A First-Year Success: The 2026 SEDA Junior Classic

13 Jul A First-Year Success: The 2026 SEDA Junior Classic

By Danielle Aymond, SEDA Junior Director and Struggling Amateur Show Organizer

When I agreed to organize the 2026 SEDA Junior Classic, I knew it would be a challenge as I had absolutely no clue how to even get started. Luckily, I was supported by the SEDA village. I couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible community that came together to make this year’s event such a memorable success.

We welcomed 28 junior competitors to beautiful Hunter’s Bluff Farm, where riders of all ages and experience levels spent the weekend learning, competing, making friends, and celebrating each other’s accomplishments. The atmosphere was exactly what we had hoped for—supportive, encouraging, and fun. Our riders were not only talented but also exceptionally gracious and appreciative, making the entire weekend a pleasure for everyone involved.

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is that every junior competitor was able to compete without paying a single dressage or combined test class fee. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, participation was more accessible than ever, allowing families to focus on what matters most—giving young riders opportunities to grow in our sport. The show was intentionally designed to remove financial barriers while creating an experience that felt truly special.

This simply would not have been possible without our presenting sponsors, Baker Donelson and Coteau Grove Farms, along with the many businesses, farms, and individuals who sponsored awards, swag buckets, hospitality, and countless other pieces of the event. Every contribution, whether large or small, directly benefited our junior riders.  Read more about them here. 

I’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Hitch Stables for generously donating the use of their beautiful facility for our adult educational clinic. That clinic not only gave adult riders an opportunity to learn, but it also raised more than $700, with every dollar going toward offsetting the class fees for our junior competitors. It was a wonderful example of our adult members investing in the next generation of SEDA riders.

From the very beginning, our goal was to make the Junior Classic more than “just another horse show.” We wanted it to be an educational experience where juniors left as better horsemen and horsewomen than when they arrived.

Some of the unique features included:

• Immediate feedback from Dressage Judge John Mason after every dressage ride, allowing riders to hear firsthand what they did well and what they could improve while the ride was still fresh in their minds.
• Donuts with the Judge, giving competitors an opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed setting before competition even began.
• A BINGO challenge that encouraged riders to introduce themselves, learn fun facts about one another, and build new friendships throughout the weekend.
• A Competitor Party, complete with dinner, raffle prizes, and awards – where riders from different barns could simply enjoy being kids together.
• The crowd-favorite Money Jump Class, where competitors from every jumping level competed together for cash prizes based on riding closest to a secret time, creating an exciting finale that had everyone cheering.

We also celebrated our riders with an extensive collection of championship and special awards recognizing everything from sportsmanship and turnout to breed awards, age group awards, judge’s awards, team spirit, and high-point accomplishments. Watching juniors receive recognition for qualities beyond just winning reminded us that horsemanship comes in many forms.

Of course, none of this happens without volunteers.

The volunteer sign-in sheets only tell part of the story. They document dozens of people who gave their time setting arenas, preparing ribbons and awards, staffing the office, running gates, announcing, serving as runners, assisting with jump crew, helping with hospitality, delivering shavings, supporting the clinic, and countless other behind-the-scenes jobs. Every volunteer made a meaningful contribution, and I am sincerely grateful for each person who gave their time and energy to create such a positive experience for our juniors.

As a first-time organizer, I learned that horse shows are never about one individual. They’re about a community that believes our junior riders are worth investing in. This year’s Junior Classic was proof that when sponsors, volunteers, parents, trainers, and riders all come together with that shared purpose, something truly special happens.

I hope you’ll join us next June.

Whether you’re a junior competitor looking for an encouraging and educational show, a volunteer willing to lend a hand, or a business or individual interested in sponsoring the next generation of equestrians, there is a place for you at the SEDA Junior Classic. Every sponsorship, donation, volunteer hour, and entry helps us continue providing affordable opportunities while creating lifelong memories for our young riders.

Thank you to everyone who made our first year together such an overwhelming success. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in 2027.