Lexington, KY (July 25, 2014) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that the Albers Award perpetual trophy was awarded to Region 1 Chef d'Equipe Debbie DelGiorno, at this year's USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior & Young Rider Dressage Championships at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC).

"I can think of no better person to win this award.  Debbie works tirelessly on behalf of the Region 1 Team, both before and during the event.  The fact that Debbie stepped into the Region 1 Chef d'Equipe position to fill Patsy's shoes after her untimely passing makes this even more special” stated Roberta Williams, USDF FEI Jr/YR Committee Chair.

The Albers Award is named in honor of long time USDF Region 1 Chef d'Equipe, supporter, and good friend, Patsy Albers. The award is presented annually at the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior & Young Rider Dressage Championships to the dressage chef d'equipe who best demonstrates the same level of dedication, enthusiasm, and team spirit shown by Patsy throughout the years. The award is open to all of the dressage chefs d'equipe and any competitor or chef d'equipe can nominate a candidate by submitting a written explanation as to why that chef deserves to win the Albers Award.

The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, age 14-21. Young equestrians come from the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing, as well as the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and endurance.

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.