The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Debbie LaBerge has joined the USDF Connection team as an advertising-sales representative, with a focus on horse-health products and services.

LaBerge has logged 4,000 combined endurance and competitive-trail competition miles. She was a member of the silver-medal-winning team at the 1992 FEI 100-Mile Endurance World Championship in Barcelona, Spain.

LaBerge's efforts on behalf of the endurance team included fund-raising. As she contacted potential sponsors, she says, she "realized how much fun it was to have a legitimate reason to talk about horses all day." The experience led to an interest in advertising, and she has subsequently combined her career with her equestrian knowledge to serve as a sales rep for several equine publications, including Steeplechase Times, Trail Blazer, and Trail Rider.

"I am delighted to be associated with USDF Connection," says LaBerge. "My background in endurance competition and nursing [she is a former nurse practitioner] gives me a special interest in horse-health products as they pertain to general horse care and the specialized needs of the performance horse. Developing an awareness of the 'occupational requirements' in disciplines like dressage is not only fascinating, but it also helps in assisting companies with their media planning."

LaBerge lives in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, two Arabian geldings, a poodle, and three cats. She can be reached at (717) 529-2158 or [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.