USDF CONNECTION, February 2012/Yearbook Issue
  
IN THIS ISSUE    Welcome to the online digital edition of the USDF Connection magazine. E-mail connection@usdf.org with your comments.Watch for our web icon in the magzaine. When you see this icon in the magazine, click on it to see exclusive bonus content.   Click here to enter full magazine or click on individual links below.  NODA membership (which includes USDF membership) is required to view On-Line edition.

UNITED STATES DRESSAGE FEDERATION
Membership Year:   12/1 to 11/30        E-NEWS 

The United States Dressage Federation is the only national membership organization dedicated to dressage, a method of horse training in existence since ancient Greece and an Olympic sport since the inception of the modern Olympics in the late 1800’s.   Dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement and promotion of dressage, USDF is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization with more than 30 different educational programs, 125 affiliate local or regional clubs and more than 2000 annual awards for excellence in competition.  The national levels, Training Level through Fourth Level, are governed by the United States Equestrian Federation. The international levels are governed by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).

USDF - REGION 2
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan,
Ohio, West Virginia & Wisconsin
 
www.usdfregion2.org
2010 Region Director, Ken Levy  
E-Mail: region2dir@usdf.org



    USDF REGION MAP
   Click on Map to Enlarge

 
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e-TRAK   USDF's New On-line
Education Opportunity

Always Available When You Are! 
Log in as a GMO Member to get your
new USDF member benefit at www.USDF.ORG/e-TRAK

USDF CONNECTION MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON-LINE:  USDF members can access USDF Connection Monthly magazine on-line. www.usdf.org/publications    

NOTE:  Every NODA member is a USDF Group Member, assigned an individual USDF ID number.   You will need this USDF ID number to login and view the magazine.

USEF JOINT MEMBERSHIP CARD WITH USDF:  Active USDF participating members who are USEF members may obtain a joint USEF/USDF membership card.   Information available at www.USEF.org or www.USDF.org. 

  USDF PRESS RELEASES - CLICK HERE

USDF Directors-at-Large Announcement
Lisa Gorretta Elected
USDF’s Activities At-Large Director
Lisa will coordinate communication between the Executive
 Board and the Adult, Youth, FEI Youth, Awards, Sport Horse
and Regional Championships Committees. She will also
provide additional industry and sport expertise to the
USDF Executive Board. 

New "L" Program Graduates Announcement
include Region 2 NODA members ,
Sara Justice and *Noel Williams

  USDF UNIVERSITY 
This program provides recognition for USDF members who strive to continue their dressage education through their participation in USDF educational programs. It also provides an accreditation structure for independently-organized events, allowing members to earn USDF credit for participating in accredited programs conducted by GMOs and other groups. For guidelines and other important documents, see our forms & documents page.

 USDF 2011 ANNUAL CONVENTION NEWS

  
NODA members, Lisa Gorretta, Dale Lappert, and Jennifer Kick, attended the December USDF National Convention in San Diego, California.   Were you there?
 
Pictured is this year's NODA GMO Basket.    All USDF Group Member Organizations (GMOs) donate baskets and put them on display for raffling later in the week.  These very popular baskets are raffled of to convention attendees. 
 
Thank you, Lisa Gorretta, for organizing, assembling and ensuring the NODA GMO basket arrived at the convention and put on display.   Look at all the Northeast Ohio goodies . . . Great job NODA!

REGION 2

2012 KDA CDI*** to be held in Rolex Arena   Stay tuned to the KDA website for more details as they become available at www.kentuckydressageassociation.org or contact Sheila Woerth at swoerth@insightbb.com

Looking for an instructor?  Click here to find a USDF Certified Instructor in your area.

Looking for an “L” Program Part 2?  Maine Dressage Society ( MDS) has a few openings in their Part 2, starting with Session D1, March 24-25, 2012 in Loxahatchee, FL. For more information contact organizer Rebecca Clark.

The Good Horseman Foundation has been approved to host an "L" Education Program Part 2. The dates, locations and instructors are as follows:

·  Session D1-- April 28-29, 2012, Conyers, GA; Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez

·  Session D2-- June 9-10, 2012; Conyers, GA; Janet Foy
·  Final Exam-- September 15-16, 2012; Conyers, GA; Marilyn Heath & Trenna Atkins
Contact Ann Genovese to participate.
 

Additional Region 2 News-click here
 

TOP STORIES
 

USDF Board of Delegates Elects 3 New At Large Directors
Kevin Bradbury, Lisa Gorretta, and Carolyn VandenBerg were elected to the Administrative, Technical and Activities Councils At-Large Director positions on the Executive Board at the 2011 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in San Diego, CA. Read more. 

