Lexington, Kentucky- The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2014 Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com and the 2014 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals. Both prestigious competitions will be held at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, August 20-24.

The Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program (for 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old horses) promotes the importance of selective breeding and correct training of horses in the United States, and encourages participation of breeders, riders, and trainers of young horses in dressage competition. The purposes of this program is to encourage the properly structured development of young dressage prospects through the training scale, to identify and recognize outstanding talent and the training of international-caliber horses, and to prepare these horses for future careers at the FEI level and participation on U.S. High Performance teams. To learn more about the program visit; https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/NatlYHProgram.aspx

The Markel/USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship presented by HorseShow.com is for 7- to 9-year-old horses competing at the FEI Prix St. Georges level and for 8- to 10-year-old horses competing at the Grand Prix level. This program is part of USEF's initiative to recognize up-and-coming dressage talent for High Performance - not only for riders, but also for horses. To learn more about this program visit: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/developingHorseInfo.aspx

The USEF Dressage Seat Medal program celebrates excellence in equitation and strives to develop a solid foundation for future success in the international dressage arena. To learn more about the program visit: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/dressageSeatEq.aspx