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ATTENTION REGION 2 ADULT DRESSAGE RIDERS NODA will host the Region 2 USDF Adult Clinic with Lilo Fore in 2012. Anticipated Date & Location: June 30 - July1 at Lake Erie College Equestrian Center, Concord Ohio
Kevin Bradbury, Lisa Gorretta, and Carolyn Vandenberg Elected USDF At-Large Directors Press Release on USDF Website, December 13, 2011 The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Kevin Bradbury, Lisa Gorretta, and Carolyn VandenBerg were elected to the Administrative, Technical and Activities Councils At-Large Director positions in the Executive Board elections that were held at the 2011 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in San Diego, California. At-Large Directors of the USDF Executive Board serve a three year term, starting the first day of January after the election. Kevin Bradbury, of Dexter, Michigan, is the new USDF Administrative At-Large Director. Kevin began managing horse shows in 1995, and managed his first recognized show in 2001. Over time, Kevin blended his extensive knowledge in process automation as a software developer and database designer with his knowledge of horses, bringing innovation to the horse show world by modernizing the way horse shows are managed. In addition to his show management experience, Kevin has served USDF as a PM delegate, member of the Membership and Competition Management Committees, and member of the Web Advisory Group. With a diverse business background, including work at a start-up company and experience as a business owner, Kevin is accustomed to working with diverse groups of people to reach a common goal, and looks forward to transitioning that experience to his work as At-Large Director with the Committees and Executive Board. Lisa Gorretta, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, was elected as USDF’s Activities At-Large Director. Lisa has worn many volunteer hats during her 20 years of service to USDF, including past USDF Region 2 Director, Chair of the Regional Championships Committee, Region 2 representative for the Technical Delegates Council. and PM delegate, just to name a few. She has been an active member of her GMO (NODA) since 1970, serving as President, Horse Show Co-Manager, and GMO delegate over the years. Lisa currently serves on the USEF Dressage Committee. She is a dressage “R” Technical Delegate, an Adult Amateur competitor, and a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist. Based upon her service background, knowledge of the equine industry and familiarity with the responsibilities of USDF as national affiliate for dressage, Lisa looks forward to making a contribution as part of the inaugural class of USDF At-Large Directors. Carolyn VandenBerg, of Canyon Lake, Texas, was elected as USDF’s At-Large Director representing the Technical Council. Carolyn has been associated with USDF in some capacity for 25 years and across four different Regions. During that time, Carolyn has acquired a strong working knowledge of the Instructor/Trainer, Freestyle, Judges, L Program, Competition Management, and Technical Delegates Committees. She served as Secretary of the USDF Executive Board for two terms (1990-1996), and as a past member of the Executive Board Management Committee, saw many new programs emerge, such as the Instructor Certification Program and the L Program for Judges. An active member of her GMO, Carolyn is currently Vice President and Education Committee Chair of her club. Carolyn enjoys pulling together and communicating accurate and timely information, and looks forward to using her skills to benefit all levels of USDF.	USDF Congratulates New “L” Program Graduates Press Release December 15, 2011 The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that 47 USDF members successfully completed the USDF “L” Education Program in 2011. The USDF “L” Education Program is designed to prepare candidates to enter the United States Equestrian Federation “r” Judges Training Program, to qualify individuals to judge schooling shows, and to give competitors, trainers, and instructors greater insight into the evaluative techniques of judging dressage. The program also serves to provide continuing education for licensed judges. The “L” Program is an excellent opportunity for all USDF members to learn from licensed judges in order to improve their scores and view other rides from a judge’s perspective, whether or not they plan on becoming