D4K Festival

Ciara looks forward to competing at LYDF every year. At the recent 2023 show, her team "Riding Right Rock Stars” took home Reserve Champion ribbons.

Claudia Arnold was the Training Level Division U13 Champion of YDF 2023 

Q: How many years have you been riding? 

Claudia: I started taking lessons when I was 21 months old, so 9 years.

Q: How many years have you competed at YDF?

Claudia: This was my 3rd YDF. 

Q: What was your favorite part about YDF this year?

Claudia: I love all of the extra fun classes (especially Prix Caprilli) and it’s super fun to walk my horse around the property. 

Q: What was your reaction when you found out you were the Training Level Division U13 Champion?

Claudia: I was so excited and surprised. We had just had a health scare with my pony and I wasn’t sure how we would do. 

Q: What are your future riding goals/plans?

Claudia: When I grow up I want to train horses. 

Q: Are you planning on returning to YDF next year?

Claudia: Yes! It’s my favorite part of the summer.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your horse?

Claudia: Kona is a 14.1 black 10 year old Arab/German Riding Pony. I was incredibly lucky to be chosen to get her last summer from the D4K Horse Donation Program. She is very sweet and smart and I have learned so much from her. I have also been teaching her to jump.

Q: Are there any funny quirks about your horse?

Claudia: She is very much a princess. She hates the rain, and nose kisses. But loves to be told she’s pretty and very much wants you to have conversations about what you are asking her. 

Q: What's your horse's favorite treat?

Claudia: Kona goes crazy for German Muffins!

Q: Does Kona have a favorite class at YDF?

Claudia: She probably likes the trail class best because she can steal hay and carrots.

Q: What's your horse's favorite dressage movement to perform? 

Claudia: Kona really likes the extended trot and collected canter.

Q: What was it like competing on a team?

Claudia: My barn Faith Hill Farm brought a huge team to YDF this summer. I love being with my barn friends. We all support each other so much and have a great time together. Anytime someone has a problem or a test that didn’t go the way they want there are so many people there to pick you back up. When my pony got sick my teammates helped me through it. They offered me catch rides on their horses, hugs and lots of support. I love being a part of this team. 

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Claudia: I’d like to thank my parents for everything they do to support my riding, my coach Pam Maloof who has been teaching me dressage for the past 3 years and who pushed me to apply for the D4K Horse Donation Program where I got Kona, and of course Lendon Gray with whom I have been lucky enough to have attended TEAM clinics (and I can’t wait to do more) and without her all of this wouldn’t even be possible. I’d also like to say thank you to everyone who works at D4K for this amazing program that provides so many opportunities for kids who want to learn dressage. 

Congratulations, Claudia!

Ava Danillowicz was the YDF 2023 First Level Division winner with her horse, Deyo.

Q: How many years have you been riding? 

Ava: I have been riding for 10 years.

Q How many years have you competed at YDF?

Ava: This was my second year competing at YDF; I also competed in 2022.

Q: What was your favorite part about YDF this year?

My favorite part about YDF was the team aspect. I feel that it adds a fun twist on the competition, and helps you not only think about the impact your scores have on yourself, but also your team. It adds another element of motivation.

Q: What was your reaction when you found out you were the First Level Division Champion?

Ava: I was over the moon! It was extremely rewarding to know that my hard work had paid off, and that I made my team and my trainer proud.

Q: What are your future riding goals/plans?

Ava: Next year I hope to be competing at rated shows at 1st and 2nd level and qualify for regionals. Longer term, I hope to earn my bronze and silver USDF medals. 

Q: Are you planning on returning to YDF next year?

Ava: Absolutely!

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your horse?

Ava: The horse I brought to YDF was Deyo, a 17hh Swedish warmblood. He is 16 years old and has shown up to 2nd level. He’s a chestnut and rocks an all black outfit.

Q: Are there any funny quirks about your horse?

Ava: He hates moving wheelbarrows! He leaps away at the sight of them.

Q: What's your horse's favorite treat?

Ava: Gummy bears!

Q: Does your horse have a favorite class at YDF?

Ava: He loves his dressage tests! Once he knows a test, he anticipates and tries to overachieve! 

