Lexington, KY (March 31, 2015) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce its partnership with the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) to create a new type of competition for the IDA Nationals, the 2015 USDF/IDA National Quiz Challenge.  This competition is open to all IDA members and consists of two rounds of competition; the first round takes place online through USDF's eTRAK, focusing on classical dressage theory related to the rider's seat, position, and aids. 

The top six scoring individuals from the first round, in each of the four categories (Introductory, Lower Training, Upper Training and First Level), will compete as finalists at the 2015 IDA Nationals at Otterbein University's Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science in Westerville, OH on April 24-26, 2015.  A winner will be declared at each level, with one grand prize winner receiving a four week internship at Hilltop Farm, Inc. in Colora, MD.

“IDA is very excited to have Hilltop Farm as a sponsor for this new program.  Having the support of Hilltop Farm shows all of our collegiate members how seriously the dressage community views knowledge of the classical system.  We are thrilled with this new partnership and excited to see how it develops in the coming years,” stated Ginger Henderson, Chair of the Equestrian Department at Averett University and IDA board member.

Natalie DiBerardinis, General Manager & Breeding Manager at Hilltop Farm, Inc. added, “Hilltop Farm has always valued our relationships with colleges offering Equestrian Studies Programs and we've been fortunate to have many wonderful interns from these programs over the years.  This new connection with the USDF/IDA National Quiz Challenge is a wonderful chance for us to continue to offer hands-on experience for college students preparing for a career in the sport horse industry."

                        For more information on the USDF/IDA National Quiz Challenge, please visit the IDA website at www.teamdressage.com, the USDF website at www.usdf.org, or contact the USDF Youth Programs Liaison 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.