licensed judges themselves. “L” Programs are conducted by a faculty of USDF-approved United States Equestrian Federation “S”-licensed dressage judges who have experience in teaching judge-training programs. USDF congratulates the following new graduates of the USDF “L” Education Program: Region 1: Timothy Mellott, PA , Krister Swartz, VA Region 2: Rachel High, IL; Sara Justice, OH; Caryn Vesperman, WI; Noel Williams, OH Region 3: Robin Tardy Ginn, GA; Betsy La Belle, FL; Caryl D Stephens, FL; Sara Warner, FL; Karen Licciardi, FL; Erin Brinkman, FL; Laura Bowman, FL; Sharon Jerdeman, FL; Elaine Sherer, FL; Karen Abbattista, FL; Danielle Perry, GA; Kari Garber, FL; Matthew McLaughlin, FL; Brian Mac Mahon, FL; Megan Fischer- Graham, FL Region 5: Ursula Conway, AZ; Alexandra Curnutte, CO; Nathalie Eikel-Baughman, AZ; Mary Jane Parmentier, AZ; Gillian Slayter-Voigtlander, NM Region 6: Mary Jo Kapust, WA; Wendy Ellestad, ID; Amanda Wilgenburg, WA; Nichole Charbonneau, WA; Teresa Stewart, WA; Allison Allbaugh-Cino, WA; Meredith Crawford, WA; Jessica Rattner, OR; Nadine Schlonsok, ID Region 7: Betsy Shelton, CA; Martha Goodney, CA; Rebecca Armstrong, CA Region 8: Dorothy Morkis, MA; Linda Saba, NH; Patti Swan, ME; Holly Whitney, CT; Lisa Weis, MA; Fie Andersen, MA; Adam Cropper, NH; Rita Brown, MA Region 9: Gerlinde Beckers, LA * Denotes those that graduated with distinction from the "L" Program. For more information about the USDF “L” Program, to contact a USDF “L” graduate, for a calendar of USDF “L” education programs, or for details on hosting an “L” Program education session, visit www.usdf.org, call (859) 971-2277, or e-mail lprogram@usdf.org.
USDF Approves National Dressage Championships USDF Press Release December 4, 2011 The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce approval by its Board of Governors of a US national dressage championship beginning in 2013. This championship will be a head to head competition showcasing Adult Amateur and Open riders at Training Level through Grand Prix. With invitations to be extended to competitors who have qualified through the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, the inaugural championship (exact name TBD) will take place in the fall of 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) in Lexington, KY. The KHP was the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. It also hosts the annual Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. According to USDF President George Williams, the first formal discussions within the USDF, regarding a US national championship, started almost 20 years ago. Williams also states, “This is indeed an exciting day for American dressage and in particular, our adult amateur competitors.”
USDF Congratulates 2011 GMO Award Winners October 31, 2011 2011 GMO Website Layout/Design: NODA wins Honorable Mention (Reserve Champion) The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to congratulate all of the winners of the 2011 GMO Awards, which will be presented during the Board of Governor’s General Assembly at the 2011 Adequan/USDF National Convention and Symposium, presented by SmartPak, in San Diego, CA. These awards are given annually to recognize outstanding achievement within USDF’s GMO community. Recognition is given in the following categories: GMO newsletter and website layout and design, first person experience articles, and general interest articles. USDF also recognizes outstanding volunteers at the regional level along with the recipient of the Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund grant. This year’s winners were: GMO Web Site Awards - Layout/Design GMOs with less than 75 members: First Place: Columbia Dressage & Combined Training Association (www.cdcta.org) Honorable Mention: Dakota Dressage & Eventing (www.dakotadressageandeventing.org) GMOs with 75 to 174 members: First Place: Southern Eventing & Dressage Association (www.sedariders.org) Honorable Mention: Kentucky Dressage Association (www.kentuckydressageassociation.org) GMOs with 175 to 499 members: First Place: Central Vermont Dressage Association (www.cvda.org) Honorable Mention: Northern Ohio Dressage Association (www.nodarider.org) GMOs with 500 or more members: First Place: California Dressage Society (www.california-dressage.org) Honorable Mention: Oregon Dressage Society (www.oregondressage.com) GMO Newsletter Awards: Layout/Design: GMOs with less than 75 members: First Place: Brazos Association