Q: What's your horse's favorite dressage movement to perform?  

Ava: He loves lengthening the trot and canter!

Q: What was it like competing on a team?

Ava: I absolutely loved it. It was rewarding to work together and help your teammates out, whether it’s with bathing, learning your test, or studying for the written.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Ava: I would love to thank my trainer, Pamela Maloof, for teaching me everything that I know, and being supportive through every challenge we have faced. I would also love to thank my parents for their support in every way. Most Importantly, I’d love to thank my team! They are my biggest supporters, and I would be nowhere without them!! Thank you also to everyone who helped and volunteered at YDF, and to Lendon for making it all happen!!!

Kaytlin Dietrich was the Overall Division Champion of YDF 2023 with her horse, Deaglan AF Midgard aka Mouse. 

Q: How many years have you been riding? 

Kaytlin: I've been riding for 12 years. I started out hunt seat, but started riding dressage 3 years ago.

Q: How many years have you competed at YDF?

Kaytlin: This is my second year competing at YDF. 

Q: What was your favorite part about YDF this year?

Kaytlin: My favorite part of YDF this year was the demo with Mica Mabragaña and Bradley Cooper. They were such a stunning combination and it was amazing to watch what they could do. 

Q: What was your reaction when you found out you were the Overall Champion?

Kaytlin: I was shocked when I found out I was overall champion. My goal was just to make it through my test without any bucking in the canter, which I wasn't entirely sure was going to happen, but it did, and that was really all I wanted in my test. I knew I was going to have a good score because Mouse tried his absolute hardest and the test was very solid, but I never expected as high a score as I got, let alone to be overall champion. 

Q: What are your future riding goals/plans?

Kaytlin: My biggest goal is to take Mouse up the levels and eventually ride Grand Prix with him. 

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your horse?

Kaytlin: Mouse, or Deaglan AF Midgard, is a 4 year old Knabstrupper gelding. He's a solid bay, which is rare as the breed is usually spotted. We bought him at the end of last July a little after he turned 3. We had him in professional training to start him and since then it's been me riding him. 

Q: Are there any funny quirks about your horse?

Kaytlin: Mouse loves to smile, and he'll curl his lip up at anything that touches his lip or any funny smell or taste. 

Q: What's your horse's favorite treat?

Kaytlin: He loves GoGo squeezes and the crust part of Pop-tarts. 

Q: Does Mouse have a favorite class at YDF?

Kaytlin: I think his favorite class at YDF is just the regular dressage tests, because he really likes to work. He's also just really comfortable with a regular test and has a happy expression pretty much the entire time he's doing it. 

Q: What's your horse's favorite dressage movement to perform? 

Kaytlin: Since he's a young horse leg yields and other harder movements are still a bit tough for him, so he doesn't enjoy them too much, but once he has more strength I think he'll find them more fun. However, his trot has always been very balanced and his ears are up pretty much the entire time he's trotting around, so I'd say just a 20 meter trot circle or a diagonal in trot are his favorite things to do because they come very easily to him. 

Q: What was it like competing on a team?

Kaytlin: Competing on a team was a lot of fun. Pretty much my whole barn was there so although I was just on a team with 3 other girls, it really felt like I was on a big team with my whole barn. Every time you get back to the barn there was always someone to ask how your ride went and it was nice to be in such a supportive environment. 

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Kaytlin: I'd like to thank my mom for paying for lessons, board, shows, and countless other expenses. I'd also like to thank the trainers I've had that got me to this point in my riding, and the village of people that help me at shows and on a daily basis.

Congratulations, Kaytlin!

Sydney Goulding was the Training Level Division Ages 17-25 Champion of YDF 2023 

Q: How many years have you been riding? 

Sydney: Since I was three, so this is my 15th year!

Q: How many years have you competed at YDF?

Sydney: This past year was my second year attending the Festival. 

Q: What was your favorite part about YDF this year?

Sydney: As much as I love the actual competition, some of my favorite parts are the team parade, meeting other teams and riders at the ice cream social and written exam, and taking the ponies out on walks and exploring the venue!

Q: What was your reaction when you found out you were the Training Level Division Ages 17-25 Champion?

