Region 3 News                         (Photo of Holly Carter by the Laney Family) GEORGIA GIRL WINS DRESSAGE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Lincoln, NE--Holly Carter of Oakwood, GA, has been awarded an $800 scholarship to attend the USDF Region 3 Jr/YR Clinic.  The scholarship is given by The Dressage Foundation which announced that two scholarships have been awarded from the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund.  These scholarships provided the financial support necessary for two young riders to attend their regional United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Junior/Young Rider Clinic. During the clinic, held October 29-30, Holly and her horse, Pandora, worked with Jeremy Steinberg.  She said, "Jeremy helped me add a few new tools to my belt in order to help my horse's training progress.  It is nice when you get those glimpses of what can be for the future.  Now I have yet another vision of what my horse and I can achieve."  In 2012, Holly is going to strive for her USDF Bronze Medal and would like to qualify for the Regional Championships at Third Level. Holly, who lives near Gainesville, trains with Julie Cochran. The second recipient, Inga Fuengerlings (CO), was awarded $800 to attend the USDF Region 5 Jr/YR Clinic with George Williams on October 22-23, 2011.  About the experience, she said, "It was an absolute joy to ride with George Williams.  I was very impressed with his incredible ability to assess different horses and riders.  The impressions that I am taking away from this wonderful experience will stay with me for a very long time."  Inga's goal for 2012 is to compete her horse, Milo, at Third and possibly Fourth Level and she hopes to qualify for the NAJYRC Junior Team. "We are so thankful to have support from Renee Isler," said Jenny Johnson, Administrative Director of The Dressage Foundation.  "Her generosity makes it possible for us to help these young riders attend a clinic that might not have otherwise been financially feasible.  The riders, their families, and everyone at The Dressage Foundation is very grateful to Renee." The purpose of the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund is two-fold.  First, money is set aside to provide assistance to riders accepted into the USDF Jr/YR Clinics, who need a financial boost to make it happen.  Second, the Fund awards grants to young riders and professionals who would like to further their education and training.  For more information about the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund, and how to apply for assistance, visit www.dressagefoundation.org  or call (402) 434-8585. _________________________________________________________________________________________ WINS $500 SCHOLARSHIP Drew Carlin Named 2011 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year            Lexington, KY (September 15, 2011) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Drew Carlin of Columbia, SC, has been selected as the recipient of the 2011 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. This prestigious award honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed on a national and local basis to USDF and dressage.          As the recipient of this award, Drew’s name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy, housed in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame.  This trophy was donated by the Akin family of Warwick, NY, in honor of Lendon Gray. Drew will also receive a $500 scholarship provided from funds raised through the Youth Silent Auction, held annually at the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention.             At only sixteen years of age, Drew’s volunteer efforts and innovative projects have left an inspiring mark on dressage. For the past five years, Drew has been a vital junior representative for the South Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association (SCDCTA). In order to provide an educational opportunity to fellow youth, Drew took it upon herself to organize an annual junior dressage clinic at no cost to the riders. Through her determined efforts, Drew works to gather donations to run the clinics for free each year. Each rider walks away with a video of their rides and a gift basket with donations from local tack shops and businesses. In addition to Drew’s efforts creating educational opportunities, she also began her own manure composting business called Drew’s Poo, in which 100% of the proceeds go toward youth activities for her local GMO, SCDCTA.             Jill Allard of Region 3 stated, in Drew’s nomination, “I feel Drew’s contributions are unique because she is a self-starter. Not only has she put in countless hours planning, finding quality clinicians, fundraising and organizing, but the entire project has been initiated by her for the purpose of helping other junior riders.” The USDF Youth Programs Committee selected Drew for her innovativeness and ability to think outside the box in volunteer efforts. The committee wholeheartedly commends Drew for her dedication to dressage and ability to be a positive role model for other youth through exceptional volunteerism.             For more information about the USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award or the USDF Youth Silent Auction, please visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org, or contact the USDF office at youth@usdf.org.            ______________________________   DISPLAY A BANNER FOR YOUR BUSINESS AT THE GREAT AMERICAN/USDF  REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS October  14, 15 &16, 2011 WE WILL HANG YOUR BANNERS FOR YOU!  HERE'S HOW: 1.SEND YOUR BANNER TO Kimmie Taylor  (850-896-8475) (SIZES ALLOWED 4' X 8'   OR  4' X4'   OR   2' X 8'   OR  2' X4') ADDRESS: 9532 CAMPFLOWERS RD., YOUNGSTOWN, FL 32466 2.MAKE YOUR CHECK OUT FOR $50.00 TO DSDCTA 3.THEN MAIL IT TO: Barbara Petti DEEP SOUTH DRESSAGE & COMBINED TRAINING ASSOCIATION 6800 S.W. 66TH STREET, OCALA, FL 34476  AFTER  THE CHAMPIONSHIPS,  YOU  CAN TAKE DOWN YOUR BANNER ON SUNDAY OR KIMMIE WILL MAIL IT BACK TO YOU.  INCLUDE YOUR RETURN ADDRESS WHEN MAILING BANNER TO KIMMIE.   Deadline to put an ad in the Regional Championships is Aug. 15, not the Sept. 30th date on the application. This will take you directly to the Sponsor’s Packet: http://www.dsdcta.org/championships/pdf_forms/Sponsorship_Packet.pdf. If you need to direct someone to the packet on the website, here are the steps they must follow to get to the Sponsor’s page. First go to www.dsdcta.org . Then click on the 2011 Great American/USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships link on the main page.  This link will take you to the Regional Championship website. Then select the Sponsors option on the menu to go to the Sponsors page. You may have to scroll down a little once the Sponsors' page is displayed to get to the link to the Sponsors Packet.

