U.S. Dressage Member Updates - January 2026

USEF Dressage Training Series
 

Open to all FEI levels (except for those limited to youth). Targeted for those not already a member of a USEF program. Program members may be accepted if space is available. Apply via the USEF athlete dashboard.
•  March 7-9, 2026: Woodside, Calif.
•  Clinician: Guenter Seidel
•  Application due February 5 at 11:59pm ET  
•  May 9-10, 2026: Tucson, Ariz.
•  Clinician: George Williams
•   Application due April 2 at 11:59pm ET .
•  October 10-11, 2026: Lexington, Ky.
•  Clinician: TBA
•  Application due September 9 at 11:59pm ET
•  October 17-18, 2026: Gladstone, N.J.
•  Clinician: TBA
•  Application due September 16 at 11:59pm ET

USEF Dressage Pathways Program Training & Evaluation Sessions
 

Open to all USEF pathway program members and non-program members who meet the criteria for an invitation or wild card per the Pathway Program & Benefits. Apply via the USEF athlete dashboard.
•  January 26-27, 2026; Wellington, Fla. / Development & Young Horse Program
•  Clinicians: Olivia LaGoy-Weltz & Christine Traurig
•  Application due January 16 at 5:00pm ET  
•  February 23-24, 2026; Wellington, Fla. / Development & Young Horse Program
•  Clinicians: Olivia LaGoy-Weltz & Christine Traurig
•  Application due February 13 at 5:00pm ET 
•  March 30-31, 2026; Southern CA / Elite/Pre-Elite/Development/YH
•  Clinician: Guenter Seidel 
•  Application due March 13 at 5:00pm ET 

Dressage Riding Standards Guidelines
 

Earlier this fall, US Equestrian released a series of Horse Welfare Guidelines to members, including those based on the familiar concept of a stoplight guidance recently published by USEF. In addition to this work, the USEF Dressage Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Task Force led by Betsy Juliano and Lisa Gorretta, has been meeting regularly to discuss changes needed nationally within the discipline of dressage.

 

As a result of the Task Force discussions, Riding Standard Guidelines have been drafted for the consideration of dressage athletes looking to progress up the levels in a harmonious way with their horses. We encourage athletes, trainers, and our dressage community to share these guidelines and implement them into their daily practice and review before competing.

2026 Rule Changes
 

In order to prepare for changes to the USEF Rulebook that will go into effect on December 1, 2025, we recommend reviewing the 2026 Rulebook here.

 

Notable Dressage Chapter changes effective 12/1/2025 include the following:
•  DR119.5: Hors de Concours entries are not permitted in Federation/USDF Championship or NAYC qualifying and championship classes.
•  DR121.13: Several brands of nose nets are now available in the market for use with head shaking syndrome. It is no longer necessary to list approved brands on the USEF website.
•  DR121.19, Numbers: Each digit of a number must be a minimum of 1.5 inches in height and a minimum of 3/8 inches in width and cannot be obscured by the encasement/holder.
•  DR125 (Compeititon Licensing and Officials) – At least one Dressage Technical Delegate, who is officiating at the competition as a Dressage Technical Delegate, must be present on the show grounds for the Jog at an FEI licensed Dressage Event.
•  DR126 (Requirements for Dressage Compeititon Management) and the Levels Chart - Updates throughout this chapter have been included to identify current needs and trends in the sport and development of new best practices.
•  DR128.2: Update to current wording of the 24-hour rule for USEF qualifying classes, selection trials and championships. This update makes it clear that for the purposes of the rule, the competition starts when the horse and athlete arrive on the show grounds and clarifies the qualifying and championship classes in which it is applied.
•  DR133: The proposed changes to the Dressage Seat Equitation chapter clarify that some rules apply both to standard Dressage Seat Equitation classes as well as Semi-Finals and Finals classes. It also clarifies that the sitting trot may be required in a Dressage Seat Equitation class, removes some outdated language, and updates other rules.
•  DR135.4: Updates to Pony Measurement maximum fee that can per charged. Only one total maximum fee of $150 per measurement can be charged when measurements are conducted during a time when the competition veterinarian is on call and only one total maximum fee of $50 per measurement can be charged when the competition veterinarian is on the grounds.
•  DR209.3: Update to judging procedures for DSHB in-hand classes. Horses being shown individually in hand or in groups may be asked to stand for conformation judging either by standing for the judge to move around the horse or by the judge remaining stationary (at a safe distance) and the handler turning the horse as instructed by the judge so that the horse can be judged on each side, from the front and from the back. Additionally, the Judging Triangle must be located within an enclosed area that can be accessed by one or more gates at least one entrance.

