US Equestrian has updated the "program member lists" to the USA Dressage Pathway Program, encompassing the USA Dressage Elite, Pre-Elite, Development, Emerging Young Horse and Youth programs for dressage athletes in the United States.
These member lists are similar to what the majority of dressage nations calls "squads".
These program lists are established based on competition results within the past 12 months and are supported by Christine Traurig, USEF Dressage Chef d’Equipe, Development and Young Horse Coach, and George Williams, USEF High Performance Pathway Development Advisor and Youth Coach.
Rebuilding After Retirement
"USA Dressage is in a period of rebuilding following the retirement of many of our successful and seasoned Grand Prix horses in recent years and there are many exciting combinations for the future within the base of our pathway programs. We felt, collectively, our program requirements needed strengthening to ensure we remain focused on the goal to be competitive internationally,” said Laura Roberts, USEF Managing Director of Dressage. “I look forward to working with our coaching staff and the combinations named to our USEF Dressage Pathway Programs, as well as our Observation List, to foster their talent and watch them progress over the coming months.”
The retirements Roberts is referring to are those of Suppenkasper and Salvino. U.S. olympic reserve team horse Bohemian also seems not to be making an imminent come-back to sport.
Effective December 1, 2024, the U.S. Dressage Program began enhancing transparency and accountability across its Dressage Pathway Programs, with the initiative to include a stronger focus on current competition results.
Program Member Lists
Elite Program (2 scores of 74%) (A-squad)
- /
Pre-Elite Program (B-squad)
- Adrienne Lyle - Helix
- Anna Marek - Fayvel
- Marcus Orlob - Jane
- Endel Ots - Bohemian
Development Program
- Nora Batchelder - Nova
- Katherine Bateson-Chandler - Haute Couture
- Laura Brandt - Ikon
- Hannah Bressler Jaques - Jim
- Benjamin Ebeling - Bellena
- Tina Konyot - Grover
- Anna Marek - Fire Fly
- Sarah Mason-Beaty - Kanjer TC
- Marcus Orlob - JJ Glory Day
- Kasey Perry-Glass - Heartbeat W.P.
- Rebecca Rigdon - MSJ for VIPS
- Genay Vaughn - Gino
- Jennifer Williams - Joppe K
- Andrea Woodard - Roberto de Fontaine and Roxette
Emerging Young Horse Program
- Hope Cooper - O Romeo S
- Christopher Hickey - Saskatoon OMF
- Mary Lauritsen - Oliver R Tambo SV
- Adrienne Lyle - Zaunkonig
- Caroline Roffman - Onassis
- Alice Tarjan - Orado
- Petra Warlimont - Dreambulo PWD
Emerging Athlete Program
- Josh Albrecht - Goldenboy Vinckenburgh
- Miriam Bacon - Drambuie
- Alicia Berger - Aqua Marin
- Justine Boyer - Campanero HGF
- Grace Christianson - FHF Roulee
- Cheyenne Duncan - Skikkild’s De’Nozzo
- Abby Fodor - Dazzle
- Sophia Forsyth - Dimagico
- Ella Fruchterman - Hannah Montana W
- Kat Fuqua - Dreamgirl
- Siena Harris-Gissler - Status Royal OLD
- Olivia Martz - Rihanna Ymas
- Allison Nemeth - Leviathan
- Erin Nichols - Elian Royale and Kind Pleasure
- Haley Smith - Great Lady TC
- Claire Tucker - Finnur
- Virginia Woodcock - Mollegardens Sans-Souci
Observation List
In conjunction with the Dressage Pathway Programs, USEF has established the USEF Dressage Pathway Program Observation List. This list is designed to identify rider-horse combinations with the potential to advance to the Pre-Elite or Elite Programs or to achieve podium finishes at the upcoming FEI World Championships or Olympic Games, or international championship level.
The Observation List is a valuable tool for the USEF Dressage Coaching Staff, Human (HSSM), and Equine (ESSM) Sport Science Medicine Staff, as well as the USEF Dressage Department Staff, as it allows the program to maintain communication with combinations who have not yet met the objective criteria for the Dressage Pathway Programs, but are on the verge of doing so. The Observation List is not published on the USEF website.
Training Opportunities
So far this year, USEF has hosted six training opportunities on both the East and West coasts in Wellington, Fla., Woodside, Calif., and Del Mar, Calif.
The next session will expand outside of the coastal regions in Evergreen, Colo., on June 28-29, featuring clinician Shelly Francis. An additional session will be hosted in Lexington, Ky., on October 11-12, with the clinician to be announced. The final session of the year will be held in Gladstone, N.J., from October 18-19, led by clinician and U.S. Dressage Team member, Marcus Orlob.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Christine Traurig Signs as U.S. Chef d'Equipe until 2028 L.A. Olympics
2026 U.S. Grand Prix Championship To Be Standalone Event, Maybe WEG Observation Trial
Combinations Selected to Represent 2025 U.S. Dressage European Young Rider and U25 Tour
Debbie McDonald Steps Back from Active Role as Leading U.S. Dressage Trainer