Lexington, KY (May 5, 2025) – The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) is thrilled to announce the new Brook Irving-Martz “Pursuit of Excellence” Trophy, which will be presented at the 2025 North American Youth Championships (NAYC), being held in Traverse City, Michigan, July 29-August 30. This new perpetual trophy will be presented to the competitor from the new Children Division with the highest overall average from their rides in the Team, Individual, and Preliminary B Tests. This newest award joins the Amanda Johnson and Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Trophies, awarded in the Junior and Young Rider Divisions, respectively.

Brook’s name is synonymous with youth in dressage, specifically in USDF’s Region 6, and USDF recognized her dedication and achievements by including her in their 2023 class of Members of Distinction. Having grown up as a rider through NAYC, Brook leaves a legacy of inspiration. Her passion was always in promotion of dressage to youth riders, evidenced by her many roles as both a volunteer and competitor/trainer. Brook’s competitive career began with a very special off the track Appaloosa/Thoroughbred cross named American Graffiti, whom she trained from green horse to NAYC sensation. Additionally, outside of her competitive career, Brook also volunteered for many years as the chef d’equipe for the Region 6 NAYC team, and was very involved with USDF’s Youth Outreach Clinics. Prior to her death earlier this year, Brook owned and operated, alongside her sister Kelly Burris, Kellenbrook Farms which has and continues to train some of the top young dressage riders in the nation.

USDF FEI Youth Committee Chair Roberta Williams commented, “Creating a memorial trophy to honor Brook Irving-Martz is the most natural thing in the world to do. Brook was a two-time NAYC competitor who, with her sister and a strong family unit, created a riding school in the Pacific Northwest that not only fostered the love of dressage but fostered the dreams of scores of youth riders to come. For more than two decades, Brook was the epitome of the consummate cheerleader, fostering those dreams and bringing them to reality when those kids, in turn, rode down the centerline at NAYC. You could say that Brook was the wind beneath their wings. Now, the wings are just a little bit different.”

For more information about the North American Youth Championships as well as other youth awards and offerings through USDF, visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org, or contact the USDF office at youth@usddf.org.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.