for Classical Horsemanship, BACH Notes, March and April 2011 Honorable Mention: Dakota Dressage & Eventing, Sport Horse News, December 2010 and March 2011 GMOs with 75 to 174 members: First Place: Southern Eventing and Dressage Association, Off Course, January/February 2011 and July/August 2011 Honorable Mention: Lehigh Valley Dressage Association, Lehigh Valley Dressage Association Newsletter, May 2011 GMOs with 175 to 499 members: First Place: NEW Dressage Association, Forward, February and May 2011 Honorable Mention: Houston Dressage Society, Collective Remarks, April and June 2011 GMOs with 500 or more members: First Place: New England Dressage Association, A Tip of the Hat, September 2010 and August 2011 Honorable Mention: Potomac Valley Dressage Association, PVDA Newsletter, August 2011 First Person Experience Article: First Place: NEW Dressage Association, Forward, June 2011: Cynthia Collins Clinic Report by Vanessa Blake Honorable Mention: Dakota Dressage & Eventing, Sport Horse News, April 2011: Your Riding Diary by Joann Messersmith General Interest/Informational Article: First Place: Eastern States Dressage & Combined Training Association, Collective Remarks, May 2011: Smile! Your Horse’s Teeth Need Attention by Christina Wilson, DVM Honorable Mention: Ozark Dressage Society, The Centerline, February 2011: Wear Your Helmet by Stephanie and Brenda Bradshaw Regional GMO Volunteers of the Year: Region 1: No Nominations Region 2: Kathryn Felice (Mayslick, KY – Kentucky Dressage Association) Region 3: Fran Summerlin Histed (Steele, AL – Birmingham Dressage & Combined Training Association) Region 4: Elizabeth Hussey (Rocheport, MO – Columbia Dressage & Combined Training Association) Region 5: Sharon Soos (Elizabeth, CO – Rocky Mountain Dressage Society) Region 6: Norma Talburt (Roseburg, OR - Oregon Dressage Society) Region 7: Michele Vaughn (Elk Grove, CA – California Dressage Society) Region 8: Deborah Borra (Caledonia, NY – Western New York Dressage Association) Region 9: Anne Kuhns (Owasso, OK – Oklahoma Dressage Society) Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund Grant Viva Medina (Haiku, HI – Hawaii State Dressage Society)
Lendon Gray Announced as 2011 Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame Inductee Press Release dated October 18, 2011 The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Lendon Gray will be inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame (HOF) at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet, on December 2, 2011, during the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in San Diego, CA. Induction into the HOF is an honor bestowed on horses and individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the sport of dressage in the U.S. Lendon Gray has made a significant impact through many facets of the sport. As an international rider, she has represented the U.S. in the Alternate Olympic Games of 1980, the Seoul Olympics in 1988, and the 1991 World Cup in Paris. Nationally, Lendon has won five gold medals at U.S. Olympic Festivals on five different horses of varying breeds, one of whom was 2005 USDF Hall of Fame inductee Seldom Seen, a 14.2 hand American-bred Thoroughbred/Connemara pony. As a teacher and instructor, Gray has provided an array of educational and competitive opportunities for youth through Dressage4Kids, which is Lendon’s non-profit organization that provides educational and competitive opportunities for youth riders and the adults who support them. To that end, Lendon, through Dressage4Kids operates the Youth Dressage Festival, weekend educational programs, pony-only clinics, the East Coast Dressage Pony Cup, and offers scholarships and professional development programs. Gray has been actively involved in numerous committees within USDF, the United States Equestrian Federation and the United States Equestrian Team. Through her dedication and devoted energies in improving all riders and horses, Lendon has and continues to provide numerous opportunities for others to learn and improve. "Lendon has a long list of accomplishments and perhaps even more impressively; a long list of accomplished students. Through her Dressage4Kids, she has inspired many others to learn more about dressage and her impact on the discipline will be felt for years to come. The USDF is pleased to recognize Lendon for her outstanding dedication to education and the promotion of our sport," stated George Williams, USDF President.
