Lexington, KY (August 20, 2009) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 USDF Arts Contest.  The Grand Prize winner, which is chosen from the art and photography categories and will be used as the cover of the 2010 USDF Directory, is Holger Hoetzel, Agoura, CA, for "Sir Donnerhall Colt".  Other winners include;
Photography
Adult
            First Place: Work by Britt Wilcox, Raleigh, NC "Waiting"
            Second Place: Jane Brown "Forgotten Bridle"
 
Youth (16-21)
            First Place: Tiffany Busch, Colorado Springs, CO "Look to the Future"
            Second Place: Rebecca Turner, Selbyville, DE "Sunrise"
 
Youth (15 and under)
            First Place:  Allison Reed, Paducah, KY "Dressage with Spots"
            Second Place: Kalie Beckers, Independence, LA "Reflection"
 
Art
Adult
            First Place:  Nicole Landreneau "Daydream"
            Second Place:  Mezzotint Intaglio Print by E. Valentine DeWald, II "Double Bit"
 
Youth (16-21)
            First Place:  Elodie Huguet "Pas de Deux at Woodland"
            Second Place:  Danielle Armitage, www.designsbydannie.com "Impulsion I"
 
Youth (15 and under)
            First Place:  Ellen Cook, Tucson, AZ, www.deannmelton.com "Umeeko"
            Second Place:  Oil Painting by Jordan Schulz, Stuart, FL "Curiosity"
 
Writing
Adult
            First Place:  Lisa Avila "The Special"
            Second Place:  Heather Bilodeau "Test Anxiety"
 
Youth (16-21)
            First Place:  Emily Pate, Apex, NC "Perfection"
            Second Place:  Emily Layeski "Dressage - A Bond So Strong"
 
Youth (15 and under)
            First Place:  Emma Milward "Away Slowly as One"
            Second Place:  Jordan Farr, Avon, CO "The Horse"
 
            This contest was designed to highlight the creativity and beauty of dressage and to allow USDF members to express their interest in the sport outside of the competition arena.  In addition to the Grand Prize winner's work being used as the cover of the USDF Directory, all winners of the USDF Arts Contest will have their work published in the yearbook issue of USDF Connection and on the USDF Web site. 
            For more information about the USDF Arts Contest, visit the USDF Web site at www.usdf.org or contact the USDF office 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.