Lexington, KY (May 15, 2018) – The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) would like to congratulate Kiersten Pratt, overall winner of the 2018 USDF/IDA National Quiz Challenge, held at the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) Nationals. Kiersten, a member of Lake Erie College's 2020 class, was entered in the Upper Training division. As the grand prize winner, she will receive her choice of an internship or intensive training opportunity at Hilltop Farm, Inc. in Colora, MD.

Kiersten shared her enthusiasm for the challenge, and the internship, in saying, "Participating in the quiz challenge has given me the incentive to study deeper about dressage theory, which will help me improve my own riding. I'm very honored to have won the internship with Hilltop Farm and I can't wait to learn from some of the best!"

USDF would also like to congratulate the winners in each of the other divisions of competition: Erin Diehl, Lake Erie College, was the winner of the Introductory Level, Morgan Blanyer, Lake Erie College, was the winner of the Lower Training Level, and Giuliana Raggio, Lake Erie College, was the winner of the First Level.

Big Dee's Tack and Vet Supply provided gifts for all those who participated in Round 1, as well as prizes for the winners of each of the four divisions and the grand prize winner.

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 training and classical dressage theory related to the rider's seat, position, and aids, as well as dressage competition rules. The five highest scoring individuals in each of the four categories advanced to the finals at the 2018 IDA Nationals, held in the George M Humphrey Equestrian Center at Lake Erie College, in Painesville, 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 USDF 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.