Dressage riders are descending on Lamplight Equestrian Center in Illinois this week for the annual U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions and Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships. Junior riders will also have the opportunity to compete in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals.

New this year, para-dressage riders will be vying for their national titles as part of the Festival of Champions rather than through a separate show, and a 7-year-old division has been added to the Young and Developing Championships.

Lindsay Berreth Photo

In total, 16 dressage national champions will be crowned:

• Markel/USEF Young Horse 4-year-old
• Markel/USEF Young Horse 5-year-old
• Markel/USEF Young Horse 6-year-old
• Markel/USEF Young Horse 7-year-old
• Markel/USEF Developing Prix St. Georges
• Markel/USEF Developing Grand Prix
• USEF Children
• USEF Pony Rider
• Adequan/USEF Junior
• Houseware Ireland/USEF Young Rider
• Adequan/USEF Brentina Cup Under-25
• USEF Intermediaire I
• USEF Grand Prix
• USEF Para-Dressage
• USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, 13 and under
• USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, 14-18

When: Aug. 22-28. Check out a complete schedule here.

Where: HITS Chicago at Lamplight Equestrian Center, Wayne, Illinois.

Results: Results will be posted here.

How You Can Follow Along: The Chronicle will be on-site bringing you gorgeous photos, great interviews and behind-the-scenes stories. Make sure to follow along at www.coth.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @Chronofhorse

How You Can Watch: USEF Network will provide start-to-finish coverage of both arenas, free with a USEF fan membership.

Useful Links and Information:

• All of the Chronicle’s coverage.
• Complete schedule.
• Official Festival of Champions page
•  Don’t forget to follow the Chronicle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @Chronofhorse.
• We’ll have a full analysis of the competition in the Sept. 26 issue of The Chronicle of the Horse magazine.