Lexington, KY, June 25, 2013 — USDF Connection, the member magazine of the United States Dressage Federation, earned several top placings in the prestigious 2012 American Horse Publications Annual Awards Contest.

The awards, which recognized excellence in print and online equestrian media published in 2012, were announced June 22, 2013, during the 2013 AHP "Meet at the Peak" seminar in Colorado Springs, CO.

USDF Connection's "Clinic" series on getting to Second Level, "Get to Second Base" (June 2012 through December 2012/January 2013), earned top honors in the Instructional Series (print) category. The author, Beth Baumert, is a USDF-certified instructor through Fourth Level and the vice president of The Dressage Foundation, Lincoln, NE.

The magazine's report on the 2012 Olympic Games dressage competition, "The Best of Times, the Worst of Times" (November 2012), took first place in the Editorial Event Coverage Single Article category for print publications with a circulation of 20,000 or more. The story was written and photographed by USDF Connection editor Jennifer Bryant.

Two columns were recognized in the Personal Single Column class, circulation 20,000 and up. Jennifer Bryant's "Ringside" column on rider fitness, "Fit to Ride" (December 2012/January 2013), took second place. USDF member and FEI-level dressage instructor/trainer Kate Phillips earned third place for her "The Tail End" column on helmet use, "Courtney's Legacy" (June 2012).

The 2012 AHP Annual Awards Contest drew 758 entries from 104 AHP members. For more information about AHP, visit www.americanhorsepubs.org.

USDF Connection, published ten times a year in print and digital editions, is a benefit of membership in the United States Dressage Federation and its many affiliated dressage clubs, called group-member organizations (GMOs). For information about USDF membership or advertising in USDF Connection, visit www.usdf.org.

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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.