Lexington, KY (January 24, 2017) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the launch of the USDF National Education Initiative that will begin April 1, 2017. The purpose of this new program is to support GMOs in creating and maintaining affordable riding and educational opportunities for adults. The Initiative will offer four event formats that can be adapted to each GMOs needs: riding clinics/symposia, ride-a-tests, camps, and unmounted events. USDF will work with GMOs and their chapters to develop new events to enhance the education offerings in their local communities. GMOs will plan and facilitate approved events, with organizational and advertising support from USDF.

In addition to this new program, approved events will also be eligible to apply for a USDF National Education Initiative Grant. These new grants will offer funding opportunities to help GMOs and their chapters get their education programs started. Grants will be split among three application deadlines with regional/geographical representation considered, with the first application deadline being May 1, 2017, for programs held after September 1, 2017.

“The USDF National Education Initiative has been in development over the past two years, with the goal of making educational programs more accessible to our adult members, by allowing USDF Regions and GMOs more flexibility in how, and what types of, educational programs they offer for adults. I am excited about this program and believe it will provide more educational opportunities for our members,” stated USDF President George Williams.

For more information on the USDF National Education Initiative and the USDF National Education Initiative Grant, please visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org or contact the program liaison at education@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.