Sydney: I think the best way to describe my feelings were very very excited, and proud of my horse and how far he has come to do so well in a competitive division!

Q: What are your future riding goals/plans?

Sydney: I plan to take my horse Tux up the levels in eventing and dressage (he’s coming to college with me next year) and after that see where my love for horses and the sport takes me. 

Q: Are you planning on returning to YDF next year?

Sydney: Yes! (And hopefully we will have at least one team representing our barn, Bit by Bit)

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your horse?

Sydney: Tux is a ten year old, 16.0 hand dutch harness horse. I got him when was was 7, aweek into under saddle training – he was definitely a very green project horse both because he was inexperienced and has quite the spunky and energetic personality – but with the support of my trainers and barn family, Tux and I have grown so much as a team and are achieving things I hadn’t even dreamed of when I first got him. 

Q: Are there any funny quirks about your horse?

Sydney: Tux is a very quirky horse, he likes to smile and show his teeth, is talented at removing his fly boots and his paddock bff’s gear, tries to roll in water, and loves to stare at the pond from his paddock.

Q: What's your horse's favorite treat?

Sydney: He loves anything sweet, especially homemade carrot and molasses cookies with frosting. 

Q: Does Tux have a favorite class at YDF?

Sydney: Tux’s favorite class is probably Trail or Musical Kur! He loves to see all the different obstacles set up in the ring for Trail, and it’s a switch from his regular dressage work, but he definitely gets moving to the beat of his Freestyle music!

Q: What's your horse's favorite dressage movement to perform? 

Sydney: His favorite movement is either cantering across the diagonal like in our Training Level test and Musical Freestyle, or the free walk because he gets to sniff the ground.

Q: What was it like competing on a team?

Sydney: We brought two teams from Bit by Bit! My team had three Bit by Bit riders and one rider, Evelynn and her pony Shrimp, who I met last year during the written exam and spent a lot of time with. This past year we asked her to join us because she was competing alone the year prior, so it was super cool to actually have her as a part of the team!

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Sydney: I definitely owe the most to my trainers Jess and Mary who have worked with me and Tux through our good and bad since day one, and certainly made us the pair we are today, and also my family at home and at the barn who show nothing but love and support. The Festival these past two years has been a highlight of my summers and fantastic experiences that I will carry with me throughout my future in riding. It is so incredible how much I’ve gained from spending a few days with the team, horses, and my family at the Festival, and the impact this event has on so many riders! Thank you for creating such a wonderful experience!

Congratulations, Sydney!

Abigail Parent was the Walk/Trot/Canter U14 Division Champion of YDF 2023

Q: How many years have you been riding? 

Abigail: I’ve been on horses since I could sit up. I tried a little bit of everything when I was younger. Now, I mainly focus on dressage but I still love jumping and going on trail rides. We have had my pony since before I was born. She is now 26 and I am still competing with her to this day!

Q: How many years have you competed at YDF?

Abigail: This year was my second year competing at YDF.

Q: What was your favorite part about YDF this year?

Abigail: I really enjoyed the demos. The last time I went was during COVID so they didn’t have demos. I really enjoyed seeing horses competing at very high levels but with very different conformation while Lendon narrated what they were doing. 

Q: What was your reaction when you found out you were the Walk/Trot/Canter Division U14 Champion?

Abigail: I was hoping for the top five and I was very surprised when I won! My dressage and equitation riding scores were good but I didn’t actually win those classes… but I had the highest written test score. I already want to start studying for next year!

Q: What are your future riding goals/plans?

Abigail: I would like to do first level next year with Benny and bring him up the levels. My long term goal is to get my bronze medal with him. I would also like to continue showing my 26-year old Arab who I just spent a year rehabbing and am now showing again.

Q: Are you planning on returning to YDF next year?

Abigail: Yes, definitely!!!

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your horse?

Abigail: I attended YDF with my 5 year old Connemara cross, Benny. My mom and I got him as a yearling from Blackwing Connemaras in Louisiana. He is like a puppy dog and will follow me anywhere! I was the first to back him and have been riding him tackless, loose in the paddock since he was very young. A girl on my team actually owns Benny’s cousin so he was able to meet him!

