Florida Youth Dressage Championships Return to the International Stage at WEC in 2026

11 MAR 26 Ocala, FL

Five equestrian athletes in riding attire pose with ribbons and trophies in front of a horse statue and several national flags.

Content provided by Florida Youth Dressage Championships

The wait is over. The Florida Youth Dressage Championships (FYDC) return to the international stage in 2026 at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, offering young riders the opportunity to compete in one of the most iconic arenas in the sport.

From April 22–26, 2026, the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships, presented by Discover Dressage, will welcome the next generation of athletes to the Grand Outdoor Arena in front of the Equestrian Hotel, where national flags frame a world-class stage for youth competition.

Poster for the 2026 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships, April 22-26 at World Equestrian Center, Ocala, FL, featuring flags and a rider on horseback.

Originally founded in Wellington and moved to Ocala in 2022 as a national-level event following a comprehensive revamp, the championships now return to the international spotlight while continuing their mission of developing future dressage stars.

Over the years, FYDC has played a key role in guiding riders through the FEI youth pathway, helping develop athletes who now represent their countries at major championships such as the European Championships, Pan American Games, and Olympic Games.

The 2026 edition will feature the traditional FEI Pony, Children, Junior, Young Rider, and Under-25 Grand Prix divisions, with riders competing in the Team Test (40%), Individual Test (40%), and Freestyle (20%).

Championship titles will be awarded in each division, along with an overall champion.

Beyond the competition, the event will include a Meet & Greet, media activities, and the final Awards Ceremony on April 26.

The tentative schedule will be:

  • Day of the Jog: Media Conference
  • Meet & Greet: TBA
  • April 26: Awards Ceremony

“I’m especially excited to see the Florida Youth Dressage Championships return to the international arena at WEC,” says Kim Van Kampen, founder of Discover Dressage. “The Grand Arena in front of the Equestrian Hotel is one of the most iconic settings for dressage in the world, and it’s the perfect stage for the top youth competitors of the winter season.”

Five equestrians in riding attire jump in front of a horse statue, with multiple flags and a large building in the background.

About the Florida Youth Dressage Championships

Created in 2013 by Lendon Gray and Hampton Green Farm, the Florida Youth Dressage Championships (FYDC) has become one of the largest international youth dressage championships in Florida, providing a vital platform for developing young talent and shaping the future of the sport.

Over the years, FYDC has showcased many of dressage’s rising stars, including Christian Simonson, Naima Moreira, Juan Matute, Diana Porsche, Camille Carier Bergeron, Pablo Gomez, Genay Vaughn, Mathilde Blais Tetreault, and Codi Harrison.

For updates and event information, follow the championships on Facebook at Florida International Youth Dressage Championships and on Instagram at @floridayouthchampionship.