USDF October 29-30, 2011 Sport Horse Seminar to be Held at Majestic Farm in Batavia Ohio Press Release dated September 2, 2011 The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that the annual USDF Sport Horse Seminar will be held October 29-30, 2011 at Majestic Farm, Inc. in Batavia, OH. Comprised of both classroom lecture portions and hands-on evaluations, the sessions will give valuable insight into four major areas: ideal movement and conformation of a sport horse, considerations when selecting breeding stock, show ring strategies, as well as competition rules and judging guidelines. Noted USEF 'R' and DSHB 'r' Judge Kristi Wysocki and USEF 'S' and DSHB 'R' William Solyntjes will be the seminar instructors at this great educational event. Each has a long list of judging credentials and will impart their vast knowledge in this personalized format. This educational weekend will be packed with expert hands-on instruction and an opportunity for attendees to utilize their newly acquired skills in a real world setting. Majestic Farm, as well as other area breeders, will provide demonstration horses representing a cross-section of today's modern sport horses.These are two full days designed to educate breeders, riders, trainers, judges and potential owners about the qualities desired in a sport horse and how to rate those qualities. Other topics covered are basics of preparing horses to be shown in-hand and competition rules and procedures. Additionally, this seminar will serve as a prerequisite for becoming a USEF-licensed dressage/sport horse breeding judge. For more information, or to register, please contact Barbara McCarthy, Director of Horse Operations at Majestic Farm at 513-625-3055, or visit www.majesticfarm.net. For more information on USDF Sport Horse Seminars visit the USDF website or contact the USDF office.
2012 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championship Dates and Locations Announced May 10, 2011 The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has announced the dates and locations for the 2012 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, presented by SmartPak: USDF Region 1 (November 1-4) at Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston, NC, USDF Region 2 (October 11-14) at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, USDF Region 3 (October 4-7) at Chattahoochee Hill-Bouchert Farm in Fairburn, GA, USDF Region 4 (September 7-9) at North Iowa Fairgrounds in Mason City, IA, USDF Region 5 (October 5-7) at Salt Lake County Equestrian Park in South Jordan, UT, USDF Region 6 (September 20-23) at DevonWood Equestrian Centre in Sherwood, OR, USDF Region 7 (October 4-7) at Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA, USDF Region 8 (September 11-16) at HITS on the Hudson in Saugerties, NY, and USDF Region 9 (November 1-4) at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX. These championships recognize the outstanding efforts of riders in each USDF region and provide an excellent opportunity for spectators to view the top competitors in their respective regions. Kathy Stringer of Great American Insurance Group added, “By being the title sponsor, we are able to help USDF showcase these commendable individuals and provide them with the recognition they so greatly deserve.” Competitors qualify for Great American/USDF Regional Championships by competing in designated qualifying classes throughout the year at USDF-recognized competitions. For more information on the Regional Championship program, visit the USDF website or contact the USDF sport programs department.
USDF Congratulates 2010 GMO Award Winners February 3, 2011 The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to congratulate all of the winners of the 2010 Group Member Organization (GMO) Awards, which were presented during the Board of Governor’s General Assembly at the 2010 Adequan/USDF National Convention and Symposium in Jacksonville, FL. These awards are given annually to recognize outstanding achievement within USDF’s GMO community. Recognition is given in the following categories: GMO newsletter and Web site layout and design, first person experience articles, and general interest articles. Also recognized are the Grow Your GMO Challenge award winners--GMOs who have had the highest percentage of growth in members over the past year. In addition to honoring award recipients during the Board of Governor’s General Assembly, the recipient of the Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund grant was also acknowledged. This grant provides financial assistance for one USDF group ember to attend the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention. 