Highlights of the 2011 Adequan®/USDF Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet
For those of you who missed the banquet or for those who want to relive the event, here are the highlights, including a special Pan Am media presentation and a photo collage of year end award winners. 

Attention Scribes!
Please note that as of December 1, 2011, per USEF Rule DR 122.8, half points (.5) for movements and collective marks may be used at the discretion of the judge. Please record all scores when scribing with a decimal point (i.e. as 6.0 instead of 6). If the scores are not entered as required the competition office will have to return the sheets to be completed. We need your help in correctly recording scores for all involved, the judge(s), competition management and the competitor. Thank you for all you do for the sport of dressage!

Certified Instructors, FEI-Level Trainers, Judges—Trainer’s Conference Coming Soon! 
Mark your calendars! USDF is pleased to welcome Christoph Hess as the presenter for our Succeed/USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference to be held January 16-17, 2012 at High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, FL. Join us to hear Christoph share his philosophies and watch them put into practice. Click here for attendance criteria and registration information. Pre-registration ends on January 6, 2012. Registered attendees are invited to a reception on January 16 at the Crowne Plaza where Dr. Hilary Clayton will join Christoph for an evening of continued education. Hear Christoph on the Dressage Radio Show as he talks about the classical way of riding and training issues – worldwide! Get to know Christoph‘s teaching style by visiting e-TRAK.

FarmVet/USDF Adult Clinic Series continues in 2012
“The Classical System Simplified” features Lilo Fore. During each clinicLilo will get into the nitty-gritty of the classical system, starting with the basics. Visit the website to find the date and location near you. Tune in to the Dressage Radio Show to hear Lilo Fore’s advice on selecting the appropriate competition level based on your training program and hear her goals for the clinic series during the USDF portion of the show. Experience Lilo’s teaching style on e-TRAK. 

Add to your Learning Tool Box through e-TRAK!
Check out the Leg-Yield Quick Study; a quick and easy interactive activity which highlights the definition, aids, and video examples of the leg-yield. Use this quick study to learn, review, or share with others. See what else the e-TRAK Learning Center* has to offer here. 

*You must be logged in to access the e-TRAK Learning Center. FREE to all USDF members. 

Take Advantage of your Member Benefits!
Did you know that you are entitled to a discount on merchandise in the USDF store and discounts on memberships and subscriptions with USDF’s educational partners? The discount codes are listed below for your convenience. Questions?

USDF Store (10% discount) – USDFMEM12
DressageTrainingOnline.com (15% discount) – 95121521
DressageClinic.com (15% discount) – USDF20108070
Barnby Notes (Free upgrade to premium online notebook version) –USDF2012
FarmVet (5% discount on online orders) – FVUSDF

Regional Championship Competitors Take Note:
Your home region is based on the address USDF has in the database for you, which we assume is your region of residence. You can compete in any Regional Championship; however, if it is not your home region, you must file a Change of Region Form. This must be done any year you plan to compete at a championship outside your region of residence and can be done after December 15. Be aware of deadlines and fees as indicated on the form. 

Dressage Seat Equitation
The USEF/USDF Dressage Seat Medal Program is designed to celebrate excellence in equitation; to promote and reward a correct seat, position, and use of the aids in dressage for junior riders; and to help develop a solid foundation for future success in the dressage arena. There are two ways to qualify for the USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals. Competitors click HERE for more information. 

Photographs from the Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet Now Available!
Professional photographs of awards recipients receiving their awards at the 2011 Adequan/USDF Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet are available for purchase from GCS Photography Inc. You may locate your photos on the GCS website by clicking on the orange “Find Your Photos” button, then select “US Dressage Federation”. You may then view and purchase the images. Questions?

Awards Are In the Mail
All awards not presented at the 2011 Adequan®/USDF Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet will be shipped to the recipient. Please contact USDF if you do not receive your award by January 15, 2012. Questions?

GMO OFFICIALS E-NEWS   Announcements for GMO Officials      CLICK HERE

YOUTH NEWS

Upcoming USDF Jr/YR Clinic with Jeremy Steinberg, USEF National Youth Coach  The Platinum Performance/USDF Region 9 Jr/YR Clinic featuring Jeremy Steinberg will be held January 28-29, 2012 at the North Texas Equestrian Center in Wylie, TX. USDF is currently seeking riders age 14 to 21 to participate in the clinic. Auditors of all ages are welcome! Click HERE to apply to ride in the clinic. The deadline to apply is December 30. Contact the USDF office for more information.

Platinum Performance/USDF Jr/YR Clinic Series    Don’t miss an upcoming junior/young rider clinic in your area! Check out the dates and locations HERE. The USDF Jr/YR Clinic Series is made possible with funding support from The Dressage Foundation.

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