Lexington, KY (December 13, 2006) - United States Dressage Federation (USDF) named Veronica Holt of Elizabeth, CO, the 2006 USDF Volunteer of the Year at the annual Salute Gala in Kansas City, MO on November 30, 2006.  Winners of the USDF Volunteer of the Year award receive their name on a perpetual trophy housed in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, a trophy to take home, and a $500 gift certificate all presented by The Paddock Saddlery, sponsor of the USDF Volunteer of the Year Award. 
          The winner of this award is selected by the USDF Executive Board from a field of nominees meeting the criteria of five-years of membership with the USDF as either a Group Member, an Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Member, or a Participating Member, logging a minimum of twenty-five volunteer hours during the current year at the local, regional, or national level within USDF, and all the while, promoting USDF's mission of education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of the sport of dressage
          Veronica, in addition to being the chairperson of the USDF Technical Delegate (TD) Council, initiated the review of the TD checklist, researched the issue of liability insurance to cover dressage show officials and served on the committee to evaluate the USDF Council/Committee structure.
         At the regional level, Veronica served as the chef d'equipe for the second consecutive year for the Region 5 teams at the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships. These teams received a team and individual bronze medal in 2005 and individual silver and gold medals in 2006.  In accordance with her other work at the regional level, Veronica has also designed and maintained the USDF Region 5 web site over the past five years. 
          Locally, Veronica has served as president of the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society (RMDS), developed the RMDS TD program, managed Region 5's first CDI, and serves as an advisor to other CDI managers and as a mentor to TDs.   She goes beyond the call of duty when officiating and teaches show managers, TDs, and competitors about the rules, rationale, and history of dressage as well as being a passionate advocate for the horse. 
          For more information on the USDF Volunteer of the Year award, or for nomination forms, please contact Cindy Vimont, Senior Director of Member Services, at 859-971-7317 or via email at [email protected].

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.