2010 Winners of USDF GMO Newsletter Awards: Layout/Design: GMOs with less than 75 members: First Place: Brazos Association for Classical Horsemanship, BACH Notes, March 2010 Honorable Mention: Crossroads Dressage & Combined Training Association, The Crossing, February 2010 GMOs with 75 to 174 members: First Place: Southern Eventing and Dressage Association, Off Course, July/August 2010 Honorable Mention: NEW Dressage Association, Forward, May 2010 GMOs with 175 to 499 members: First Place Northern Ohio Dressage Association, NODA News, June 2010 Honorable Mention: Houston Dressage Society, HDS Collective Remarks, July 2010 GMOs with 500 or more members: First Place: Central States Dressage & Eventing Association, Cross Country, November 2009 and May 2010 Honorable Mention: New England Dressage Association, A Tip of the Hat, November 2009 and May 2010 2010 USDF Winners of GMO Web Site Awards Layout/Design: GMOs with less than 75 members: First Place: Crossroads Dressage & Combined Training Society (www.cdcts.org) Honorable Mention: Little Egypt Dressage Association (www.ledressage.org) GMOs with 75 to 174 members: First Place: Maryland Dressage Association (www.marylandressage.org) Honorable Mention: Central Florida Dressage (www.centralfloridadressage.com) GMOs with 175 to 499 Members: First Place: Central Vermont Dressage Association (www.cvda.org) Honorable Mention: Northern Ohio Dressage Association (www.nodarider.org) GMOs with 500 or more members: First Place: Georgia Dressage & Combined Training Association (www.gdcta.org) Honorable Mention: North Carolina Dressage & Combined Training Association (www.ncdcta.org)
USDF Congratulates New “L” Program Graduates January 19, 2011 CLICK HERE for Complete List The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that 31 USDF members successfully completed the USDF “L” Education Program between July and December, 2010.The USDF “L” Education Program is designed to prepare candidates to enter the United States Equestrian Federation “r” Judges Training Program, to qualify individuals to judge schooling shows, and to give competitors, trainers, and instructors greater insight into the evaluative techniques of judging dressage. The program also serves to provide continuing education for licensed judges. The “L” Program is an excellent opportunity for all USDF members to learn from licensed judges in order to improve their scores and view other rides from a judge’s perspective, whether or not they plan on becoming licensed judges themselves. “L” Programs are conducted by a faculty of USDF-approved United States Equestrian Federation “S”-licensed dressage judges who have experience in teaching judge-training programs.USDF congratulates the following new graduates of the USDF “L” Education Program: Region 2 "L" Graduates: Paula Briney, IL Tricia Joaquin, WI Douglas Puterbaugh, MI Linda Sorenson, WI Stephanie Van de Ven, MI Michelle Sieracki, WI Caryn Vesperman, WI Erin McElmurry, MI Amy Walker-Basak, IL Denotes 'Graduated with Distinction' For more information about the USDF “L” Program, to contact a USDF “L” graduate, for a calendar of USDF “L” education programs, or for details on hosting an “L” Program education session, visit www.usdf.org or contact USDF at (859) 971-2277 or by e-mail at lprogram@usdf.org
United States Dressage Federation and Premier Equestrian Produce On The Levels DVD for New Tests January 14, 2010 The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) and Premier Equestrian, LLC once again have partnered together to produce the “On The Levels” DVD set that details the new versions of the 2011 USDF and United States Equestrian Federation dressage tests which became effective December 1, 2010. Dressage riders, instructors, trainers and judges will all benefit from the new DVD, which features elements of both training and judging the new tests and allows the viewer to see and hear how each of the newly designed dressage tests should be ridden. The tests include USDF Introductory through USEF Fourth Level—Test 3. Viewers can watch over three hours of test video from the comfort of their living rooms or in a clinic setting where the DVD set could be used as a visual aid. The DVD features FEI judges Lilo Fore and Gary Rockwell. Lilo Fore, a well-known dressage trainer and FEI “I” judge from California, comments on each ride giving a trainer’s perspective on how to successfully ride each test. Gary Rockwell, who lives in Florida and one of only three US FEI “O” judges, gives the judge’s perspective, scoring each movement of each test and giving a final score. The combination of expertise from these two judges creates a comprehensive training tool for students and trainers alike. “Gary and Lilo make a great team and the information they share will make this one of the best editions we have produced,” states Kathie Robertson, USDF Education Program Senior Coordinator. Premier Equestrian, LLC of Sandy, Utah agreed earlier this year to produce and sponsor “On The Levels,” 5^th Edition. Production began in July at Starr Vaughn Equestrian Center in Elk Grove, California, where riders from around the area converged for two days of filming. To order “On The Levels”, visit the USDF online store at www.usdf.org or call 859-971-7828
USDF Issues Protective Headgear Safety Statement May 25, 2010 The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) released an official statement regarding protective headgear use following the Spring USDF Executive Board meeting held at their headquarters in the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The statement, “USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted”, is in line with USDF’s current policy to require all photos of mounted riders in the USDF Connection magazine include protective headgear. USDF is also requiring the statement on all videos it produces and any videos or educational materials for which it offers accreditation for its University program. 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, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.
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USDF Approves National Dressage Championships USDF Press Release December 4, 2011

USDF Approves National Dressage Championships
USDF Press Release December 4, 2011