The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced today that three Olympians will headline a stellar group of speakers for the USDF/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Young Rider Graduate Program, to be held January 18-20, 2008 in West Palm Beach, Florida: Debbie McDonald, USEF National Developing Rider Coach, 2004 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team Bronze medalist and winner of the 2003 World Cup Dressage Final; Lisa Wilcox, 2004 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team Bronze medalist and 2002 World Equestrian Games Team Silver medalist; and Carol Lavell, 1992 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team Bronze medalist, two-time United States Olympic Committee Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year and 1992 AHSA/Hertz Equestrian of the Year.

          With funding support provided by The Dressage Foundation, the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program is a two-day educational seminar that provides aspiring young adult dressage riders essential information for success as they transition into the professional world of teaching, training, equine business management, and international competition.

          Other speakers for the program's agenda include: George Williams, 2005 USET/Collecting Gaits Farm National Grand Prix Champion, 2003 U.S. World Cup representative, successful international competitor and popular young rider coach; Courtney King, USDF Gold Medalist and certified instructor who has achieved recent distinction with a sixth place finish at the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals and success at the CHIO in Aachen, Germany; Pamela Goodrich, veteran instructor/trainer of dressage who has successfully competed in the 1986 World Dressage Championships in Toronto, two Olympic Sports Festivals, and in Europe; Jessica Jo Tate, Grand Prix competitor and USDF Gold Medalist who recently earned 6th place in the USEF/Markel Young Horse Championships and the opportunity to compete at the 2007 FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses; Gil Merrick, USEF Managing Director of Dressage Sport Programs; Maryal Barnett, FEI "C" Judge, USEF "S" Judge, and USDF "L" Faculty member; Mary Phelps, Markel Equine Insurance Specialist and business proprietor of Phelps Photos.com, HorsesDaily.com, and DressageDaily.com; Michael J. Russ, President of Powerful Living International, who shall be conducting a motivational workshop entitled Consciously Designing Your Dressage Success; John Lockamy, D.V.M. who shall address issues concerning care of the high performance horse; and Beth Clarke, lawyer, professor, and business management consultant.

          "To receive advice from this remarkable group of mentors, for such a reasonable registration fee that includes lodging, meals, and program materials, is an incredible opportunity for our young rider graduates", said Karin Glassman, USDF Director of Programs and Education. Registration applications must be postmarked by September 1, 2008. Program criteria and the application form are accessible on www.usdf.org, or by contacting [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.