Accomplished High Performance Dressage competitor Jeremy Steinberg of Kirkland, WA has been appointed as the inaugural USEF National Dressage Youth Coach.
The 1996 NAJYRC Gold Medalist, Steinberg's career developed from the Young Rider ranks into successfully training and competing horses at all levels from Young Horse to Grand Prix, including international competitions and the U.S. League Finals for the FEI World Cup.
The USEF Youth Dressage Programs are currently under construction, and will become a critical link in the pipeline for development of future riders.
"The National Youth Coach needs to help develop the next generation of riders, trainers, teachers, and knowledgeable supporters to insure that dressage sport flourishes," says Steinberg. "My vision for the USEF National Youth Coach role is to be part of a system which can produce riders and horses from the very basic level all the way up to international superstar riders and trainers, producing along the way those teachers who can bring success for generations to come. I see that in our future, believe in that goal, and I look forward to working with USEF to make that a reality."
Through an open application process conducted in the spring and summer, Steinberg was selected from a pool of highly qualified international candidates. As the newest and youngest member of the USEF dressage coaching staff, Steinberg will work extensively with Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons and the USEF Dressage Committee to design a program to benefit youth at all levels of the sport.
Jayne Ayers, chairwoman of the USEF Dressage Committee, said, "I am confident that Jeremy will bring the energy and enthusiasm we need to build programs which promote the best education and opportunities for our youth."
"I am delighted to have a Youth Coach in place," said USEF Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons. "And I look forward to the development of these programs and to working with Jeremy."
Steinberg is a popular clinician, conducting clinics almost every weekend at sites around the country, in addition to working extensively with Juniors and Young Riders on the West Coast. During this year's NAJYRC in Lexington, KY, Steinberg was awarded the inaugural "Albers Award", presented to the dressage Chef d'Equipe who best demonstrates an extraordinary level of dedication, enthusiasm and team spirit.
"The youth riders are our future, whether it's as international level competitors or local horse trainers," said Steinberg. "Proponents of the sport know that we need a steady stream of new and upcoming riders and trainers who are well educated in all things to do with the horse, not just riding dressage tests. It is our responsibility to find a way to create an environment and system where younger riders and professionals in the United States are groomed for the future and given the tools to better themselves and exceed our expectations.
Related Links
Debbie McDonald, USEF Developmental Coach of the Year 2008
The Search is On for New U.S. Dressage Coach