The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Youth Executive Board has announced four winners of the USDF Youth Convention Scholarship for the 2005 USDF National Convention & Symposium. Kaitlyn Anderson, Yancey Zoe Shook, Elizabeth Venture and Brian Hafner were chosen by the USDF Youth Executive Board to receive $1000 scholarships to attend the 2005 National Convention & Symposium based on their dedication and commitment to the sport of dressage.  This will be the first USDF Convention for all four winners.

The following winners will receive up to a $1,000 scholarship as well as a discounted registration fee to attend the 2005 USDF National Convention and Symposium.

Kaitlyn Anderson, 17, from Brighton, Michigan, is the manager and co-captain of the Brighton High School Equestrian Team, and also is active with the lighting and sound crew for the Performing Arts Center.  She is a member of the National Honor Society, German Club, Brighton Freshman Mentoring Program, and Peer Mediation.  She is also a USDF bronze medalist and is active in the all-breeds award program.  Kaitlyn is  a member of the Midwest Dressage Association (MDA), a Group Member Organization of USDF, and has received the MDA Jr/YR Volunteer Award for five consecutive years accumulating as many as 1,300 volunteer points per year.

Yancy Zoe Shook, 15, from Charlotte, NC, is active with her community church, on her school's yearbook staff and equestrian club.  She is currently competing at Training Level and is a member of the North Carolina and South Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Associations.  She recently started a horse club at her school and she is hoping to become part of the USDF High School Dressage Club Program.

Elizabeth Ventre, 15, from Medford, NJ, is a member of her school's Peer Leaders Club, Manager of the Volleyball Team and Lacrosse Team, plays the flute in her school's band and also volunteers at a therapeutic riding program for handicapped children.  She is a member of the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association and has been competing at Second Level.  She has competed at the USDF GAIG Regional Championships, participated in clinics sponsored by her GMO and volunteered at schooling shows and educational events.

Brian Hafer, 17, from Avon, MN, is currently showing First and Second Level and has participated in the Region 4 Youth Regional Team Championships, USDF GAIG Region 4 Championships, and the Midwest Championships.  Brian is a member of the Central States Dressage and Eventing Association and participates in their high school dressage club program.  Brian is also active in football, band and German club at his high school.

Funds for the scholarship have been raised by the USDF Youth Executive Board through an annual silent auction. The board hopes to exceed the over $5000 that was raised last year in order to continue to add to the scholarship fund and to support special youth-oriented educational programming at future conventions. The USDF Youth Executive Board is asking for the donation of new or gently used items for this year's auction.  If you would like to make a donation, please contact Sheila Forbes, USDF Director of Programs, at (859) 271-7879 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.