The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that eight USDF members have successfully completed the USDF "L" Education Program, hosted by Midwest Dressage Association in St. Johns, MI, in August 2005.

The USDF "L" Education Program is designed to prepare candidates for and fulfill the requirement to enter the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) "r" Judges Training Program.  It also qualifies individuals to judge schooling shows; gives competitors, trainers, and instructors greater insight into the evaluative techniques of judging dressage; and serves as continuing education for licensed judges.  "L" Programs are conducted by a faculty of USDF-approved, USEF "S"-licensed dressage judges who have experience in teaching judge-training programs.  Whether or not they plan on becoming licensed judges themselves, the "L" Program is an excellent opportunity for USDF members to learn how to improve their scores and view other rides from a judge's perspective. 

USDF congratulates the following new graduates of the USDF "L" Education Program:

Region 1:
Anne Moss, PA

Region 2:
Kim Aikens, MI
Kimberly Carey, MI
Colleen Hoekstra, MI
Beverly Rapp, MI
Susan Snethkamp, MI
Sue Thome, MI

Region 10:
Janet Henderson, ON

For more information about the USDF "L" Program, a calendar of USDF "L" education programs, and details on hosting an "L" Program education session, or to contact a USDF "L" graduate, visit www.usdf.org/Programs/LProgram/index.asp or contact Kim Sodt, USDF Programs Coordinator, (859) 271-7876 or ksodt@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.