(Lexington, KY) - Following a record year of participation in 2006, the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.® announces the release of updated information for the 2007 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program.

The Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program 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 are 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.

With the continued support of Markel Insurance, 2006 was a banner year for this program. Specific highlights include the hiring of Scott Hassler as USEF Young Horse Dressage Coach; the introduction of a four-year-old division; and a record number of applications, qualifying competitions, and Selection Trial and National Championship entries.

For 2007, complete selection procedures, applications, and competition information for the 2007 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials and 2007 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships are now available on the USEF website: http://www.usef.org/content/equestrianSports/disciplines/international/2004-YH-Program.php.

In addition, two official young horse training sessions have been scheduled for Florida and California with Scott Hassler. Participation is by invitation only – information and applications are available via the above link to the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program webpage.

For more information regarding the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program, please contact Jennifer Keeler, USEF National Director of Dressage, [email protected] or (859) 225-2024.

~~~For more information, please contact Maria Partlow, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at (859) 225-6941, or via e-mail at [email protected].