Charlotte Jorst and Vitalis (Photo: Mary Phelps)

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce plans for the 2014 USEF Developing Dressage Program. The Developing Dressage Program is made possible by a generous gift from Akiko Yamazaki and Red Husky Foundation through the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation. Debbie McDonald returns in 2014 as USEF Developing Coach, as the program seeks to identify talented, developing combinations with potential for future team and international success. Once again the program will first focus its efforts on observing combinations at pre-determined observation competitions, from where selected combinations who have submitted an application will be named to take part in mandatory outings, e.g., training sessions with McDonald. The goal for the program is to provide funding following the winter/spring season for selected developing combinations to use towards European training and competition experience.  Anyone interested in being part of the 2014 Developing Dressage Program should plan to attend at least one of seven competitions selected for observation. Two competitions were designated in 2013 as observation competitions for the 2014 program. At these competitions combinations will be observed by up to two selectors.  The following individuals have been named as selectors by the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee:Debbie McDonald, USEF Developing CoachRobert Dover, USEF Chef d’Equipe/Technical AdvisorJeremy Steinberg, USEF Youth CoachScott Hassler, USEF Young Horse CoachObservation Competitions include:Wellington Classic CDI-W/1*/U-25 Wellington, Fla., January 22-26, 2014Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI-W Burbank, Calif., February 20-23, 2014  Wellington CDIO3*/3*/1*/U-25 Wellington, Fla., February 19-21, 2014  Palm Beach Derby CDI-W/U-25 Loxahatchee, Fla., Feb. 26-March 2, 2014  Capistrano Dressage Classic CDI-W San Juan Capistrano, Calif., March 21-24, 2014  Global Dressage Fair CDI5*/3*/1*/U-25 Wellington, Fla., March 26-30, 2014  Golden State CDI3*/U-25 Rancho Murieta, Calif., April 3-6, 2014 The following 2013 competitions were designated as 2014 Observation Competitions:   NEDA Fall Festival CDI-W Saugerties, N.Y., September 18-21, 2013U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp Lexington, Ky., October 8-12, 2013Any competitor in the following classes at these competitions will be observed: CDI Classes: Prix St. Georges, Intermediaire I and U-25 Young Adult Grand PrixNational Classes: Developing Horse Prix St. Georges, Grand Prix and USEF “Brentina Cup” classThe application process for training sessions and grants will be announced at a later date. For further information regarding the 2014 USEF Dressage Developing Program visit here! For additional information please contact Jenny Van Wieren-Page at (859) 225-6949, or via email at jvanwieren@usef.org.