Lexington, KY (May 14, 2015) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) would like to congratulate Amanda Arnold, overall winner of the 2015 USDF/IDA National Quiz Challenge held on April 24-26, 2015 at the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) Nationals.  Amanda, a student at Averett University, scored 100% on both the qualifying round and the championship round in the First Level Division of the competition.  She was the only student to score 100% in both rounds. As the grand prize winner, she will receive a four-week internship at Hilltop Farm, Inc. in Colora, MD.

            Amanda shared her enthusiasm for the challenge and the internship in saying, “I think the quiz challenge that IDA and USDF have partnered to produce is an excellent way to introduce more theory into the intercollegiate competition, and the internship at Hilltop is the perfect way to support and encourage competitors in their studies on riding theory. With this internship, I hope to build upon my riding theory with practical experience and I am excited and honored to have this amazing opportunity."

            USDF would also like to congratulate the winners in each of the other divisions of competition; Jessica Stipic, of Averett University, was the winner of the Introductory level, Nicole Bartell, of Michigan State University, was the winner of the Lower Training level, and Jennifer Parker, of Vermont Technical College, was the winner of the Upper Training level.

            This competition, open to all IDA members, consisted of two rounds of competition; the first round took place online through USDF's eTRAK, focusing on classical dressage theory related to the rider's seat, position, and aids. The six highest scoring individuals from the first round, in each of the four categories (Introductory, Lower Training, Upper Training and First Level) competed in the finals at the 2015 IDA Nationals, held at Otterbein University's Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science in Westerville, OH.

            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.