Teenage Newcomer Wows Judges to Close Out 2026 US Dressage Finals

The final day of competition at the 2026 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® on Sunday, November 1, crowned the final 10 champions of the four-day show at World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Wilmington, OH, where 37 champions were crowned.

In her first year of competing in USDF shows, Region 8 rider Kenley Fenton, 16, is already making a splash with her Canadian Warmblood mare by Kelvin, Fifa, who is also 16. Fenton put the exclamation mark on her maiden season to win the Training Level Junior/Young Rider Championship. They were the only duo to break the 70% mark, finishing on 70.133% from judges Ulf Wadeborn at H, Cindi Wylie at C, and Kari McClain at B, to top the field of 20 competitors.

“We’ve come a long way,” said Fenton of Medina, NY. “I didn’t expect this result at all. If you told me a year ago that I would even be here, I’d be like ‘What?!’”

Knowing that she wanted to make a foray into the dressage world, Fenton began her search for an equine partner. With little knowledge of dressage sport at the time, Fenton found Fifa on Facebook. She knew the mare had previous experience through Third Level, and that the mare was no longer relishing being in the hunter arena. Most importantly, when she tried Fifa, she felt that the mare would be able to give her the learning experience she was seeking.

“When we tried her, I didn’t even know what a shoulder-in was,” recalled Fenton, who now trains with Holly Parker. “She’s very forgiving and honest. When I walked into that arena here, she didn’t even look around. She loves what she does.”

When asked how she felt about being at US Dressage Finals at the incredible WEC facility, she summed up everyone’s general sentiment: “It’s freakin’ awesome!”

Alexandra Krossen Gets Rewarded

New Jersey-based Alexandra Krossen, who trains with Heather Mason, rode her own five-year-old Ferro x Krack C gelding Reward SCF to the top of the 23-strong Training Level Adult Amateur Championship. The KWPN that she has owned since he was two months old earned 72.4% from judges Heidi Gaiain at E, Sarah Geikie at C, and Willette Brown at M.

“Right from the start, he was with me,” noted Krossen, despite some concerns about warm-up traffic from the previous day. “He put on his big-boy pants and put in a solid test. I was most proud of the transitions. It was a very fluid-feeling test. My expectation was to come and have a good show, solid rides, and be happy with my rides, but this definitely exceeded those expectations.”

Golden Gets It Done

Equestrians know that there are many more difficult moments than winning ones with horses, particularly with a trickier mount, but when it all comes together, it feels even sweeter. That was the case for Region 2 rider Valerie Golden and Serengeti (by Sir Donnerhall x Painters Row xx) as they claimed the Third Level Freestyle Adult Amateur Championship out of 19 combinations.

It was a moment Golden has worked extremely hard for given the 18-year-old Oldenburg gelding that was previously campaigned through grand prix with his owner Jennifer Roth is known to be a tough partner. Even so, four championship tests later, the pair made tricolor magic happen to end their week on a high note.

“I wanted to learn and get experience on a different horse that has the ability to do higher-level things,” explained Golden of how she picked up the ride a year ago. “He can be a wonderful partner, but it depends what he wants to do that day.”

Their final test mirrored their time at 2026 US Dressage Finals, finishing strongly with the canter tour receiving positive marks from Judges William McMullin at H, William Warren at C, and Teresa Stewart at B, ultimately resulting in a 72.442% score.

“He excels in his changes and in his half-passes, and he gave it his all,” said Golden. “I rode my butt off today for it; I’m just so happy with him. He’s incredibly talented when he wants to be. He’s a Donnerhall, so we know he can be stubborn, but when he’s good, he’s like floating on a cloud. I can’t thank Jen enough for the opportunity to ride him.”

This Bud’s for Lucy Tidd

Lucy Tidd and Budweiser looked like a match that was always meant to be as they won the Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Championship out of 20 combinations with 68.627% from judges Michael Osinski at H, Sandra Hotz at C, and Beverly Rogers at B. However, it was not quite a direct path to glory. Tidd originally purchased the now 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Johnson x Induc as a five-year-old because of her positive experience with another Johnson son. Much to her surprise, Budweiser was nothing like his mild-mannered half-brother.

After a year away at a trainer-friend’s facility, Tidd’s current trainer Jeremy Steinberg took over the ride for three years. Eventually, Steinberg talked Tidd into reconnecting with Budweiser.

“He was really, really difficult as a young horse,” remembered Tidd, who is based in Maryland and qualified through Region 1. “Jeremy was really trying to convince me, so I finally started riding him again on a whim, but I wasn’t sure how it was going to go. Fortunately, he’s been super. It’s like a different horse, and he feels really solid now. He’s been so lovely, and it’s really been a treat to get to sit on him again. To come to Finals and do all of this was completely unexpected. He went out and really tried hard.”

