The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) announced the athletes that will represent the United States in the 2026 North American Youth Championships (NAYC).
The competition will be held July 27- August 2, at Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), in Traverse City, MI.
The NAYC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for children (ages 12-14), juniors (ages 14-18), young riders (ages 16-21), and U25 (ages 16-25). Young equestrians vie for team and individual medals in the Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping and dressage.
When discussing this year’s event, USDF FEI Youth Committee Chair Roberta Williams had this to say, "NAYC is not about winning. It is about the achievement of earning the right to be on that prestigious field of play. This year, it will be extra special for our athletes to wear the US flag on their team uniforms in this, our 250th Anniversary of the birth of our nation.”
The following combinations have been submitted to the FEI on the NAYC Definite Entry for dressage and will represent the United States in the Children, Junior and Young Rider divisions:
USDF Region 1 Children: Blakely Begonia (Roody), and Samantha Wood (Dulcinée).
USDF Region 1 Juniors: Miriam Bacon (Drambuie), Claire Pratt (Danen), Hayden Kane (Sonnenkonig), and Meagan Kelliher (Qhuo Vadis).
USDF Region 1 Young Riders: Laila Edwards (Farah Jade), and Isabella Figanika (Quinlan CF).
USDF Region 2 Children: Lucy Dawson (Donna Bella CS).
USDF Region 2 Juniors: Autumn Vavrick (One De La Fazenda), Grace Christianson (Outsider DRH), Vee Dravilas (Wilona HSR), and Madelynn Williams (FHF Rockstar).
USDF Region 3 Children: Brooklyn Young (Mio Bello Ragazzo), and Austin Hermann (Genevieve HF).
USDF Region 3 Juniors: Bennett McWhorter (Dalia), Eve Boswell (tosGolden Romance), Lauren Polk (Donauwelle P), and Camila Tossas (King Maximus).
USDF Region 3 Young Riders: Eila Fisk (Quaresma), Allison Berger (Delacure), Ava Babnick (Sir Sincere), and Reece O’Keefe (Kamora).
USDF Region 4 Juniors: Adelynn Nelson (Custom Made V).
USDF Region 4 Young Riders: Claire Tucker (Finnur).
USDF Region 5 Juniors: Catherine Burlew (Hojgaardens Scirocco), Samantha MacDonald (Snapchat), and Ellis Venkatesh (L’Aqiedo).
USDF Region 5 Young Riders: Bailey Armbrecht (Night’n Dale), Kali Riddell (Galaxy Quest), Nicola Valentine (Everdeen), and Taylor Allen (Just Mickey).
USDF Region 6 Children: Annika Helinski (Stuffy), and Adelyn Burris (Dolittle).
USDF Region 6 Juniors: Cadence Welch (Jameson), Maverick Wright (Quiero KD), Audrey Panno (Coco Jambo ZV), and Wyatt Heacox (Nevada).
USDF Region 6 Young Riders: Finn Kriess (Francis HW), Hannah Muckler (Bugatti C), and Olivia Martz (Fresco LD).
USDF Region 7 Children: Waverly Ranes (Avonlea), and Anika Meenal Mujumdar (Bekelaar’s Nelson).
USDF Region 7 Juniors: Lizzie Oshman (Prima Ballerina), Walker Lefkowitz (Fine Rhapsodie), Angelia Li (Faretino), and Sage Chacon (Florida Primera).
USDF Region 7 Young Riders: Ellanor Boehning (Hotspot).
USDF Region 8 Children: Juliana Sardelli (Cupid).
USDF Region 8 Juniors: Ellie Sloan (Bingotti), Logan Green (Kaliber SP), Madeline Fasse (Zwingfly), and Miex-Mayer Brudermann (Thys).
USDF Region 8 Young Riders: London Morin (Izzy T).
USDF Region 9 Juniors: Kassidy Edwards (Ivender), and Mallory Macomber (Atterupgaards Belafonte).
USDF Region 9 Young Riders: Adeline Batcheller (Luminosity JP), MK Connatser (Schnell’s Highlight), Sloane Macomber (Elburg T), and Catherine Schmidt (Fontainebleau JCD).
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Riders and Teams Announced for 2026 North American Under 25 Championships
Canadian Athletes Selected for 2026 North American Youth Championships
Ground Jury Appointed for 2026 North American Youth Championships
2026 and 2027 North American Youth Championships Return to Traverse City