Lexington, KY (August 6, 2026) - The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) offers its sincerest congratulations to recipients of the following awards and special honors, presented during the FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships presented by USDF:

Albers Award: The Albers Award perpetual trophy was awarded to Canadian Chef d ’Equipe Jill Mancusi. The Albers Award is named in honor of long-time USDF Region 1 Chef d ‘Equipe, and supporter, Patsy Albers and is presented, annually, to the dressage chef d ’equipe who best demonstrates the same level of dedication, enthusiasm, and team spirit shown by Patsy throughout the years.

2026 The Albers Award: Canada Team Chef d ‘Equipe Jill Mancusi with USDF FEI Youth Committee Chair Roberta Williams
Photo Cred: CentreLine Media

Brook Irving-Martz Award: Mexican Children Rider, Alejandro Tadeo Casillas Fernandez, and his mount Lay Out 5, a 9-year-old Westfalen gelding, were awarded the Brook Irving-Martz “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy. On permanent display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, this trophy is awarded to the Children Rider who earns the highest combined average score in the three dressage tests: FEI Children Preliminary B, Team, and Individual. Fernandez placed second in the preliminary B, first in the team, and second individual tests, with scores of 74.137%, 74.159%, and 71.111 % respectively, securing the win with an overall combined average of 73.111%.

2026 Brook Irving-Martz “Pursuit of Excellence “Award: Mexico Children Competitor Alejandro Tadeo Casillas Fernandez with Kelly Burris, Pat Irving, Olivia Martz and Children Grand Jury President Elisabeth Max-Theurer
Photo Cred: CentreLine Media

Amanda Johnson Award: Region 3 Junior Rider, Bennett McWhorter of Wellington, FL, and his eleven-year-old, Hanoverian mare, Dalia, were awarded the Amanda Johnson “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy. Also displayed in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, this trophy is awarded to the Junior Rider who earns the highest combined average score in the three dressage tests: FEI Junior Team, Individual, and Freestyle. McWhorter placed first in the team, individual and freestyle competitions with scores of 71.182%, 71.059%, and 74.355% respectively, securing the win with an overall combined average of 72.198%.

2026 Amanda Johnson “Pursuit of Excellence “Award: Region 3 Bennett McWhorter with USDF FEI Youth Committee Chair Roberta Williams
Photo Cred: CentreLine Media

Fiona Baan Award: Region 3 Junior Rider, Eila Fisk of Aiken, SC, and the 10-year-old, Oldenburg gelding, Quaresma, owned by Gina Fisk were awarded the Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy. On permanent display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, this trophy is awarded to the Young Rider who earns the highest combined average score in the three dressage tests: FEI Young Rider Team, Individual, and Freestyle. Fisk placed first in the team, individual and freestyle tests, with scores of 67.529%, 68.382%, and 72.600/5 respectively, securing the win with an overall combined average of 69.503%.

2026 Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence “Award: Region 3 Eila Fisk with USDF FEI Youth Committee Chair Roberta Williams
Photo Cred: CentreLine Media

Other Honorees: Children competitor Roberta Carrillo Morales, from Mexico was awarded the 2026 Style Award and Region 5 Junior Catherine Burlew received The Captain Andrew B. de Szinay Memorial Sportsman Trophy. NAYC volunteer Emma Schneider, hailing from USDF Region 7, was awarded the Howard B. Simpson High Five Trophy. Additionally, U25 Rider, Ella Fruchterman’ s fifteen-year-old Danish Warmblood, Holts Le'mans, was recognized with this year’s HorsePower Trophy.

2026 Style Award: Mexico Children Competitor Roberta Carrilla Morales with USEF President Tom O'Mara Photo Cred: CentreLine Media	2026 Captain Andrew B de Szinay Memorial Sportsman Award: Region 5 Junior Catherine Burlew with USEF President Tom O'Mara Photo Cred: CentreLine Media
2026 Howard B Simpson High Five Award: Region 7 Emma Schneider with USEF President Tom O'Mara Photo Cred: CentreLine Media	2026 HorsePower Award: Region 4 U25 Holts Le'Mans owned by Ella Fruchterman Photo Cred: Sarah Delahanty

USDF congratulates these and all the competitors of this year’s event. The talent and sportsmanship displayed by all children, juniors and young riders participating in the event deserves to be recognized and celebrated and USDF is happy to shine a light on their successes. For more information, and full results from the 2026 North American Youth Dressage Championships presented by USDF, visit the USDF website.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.