OADG: Polish Your Dressage Youth Clinic 2026
Schedule
Sat Jun 13 2026 at 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Huntleigh Equestrian Centre | Kanata, ON
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To accommodate more riders, we've made the following changes:✔️ EXTENDED DEADLINE: Applications now due by May 23, 2026
✔️ EXTENDED ELIGIBILITY: Riders 21 and under are now eligible
🐴 ANNOUNCING the inaugural OADG Polish Your Dressage Youth Clinic!
For the first time in our 58-year history, OADG is launching a dedicated youth clinic program. We’re investing in Ottawa’s next generation of dressage athletes — and we want your young rider in that first class.
📅 Saturday, June 13, 2026
📍 Huntleigh Equestrian Centre (donated venue — thank you!)
🏇 Clinician: Armand Valkenborg
🧠 Mental Performance: Emma Watson, Mental Performance Consultant
📌 ABOUT ARMAND VALKENBORG
Armand Valkenborg is a Canadian High Performance 1 Coach with over 40 years of experience and six Canadian Equestrian Team long- and short-listings. As a junior and young rider coach he has guided students to NAJYRC and NAYC medals, most recently a Team Bronze at the 2022 North American Youth Championships — and he brings that same standard to every rider he works with.
📌 ABOUT EMMA WATSON:
Emma Watson is a Mental Performance Consultant that helps create healthy habits and strengthen mental skills to define clients' own version of performance success. She works with individuals and teams to build genuine connections while developing performance areas through education, skill recognition, reflection and application. Notably, Emma has worked with local organizations including the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa Charge Community Programs and Ottawa Senators Women's Hockey Club.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
✔️ A 45-minute private or semi-private riding lesson with Armand Valkenborg
✔️ An unmounted mental performance workshop with Emma Watson
✔️ A full clinic day experience at a heavily subsidized rate
RIDER FEES (subsidized by OADG):
• Private lesson: $50 | Semi-private lesson: $30 per rider
COMING FROM THE SAME BARN? APPLY TOGETHER.
Riders from the same barn are encouraged to apply as a group — we’ll schedule you in neighbouring slots where we can, making trailering coordination easy and affordable.
ELIGIBILITY:
• Under 21 as of January 1, 2026
• Active 2026 OADG member
• One official dressage scoresheet (Jan 2025 or later)
• Coach/trainer endorsement required
Not sure if your rider qualifies? The process is designed to be straightforward — if they love dressage and are working at it, apply.
Applications submitted by parent or guardian. Deadline: May 23, 2026.
👉 Apply now and be part of the inaugural class: https://forms.gle/p8ZMtKxNT18cEcvW7
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Where is it happening?
Huntleigh Equestrian Centre, 1001 William Mooney Rd, Ottawa, ON K0A 1L0, Canada, KanataEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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