Lendon Gray, a prominent figure in American dressage, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 USEF Annual Meeting and Award Dinner. Gray’s impact on the sport is evident through her competitive success as an athlete and her dedication to youth-focused dressage education and programming.

Growing up as a lifelong equestrian, Gray’s passion for riding led her to focus on dressage in her late 20s. She was known for taking non-traditional equines, such as ponies, to the top of the sport. Gray’s creation of the Youth dressage Festival in 1999 marked the beginning of Dressage4Kids, an organization that provides opportunities and support for dressage athletes, coaches, and officials as they advance in the sport.

Through Dressage4Kids, Gray has established educational programs, professional development opportunities, and a Horse Donation Program that matches competitive horses with dedicated young athletes. Her commitment to sharing knowledge and enthusiasm for dressage and good horsemanship has had a positive impact on equestrianism nationwide.