Lexington, KY (October 6, 2016) - The United States Dressage Federation announced today that a unique educational opportunity for judges and FEI trainers will be offered at the 2017 Adequan®/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference! In 2017, the USEF Judges Forum will be held in conjunction with the trainers conference. This unique event will give judges and FEI trainers the opportunity to interact, share ideas, and gain a unique perspective of the challenges faced by each, both in and out of the competition arena.

This year's conference is in part sponsored by Gardy Bloemers, Wealth Management Advisor, The GB Group, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., and will be held January 16-17, 2017 at Mary Anne McPhail's High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, FL. The panel of presenters for the conference will be Lilo Fore and Hans-Christian Matthiesen. The judge's forum, with Lilo Fore, will include an additional day of classroom work on January 15.

Lilo Fore is an FEI 5* and Para 3* Judge, a USEF 'S' and DSHB 'R' judge. Fore is a founder USDF Instructor/Trainer Program, current Chair of the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program Committee, and member of the USEF Dressage Committee. A highly respected and sought after international judge and clinician, Fore is being honored with the Sonoma County Horse Council's Equus Award, for her role in increasing the quality of dressage training and horses to an international level.

Hans-Christian Matthiesen is an FEI 5* Judge, a member of the FEI Dressage Committee, and was a driving force behind the inaugural Seven-Year-Old Championship that was held during the 2016 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses. A veterinarian by profession, Matthiesen has been a member of the Danish Equestrian Federation's Board of Directors, chair of the Danish selection committee, Team Captain for the Danish Junior and Young Riders team, and was the recipient of the 2015 Lis Hartel Memorial Prize for his dedication to the sport of dressage.

"I am excited about this year's format. It is going to be an incredible opportunity to see and hear the different perspectives, training methods, and approach towards coaching of two FEI 5* judges, from different continents. They bring their experience and knowledge as trainers and coaches, and even the perspective of a veterinarian to the table. In addition, it marks what I view as a significant milestone for USDF. For the first time, we are partnering with USEF to have this conference be part of their judges education program," stated George Williams, USDF President.

USEF Dressage Committee chair Jayne Ayers, and co-chair Lisa Gorretta, added, "we are very excited about this ground breaking event. The partnering of these two organizations will be the first time our licensed 'r', 'R', and 'S' judges will have the opportunity for continuing education that includes dialog with our FEI trainers. The performance and training challenges of each demonstration horse will be looked at from both points of view, so insight into the whole picture can be expanded for all."

For more information on the Adequan®/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference, including criteria for attendance, please contact the USDF office at [email protected], or by phone at (859) 971-2277.

For information on the USEF Judges Forum, please contact Chuck Walker in the USEF office at [email protected], or by phone at (859) 225-6970. 

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.