The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that the 2006 FEI North American Junior Championship for Dressage (NAJC) Qualifying Criteria and Selection Procedures for dressage competitors are now available.  All competitors interested in qualifying for the 2006 NAJC should obtain a copy of the 2006 NAJC Qualifying Criteria and Selection Procedures for dressage competitors, at http://www.usdf.org/Programs/FEINorthAmericanJuniorChampionships/ or by contacting Sheila Forbes, USDF Director of Programs, at (859) 271-7879 or [email protected].  Included in the procedures is information on how to declare your intent to qualify for this event.  A competitor's declaration of intent must be postmarked and sent to USDF no later than April 15, 2006.

The 2006 NAJC will be held in conjunction with the North American Young Riders' Championship, August 1-6, at the Virginia Horse Center, in Lexington, VA.  Each of the nine USDF regions will have the opportunity to field a team of FEI-level Juniors and a team of FEI-level Young Riders to compete at these events.   They will also feature competitors from Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and Bermuda, as well as each province of Canada. Dressage competitors from the United States must qualify for their respective regional teams by satisfying the requirements outlined in the USDF/USEF approved criteria and selection procedures.  FEI Juniors must qualify by obtaining three scores in both the FEI Junior Team Test and the FEI Junior Individual Test.  They are also required to compete in at least one FEI Junior Freestyle Test. Scores earned between August 1, 2005, and July 1, 2006, may be used to qualify.

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 [email protected], or call (859) 971-2277.