Lexington, KY (December 15, 2006) - United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced today the recipients of the USDF FEI Junior/Young Rider Council's Shining Star Sportsmanship Award.  The recipients include Emily Barnsley of Laytonsville, MD, Kirsten Lane of Medford, NJ, Becky Mark of VA, Emily O'Neill of Chester Springs, PA, Katie Pare of Lincoln University, PA, and Ryann Scelba of Lumberton, NJ, selected from the USDF Region 1 Youth Team Championships and Barbara Ayers of Cottage Grove, OR, Jessica Crawford of Tualatin, OR, Kate Fife of Boise, ID, Jessie Jacobs of Boise, ID, Kaitlin MacMillan of Cornelius, OR, Carena Mondragon of Clackamas, OR, Cara Seipel of Hillsboro, OR, Alyson Smith of Eagle, ID, and Keely Tommys of Hillsboro, OR, selected from the USDF Region 6 Youth Team Championships.
          The "USDF Shining Stars" recognizes junior and young-rider competitors who exemplify good sportsmanship and serve as role models for others.  These were awarded as the 2006 USDF Youth Regional Team Championships.
          For more information on this program, or to nominate a USDF Jr/YR for a USDF Shining Star Award, please go to www.usdf.org or contact Sharon Vander Ziel at (859) 971-7047 or via email at svanderziel@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 usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.