the 'American version' is a training scale to seek out individuals who could perform of the world stage, but mostly to help properly develop the young talent in the USA for the future.

"I am very proud to have been a part of this program since its inception and have seen it grow into the developing divisions. This year we will be there on the scene at Lamplight to follow the competition."

Markel Specialty, a business division of Markel, offers insurance solutions for horse owners and equine professionals across all breeds and disciplines, with insurance agents who are dedicated to the needs of the horse industry.

“Markel is proud to continue to partner with US Equestrian in support of the young horse program. With Christina Traurig’s incredible coaching, we will continue to see talented athletes come out of the Festival of Champions at Lamplight, competing towards the highest levels of international dressage competition. The young horse final is foundational to the future success of Team USA and we are grateful to be part of it,” said Brandon Seger, Associate Director at Markel Specialty.

“The Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse National Championships are an essential part of recognizing talented American dressage horses with the potential for a future on the global stage,” said US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney. “We’re grateful for Markel’s continued sponsorship of these championships, and we’re looking forward to seeing these up-and-coming equine athletes at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions this summer.”

The 2021 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions will take place August 24-29 at HITS Chicago at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Ill., and streamed live on USEF Network. Click here to learn more.