Lexington, Ky.  – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) regrets to announce the cancellation of the 2016 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, USEF Grand Prix and Intermediaire I National Championships. Slated to run October 12-16, 2016 in Paso Robles, Calif., the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee made the difficult decision to cancel the event following a series of challenges and logistical hurdles.

In 2016, U.S. dressage marked numerous international successes including winning the Team Bronze medal at the Rio Olympic Games and clinching the inaugural FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage series title. Athlete-and-horse combinations involved in these achievements will be enjoying some much deserved down time this fall. As a result, there would not be an adequate number of qualified combinations to make a championship level competition at the Festival of Champions. Additionally, a change in venue earlier this summer resulted in a significant increase in financial obligations for the USEF that had not originally been budget for.

The USEF is grateful for the support and assistance from the organizers and athletes throughout this process.

Bids are currently being accepted through September 15, 2016 for the 2017-2019 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, which will encompass the USEF Grand Prix, Intermediaire I, and Brentina Cup Dressage National Championships.