Exclusive Presentation at the 2011 Adequan/USDF National Symposium

USEF National Coaches to Present the American Program

            Lexington, KY (June 14, 2011) – The United States Dressage Federation is very excited to announce that the 2011 Adequan/USDF National Symposium, to be held Dec. 3-4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, CA, will feature the talented USEF national dressage coaches; Anne Gribbons (Technical Adviser and National Coach), Scott Hassler (Young Horse Coach), Debbie McDonald (Developing Coach), and Jeremy Steinberg (Youth Coach).

Working together for the first time in one arena, the coaches will  present a step-by-step method to starting a young horse from breaking to riding and provide tips on improving seat and position for effective training as they show the "building blocks" to success, through Grand Prix. “It's exciting that USDF is able to provide such a wonderful platform to showcase the American program and talents of our four U.S. dressage coaches. This will be an incredible and unique opportunity to hear their philosophies first hand and see how they work together towards a common goal,” stated George Williams, USDF President.

           Anne Gribbons, Technical Adviser and National Coach, is an FEI 5* judge and a member of the FEI Dressage Committee.  In the ring, she has had seven of her horses named Adequan/USDF Horse of the Year, competed in ten national championships, and, in 1995, was a member of the U.S. Pan American Silver Medal Team.  Anne states “For this year's symposium, the USDF has graciously agreed to showcase the USEF teaching staff, and I am delighted at this opportunity for all of us to get together and share our collective knowledge”.

Scott Hassler, USEF National Young Dressage Horse Coach, co-chairs the USDF Sport Horse Committee, is a member of the USEF Dressage Committee, the USEF Breeders’ Committee, and the USEF Strategic Planning Committee.  He is the director of training at Hassler Dressage at Riveredge, Chesapeake City, MD, has competed nationally and internationally through the Grand Prix level, with numerous national championship titles, and has coached numerous champions from the FEI Young Horse classes to Grand Prix. 

            Debbie McDonald, USEF Developing Coach, was named AHSA (now USEF) Equestrian of the Year, USOC Woman of the Year and, aboard Peggy Thomas’ mare, Brentina, won the team and individual Gold Medals in the Pan American Games in 1999.  In 2003, she went on to become the first American to win the FEI World Cup title and was named USOC Athlete of the Year.   She led the U.S. to the Bronze Medal at the 2004 Olympic Games, in Athens, represented the U.S. again at the 2008 Olympic Games, in Hong Kong, and was named the 2009 USEF Development Coach of the Year.

            Jeremy Steinberg, USEF National Youth Coach, was the 1996 winner of the North American Young Rider Championships individual Gold Medal and Team Silver Medal and was awarded the Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence Memorial Trophy.” In 2010 Jeremy was awarded the inaugural “Albers Award,” presented to the Chef d’Equipe who best demonstrates an extraordinary level of dedication, enthusiasm and team spirit at the North American Jr/YR Championship.  At Grand Prix, Jeremy has had many top three finishes in CDIs, wins in USDF Regional Championships, and received an invitation to the 2007 Las Vegas International Dressage Competition, held during the World Cup Finals, with Jennifer Smith’s Porocco.

           For more information about the 2011 Adequan/USDF National Symposium, visit the USDF website or contact the USDF office.
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Prize Money Increased
At Great American/USDF
Regional Championships

            Lexington, KY (February 4, 2011) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) and Great American Insurance Group are pleased to announce that prize money  for  the Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships has been announced for 2011 series.  In total, over $155,000 in prize money will be awarded in the 2011 Great American/USDF Regional Championships, divided evenly among the nine regions and 35 divisions that are offered.  Champions in each region and division will receive $296 in prize money and an embroidered jacket and cooler both provided by SmartPak, Inc., official horse supplement feeding sponsor of USDF.  Reserve champions in each region and division will receive $197 in prize money, along with a saddle pad provided by the Great American Insurance Group, title sponsor of the championships.

            “It is with great pleasure that we continue to provide recognition to these outstanding competitors through our sponsorship of the regional championship program,” stated Kathy Stringer, Great American Insurance Group Marketing Director of the Equine Division, Ken Standlee, President of the Equine Division, and Jim Mitchell, Vice President of the Farm Division.

            “We’re so pleased that through the generous support of our sponsors, we are able to see this program expand and be able to provide more prize money and recognition for our competitors each year,” adds Cindy Vimont, USDF Senior Director.

            For more information about the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, please visit the USDF Web site at www.usdf.org, or contact the USDF office at regchamps@usdf.org.  ___________________________________________________________________
 

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