{"id":19327,"date":"2026-01-20T20:09:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/?p=19327"},"modified":"2026-01-30T22:58:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:58:23","slug":"behind-the-scenes-at-the-2026-usdf-trainers-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dressagetoday.com\/instruction\/fei-level\/behind-the-scenes-at-the-2026-usdf-trainers-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind the Scenes at the 2026 USDF Trainers Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The annual Adequan\u00ae<\/sup>\/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference<\/strong><\/a> provides an ideal opportunity for dressage trainers and professionals from around the U.S. to gain fresh training insights and explore new teaching methods from top clinicians in the sport. And the 2026 USDF Trainers Conference, held on January 19 and 20 at the late Mary Anne McPhail\u2019s scenic High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, Florida, didn\u2019t disappoint!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, German dressage legends Heike Kemmer, a 2004 and 2008 Olympic team gold medalist and 2008 individual Olympic bronze medalist, and Christof Umbach, an L4\/FEI 5* judge and President of the Ground Jury for the 2026 FEI World Cup Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, partnered to headline the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the two-day conference, both Kemmer and Umbach emphasized the crucial importance of taking the time to instill the basics, especially with younger horses, to achieve and maintain the classical principles of dressage. The dynamic duo, who not only educated the audience but also entertained attendees with their humor and witty analogies, also stressed the importance of teaching horses how to stretch on a long rein while still maintaining a connection, as new tests will require more of this skill. Additionally, they encouraged riders and trainers to incorporate plenty of walk breaks throughout training sessions to ensure horses are relaxed in both their bodies and minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s conference saw the following eight horse-and-rider combinations<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n