On April 3, the first 2013 U.S. Equestrian Federation Developing Dressage Training Session took place at Havensafe Farm South in Wellington, Fla. Riders worked with USEF Developing Dressage Coach Debbie McDonald over the course of two days. On the first day, riders brought recent tests for review. The following day, combinations worked with McDonald to identify movements in the test that needed improvement or areas where greater points could be earned.

The following pairs participated in the training sessions:

Susie Dutta (Wellington, Fla.) and Tim Dutta Inc.’s Lumberjack 12
Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s Danilo
Justin Hardin (Long Valley, N.J.) and Judith Cardella’s Wyatt Star
Kimberly Herslow (Stockton, N.J.) and Kiroli Enterprises LLC’s Rosmarin
Katie Robicheaux (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Avignon T
Caroline Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Her Highness O

Dutta, Francis, Hardin, Herslow and Roffman will all represent the United States at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO, April 11-14..

The invitation-only training session is part of the revamped 2013 USEF Developing Dressage Program; riders were selected from a pool of applicants for 2013 training sessions and grants. At these sessions McDonald is assisted by riders’ personal trainers along with a USEF Dressage Developing Program Selector.

The following individuals have been named as selectors by the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee:

Debbie McDonald, USEF Developing Coach
Jeremy Steinberg, USEF Youth Coach
Scott Hassler, USEF Young Horse Coach
Anne Gribbons
Lendon Gray

There will be two Developing Dressage Observation Sessions April 25-28, taking place at the CDI Del Mar National in Del Mar, Calif., and at the CDI Houston Dressage Society Spring Classic in Katy, Texas. Riders wishing to participate can contact Leah Oliveto at loliveto@usef.org.