Lexington, KY (November 14, 2007) - United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Meagan Davis has been chosen as the USDF nominee for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Sportsman's Award. Nominees must demonstrate an ongoing dedication to the promotion of the horse, exhibit positive sportsmanship principles, and serve as a role model for their peers.
          As the USDF national nominee, Davis will receive a one-year USDF Participating Membership (PM), a certificate, a lapel pin, and an exclusively designed hat from USEF. She also wins an expense-paid, five-day Career Workshop Program sponsored by USEF in Lexington, Kentucky, in June 2008. In addition, she is eligible for selection as the overall USEF Youth Sportsman's Award winner, with the potential to receive a $1,000 educational scholarship, a trophy, and a lifetime membership to USEF.
          Meagan Davis is a high school senior from Stone Ridge, New York.  In 2007, Davis' competition highlights included placing third overall in the FEI Junior division at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, and competing as part of the fourth place Region 8 Junior team at the 2007 USDF/ Platinum Performance North American Junior Dressage Championships.  She also placed fourth in the individual test.  Davis has volunteered at many equine events and for the Rondout Valley Growers' Association (a non-profit community organization comprised of local farms, residents, and businesses committed to strengthening the region's family farms and preserving open space for future generations).
          Davis' academic achievements include her nomination to participate in "Girls State", a prestigious week-long leadership conference at one of New York States SUNY Colleges.  She is also involved in a program called Wise Individualized Senior Experience (WISE) where her project is to raise awareness of horse neglect by taking in a horse from a local animal sanctuary and helping to find it a new home. She is working with her family to develop their farm into a retirement farm for sport horses.
          For more information on this and other youth awards contact the Youth Liaison at youth@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.