From Genetics to Grand Prix:
Conformation & Development in the Dressage Horse
August 20-23, 2025 | Wayne, Illinois
Held during the US Dressage Festival of Champions
Discover how today’s top dressage horses are shaped—from carefully selected bloodlines to elite performance in the FEI arena. This immersive four-day educational seminar, hosted during the prestigious US Dressage Festival of Champions at Lamplight Equestrian Center, brings together renowned international experts, trainers, and judges to offer an in-depth look at conformation, rideability, and developmental pathways for dressage success.
Featured Speakers:
- Dr. Ludwig Christmann, former Deputy Breeding Director for the Hanoverian Verband and a globally respected authority on sport horse genetics and evaluation.
- Meg Williams, head of the AHS Mare & Stallion Committee, Grand Prix competitor, and longtime U.S. Hanoverian breeder.
Through a dynamic blend of ringside analysis, live conformation discussions, expert panels, and evening lectures, participants will gain a unique understanding of:
- The heritability of traits like movement, rideability, and conformation
- The influence of German, Dutch, and blended bloodlines in the modern dressage horse
- Key evaluation criteria at different ages and stages—from young horses to the FEI levels
- Building your own breeding program with real-world insights from leading professionals
Whether you’re a breeder evaluating stallion matches, a trainer selecting prospects, or an owner invested in performance development, this course offers valuable takeaways tailored to your role in the sport horse pipeline.
Registration & Pricing
Early Bird Rates (through July 1, 2025)/After July 1st:
- $525/$590 – AHS Members
- $575/$625 – Non-Members
Junior/Young Riders and Young Breeders receive a $50 discount off the above rates.
Registration includes: Three days + one evening of seminars, all admission/parking, private reserved seating, lunches Thursday/Friday/Saturday, dinner Wednesday night, and refreshments and snacks daily.
The course will officially conclude on Saturday night to accommodate various travel plans on Sunday, but the competition will run through Sunday and for those staying over the lively conversations and opportunities to watch and network will continue.
We are excited to welcome our 2025 Presenters at the AHS Foundation’s Breeders Orientation Course.
Host Hotel – Courtyard Chicago St. Charles IL
The Courtyard Chicago St. Charles is in a convenient location to Lamplight Equestrian Center as well as the charming foodie town of St. Charles, IL. High-speed wifi and access to pool/fitness center are included in your daily room rate of $155.00 plus tax. Each guest room has a minifridge, coffee maker, and microwave and there is free parking. Breakfast is not included but there is a Bistro in the hotel serving Starbucks Coffees and Breakfast items. Book directly via our group link to secure your room. Hotel space becomes very limited for this weekend, so we suggest booking early! BOOK HERE – AHSF Dressage Course-Courtyard-St. Charles
Travel
Chicago offers multiple options for travels, including flights to both O’Hare International and Midway Airports. Both options work for travel to Lamplight Equestrian Center and our Host Hotel, however O’Hare is the closer option. A rental car is recommended but not required as Uber/Lyft options are abundant.
Wayne, Illinois
Situated in the scenic Fox River Valley, the area is a paradise for diners and shoppers alike. Located approximately 35 miles west of Chicago, competitors and spectators will appreciate Lamplight’s proximity to O’Hare International Airport, downtown Chicago, and all the activities and entertainment the city has to offer.
Thank you to our sponsors!
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Tentative Agenda
Wednesday, August 20th:
4:00pm Jog for the FEI Young Horse Divisions @ Showgrounds (optional)
5:30pm Welcome, Introductions, & Overview for weekend @ the Courtyard Marriott
6:00pm Dressage Breeding: Inheritability of Specific Traits (Dr. Ludwig Christmann)
7:15pm Dinner @ the hotel
8:15pm FEI Young Horse Tests & Developing the Pipeline to the FEI (Christine Traurig)
Thursday, August 21st:
8:00am Dressage Breeding: Prominent Bloodlines (Dr. Ludwig Christmann)
10:15am Depart for showgrounds
10:45am Conformation Evaluations: Form to Function (Meg Williams)
11:20am Four-Year Old Test including from the Judge’s Box (Katy Barglow)
Lunch
3:00pm Five-Year Old Preliminary Test
After 5Yr Olds Trainers Ringside Chat: Young Horse Route vs Traditional Levels
Return to hotel
7:30pm Optional Dinner (not incl. in registration) @ El Puente
Friday, August 22nd
8:00am Depart for showgrounds
8:20am Trainers Ringside Chat: What Bloodlines & Qualities Do They Prefer
9:00am Six-Year Old Preliminary Test
11:45am Intermediate II (Developing Grand Prix)
Lunch
2:30pm Seven-Year Old Final Test
Return to hotel
5:00pm Trainer Viewpoint: Do Young Horse Classes lead to FEI (Shiobhan Byrne)
5:45pm Views from Verden: Review and Discussion of Top Performances & Bloodlines
Dinner on Your Own (or we can GrubHub and keep watching videos)
Saturday, August 23rd
8:15am Breeder Viewpoint: Evolution of US Breeding Program (Mo Swanson)
9:00am Dressage Breeding: Blending of German & Dutch Lines (Dr. Ludwig Christmann)
10:00am Depart for showgrounds
10:30am Meet the Stallions at the US Championships (Meg Williams)
11:30am Five-Year Old Final Test
Lunch
3:50pm Four-Year Old Final
After 4Yr Olds Closing Remarks
This seminar officially concludes following the last class on Saturday (estimated around 5.30 pm).
However, we invite all the participants to stay over for Sunday and enjoy the Six-Year Old and Developing Grand Prix Finals.
