Competition officially began today in the FEI North American Youth Dressage Championship presented by USDF at the 2026 FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC), with the Junior Team Test, Children’s Preliminary Test B and U25 Intermediate II kicking off dressage action at Flintfield Horse Park.

FEI Junior Team Test

Region 2 took top honors in the Junior Team Test, posting a combined score of 201.879 to finish in gold medal position. Region 3 earned silver with a combined score of 198.273, and Region 5 rounded out the podium in bronze position with 196.393.

Representing gold medal-winning Region 2 were Grace Christianson (Noblesville, Ind.) and Outsider DRH, Vee Dravilas (Medinah, Ill.) and Wilona HSR, Autumn Vavrick (Oxford, Mo.) and One De La Fazenda, and Madelynn Williams (West Lafayette, Ind.) and FHF Rockstar, under Chef d’Equipe Angela Jackson.

Photo – From L to R: Vee Dravilas, Madelynn Williams, Autumn Vavrick, and Grace Christianson (©Centre Line Media)

Christianson, competing on Outsider DRH, a 2019 KWPN gelding (Spielberg x Apache), owned by Karissa Gearen, in his first major competition, said she was pleased with her mount’s focus in the ring.

“He was very focused in the ring today. I was very pleased with him, especially being seven years old; this was his first big competition. It’s so much fun being on a team with these girls. It’s really fun to be back and doing well with them again,” Christianson said.

New Partner

Dravilas, aboard a new partner this year in Wilona HSR, a 2014 U.S.-bred Oldenburg mare (Wild Dance x Davignon I), owned by Kathryn Fleming-Kuhn, described a season that took an unexpected turn before the pairing came together.

“I originally was going to compete with a different horse, but at our first show of the season he turned up feeling off. My trainer, Kate Fleming Kuhn, gave me the opportunity to lease her mare, Wilona HSR. I’d only been riding her for two weeks before our first show, but I’m really grateful to be able to be here and ride her considering what a rough start we had this season,” Dravilas said.

Williams, also aboard a new mount this year in FHF Rockstar, a 2013 Oldenburg gelding (Routinier x Cottonwood Flame), owned by Jennifer Kaiser, known at home as Junior, credited the horse’s personality for helping the transition.

“Junior has a really quirky personality, always loving, always scratches. I’ve only been on him for about two and a half months. This opportunity turned out really well, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. I just wanted to put out a clean test today,” Williams said.

Feeling Sharp

Vavrick, riding One De La Fazenda said the 2019 KWPN gelding (Valverde NRW x OO-Seven), owned by Eleonora Frey, felt especially sharp in Traverse City.

“My test today, he felt so good, especially compared to yesterday’s ride. He was always right there, which is a new thing for me compared to horses I’ve ridden in the past. Riding him rather than owning him has been really honoring. He’s super special, and he’s very genuine,” Vavrick said.

In the silver medal-winning Region 3 lineup, Bennett McWhorter (Wellington, Fla.) and Dalia, a 2016 Hanoverian mare (Harmony’s Don Nobelesse x Contendro I), co-owned by McWorter and Stephanie Mills, posted the top individual score of the day of 71.182%.

Hard Work Pays Off

“It feels really incredible to see all of our hard work pay off. Our goal today was just to have a beautiful and harmonious ride, and going into the future, to continue showing dressage as the art form that it is, to really help our sport and make it look beautiful,” McWhorter said.

The junior riders will return to the arena on Friday, July 31, for their FEI Junior Individual Test, beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST.

2026 FEI North American Youth Championships Livestream  

The 2026 FEI North American Youth Championships will be streamed live on ClipMyHorse.TV. US Equestrian members, subscribers, and fans receive a 10% discount on ClipMyHorse.TV premium memberships. Create your free fan account now.

RESULTS