Lexington, KY (August 26, 2022) - The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Albers, Fiona Baan, and Amanda Johnson Awards presented at the North American Youth Dressage Championships, held during the FEI North American Youth Championships.

Albers Award:  The Albers Award perpetual trophy was awarded to Region 1 Chef d’Equipe Debbie DelGiorno for the second time. The Albers Award is named in honor of long-time USDF Region 1 Chef d’Equipe, supporter, and good friend, Patsy Albers. The award is presented annually at the USDF North American Youth Dressage Championships, to the dressage chef d’equipe who best demonstrates the same level of dedication, enthusiasm, and team spirit shown by Patsy, throughout the years. The award is open to all the dressage chefs d'equipe, and any competitor or chef d’equipe can nominate a candidate by submitting a written explanation as to why that chef deserves to win the Albers Award.

Fiona Baan Award: Region 7 Young Rider, Erin Nichols, of Yorba Linda, CA, and her ten-year-old, Dutch Warmblood gelding, Handsome Rob AR, were awarded the Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy. This trophy, which is on permanent display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, is awarded to the Young Rider who earns the highest combined average score in the three dressage tests: FEI Young Rider Team, Individual, and Freestyle. Nichols placed first in the team, individual, and freestyle tests, with scores of 70.147%, 69.000%, and 74.465 % respectively, securing the win with an overall combined average of 71.204%.

Amanda Johnson Award: Region 4 Junior Ella Fruchterman, of West Lakeland, MN, and the eleven-year-old, Danish Warmblood gelding, Holts Le’mans, were awarded the Amanda Johnson “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy. This trophy, which is on permanent display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, is awarded to the Junior rider who earns the highest combined average score in the three dressage tests: FEI Junior Team, Individual, and Freestyle. Ella Fruchterman placed third in the team competition, first in the individual competition, and first in her freestyle test, with scores of 69.303%, 69.294%, and 72.300% respectively, securing the win with an overall combined average of 70.299%.

For more information about the North American Youth Dressage Championships, the awards above, or the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org.

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.