Lexington, KY (December 10, 2013) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the establishment of the USDF Honorary Instructor Program. This program has been carefully developed with great consideration over the last several years, by the Instruction Certification Strategic Planning Group (ICSPG) together with the Instructor/Trainer Committee. The final proposal was presented to the USDF Executive Board and, after thoughtful examination, has been endorsed. The purpose of this new program is to complement and enhance the present Instructor/Trainer Program. The goal is to promote our instruction programs and to advance them to the current national and global standards that we espouse as the national educational organization for dressage.

Kathy Connelly, who has chaired the ICSPG since its inception four years ago and has been instrumental in the development of this project, stated: “We are proud of our past and want to proceed forward towards our future, aligning with the pipeline created with the USEF programs”.
          The primary criterion to become an Honorary Instructor is that the candidate must be a good ambassador for the sport and art of dressage, in character, in achievement, and in the desire to promote a positive future for all. The individuals invited must uphold the dignity and welfare of the horse, and must characterize the integrity, high standards, and good sportsmanship that is and will continue to be the legacy of the USDF for future generations.

          To be invited, candidates need to understand and support the programs of USDF and USEF. USDF firmly believes that there is a strong need to put forth a major effort to certify all instructors. The USDF vision is that anyone entering the field to teach and train professionally will assume they must be certified. Honorary Instructors will be invited to join the program because they understand the importance of our USDF Instructor/Trainer Program and certification. Our goal is to certify instructors and trainers that will champion our efforts to represent the highest standards in the United States.

          Additional criteria used to determine the invitations includes US citizenship and for the individual to have represented the United States as a High Performance Rider in Olympics, World Equestrian Games, Pan American Games, or World Cup competitions. In addition, individuals should be known as teachers who have trained horses through the levels and also trained riders who have successfully achieved good results, due to their training and teaching techniques.

          The USDF is looking forward to incorporating the knowledge and skills of the Honorary Instructors in future programs and endeavors.

          For more information on the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program and the Honorary Instructor Program, visit www.usdf.org or contact the USDF Education Programs department at instructorcertification@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.