The United States Dressage Federation (USDF), in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), will host a weekend educational seminar for recent graduates of the USDF Young Rider Program. The seminar is scheduled October 20-22, 2006 at the USDF National Education Center, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY.

Seminar participants, ranging from ages 21 to 25, will include amateurs, professionals, and future high-performance riders in the sport of dressage. The purpose of the program is to provide graduates of the USDF Young Rider Program with information and support for an easier transition into the adult equestrian world.

To help bridge the gap between young rider status and the adult world of teaching, training, and international competition, the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program weekend educational seminar will focus on crucial topics that young adults need to understand: goal setting, fundraising, and equine business management. Top dressage professionals from around the country will lead discussions on these topics and others.

The Dressage Foundation is generous in its financial support of the program, thereby fulfilling its mission to cultivate and provide support for the advancement of dressage. "We are glad to be able to provide financial support for this program and for the young adults who will become the dressage instructors, competitors, and judges of the future," said John Boomer, president and CEO of The Dressage Foundation.

USDF looks forward to utilizing the new Grand Prix Seminar room at the USDF National Education Center to host the 2006 USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program. With seminar facilities, the Gypsy Woods Farm Dressage Resource Center, the Roemer Foundation / USDF Hall of Fame, and the Lendon F. Gray Bookstore, the USDF National Education Center offers a wonderful opportunity for promoting educational events.

If you would like to apply for this program or if you have any questions, contact Sheila Forbes Stovall, USDF Director of Programs, at [email protected] or (859) 271-7879. Additional information and participant applications are also available at http://www.usdf.org/Programs/AdvancedYoungRider/Graduate.asp. The deadline to apply for the weekend educational seminar is August 1.

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.