TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published August 28, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
Elizabeth Welch and Maura Wamsley secured national titles in the Intermediaire I and Grand Prix Para Dressage divisions, respectively, marking significant milestones in their paths toward U.S. team representation.
What Happened
The 2026 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions crowned two new national champions in the para-dressage divisions on August 27 at HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois.
Elizabeth Welch of Summerville, South Carolina, and her PRE gelding Baltico BRH clinched the Adequan/USEF Intermediaire I Para Dressage National Championship. The pair secured the title with a standout FEI Para Intermediate Freestyle, scoring 70.683% to music from Moana 2. Welch credited the gelding, whom she purchased following the accident that led her to para-dressage, as a central figure in her recovery and return to the sport.
In the Adequan/USEF Grand Prix Para Dressage National Championship, Maura Wamsley and Arteon took the top honors. Wamsley, based in Carbondale, Colorado, finished the week with a freestyle score of 69.167%. The victory marked a significant milestone for Wamsley, who returned to competitive riding after a long hiatus and burnout in her early twenties, sparked by a transformative trail ride in Iceland in 2024.
Why It Matters
The crowning of Welch and Wamsley highlights the depth currently growing within the U.S. para-dressage pipeline. Both riders represent a mix of seasoned commitment and fresh perspectives:
- Pathways to the Podium: Both champions expressed clear intentions to progress toward U.S. team selection, signaling a healthy competitive field for future international championships.
- Horse Adaptability: The success of Arteon, a horse previously competed as a para horse in Germany before being imported, and Baltico BRH, a PRE gelding known for his versatility, underscores the importance of temperament and "rideability" in selecting para-equestrian partners.
- Sport Longevity: Wamsley’s story of returning to the sport after burnout serves as a poignant reminder of how para-dressage provides a competitive and rehabilitative outlet for riders who may have previously stepped away from the equestrian world.
Competition Context
The Festival of Champions also saw preliminary action in the able-bodied divisions. Molly Martin and R U 4 Me led the way in the FEI Intermediate II portion of the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with a score of 66.079%. Meanwhile, Rosa Murphy and Hotstuff took the early lead in the Iron Spring Farm/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship with a 68.333%.
Discipline Context
These championships are a cornerstone for USEF’s development of high-performance athletes. The Para Dressage National Championships, in particular, serve as a critical evaluation point for the national coaching staff to identify combinations capable of moving into the CPEDI3* level and eventually representing the United States on the global stage. The inclusion of these championships alongside the Developing Horse and Young Rider divisions provides para-athletes with the same championship environment and infrastructure as their able-bodied counterparts.
Original reporting provided by US Equestrian.
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.