Mr. Big’s Big-Time Win

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz picked up her second championship title of the week, this time aboard Fellowship in the Second Level Open Championship. They earned 70.476% from judges Ulf Wadeborn at H, Cindi Wylie at C, and Kari McClain at B, to sit atop the leaderboard of 17 combinations.

LaGoy-Weltz first met Fellowship on a horse shopping expedition in Europe with her client Linda Graves. Though they tried him then as a four-year-old, LaGoy-Weltz had some questions about how he would develop and ultimately passed on purchasing him. Not long after, however, Fellowship popped onto the radar again when Graves and LaGoy-Weltz saw him in a Hof Kasselmann auction, and his progress intrigued them enough that they decided to bid. With some finagling, the now seven-year-old Oldenburg stallion by Foundation x Carthago made his way stateside. As he grew up, he quite literally grew — up to about 18 hands — which not only earned him the nickname “Mr. Big,” but also made his development an interesting balance of progress and body conditioning.

“It has been a bit of a slow process, because he’s basically stopped growing now at seven and has just started putting down muscle,” detailed LaGoy-Weltz. “What I love about him is how he takes in the world. He has so much presence and a lot of natural rhythm. Sometimes he can’t quite hold it, but he’s very metronomic and seems to want to rise in the arena. Right now with him it’s a lot of strength and conditioning, but I like a lot of the pieces that are there. The future is optimistic.

“His owner is just so fabulous because we’re here for the long run,” she added of Graves’ support. “It’s steps along the way. That’s really what working with young horses is. One test, one thing is not an indicator of their grand prix career later. It’s all a process. Linda has been wonderful about being patient and really allowing me to develop him how I want and taking our time.That’s the best kind of support you could ever have.”

Batchelder and Gnomonic Get Another Win

Nora Batchelder and Gnomonic, the nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Goldberg x Fürst Romancier owned by Anna Jaffe, tacked on another title to their growing list of accolades, this time winning the Fourth Level Freestyle Open Championship with 73.242% from judges Michael Osinski at H, Sandra Hotz at C, and Beverly Rogers at B.

“This environment was a little challenging for him with how much is going on and the weather being a little cooler since we come from Florida, but he rose to the challenge and did a really good job,” said Batchelder. “I’m a little spoiled because he’s super talented.”

Batchelder is actually the mastermind behind her music and choreography, and for those that have watched her over time, both of those elements might seem familiar.

“It’s an Intermediate I freestyle that I adapted for Fourth Level,” said Batchelder. “I actually originally made it for my horse Pharaoh at the Pan American Games. Now it’s fun because Pharaoh is actually competing with one of my students, and I get to use the freestyle for ‘Goldie’. It has some Taylor Swift and other violin covers of pop songs. It has a good beat to it.”

Madelynn Williams and FHF Rockstar Are True to the Name

Even though they have only been together for a few months, the 15-year-old Region 2 rider Madelynn Williams, from West Lafayette, IN, and FHF Rockstar were the team to beat in the Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider Championship. The pair received 65.509% from judges Heidi Gaian at E, Sarah Geikie at C, and Willette Brown at M for the win.

“He definitely does prove himself to his name,” stated Williams of the 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Routiner x Cottonwood Flame owned by Jennifer Kaiser. “He’s a goofy horse. He’ll always let you know when he doesn’t get enough attention or enough treats. He always wants to go out and do his job, and we really take care of each other no matter what is going on.”

Sweet Victory for Bailey Armbrecht

Bailey Armbrecht has been developing her eight-year-old KWPN mare Night’n Dale, also known as “Cookie,” since purchasing the Everdale x Kevekko mare from Jennifer Roth as a green five-year-old. Their partnership shone through in the Intermediate I Junior/Young Rider Championship, receiving a winning 65.735% from judges Michael Osinski at H, Sandra Hotz at C, and Beverly Rogers at B.

“She’s a bit on the quieter side — super sweet, but a little calm, so getting the movements and the balance has been a little tricky,” shared Armbrecht, 16, who bases in Colorado for the summer in Region 5 and in Ocala, FL, for the winter and trains with Tyra Vernon, Kate Phillips, and her mother Jennifer Armbrecht. “She’s come along so nicely. I’ve been really happy with how it’s progressing, and so happy with how today went.”

Pony Power

In the Second Level Junior/Young Rider Championship, Ava Hobbs piloted her own Der Kleine Prinz G, a nine-year-old German Riding Pony by Dating At x Mephisto, to the top of the class. They earned 67.857% from judges Heidi Gaian at E, Sarah Geikie at C, and Willette Brown at M.

