Lexington, KY (November 25, 2009) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Charles "Chuck" Smith has received the 2009 USDF Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery.  This award recognizes a USDF member who, through consistent and cumulative volunteer activities, has demonstrated exceptional commitment towards carrying out USDF's mission.  As the winner, Chuck will be presented with a perpetual trophy, which is permanently on display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, will be featured in the yearbook issue of USDF Connection, and receive a "keeper" trophy and $500 gift certificate from The Paddock Saddlery.
          Chuck, of Richwood, OH, played a leading role in one of the greatest accomplishments in USDF's history, the very successful capital campaign for the USDF National Education Center.  From 2004-2007, Chuck served as the national chairman of the capital campaign and with his down-to-earth leadership and inspiration, the campaign achieved its fundraising objective with more than 4.2 million dollars committed.  Chuck also continues to work with staff on follow-through on pledges, in an effort to achieve the ultimate goal of debt-free home ownership and the establishment of a base of one million dollars for the National Education Endowment Fund.  In addition to his work on the capital campaign, Chuck has also been a member of the USDF Audit Committee since its inception last year, and has served with distinction on the USDF Sport Horse Committee since 2004.
          Apart from his outstanding volunteer work, Chuck and his wife Joann are also the proud owners of their very popular, crowd-pleasing, Westfalian mare, Rocher.  She and her rider, USDF Vice President George Williams, had a fabulous competition career, including a fifth place finish in the 2003 FEI World Cup Freestyle Final in Goteborg, Sweden, being named 2003 USDF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle Horse of the Year, and being named The Chronicle of the Horse Horse of the Year in 2003.  Together, they also won the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Dressage at Devon CDI*** an unprecedented three times with record scores, and took home the USEF Grand Prix Championship in 2005. 
          "Chuck's leadership of and tireless devotion to the capital campaign helped in a major way to make the USDF National Education Center a reality.  We are very pleased to honor him as the USDF Volunteer of the Year," said USDF President Sam Barish.
          For more information on the USDF Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery, 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.