DressageDaily: USDF National Convention & Symposium featuring Lisa Wilcox and Ernst Hoyos

Monday August 4, 2003

USDF National Convention & Symposium featuring Lisa Wilcox and Ernst Hoyos

Join USDF for Dressage in Dallas

Dressage enthusiasts across the country will be trading in their top hats for cowboy hats December 2-7 to join the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) at the 2003 National Convention & Symposium in Dallas, TX. For the first time in USDF’s 30-year history, the convention and symposium will be combined for one outstanding week of educational opportunities, business meetings, social events, a Texas-size trade fair, and, of course, Dallas! Both the business and educational schedules have been modified so all attendees have the chance to participate in more activities.

Highlights of the 2003 USDF National Convention & Symposium comprehensive four-day educational package include the three-day National Symposium presented by Stargate Sport Horses featuring World Equestrian Games team silver medalist Lisa Wilcox and her trainer Ernst Hoyos and educational sessions by Michigan State University’s McPhail Dressage Chair Dr. Hilary Clayton, internationally renowned lameness expert Dr. Tracy Turner, dressage master Dr. Max Gahwyler, and equine facility design architect Linda Royer. All of these sessions are USDF University credit approved.

Also new this year, two awards banquets are planned to honor the many achievements of USDF members. The “Salute Gala” on Thursday night will feature a ceremony to honor past and present dressage Olympians and USDF’s 30th anniversary, as well as presentations of the Hall of Fame inductees, Lifetime Achievement Awards, Volunteer of the Year, and GMO Newsletter Awards. On Saturday night, USDF will celebrate year-end award winners, including USDF medalists and All-Breeds and Horse of the Year winners, at the Annual Awards Banquet, hosted again this year by Nicho Meredith.

The Board of Governors (BOG) and all regions, councils, and committees will hold open meetings throughout the week. USDF needs members’ input on important matters concerning programs and services that are provided for the membership. Each year, these meetings prove to be a valuable outlet for USDF members to express their opinions, catch up on developments in the dressage world, and help to shape the future of dressage in the U.S.

Registration forms for the 2003 USDF National Convention & Symposium will soon be available online at www.usdf.org, in the September issue of USDF Connection, and by contacting Heather Henley, USDF events coordinator at (859) 271-7875 or hhenley@usdf.org.

USDF Convention Scholarships Available to Youth Members
Donate to the Youth Executive Board Silent Auction to help raise funds!

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Youth Executive Board has introduced the new USDF Youth Convention Scholarship. Packed with educational programs, fun events, a great trade fair, and the USDF National Symposium with Lisa Wilcox and Ernst Hoyos presented by Stargate Sport Horses, the 2003 USDF National Convention & Symposium is a valuable event for anyone interested in dressage, including USDF youth members, who are the future of the sport. The USDF Youth Convention Scholarship will award $500 to three youth members to help defray the costs of attending the convention.

Funds for the scholarship have been raised by the USDF Youth Executive Board through an annual silent auction, the first of which was held at last year’s annual convention. The board hopes to exceed the nearly $1,800 raised last year to continue to add to the scholarship fund and to support special youth-oriented educational programming at future conventions. The USDF Youth Executive Board is asking for the donation of new or gently used items for this year’s auction.

Would you like to apply for the USDF Youth Convention Scholarship or donate items for the silent auction to support the scholarship fund? Contact USDF Director of Programs Sheila Forbes at (859) 271-7879 or at sforbes@usdf.org for more information. The scholarship application is also available at www.usdf.org.