“My horse felt really great,” said Hobbs, 16, who trains with Laurie Moore and qualified through Region 2. “He showed up strong. It was a pretty consistent test, but maybe the medium canter was my favorite. That’s always fun. He has the best temperament. He’s really sweet, always calm, and very willing to do whatever you ask of him.”

Belinda Chu’s Belief Pays Off

In their first freestyle campaign together, Belinda Chu and her own Dannsair, a six-year-old Westphalian gelding by Donier, danced straight to victory out of 23 starters in the First Level Freestyle Adult Amateur Championship. With a freestyle designed by her trainer Brittany Burson featuring music by Ed Sheeran, the pair earned 72.074% from judges William McMullin at H, William Warren at C, and Teresa Stewart at B.

“He handled the environment really well,” commented Chu, who qualified through Region 2. “I was a little nervous about how he would react, but he was right with me. I think we did a really great job. He listened to me, and he was on my aids, so everything came together today, which is really exciting.”

Chu purchased Dannsair in Germany when he was only six months old based on guidance from Burson, who thought the flashy gelding would grow into the perfect match for Chu. When he was four, he made the journey to the U.S., and the partnership began. Now, the dream of six years ago is starting to become a reality.

“This is my first national win,” stated Chu. “I’ve never been above top five, so this was an incredible experience. He has been amazing — probably the best horse I’ve ever owned. He has definitely lived up to the hype.”

Several perpetual trophies and special awards were presented throughout the exciting weekend.

The Top Hat Perpetual Trophy, presented by Janet Foy, was awarded to Royal DaVinci, ridden by Jennifer Roth and owned by James Gerhart, for the highest freestyle and non-freestyle average score at the same level.

The George W. Wagner Jr. Perpetual Trophy, presented by International Georgian Grande Horse Registry, was presented to Cecelia Stewart for her winning ride with her own Serenade MF in the Grand Prix Adult Amateur Championship. The pair also received the The Calaveras County Perpetual Trophy, presented by Olva Stewart Pharo, for their impressive score of 73.850% in the Grand Prix Adult Amateur Freestyle Championship. That score also made Serenade MF the FEI highest scoring mare, earning the Lloyd Landkamer Perpetual Trophy, presented by Janet Foy. Serenade MF was additionally the highest scoring U.S.-bred horse, earning the Verne Batchelder Memorial Trophy, presented by River House Hanoverians.

Jennifer Truett and Absolute Dream won the Jazzman Perpetual Trophy, presented by Donna Richardson.

Kerry Karangelen and Johnny Cash were awarded the George W. Wagner Jr. Perpetual Trophy, presented by the International Georgian Grande Horse Registry. 
  
Lavant and Laurie Moore were presented with the Veronica Holt Perpetual Trophy, presented by USDF Region 5 and friends.

The Miki Christophersen Perpetual Trophy, presented by USEF Region 4, was awarded to the Prix St. Georges Open Champions, ICI Bria VCG and Olivia LaGoy-Weltz.

Lucy Tidd and Budweiser were presented with the Jaime Westmoreland Malone Perpetual Trophy as the Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Champions.

A staple of the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, the annual Regions Cup competition features four horse/rider teams, from across the country in designated divisions, vying for top honors and bragging rights for their region. Additionally, this year, competitors earned some amazing prizes from title sponsor, Equinavia.

CHAMPIONS
Region 8: 69.874%
Alexandra Krossen and Reward SCF, 72.4%
Christina Morin-Graham and E’Panthera, 68.042%
Kenley Fenton and Fifa, 70.133%
Kerry Karangelen and Johnny Cash, 68.922%

RESERVE CHAMPIONS
Region 2: 68.027%
Karri McFadden and Condor WFUSA, 67.4%
Barbara Kuyper and Dexter VZ, 67.143%
Ava Hobbs and Der Kleine Prinz G, 67.857%
Jennifer Roth and Kamar’s Bravissimo , 69.706%

THIRD PLACE
Region 1: 67.903%
James Koford and Our House Champagne 69.861%
Kimberly Clark and Noah, 65.238%
Anya Castegren-Mix and Hennessy, 66.905%
Olivia Lagoy-Weltz and ICI Bria VCG, 69.608%

The 2027 Finals take place at WEC on November 4-7, 2027. Follow all the action via the USDF Facebook page and USDF Instagram page. Full results can be found on HorseShowOffice.com.

All championship classes were livestreamed on USEF Network via ClipMyHorse.TV. Along with presenting sponsor Adequan®, the 2026 US Dressage Finals was supported by SmartPak and Platinum Performance. Contributing sponsors include Premier Equestrian, Sterling Thompson Equine, Schneiders, and Nutrena. Learn more by visiting the US Dressage Finals website.