Programs

Dressage4Kids™ Winter Intensive Training Program

ABOUT WIT

The Dressage4Kids™ Winter Intensive Training Program provides an overall educational program for riders under age 26.  WIT is not for the casual dressage rider, but for aspiring young riders who are committed to achieving excellence. This program takes determination, drive, and passion.  The participants will have a full schedule of learning that includes fitness, theory, tests, riding lessons, field trips, and lectures on many pertinent subjects. It involves three months of pure growth and first-hand experience to open the young rider’s eyes to how they can best reach their full potential as a dressage rider.  We encourage riders of all levels.  Past participants include Kerrigan Gluch (2013), Nick Hansen (2013), Hannah Irons (2016), Kayla Kadlubek (2016 and 2017), Jori Dupell (2017), Annelise Klepper (2017 and 2018), Marin Roth (2018), Olivia Martz (2022), Maren Elise Fouché-Hanson (2023), Bennett McWhorter (2023), Alexandra Garvey (2022, 2023, and 2024) all of whom have won gold medals at the North American Youth Championships and/or the National Championships.

Two-time Olympian Lendon Gray is the main instructor of the program.  Lendon Gray was voted into the USDF Hall of Fame and has been the long-time teacher for international riders  The goal of the Winter Intensive Training Program is to give opportunities for youth riders to participate in consistent and extensive training not only in riding, but in all areas of horse care, riding and training theory, and competition skills.

WIT 2025 was hosted by Top Meadow Farm in Wellington, Florida. 

A normal day in the program starts at 7:00 am with basic stable chores. Each rider must take care of his or her own horse as well as help with maintaining the facility where the program is held. After chores, lessons begin.  Days vary with private lessons, semi-privates or group lessons. Lendon Gray is the primary instructor, but there will also be guest instructors.  While lessons are in progress, riders are encouraged to watch, ask questions, and take notes in a their journals. After lessons, there will be lectures where participants learn from top experts in their respective fields of nutrition, sports psychology, learning skills, fitness, shoeing, etc.  Participants will also take field trips to tour international riders’ facilities, audit clinics, visit world-class veterinary/surgical/breeding facilities and experience everything the equestrian world in Wellington has to offer.  Topics throughout the program are diverse and cover virtually every aspect of horsemanship. High quality lectures by subject matter experts, hands-on learning, and shared experience totaling decades of leadership in the field are designed to nurture each participant into a knowledgeable and complete professional.

There are opportunities to compete in USEF shows and  WIT also holds informal schooling shows with excellent judges at our stable.  While these opportunities are available, no one is required to show.

All participants must also maintain a regular fitness program. Guest instructors demonstrate different activities in which riders may participate. Fitness might include yoga, equilates, running, swimming, weight-lifting, general aerobic training, as well as balance and coordination exercises.

Any rider under 26 may apply to take advantage of the unique opportunities the WIT program has to offer.  Your dedication, passion, and discipline are what must shine on your application. Participants in the Winter Intensive Training Program are held to the highest standards of character and professionalism.

Contact Lendon Gray at graydressage@gmail.com if you have questions.

Ready to get started?  If this program seems like a good next step in your journey, please feel encouraged to apply by sending in the application now. You will need to post a short video of you riding online for viewing by the D4K selection committee. Please be sure this video is close up enough to evaluate horse and rider.

The fee for WIT 2026 is tbd.  Your fee covers the stall, use of paddocks and arena, basic shavings (you may want to buy extra), regular hay, lessons, coaching at shows, etc. You will be responsible for your horse's supplements, grain, special hay, shoeing, vet care, show fees, and extras such as fly spray, shampoo, carrots, etc.

There is time during the day for participants to continue school and/or be tutored. Housing and schooling are to be arranged by the participant. Last year many participants shared housing and those without cars were able to carpool. These details must be worked out by the participants. 

Apply today for your chance to participate in this life-changing program!

Apply to the Winter Intensive Training Program

Fill out the application using the fillable form fields below or send it via email to Lendon Gray at graydressage@gmail.com.  For tips on how to take good video for your application, go to: https://dressage4kids.org/news-events/d4k-video-tips.html.

All form fields are required.  Incomplete forms will not be processed.

Application deadline: August 1

After August 1, applications will be considered on a rolling basis, subject to availability. 

Winter Intensive Training Program Application Form

Name

Date of Birth

Month January February March April May June July August September October November December Month

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Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Day

/

Year

Country

Select a Country... ----- Country ----- Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Côte D'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran (Islamic Republic Of) Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic Of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic Of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States Of Moldova (the Republic of) Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts And Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre And Miquelon Saint Vincent And The Grenedines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard And Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province Of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands

Street Address

City

State

Zip Code

Rider's Email Address

Email Address

Rider's Phone Number

Parent or Guardian's Name (Required)

Parent or Guardian's Email

Parent or Guardian's Phone Number

TEAM Program Member?

1. Yes
2. No

Trainer's Name

Trainer's Email Address

Trainer's Email Address

Trainer's Phone Number

Tell us about the horse you want to bring, Include his strengths and his weaknesses.

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We will check your competition record. Is there anything you would like to add?

Will you be doing schoolwork during the program?

1. Yes
2. No

If you will be doing schoolwork during the program, how do you plan on completing it? Examples include online, tutoring, etc. Please explain.

Do you have housing set up?

1. Yes
2. No

Do you have daily transportation set up?

1. Yes
2. No

What are your riding goals for the end of 2026?

Do you plan to show during WIT (Not at all an advantage one way or the other.)

1. Yes
2. No

Do you plan to do qualifying shows while in Florida?

1. Yes
2. No

If you plan on doing qualifying shows while in Florida, for what are you trying to qualify?

Are you willing to take direction from the stable manager?

1. Yes
2. No

Please briefly explain your answer to the question “are you willing to take direction from the stable manager?”

Can you work with a group of your peers in a positive way?

1. Yes
2. No

Please explain your answer above.

Are you willing and able to do fitness work daily?

1. Yes
2. No

Can you sit through a one hour lecture and be attentive?

1. Yes
2. No

What do you think you might bring to the program?

How might you stand out from the others?

In twenty years what would you like to be doing with your riding?

Why should you be selected into this program and what do you hope to gain?

Please provide a video (youtube link) of you and your horse. It need not be formal. This will help us get a sense of your riding and where you are in your training.

On acceptance into the program you will be expected to pay half of the first month’s fee. The second half will be due December 1. Do you agree to make prompt payments in accordance with our payment policy?

1. Yes
2. No

Signature of Applicant

WIT Reports and Blogs

• Click here to read WIT Testimonials

BLOGS:

GRACE

http://gracelatatiana.wordpress.com/

JENNY

http://jennysalinger.blogspot.com/

ALLY

http://teeandallyssia.blogspot.com/

MOLLY

http://mmdressage.wordpress.com/

 

Photo Usage Policy

Dressage4Kids often takes photographs and videos during its events and activities.  Dressage4Kids may use these photographs and videos for general publicity and programming purposes, including to raise funds.  Pictures may appear on the website, on the Dressage4Kids Facebook page, in newsletters, and in other print and digital marketing materials.  In addition, participants’ names may be used to recognize individual achievement in marketing materials.