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<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;
font-family:" arial","sans-serif";color:#505050"="">Lexington, KY (October 24,
2016) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce
that Lilian Wittmack Roye and Rocher will be inducted into the Roemer
Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame (HOF) at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards
Banquet, on December 3, 2016, during the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention in St.
Louis, MO. Induction into the HOF is an honor bestowed on individuals and
horses that have made outstanding contributions to dressage in the United
States. <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;
font-family:" arial","sans-serif";color:#505050"="">Rocher is a dressage icon in
the United States, for those that witnessed her in competition before her
retirement in 2009. Owned by Charles and Joann Smith, of Richwood, OH, this
German born 25-year-old Westfalian mare (by Rolls Royce and out of Fraenzi)
touts a long and successful competition record, including 59 Grand Prix tests
on file with USDF. In 2002, Rocher, and rider George Williams, played to the
crowds winning the Grand Prix Freestyle at Dressage at Devon as well as the
Grand Prix for the Region 2 Championships. In 2003, Rocher added international
competition to her repertoire, finishing fifth in the FEI World Cup Freestyle.
That same year, Rocher was named the USDF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle
Horse of the Year, as well as <em>The
Chronicle of the Horse</em> Dressage Horse of the Year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;
font-family:" arial","sans-serif";color:#505050"="">Rocher competed extensively
across Europe, in Oldenburg, Munich, Goteborg, Hagen, and Wiesbaden with George
on board and showing off her floppy ears and flashy extended trot. She was
poised to be a strong contender for the 2004 Olympic Games, but was temporarily
sidelined by tendonitis as the event drew near. In 2005, Rocher returned to
competition sweeping all three classes of the USEF Grand Prix Championship, as
well a putting in a valiant and crowd pleasing performance for the US Team in
Aachen, Germany. Rocher moved on to break records, by being the first horse to
win the Grand Prix Freestyle at Dressage at Devon three times. Rocher had a
long and impressive showing career, but it is her character and inspirational
performances that truly set her apart. <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;
font-family:" arial","sans-serif";color:#505050"="">Her owner Charles once said
"Rocher took a dream and made it a reality. She took us all over the world
and filled us with pride. She has incredible character and inspired her fans
wherever she showed." <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;
font-family:" arial","sans-serif";color:#505050"="">Lilian Wittmack Roye was
instrumental in the development of dressage in the US, after coming to this
country from Denmark at the close of WWII, on a visa allowing her to work as a
performer in show business. Lilian trained her horses in dressage, and was
already giving small demonstrations when she signed a one-year contract with
the Ringling Bros. and Barnum &amp; Bailey Circus. She spent time practicing
her routine at the circus' headquarters in Sarasota, FL, and then logged 20,000
miles traveling with the circus and performing with her horses in the coveted
center ring. Lilian then settled in York, PA, building the area's first indoor
arena and founding Bri-Mar Stables. <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;
font-family:" arial","sans-serif";color:#505050"="">After hosting a few
unrecognized shows, Lilian organized the first American Horse Shows Association
(AHSA) recognized dressage show held in the US in 1955; hosting riders from
Canada to Michigan. She hand-wrote all of the tests, which she translated from
Danish, and judged the show herself. In February of 1958, Lilian founded the
International Equestrian Organization (IEO); USDF's oldest established and
charter Group Member Organization. Lilian was instrumental in IEO establishing
their first recognized dressage show. In 1976, the club produced another
milestone: the first FEI-sanctioned dressage competition in the US, held at the
York Fairgrounds. The current success of dressage competition in the US is a
direct result of Lilian's efforts in growing the sport. <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;
font-family:" arial","sans-serif";color:#505050"="">USDF Historical Recognition Committee
Chair Bettina Longaker says, "Every now and then a gem is found, Lilian
Wittmack Roye is one. She held dressage shows in the 1950s, when the civilians
were just starting to take over the sport and not many people knew what the
word meant, much less how to hold a formal dressage show. Lilian is truly one
of our founding mothers, and it is an honor to have her inducted into the
Roemer Foundation/ USDF Hall of Fame." <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;
font-family:" arial","sans-serif";color:#505050"="">For more information about the
Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, visit the USDF website at <a href="http://www.usdf.org/"><span style="color:#336699">www.usdf.org</span></a>,
or contact the USDF office at <a href="mailto:[email protected]"><span style="color:#336699">[email protected]</span></a>.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></p>

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.