The United States Dressage Federation is pleased to announce that nominations for the inaugural USEF Youth Sportsman's Charter Award are now being accepted.
This new award recognizes junior members who are active both in USEF and USDF. USDF shall select and nominate one national candidate for the overall USEF Youth Sportsman's Charter Award.

The USEF Youth Sportsman's Charter Award program is designed to develop leaders in the equine industry from all breeds and disciplines. USDF seeks nominees who demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the mission of USEF and USDF through the promotion of equestrian activities and equine welfare. Candidates should serve as a role model for peers, and exhibit characteristics that exemplify positive sportsmanship principles.

The USDF national nominee shall be recognized with receipt of a certificate of honor, lapel pin, an exclusively designed hat from USEF, and a six-day, expenses paid career opportunity workshop at the USEF national office in Lexington, KY in June, 2007.  Furthermore, the nominee will be submitted as a candidate to the USEF National Affiliates Working Group for consideration as the overall USEF Youth Sportsman's Award winner, and be nominated for the USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year Award. If selected by USEF as the overall Youth Sportsman's Charter Award winner, the presentation will take place at the Pegasus Awards Banquet at the USEF Annual Meeting in January 2007. The overall award winner will receive a trophy, a $1,000 scholarship to be paid to the educational program of their choice, and a lifetime membership to USEF, valued at $2,500.

The deadline for receipt of nominations is October 17, 2006.Details about the criteria and nomination process, as well as an application form are available at http://www.usdf.org/Menu/Programs/YouthSportsman/.

For more information about the USEF Youth Sportsman's Charter Award Program, contact Karin Glassman, USDF Director of Education and Programs, at (859) 271-7879 or kglassman@usdf.org or Karen Homer-Brown, USEF Managing Director of National Affiliates at (859) 225-6958 or khbrown@usef.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 usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.