Q: Are there any funny quirks about your horse?

Abigail: He loves to lick things just like a dog. If he's nervous or stressed he “power licks.” He also loves learning new things. I am currently teaching him new tricks, one of which is lying down on command.

Q: What's your horse's favorite treat?

Abigail: I actually have a horse treat business called Abby’s Sweet Treats that Misty View Equestrian (owned by my mom and aunt) distribute. He really likes them. He is weird about textures though, so if I make a batch that gets a little burnt, he refuses to eat them.  He also loves the usuals like carrots and apples. 

Q: Does your horse have a favorite class at YDF?

Abigail: The trail class was really fun but Benny is a big wimp and scared of everything! At the end of the class, Margaret Freeman let him take the carrots. This class was only his fifth time in the show ring so being able to leave with carrots in his mouth made it a particularly great experience.I know he will alway enjoy going into a ring for the hope of some carrots ;). 

Q: What's your horse's favorite dressage movement to perform?  

Abigail: I think his favorite move is the halt!  Benny has learned to move forward off my leg but he always would prefer to halt and just hang out.

Q: Did you compete on a team this year?  If so, what was it like?

Abigail: Yes, our team was made up of 8 girls. Some of them I knew, and others I met at the show. We are already planning to be a team again next year and are brainstorming ideas for the tack room decorating contest.

Q: Is there anything you would like to add?

Abigail: Yes, I would like to thank my mom and my aunt for inspiring me to do dressage and for helping and coaching me almost every ride and for my grandmother who is my ultimate riding cheerleader.  I am also thankful to all the great coaches I have ever ridden with particularly Colleen O’Connor-Dzik, Meghan Hamilton, and Anna Phillips. In addition I am thankful to Maciel Dum who provided me with great last minute coaching at the YDF that was extremely helpful! I am also thankful for Lendon Gray and all the wonderful volunteers that made this show a possibility. Lastly, I am so incredibly thankful for the amazing horses that I have in my life. 

Bella Perkins was the Overall Division Reserve Champion of YDF 2023 

with her horse, Royal Rhapsody. 

Q: How many years have you been riding? 

Bella: 15 years 

Q: How many years have you competed at YDF?

Bella: This year was my 9th year. 

Q: What was your favorite part about YDF this year?

Bella: I loved riding our Musical Freestyle. It was my first time competing with one besides at a schooling show at home. It was so much fun!

Q: What was your reaction when you found out you were the Overall Reserve Champion?

Bella: I almost couldn’t believe it but was thrilled! I was (and still am) incredibly proud of myself and my wonderful horse. 

Q: What are your future riding goals/plans?

Bella: Short term I would like to solidify our flying changes and start working on Fourth Level. Long term I hope to be an FEI level rider and trainer and get the rest of my USDF medals.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your horse?

Bella: Royal Rhapsody is a 15 year old, 17.2hh Hanoverian. He’s a D4K Donation Horse who came to me from Canada 2 years ago. We competed pretty successfully at Second Level last year and even made it to the US Dressage Finals in Lexington. He’s my best friend!

Q: Are there any funny quirks about your horse?

Bella: After having a treat, he will use everyone around him as human lollipops. Any part of you that he can reach, he will lick!

Q: What's your horse's favorite treat?

Bella: Peppermints!

Q: Does Rhapsody have a favorite class at YDF?

Bella: I think he enjoyed the Musical Freestyle this year. He was a little nervous when he heard the music of the one before us, but once he settled down and we got into the arena, he seemed to have fun. 

Q: What's your horse's favorite dressage movement to perform? 

Bella: He likes medium and extended trots. He loves to show off!

Q: What was it like competing on a team?

Bella: Wonderful, as always. Our team is always so supportive and helpful towards one another. 

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Bella: I would like to thank my trainer, Hollie McNeil; Lendon and everyone at Dressage4Kids; Rhapsody’s previous owner, Siri Ingebrigtsen; my mom; everyone that takes care of the horses at home while we’re away at shows; and everyone else who has helped me along the way! Thank you! I can’t wait to see everyone again next year!

Congratulations, Bella!