Teenage Newcomer Wows Judges to Close Out 2026 US Dressage Finals
The final day of competition at the 2026 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® on Sunday, November 1, crowned the final 10 champions of the four-day show at World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Wilmington, OH, where 37 championships were awarded.
In her first year of competing in USDF shows, Region 8 rider Kenley Fenton, 16, is already making a splash with her Canadian Warmblood mare by Kelvin, Fifa, who is also 16. Fenton put the exclamation mark on her maiden season to win the Training Level Junior/Young Rider Championship. They were the only duo to break the 70% mark, finishing on 70.133% from judges Ulf Wadeborn at H, Cindi Wylie at C, and Kari McClain at B, to top the field of 20 competitors.
“We’ve come a long way,” said Fenton of Medina, NY. “I didn’t expect this result at all. If you told me a year ago that I would even be here, I’d be like ‘What?!’”
Knowing that she wanted to make a foray into the dressage world, Fenton began her search for an equine partner. With little knowledge of dressage sport at the time, Fenton found Fifa on Facebook. She knew the mare had previous experience through Third Level, and that the mare was no longer relishing being in the hunter arena. Most importantly, when she tried Fifa, she felt that the mare would be able to give her the learning experience she was seeking.
“When we tried her, I didn’t even know what a shoulder-in was,” recalled Fenton, who now trains with Holly Parker. “She’s very forgiving and honest. When I walked into that arena here, she didn’t even look around. She loves what she does.”
When asked how she felt about being at US Dressage Finals at the incredible WEC facility, she summed up everyone’s general sentiment: “It’s freakin’ awesome!”
Alexandra Krossen Gets Rewarded
New Jersey-based Alexandra Krossen, who trains with Heather Mason, rode her own five-year-old Ferro x Krack C gelding Reward SCF to the top of the 23-strong Training Level Adult Amateur Championship. The KWPN that she has owned since he was two months old earned 72.4% from judges Heidi Gaiain at E, Sarah Geikie at C, and Willette Brown at M.
“Right from the start, he was with me,” noted Krossen, despite some concerns about warm-up traffic from the previous day. “He put on his big-boy pants and put in a solid test. I was most proud of the transitions. It was a very fluid-feeling test. My expectation was to come and have a good show, solid rides, and be happy with my rides, but this definitely exceeded those expectations.”
Read more:
Teenage Newcomer Wows Judges to Close Out 2026 US Dressage Finals
