TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published August 31, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
Professional Nora Batchelder secured two national championships on Saturday, while Bennett McWhorter and Jessica Kozel also earned top honors at the HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center.
What Happened
Competition at the HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, reached a fever pitch on Saturday, August 29, as four national titles were decided at the 2026 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. The day was highlighted by a double-victory for Florida-based professional Nora Batchelder, who secured championships in both the Developing Horse Prix St. Georges and the Four-Year-Old divisions.
In the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges, Batchelder rode the Belgian Warmblood gelding Twan Vita Nova to a winning score of 68.657%. Later in the day, she returned to the winner’s circle in the Markel/USEF Four-Year-Old National Championship with her homebred Hanoverian mare, Frisky Business RH, scoring 82.200%.
The youth divisions also saw dominant performances. Bennett McWhorter continued a stellar season by winning the Adequan/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship aboard Dalia with an overall score of 70.624%. Meanwhile, Jessica Kozel and the Hanoverian gelding Tuscany claimed the Markel/USEF Five-Year-Old National Championship with a commanding final test score of 88.600%.
Why It Matters
The Festival of Champions serves as the ultimate barometer for the future of U.S. dressage, particularly through the Markel/USEF Developing Horse and Young Horse programs. These championships identify the equine athletes likely to represent the United States on the international stage in the coming years.
Nora Batchelder’s dual wins underscore the importance of long-term development; one of her winners, Frisky Business RH, was started under saddle just one year ago at the same venue. Similarly, Bennett McWhorter’s victory reinforces the strength of the U.S. youth pipeline, following his triple gold medal performance at the North American Youth Championships earlier this season. For breeders and owners, the high scores in the four- and five-year-old divisions, highlighted by Tuscany’s 88.600%, signal a rising standard of quality in domestic horse production and training.
Competition Context
The event at HITS Lamplight is a multi-day showcase that brings together the top-ranked horse-and-rider combinations in the country across various age and experience levels. Saturday’s action also included the start of the Aspen Leaf Farm/USEF Children Dressage National Championship, where Austin Hermann took an early lead with a 75.525% in the Team test.
Discipline Context
These championships primarily impact the Dressage community, specifically focusing on Youth development and Breeding/Young Horse pipelines. The Developing Horse Prix St. Georges division is a critical bridge for horses transitioning from small tour to the elite Grand Prix level, while the four- and five-year-old classes provide a foundation for the sport’s future. The inclusion of the Children’s division highlights the USEF’s focus on cultivating talent at the grassroots competitive level.
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.