Lexington, KY (August 4, 2010) - The United States Dressage Federation is pleased to offer three upcoming awards for USDF youth members.
          The USDF Youth Convention Scholarship provides financial support to young dressage enthusiasts to help defray the expenses associated with attending the 2010 Adequan/USDF National Convention & Symposium in Jacksonville, FL from December 1-5.  Up to four scholarships of up to $1,000 will be awarded in 2010.  Scholarship winners will be invited to attend all youth meetings and education sessions during the convention. Applications for this award must be received by August 15.
          The USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award presented by The Paddock Saddlery is a prestigious national award which recognizes a USDF youth member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer effort. The recipient will be presented at the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention with a perpetual trophy that will be housed in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame and will receive a keeper trophy. The winner will also receive a $250 gift certificate from The Paddock Saddlery and a $500 stipend to attend the annual convention. Nominations must be submitted by August 31.
          USDF will also be selecting a national nominee for the USEF Youth Sportsman's Award. The USDF national nominee will be submitted as a candidate to USEF for consideration as the overall Youth Sportsman's Awards winner as well as being nominated for the USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year Award. USDF seeks nominees who demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to both USDF and USEF through their promotion of the horse. The USDF national nominee shall receive a complementary one-year USDF youth participating membership and shall be recognized by USEF with a six-day, all-expense paid career opportunity workshop at the USEF national headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. Nominations should be submitted to USDF by October 1.
          For additional information regarding these awards or to download applications forms, please visit the USDF Web site or you may contact the USDF Youth Programs Committee liaison for more information.

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 [email protected], or call (859) 971-2277.