Questions regarding these rule changes can be directed to dressage@usef.org.

 

FEI Dressage Rule Changes for 2026 can be found on the FEI Website here. Since the next full FEI Dressage Rules revision is scheduled for 2026 (for implementation in 2027), the updates for 2026 are minor. They focus mainly on correcting inconsistencies, obvious errors, contradictions, and addressing horse welfare-related issues.

2026 FEI Dressage World Cup Final Memo
 

In preparation for the 2026 FEI World Cup Final to be held at Dickie’s Arena in Ft. Worth, TX we wanted to provide you with some preliminary planning information. This year’s FEI World Cup Final serves as an opportunity for our USA Dressage athletes to showcase their talents in front of the home US crowd. For more initial information, please click here.

2026 FEI Dressage World Championship Selection Procedure
 

The 2026 FEI Dressage World Championships are scheduled to take place in Aachen, Germany August 11-15, 2026.

 

Full selection procedures are available on the USEF website here. Applications are open on the USEF athlete dashboard.

2026 Events: USEF Dressage Selection Procedures / Qualifying Information
 

The information below is qualifying information for 2026 Events and is being provided to assist you with your competition planning and may be subject to change.
•  Wellington CDIO3* & CDIOU25; March 18-22, 2026 / Wellington, FL
•  Selection Procedures and more information can be found here.
•  Application due February 23, 2026 at 5:00pm ET via USEF Athlete Dashboard 
•  Grand Prix Dressage National Championship; May 13-17, 2026 / Ocala, Fla.
•  Qualifying Information and more information here.
•  Applicants for the 2026 U.S. FEI Dressage World Championship Team are not required to submit an application for this Championship.
•  2026 European Youth Tours 
•  U.S. Dressage European Tour - Young Rider Selection Procedures
•  U.S. Dressage European Tour - U25 Selection Procedures
•  Applications due March 9th, 2026, at 5:00pm ET via USEF Athlete Dashboard
•  FEI North American Youth Championship (NAYC); July 27-August 2, 2026 / Traverse City, Mich. 
•  Children Selection Procedures
•  Junior and Young Rider Selection Procedures
•  U25 Selection Procedures 
•  FEI Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses (Five-, Six-, and Seven-Year-Olds), August 4-9, 2026 / Verden, Germany 
•  Qualifying Period: January 1, 2026 – June 22, 2026.
•  Selection Procedures and More Information
•  U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions; August 24-30, 2026 / Wayne, Ill.
•  Intermediaire I and Brentina Cup Championship
•  Young Horse Championships
•  Developing Horse Championships
•  Youth Championships
•  Para Dressage Championships

If you have any questions, please contact the USEF Dressage Department dressage@usef.org or festival@usef.org.

2026-2027 Competition Calendars & Reminders
 
•  2026 USEF/NAYC Dressage Qualifying Calendar 
•  2026 US CDI Calendar
•  2027 US CDI Calendar
•  Minimum entry requirements for athletes of USA FEI sport nationality entering CDIs can be found in Annex B, which is posted on the USEF website.
•  IMPORTANT: If you intend to compete in a U.S. FEI competition, your entry must be submitted via the USEF Athlete Dashboard at athletes.usef.org no later than 4 p.m. ET on the definite entry date. You can view definite entry dates for all FEI competitions in the USEF Athlete Dashboard. Late entries or changes to existing entries may be accepted after the definite entry date with the approval of the competition’s organizing committee no later than 4 p.m. ET on the last date for substitutions as stated on the FEI schedule. However, late entries are subject to a $75 late entry fee and should be sent to feientries@usef.org.

2026 US Equestrian Annual Meeting
 
•  Dates: January 15-18, 2026
•  Location: Omni Louisville Hotel – Louisville, Ky.
•  Registration Link: Here
•  Tentative Meeting Schedule: Here

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The USEF International High Performance Programs and the USEF High Performance Pathway Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, the philanthropic partner to USEF. High Performance Program support is also provided by the USOPC and USEF sponsors and members.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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